"How to survive without salary" [Writer's contest 3]

December makes it 6 months since I last received alert that my salary has been paid. Don't be shocked, I’ve gotten used to it.

I work with a media house. A newspaper to be precise. The main reason for the delay in payment of salary according to them is because advertising our main source of income has reduced drastically. While this may be true, other things also contribute to our cash flow problem, but that is another problem to be discussed another day.

Back to my topic. Surviving without salary. Here are some tips that will help during your trying times.

Confidence is key

There are a few feelings worse than working for a full month and not receiving anything in return. Still, you don't have to make that feeling of despair show on your face. Walk into any room with your shoulders held high even though you never chop belleful. If you eventually find yourself in a situation that involves spending of money, skilfully remove yourself from that vicinity. This brings us to the next point, learning how to lie.

Lying is not wrong

When you've not been paid for as long as 3 months, talk less of 6 months, lying or making excuses will not be hard. Especially when it comes to finances. There are many examples but you get my drift.

Be extra nice to your landlord

This is the most obvious point. If you don't own your own house, then your landlord should become your best friend till your salary becomes constant. If you both live in the same compound, be the first to greet him or her in the morning. Offer to clean his surroundings, offer to go on little errands, play with their kids. Maybe you landlord will consider all this when you go to ask for an extension to pay your rent.

Be nice to food vendors

Take my own case for example. I've made it a point to know all the names of the women and men that sell foodstuffs and provisions in my area and the office so when I have to buy on credit, it will be hard for them to say no.

Learn to manage

This is self explanatory. If u like go dey buy more than the little change wey dey your pocket. Your body go tell you.

Be at ease with borrowing, buying things on credit

I've since grown a thick skin against that uneasy feeling I get when have to borrow from my friends or family. It'll pay you to do the same. It's the same with buying stuff on credit. Get used to it.

Find a side gig

It dawned on me after the 2nd month of no salary that I had to find something else that will earn me money. Luckily, I did but the pay was half of my regular salary. Still I didn't mind. It has allowed me keep body and soul together. If you are a teacher, find students you can teach outside your regular schedule for money. If you are a banker, establish a local cooperative or 'asusu'. For the civil servants, get a shop or something. Just look for a way to get extra funds.

There are a couple of other ways one can survive without salary. But the ones listed above are some of the most important. Do you know of any other ways to survive without salary? Feel free to share.

NAME:  Abisola Alawode