The things we’re secretly scared of when it comes to money

It’s 3 am, and the phone is lighting up the ceiling. What if my main client does not renew next month? What if that transfer went to the wrong account number and it has already left? What if the card declines in a city where I know nobody? What if someone at home calls tonight and needs money by morning?

We rarely say these out loud, yet most of us carry some version of them. At that hour, they feel shapeless. In daylight, most turn out to be a few specific risks and a few specific steps.

Five money fears tend to keep people awake: losing income, a payment that never arrives, a transfer sent to the wrong person, running out of money abroad, and an emergency at home. Each is partly rational and partly reducible. Below, we name each one, say what is true in it, and give one step that makes it smaller.

What if I lose my income?

Of the five, this is the one with the most reason behind it. Clients leave, contracts end, companies restructure, and a salary that felt permanent can stop with a month’s notice. We are not being dramatic when we worry about it.

What we can usually reduce is how fast the fear turns into a crisis. Two numbers do most of the work. The first is the cost of one month: rent, food, transport, data, and any fixed obligations such as school fees or loan repayments. The second is how much of your income comes from one source. If a single client or employer pays most of it, losing them hurts differently from losing one of five.

Always have a buffer of one month’s costs, kept somewhere separate from the account you spend from. One month is not a deep cushion but it’s enough to turn a sudden stop into a few weeks of choices instead of a few days of panic. From there, three months is a common target if you can reach it.

What if the payment never comes through?

Late payment is perhaps the least troubling of the five, because it does not feel like a disaster. It feels like waiting, refreshing the account, and drafting a polite email for the third time. Invoices do get paid late, and some clients, rather annoyingly, treat the due date, as a suggestion.

Part of the fear can be shrunk before you send an invoice. State the due date and the payment method in writing, and agree what happens if the date passes, such as a late fee or a pause on work. Ask for a deposit on larger jobs so you are never fully exposed. Check that the name on your invoice matches the name on the account that will receive the money. Many banks and payment providers hold a payment for review when the sender's details and the receiving account name do not match, and you may be asked for documents before it is released. A payment can be on its way and still not be spendable.

A follow-up routine helps too: a reminder two days before the due date, one on the day, and one a week later. A scheduled message is easier to send than an anxious one.

What if I send money to the wrong person?

This is the fear with the sharpest edge, because many transfers cannot simply be taken back. Once a bank transfer has left, getting it returned usually depends on the receiving bank, and on the person who received it, more than on how quickly we notice.

What we can reduce is the chance of it happening, and how fast we act if it does:

• Check the account number, the bank, and the name twice, and read the digits out loud instead of skimming them.
• For a large amount or a new recipient, send a small test first and confirm it arrived before sending the rest.
• Save a recipient only after a transfer has landed with them, so the saved details are the ones that worked.
• If something goes wrong, contact your bank or provider straight away, with the date, amount, reference, and recipient details ready.

Be honest about the odds. Recalls depend on the receiving bank, can carry a fee, and do not always succeed. Speed improves the chances. It does not guarantee a return.

We cannot remove this fear completely, and we should not pretend to. We can make the mistake less likely and the response faster, which is most of what is in our control.

What if I run out of money abroad?

Being abroad changes the shape of this worry. At home, a failed card is an annoyance. Somewhere else, it can mean a missed ride, a stalled hotel check-in, or a long call to a bank that is closed. Some of the fear is justified: cards do get declined abroad, banks do flag unfamiliar transactions, and the exchange rate at a till can be worse than the one on your phone.

These steps can help:

• Carry a second way to pay that does not depend on the first, ideally from a different provider, and keep it apart from your main card.
• Keep a small amount of cash in the local currency for the first day.
• Keep a buffer in the currency you will be spending, not only in naira, so a swing in the exchange rate does not shrink your trip while you are on it.
• Check what each card charges for payments abroad before you leave, because the fee can differ a lot from one card to another.

The part of this fear that is not rational is the idea that one failed payment means everything has failed. Usually, it means we need the second option, and the point of having one is that the first failure becomes a small event.

What if there's an emergency back home?

