We often hear
that music is not capable enough a career to cater for life's needs. But you
know what? there could be nothing farther from the truth than this. Perhaps
saying that musicians are not good enough managers of finances like other
professionals may make a better argument.
One day I
decided to carry out a personal research. I went to the bank, asking for a
year's statement of accounts. What I found was staggering. I thought, "if
you, Nat, developed enough wisdom and discipline to save just 25% of that
income over four years, some of the worries won't be necessary."
Sometimes, it's only a wisdom problem we have, that's all.
You see, the way
we earn our own money as musicians may just be the reason why we have not developed
that discipline or culture of saving. Unlike the regular office worker having a
fixed cycle of income, the musician, especially itinerant music ministers,
session and studio musicians, have got spontaneity of earnings in income and
this could be misleading if not properly managed.
Now, this little
savings is NOT what would sort all our life's dreams and visions, definitely not! But with a little more discipline in savings and spending, some frustrations
that come with being broke and the inability or incapacity to carry out certain
projects would have reduced drastically, while we await those massive
breakthroughs that will turn our whole life around.
Personally, I
decided to turn this tide. I opened what I called, "A DUMP ACCOUNT",
this is strictly for saving funds. After my tithe, offerings, seeds (and
believe me, I sow seeds), expenditures, I think it fair to save up some funds
(which is very scriptural) for myself. With this, some projects are sorted out
without stress, in addition to the support and help that God brings our path,
by way of goodwill offerings and sponsorship from friends, families and well
wishers.
Maybe you should
try this little experiment. You may just be turning your life around.
So I say,
MUSICIAN SAVE, SAVE MUSICIAN.
Nathaniel Bassey
No comments:
Post a Comment