Surviving a Week on Just ₦5,000 in Nigeria – My Honest Experience
The economy has been biting hard lately. Prices of food and transport keep going up, and sometimes it feels like money disappears faster than it comes in. Out of curiosity (and necessity), I decided to test myself: Could I actually survive for seven days with only ₦5,000?
It wasn’t smooth sailing, but I pulled through—and the lessons I learned surprised me. Here’s exactly how I managed it.
1. Food First, Everything Else Later
The most important thing was making sure I wouldn’t go hungry. I went to a local market where things are cheaper than in supermarkets and bought:
Garri – ₦600
Groundnut – ₦300
Beans – ₦800
Tomatoes & pepper – ₦700
Palm oil and small spices – ₦600
A small measure of rice – ₦1,000
Total: ₦4,000.
It didn’t look like much, but with beans, rice, and garri, I knew I had a basic survival kit for the week.
2. Cutting Transportation Costs
Normally, I’d jump on an okada or keke for short trips, but this time I walked more. For longer journeys, I planned my outings carefully so I wouldn’t spend unnecessarily. At the end of the week, my total transport cost was just about ₦500.
3. Saying No to Impulse Buys
This was tougher than I thought. Snacks, drinks, and random things can silently finish your money. Anytime I was tempted, I asked myself: “Is this Fanta more important than food for the day?” That mindset shift really helped.
4. Home Cooking Over Eating Out
Eating out is expensive. A simple plate of rice outside goes for ₦1,500, but with the same money I cooked enough rice and stew for two to three days. Cooking at home became my biggest money-saver.
5. The Power of Contentment
At the end of it all, I realized survival is less about how much you have and more about how wisely you use it. Contentment, planning, and discipline made ₦5,000 stretch farther than I thought possible.
Final Thoughts
When the week ended, I still had about ₦400 left. Was it easy? No. Would I want to live this way every week? Absolutely not 😅. But the challenge taught me budgeting, self-control, and the truth that sometimes less is enough.
👉 What about you? Do you think you could survive one week on just ₦5,000? Share your thoughts in the comments and tag a friend who loves a challenge.
That's great, I would give it a try
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