This is the fear that does not stay in our own heads, because it arrives as a phone call and a familiar voice. Money for a hospital deposit or a parent's rent is needed quickly, and to a specific place. An emergency usually comes with a deadline, and the person asking cannot wait for an exchange rate to improve.

What can be decided in advance is the route and the amount. Know how money reaches that person: which bank, which account name, which details, and whether it can arrive at all on a weekend or a public holiday. Ask someone at home to confirm those details now, in a calm moment, and save them. Decide what you can send without breaking your own plans. And keep a buffer for it in the currency you would send from.

Transfer times vary by route and by day, so learn how long your usual route takes before you need it, not on the day. Treat any delivery estimate as an estimate, and leave room around bank cut-off times.

We carry this fear because we care about the people on the other end of it. That is not something to fix. What we can do is make the next call a little less frightening by doing the dull preparation before it comes.

Frequently asked questions

Can you reverse a bank transfer sent to the wrong person?

Sometimes, but not always. It depends on the receiving bank, the type of transfer, and whether the money has already been spent. Contact your bank or provider immediately, because speed improves the chances, and expect that a fee may apply.

What should I do first if I sent money to the wrong account?

Contact your bank or provider straight away. Have the date, amount, transaction reference, and the recipient's details ready, and say what went wrong in plain terms. Do not wait to see whether the recipient notices.

How big should my emergency fund be if my income is irregular?

Start with one month of essential costs, then build towards three to six months. People with irregular income often aim for the higher end, because a gap can last longer. These are general guidelines, not financial advice.

Why is my payment pending or on hold?

Providers often hold a payment for verification when the sender's details and the receiving account name do not match, or when more information is needed about the source of the funds. You may be asked for documents before the money is released.

How do I avoid running out of money when I travel?

Carry two ways to pay from different providers, keep a little cash in the local currency, keep a buffer in the currency you will spend, and check each card's fees for payments abroad before you leave.

Is it normal to be anxious about money?

Yes. Money worries are common, and some of them are rational. A useful way to handle them is to separate the part that is a real risk from the part that is not, and then act on the part you can change.

Open a Grey account to receive, hold, and send money in one place.

Fees and rates: deposits by ACH, SEPA, or Faster Payments cost 0.8%, with a minimum of $2, €2, or £2 and a maximum of $10, €10, or £10. Currency conversion costs 1%, capped at $6. Withdrawals to a Nigerian bank account cost ₦35. A virtual card costs $5 to create, once, with no monthly fee, and payments on non-US websites can carry a cross-border fee of 2% plus $0.50. A recall of a USD, EUR, or GBP payment carries a fixed fee of $50, €25, or £25, even if it fails. Exchange rates vary with a margin over the mid-market rate.

#GreyChat is a laid-back series where users share their experiences with Grey. We discuss their relationship with money, tips for financial freedom, and other fun anecdotes. Want to get featured? Let us know here.

What sparked your interest in travel?

I was born to travel; it’s the only thing I’ve wanted to do. Like people are interested in science or medicine, I’ve always wanted to travel and read. One of the reasons why I love Europe is due to the ease of travel. You can easily take a train from Barcelona to Madrid for €9, or take a Friday off and spend the weekend in Geneva. So, I just wanted to explore; last year, I visited 17 countries, staying for a few days or weeks in each.

Before choosing a travel destination and accommodation, what do you consider?

For travel location, I’d say the quality of the transport system and how close my accommodation is to the nearest train or bus station. I learnt this the hard way while visiting Lithuania — I hadn’t considered the distance, and the closest train station was 3km away. I thought I could walk it easily but didn’t realise there was a mountain to climb up and down. It was an unpleasant experience because it was in the middle of December, and it was snowing at -5°C. That’s why ensuring the transport is close to where you’ll be staying is very important.

When choosing accommodations, it mostly depends on whether I’ll be travelling solo or with a group. For solo trips, I’m very flexible, in that I’m okay with hostels. But with a group, finding apartments for better pricing and comfort is more suitable. Another factor is the location. For example, I got an apartment for €30 a night in Bucharest because it was affordable and more comfortable. But I'd rather settle for a hostel in London where I’d spend around £250-£200 for an apartment.

