Smart Spending in the Season of Discounts
It’s the season of discounts, and everywhere you look, something is on sale. It’s exciting, tempting, and it’s easy to get carried away. That item you’ve been eyeing for months suddenly looks irresistible. But before you make any purchase, take a moment to think. Impulse spending can turn a fun shopping experience into a stressful one, especially when the bills start to damage your bank account.
We’ve all been there, adding one thing to the cart, then another, telling ourselves, “It’s a deal; it won’t last forever,” until the aftermath makes you rethink your life choices. The thrill of a discount is real but so is that sudden feeling of guilt when you realize you weren’t even planning to spend that much. Yet the deals are too good to resist, and sometimes you buy them anyway.
Before looking at any sale, decide how much you can afford to spend. Break it into categories like essentials, gifts, and personal treats. A clear plan protects you from emotional purchases. If a deal doesn’t fit your plan, it’s okay to skip it. Not every discount is actually a win.
If something wasn’t in your plan but suddenly looks tempting, leave it for a few hours or until the next day. If you still genuinely want or need it, then maybe it’s worth considering. If the excitement disappears, then that was impulse talking.
Check reviews like your money depends on it because it does. A discounted item with terrible reviews is not a deal; it could end in regret. It’s like buying something that doesn’t even hold value. Look through comments, pictures, and ratings before buying.
Stick to what you need, not just what is cheap. Don’t let a low-price trick you into buying something you don’t genuinely need.
And yes, it’s normal to feel like you’re missing out if you skip a sale. Everyone experiences that feeling when others are flaunting the things they got from the sales. That feeling is real, but it doesn’t have to control your decisions.
If you’ve saved a little extra for the season, go ahead and enjoy the thrill of a good deal without compromising your plans or financial stability. This is the kind of spending that feels good both in the moment and afterward. Discount season should work in your favor. With a solid plan, clear priorities, and awareness of how sales influence behavior, you can enjoy the season while keeping your financial base strong.
NOW TO THE NEWS
Vale reminds users to join the Millionaire Savings Challenge
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Naira stabilizes amid rising reserves
The naira maintained relative stability in the mid-N1,400s/$ range this week, supported by stronger foreign exchange reserves and increased FX holdings by the Nigerian treasury.
However, pressure persisted in the wider market, as traders in Lagos’ parallel market sold dollars at slightly higher rates. By Thursday, the currency traded between N1,460/$ and N1,475/$ in the unofficial market, compared with N1,450/$ in the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).
Analysts attribute the gap between official and parallel market rates to strong dollar demand from importers and personal transfers, alongside limited forex inflows through formal channels. Even so, the medium-term outlook for the naira remains positive following a rise in Nigeria’s foreign reserves to $46.7 billion, the highest level in seven years, driven by stronger oil revenues, increased portfolio inflows, and renewed investor confidence.
According to the Central Bank, this reserve position represents a significant milestone in its ongoing reform agenda. Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Muhammad Abdullahi, highlighted that the current reserve level can cover more than ten months of imports, reflecting rising foreign demand for Nigerian assets and improved domestic economic conditions.
CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso also linked the gains to better market liquidity, improved crude oil sales, and deliberate efforts to stabilize the exchange rate.
CBN set to decide on MPR amid split market expectations
The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will meet on Monday, 24th and Tuesday, 25th November 2025, with economists and market analysts divided on whether the Committee will cut the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 25–50 bps or hold at 27% to assess the impact of September’s policy actions.
The last MPC meeting in September saw a 50 basis-point reduction to 27%, citing improved macroeconomic fundamentals, stable exchange rates, higher external reserves, and easing inflation.
Analysts advocating a rate cut argue that sustained disinflation, improved FX liquidity, and high lending rates justify easing. Umar Abdulqadir of CFG Africa expects a 50bps reduction to stimulate credit expansion, boost investment, and reinforce economic growth, noting that global rating upgrades and better price stability give the MPC room to act. Damilare Asimiyu of Afrinvest anticipates a moderate 25–50bps cut, citing favorable inflation trends, strong GDP growth, and dovish global monetary conditions as supporting factors.
On the other hand, some experts prefer holding the rate at 27%. Jessica Ifada of Rostrum Investment & Securities notes that the September cut is still filtering through the economy, while the recent reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio has increased bank liquidity. She adds that maintaining the MPR helps balance growth support with inflation risks, particularly during the upcoming festive season, and complements ongoing financial system stability efforts.
Overall, the MPC faces a careful choice between further easing to stimulate growth and holding steady to ensure inflation remains anchored, with economists split on the likely outcome.
Economic reforms yield progress, but more work needed – CBN
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says that while the economy has shown signs of stabilization, more work is needed to strengthen macroeconomic fundamentals and improve Nigerians’ living standards.
The CBN Deputy Governor, Corporate Services, Ms Emem Usoro, highlighted this at a seminar for finance journalists, noting that coordinated fiscal and monetary policies are essential for sustaining stability.
Usoro recalled that when the current CBN team took office two years ago, the economy faced high inflation, volatile exchange rates, dwindling reserves, and weak oil receipts. The bank responded with monetary measures, stricter governance, and ongoing bank recapitalization, aligned with broader federal reforms. These actions have helped reduce inflation to 16.05%, stabilize the naira below N1,500/$, and raise external reserves above $46 billion, covering over ten months of imports.
Despite these gains, she stressed that progress has not yet significantly improved living standards. She called for stronger collaboration among fiscal authorities, monetary policymakers, regulators, and the media, emphasizing that clear communication and policy alignment are vital for transparency, accountability, and resilience in a changing financial landscape.
Experts at the seminar also warned that misaligned policies could undermine investor confidence and economic growth, while harmonized measures could strengthen the naira, deepen financial markets, and support inclusive growth. The IMF has similarly noted that recent reforms, though bold, have yet to benefit most Nigerians, as poverty and food insecurity remain high.