Also read: How to find the perfect place to stay in 2024 as a digital nomad

Do you have any red flags that prevent you from booking a place?

I never stay in a place rated less than 8/10 unless it’s a new property. But 99 per cent of the time, every time I’ve taken a chance on a listing rated seven or less, my experience has been horrible. There was an instance in Estonia where a room I booked had dirty floors, crumpled walls, and narrow beds. I had to forfeit my deposit, around €20;  thankfully, it wasn’t a lot of money.

Do you research the safety of the neighbourhood?

It mainly depends on the location, but many European cities are safe. The only ones I’ve honestly looked into are Paris and London. Paris has some sketchy areas, and London is a big city, so it’s easy to get lost and end up in the wrong place. But when I visit places like Lithuania or Slovakia, I don’t worry much.

Apart from the neighbourhood, do you have any personal safety measures?

When I stay in hostels, I never book mixed rooms. I also lock everything I own, from suitcases to backpacks. Another precaution I take is to stay in hotels when visiting cities or countries that might not be as safe. For instance, I wouldn’t visit Morocco alone — I’d go with friends and stay in a large chain hotel instead of renting an apartment or staying in a hostel.

Also read: Safest cities for female digital nomads!

This is the first time you’ve mentioned hotels. Are they not your preferred type of accommodation?

Oh no. I’d rather stay in a hostel or rent an apartment. As I mentioned earlier, I choose hotels only when I’m in a place where safety is a concern. During my last visit to Sofia, Bulgaria, with a group of friends, we stayed in a large hotel with a casino. Because the country is a former Soviet area, we wanted somewhere that gave us peace of mind, and the hotel offered  a great price.

However, I typically stick with hostels and apartments. I use Booking.com to find good listings, and since I’m a frequent user, I get discounts and perks. I also compare Airbnb and Google Travel prices, but Booking.com is usually cheaper.

Also read: Seven proven hacks to slash accommodation costs

For free accommodations, you can check out Trusted House Sitter. You’ll need to pay €150 annually and go through a verification process for both the traveller and the host. But once you’re confirmed, you can house-sit for people while they are away, sometimes for weeks.

That sounds great! What's the best place you’ve ever stayed at?

This isn’t easy because I’ve stayed at so many good places. A hostel in Rome served the best breakfast I’ve ever had. But if I had to choose the best food and accommodation, it’d be Copenhagen. It was stunning, with an indoor pool, a movie theatre, and impressive architecture.

Last question — what’s your advice for first-time travellers overwhelmed by accommodation options?

As a first-time traveller, you’re probably in the phase where you’re working through a checklist of things to see. I’d recommend staying in a central location to make your life easier. Also, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. It’ll likely stress you, and that’s the last thing you want while travelling. So choose somewhere comfortable and safe to have a great travel experience.

One bonus tip for first-time travellers: get a Grey account. With a UK, EU or US bank account, you can easily manage your finances and spend like a local, wherever you are. Open a free Grey account today to get started.

What sparked your interest in UX design

I’ve been in the creative industry for some time, like four years, but I used to do graphic design back then. In 2020/2021, I developed an interest in tech fields like software engineering, tech ecosystems, and the startup industry, but I wasn’t sure where exactly I would fit, so I was just trying different things. I even tried enrolling myself in data analysis courses at ALX and Udacity.

One day a social media friend, Abil, shared a project he did on Figma. I thought the screens looked super cool.

After completing my ALX data analysis course. I was looking for internships and came across a community run by a certain Jessica Davis on Twitter. She said she would like to help people starting in tech. I reached out to her about my interests.  “I’m looking for a gig,” I said. “Money isn’t my priority for now; I just want to get experience.”

Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Freelancing Platform in 2024

Luckily, a CEO from Atlanta, Georgia, contacted me and offered me an internship. It was a six-month contract during which I would join a product design team based in Las Vegas. From there, everything changed because I wanted to upskill and work with an experienced team of professionals.

Where did you learn UX design?

While at university, I was pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. However, I dropped out after my third year as I realized that my true passion lay in the software tech industry. Despite never having studied UX design before, I decided to explore this field while looking for job opportunities. It was during this search that I shared some of my screen designs with others and realized that many people were interested in what I was doing. This piqued my interest further and I decided to enroll in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate course, a well-known course in the UX and product design field.

From biomedical engineering to UX design

I had some experience with computer-related tasks, including knowledge of programming languages such as C+ and Python and dedicated programs like MATLAB, from my biomedical engineering major. Therefore, transitioning from biomedical engineering to UX design was not too difficult.

Challenges so far

My number one challenge is time zone differences; I work with a client in the United States. When they wake up, it’s around 6 p.m. in my time zone and up to 8 p.m. during daylight savings. Sometimes, I work from morning to evening, and when I want to rest, I remember that I still have work. I’m overcoming that by having creative blocks. For the days that I have creative blocks and don’t feel like working, I communicate early and tell my team that I won’t do so and so today and will only be available for emergencies. Then I take some personal time off to go outside and touch grass.

Receiving payment is also a challenge for me. The first challenge with payment is getting the client’s trust, and the second is finding a platform to help me receive payment. I tried several apps and services in the past. In one instance, I woke up one morning to find my account blocked for no reason. These guys are notorious for doing this to Africans, and I think it’s a major problem of using digital products that aren’t built to serve Africans by Africans.

I also remember when I was used to receiving money through Western Union. Western Union is challenging because it’s always a hassle going to their office to withdraw my money. I would love to receive my money through my phone and then top it up with my Mobile Money.

There was a time when I worked with a client from South Africa. When it was time to pay me, he sent the money through my Tanzanian bank account. I remember the total fee was 20%. Even the client was amazed because he had sent some extra money to cover the fees, but the bank took a further 10% from me when the money arrived. From there, I was like, I will never use the banks.

What’s your experience with using Grey

I’ve been using Grey for almost a year now. When I found Grey, I remembered I had one of the clients who was more of a full-time employee sending money through my Grey virtual account.

After receiving my first payment, I remember Grey asking me for documents like a work agreement or a contract. I submitted them, and they quickly approved. Payments and withdrawals have been seamless since then.

One thing I love about Grey is that I can instantly send funds via Mobile Money. That is great because I don’t want to send my money to the bank. After all, here in Tanzania, Mobile Money is more accessible than banks. The “transfer to Mobile Money” feature is my favorite Grey feature.

#GreyChat is a laid-back series where users share their experiences with Grey. We discuss their relationship with money, tips for financial freedom, and other fun anecdotes. Want to get featured? Let us know here.

Getrude Mligo is a digital education consultant and communication strategist who has pioneered many online advocacy campaigns like #DearGirlChild in Tanzania. She’s also an accomplished author with 13 books under her belt and a humanitarian who is especially concerned with the digital literacy of women and girls. In this chat, she shares her motivations and how she had to decline international jobs before discovering Grey.

You have such a diverse skill set…What would you say motivated you to pursue a degree in communications?

Although I didn’t start my studies with digital marketing courses, soon after I graduated with a first degree in human resources, I found myself attracted to digital marketing and the digital world at large. I realized it wasn’t enough to get digital marketing experience — I wanted to become an expert too. This inspired me to enroll in different online courses before eventually pursuing a formal certificate in digital communications at Harvard, and another in content creation and community management from the University of Leeds.

That’s interesting. Would you advice other entry-level digital marketers to also invest in paid courses and formal education or just study with free courses and then get hands-on experience?

I actually started with free courses because, at the time, I was skeptical about investing my money in digital marketing. But then I realized that many people were already doing the free courses, and I wanted to find a way to differentiate myself from the crowd.

Also, when people see that you have a degree, certificate, or diploma, especially from a well-profiled institution, they have a level of trust in your ability and want to work with you. And, in the end, it all pays off. You have to know what you want and figure out how you want to stand out in the job market.

What advice do you have for people who want to enter digital marketing but come from a different background, and are interested in many other things like yourself?

It’s not easy to be a versatile person who’s involved with a lot of things. But speaking specifically from my experience, it was possible because I love what I’m doing. There are moments when I feel overwhelmed, but what keeps me going is how passionate I am to make a change. I want to be someone who excels at digital marketing and writing but also gives back to the community, so I am focused on creating this identity for myself.

So, pick interests you’re passionate about and find a way to connect them in a way that doesn’t drain you. Doing this would make it easier for you to face challenges and keep moving forward.

That’s awesome…Can you tell us about your initiative, The Social Media Academy? What motivated you to start it, and how has it contributed to digital communication in Tanzania?

Well, I wanted people to understand the type of benefits they can get through their smartphones, and also, I needed money. I won’t beat around the bush; I wanted money, and to get it, I had to use my skills.

The Social Media Academy trains and assists people to monetize their skills and earn from social media and websites. So far, we’ve connected more than 600 women through digital marketing to sell their handmade products to people in the U.S., Dubai, Switzerland, and Canada. These women make sales of about 40 million Tanzanian shillings monthly; a student of ours, who’s great at crafting, recently got her work featured on Netflix; it’s amazing to see that we’re making changes through digital platforms.

That’s impressive…I know you’ve received several awards. You were awarded the Digital Strategist of the Year recently. How have these recognitions impacted your career?

When people see you getting recognized, they view you as an expert. For instance, when I won the Digital Strategist of the Year, I got eight new clients. These awards and recognitions are like social proof and evidence that you know what you’re doing, and they influence people to want to work with you.

Nice…Can you share some of the challenges you’ve encountered in your career and how you’ve overcome them?

I remember that at the beginning of my career as a digital marketer, I didn’t know how to set boundaries with clients. My phone would be buzzing with calls and texts by 2 am, and some clients considered me to be their therapist. I also had situations where clients defaulted on payments and gave numerous excuses, making my work difficult.

Also, because I’m involved in three different fields: digital marketing, writing, and humanitarian work, there were instances where I was offered paid opportunities, but had to decline because I’m just one person. These were big challenges for me, but now I’ve learned the hard way to set standards and manage my time better, too.

Speaking of payments, you know we at Grey make it easier for freelancers and remote workers in Africa to transact internationally. Would you say receiving payments was a problem you faced at the beginning?

Yes, it definitely was. Some clients specifically used the excuse of not being able to send money to Tanzania to delay payments. I also remember that at the beginning of my career, I got an offer from Australia, but because of the tedious payment process that would be involved, I declined the opportunity. Being exposed to international payment then would have been helpful in that situation. There are still people in Tanzania who struggle with making international payments due to lack of exposure, so I believe that sessions should be created to spread awareness.

We’re definitely looking to gain more awareness in the East African market. So, what is your advice for young professionals entering this field?

You need to be aware of trends, especially in regards to how they can help the brands you work with. You need to take advantage of AI tools as they can optimize your content by giving you insights on what keywords to use and the best time to post content and help you improve your engagement and visibility. And lastly, as a digital marketer, you need to take yourself seriously because how else will other people take you seriously?

Also read: Tips for Building a Personal Brand

That’s great advice. Do you have any feedback you’d like us to take home?

Yeah, I believe kids should be exposed to Grey. Doing this will ensure that when they’re ready to start a digital career, they know what platform to use, and won’t have to miss out on international opportunities.

Influencer marketing has become one of the most lucrative online professions today. This is because brands are using them to promote their businesses, products, and services. However, due to the increasing number of brand influencers online, it might take more work to stand out, especially as an upcoming creator.

In our recent Limitless podcast, we spoke to Ajibola Grey, a popular Nigerian social media influencer, about being successful in this field. He opened our eyes to some really insightful tips, which we’ll be sharing with you in this post.

Who is a Social Media Influencer?

An influencer is an online personality who has built a brand and reputation for themselves. These people command a large audience and are able to influence buying decisions based on their lifestyle, content, or recommendations.

Brands use these influencers because they have the reach. In the past, you would either be influenced by watching TV commercials, listening to radio jingles, or reading an ad in the newspaper. The investment into creating these types of ads is capital and labour-intensive.

Today, one tweet from a single person can reach over 70,000 people in one day. Social media is the new billboard, and influencers make ads more reachable.

How Much Can You Make as a Social Media Influencer in Nigeria?

You can go anywhere between NGN 50,000 to millions depending on your reach. Ajibola shared that his first paid gig was sending out five tweets for a brand, and the budget was NGN 150,000.

After that, he created a video for a brand and got NGN 500,000. His rates have obviously gone up since then, but with this, you can attest to how lucrative this industry can be. Unfortunately, many doubt you can rake millions from promoting businesses as an influencer.

Think about it. If Ajibola, with less than 100k followers on Instagram, can charge NGN 500,000 for a video, how much do you think people with millions of followers charge for a video? And how many of those videos do they get in a month?

Influencers also get discounts and deals.

For example, if you’d like to get a car, you can work an arrangement with the car dealer and get a certain percentage off. In exchange, you run a promotion for their brand. The benefits are endless.

How to Transition from a Corporate Job or Being a Student into Influencing

For starters, you need courage. Because even though Ajibola Grey wanted to become a lawyer, he only practised law for a day. In his words,

“I resumed my first job a week after being called to the bar. I got to the firm, and they put a whole lot of folders on my desk to sort through. 2o minutes after going through them, I knew this was not for me. I got up, put my laptop in my bag, and left.”

You might need a little bit of luck and the right timing.

For Ajibola, it was during the ENDSARs protest. He made a voice note that went viral, and that was it. People loved the voice notes and started following his accounts. During that period, he just kept putting out this type of content.

But before you go viral - you need a bird in hand.

Before making money as an influencer, he dabbled in real estate and catering. So be sure to have a source of income while waiting for your big break.

7 Tips for Being a Successful Influencer

Now if you’ve already found your viral moment or built up an audience, here are the seven keys Ajibola Grey shared as his recipe for success;

1. Find your motivation

For many people, money is the sole motivation. The ability to buy what you want, sort out your bills, and live an enjoyable life. For others, it might be different.

For example, you can be motivated by the people around you. If you love to help people in need, that’s a good reason to work hard at becoming an influencer.  It could also be helping small businesses or generally offering more helpful advice. Whatever your reasons are, it’s what will keep you going when it gets tough.

2. Always read your contract

Of course, a lawyer is going to be keen on the legal stuff, and Ajibola does not joke with thoroughly reviewing his contracts. To him, they aren’t as difficult as people make them seem. Plus, if it gets a little too complex, you can always let someone else review it for you.

This is because there are a lot of binding agreements hidden in your contracts—for example, a non-competitor clause. Many influencers ignore this, and it simply means you cannot work for a similar brand in the near future. One time after signing, he got offers 3x the price for a similar brand, and he couldn’t take it because of that agreement. So, read to know what you’re getting yourself into.

3. Don’t be afraid to negotiate

Everyone is always looking for the best deal - brands inclusive- so they’d try to reduce their budget by any means. You, on the other hand, should be confident in your work. You won’t be afraid to negotiate or increase your rates when you're confident.

Have a fixed price and negotiate until you’re satisfied with the offering on the table. Don’t just accept ridiculously low offers because you’re desperate.

4. Put in the work

You shouldn't just send random things if you get paid for one tweet. Put careful thought, strategies, and work into it. Try to be as organic as possible to get a high conversion rate.

This is because it’s sort of a portfolio for you and will determine whether future brands want to work with you. Brands are watching.

It’s also essential because your good work will bring in referrals. When you have a good relationship with previous clients and good results to show for your work, they’d be more inclined to refer you to their friends and professional network.

5. It’s okay not to have a niche

One would think TheAjibolaGrey would try to venture into law, but he doesn’t have a niche. Interestingly, he has tried being a skit maker, and it just didn’t feel organic. He really just sells his personality, so he’s keen on not being too niche focused because it can put you in a box.

Many other Nigerian influencers with a niche try to do other things. For example, Aproko Doctor goes beyond medicine-related gigs. This is what he means by not putting yourself in a box.

Focus on what feels the most organic to you. What you’re good at. But while at it, have an expandable personality. The goal is to be limitless. Be open to opportunities.

6. Sometimes, Say No

You will often need to say no because you need to create healthy boundaries for your brand. For example, you can reject a brand partnership because the pricing is just too low.

Another could be that it’s not in line with your morals. People will reach out so you can push a negative agenda or even make you venture into politics. You need to know where to draw the line.

Also, other influencers will take that gig. But that’s fine because the market is big. However, keep to your stance, and you’ll get more deals that align with your brand.

7. Be wary of clout

Finally, the influencing space is crazy because you’ll feed on clout, which can be good or bad. Many influencers intentionally create scenarios or drama and get involved with all topics to get traffic. While you might get engagements, it can hurt your brand. So avoid getting tempted, especially when jumping on every topic. Not all traffic is good traffic. Stick to the topics you’re known for.

Wrapping Up

Social media influencing can be very tricky. However, being true to yourself and putting your brand first will help you establish relevance in the market. Over time, it’ll be a lucrative source of income. We hope these real-life tips will also help you get a head start on building your influencing career.

‍

#GreyChat is a laid-back series where Grey users share their experiences with Grey. We discuss their relationship with money, tips for financial freedom, and other fun anecdotes. Want to get featured? Let us know here**.**

Adora is a freelancer in the education sector, and she works remotely for foreign countries all around the world. In this chat, she shares how she lost thousands of pounds using alternative exchange platforms and how Grey became the answer to her prayers.

Let’s start by getting to know a little more about you, Adora.

Hi, My name is Adora. I am an educator and a writer, currently transitioning into mental health training. I do a lot of freelance work in the education sector, particularly teaching kids and adults. Most of my work is with foreign companies in China, Japan, and all around the world, to be honest.

I thoroughly enjoy freelancing. I hate working 9-5, haha. And I don’t like earning in Naira because it isn’t always so stable. That’s why I aim for higher-paying jobs abroad that’ll give me security, especially with my money.

When I’m not doing that, I’m being a baby girl and living my best life.

As you should. What inspired you to take on this unique career path?

I like to call myself Dora the Explorer, haha. I like to explore, so I never settle. Even right now, I feel like I’m getting comfortable, and I don’t like that. This is because if you stay where you’re comfortable, you may have the potential to succeed, but you won’t get there because you won’t try.

So for me, I like to put myself out there. As I said, I didn’t like the 9-5 because I didn’t feel like it was paying me what my value was. I went to school abroad, studied law, and even as a lawyer, it wasn’t worth it.

I just felt like even if I worked so hard, they would never pay me my value or worth. I have so much to offer, and I have so much to gain.

So I started finding out ways to push past my state then. I’ll say I’m very good at finding out information. I can spend hours on the Internet, trying to find out new things.

But as soon as I find out new information, I like to share it with people around me. I don’t want to be the only one making money. We should all afford to travel and do all these things together.

Nice….So let’s talk about your relationship with us a little bit. How did you find out about Grey?

I heard about Grey from a friend. Her friend’s husband had been really ecstatic about the platform.

That was interesting because, as a freelancer, changing money to Nigeria has been the hardest, most difficult, and most expensive thing that has happened to me.

Paypal would charge ridiculous rates, and while my alternative method was cheaper, I’d lose so much money. It made me feel like I was just throwing my earnings away, to be honest.

This is how I’d do it;

Wise → My UK bank account → Binance → Swap → my NGN account.

It was crazy. With each transaction, I was losing money in fees and exchange rate discrepancies.

So when my friend told me there was an app like this that existed, I felt like God finally heard my prayers. I don’t know about your other users, but I have been the happiest person. Now my flow is just Wise to Grey. I do everything there - the swaps, using the NGN accounts, the USD card, everything.

I’ve become a Grey fanatic since then, recruiting everyone - my family, freelancers, friends, everyone.

Omo, it was indeed a lot. Did you try out any other similar app before Grey to see if they could do this, or was it just this transfer process for you?

I think I tried to use popular ones like the Western Union app. But it was just a complicated process. I tried to use Payday, but I found Grey’s usability and interface easier to use. It’s simpler and more straightforward. I’ve used others, but I can’t remember their names because of how stressful they were.

Are there any goals you’re trying to achieve that we can help you with?

Hmmm, in the past was struggling to get money, and Grey helped me get it faster and cheaper. Because sometimes, my previous process could take up to three days to complete. So I’d say compared to the suffering I was coming from, Grey has been heaven.

As for the future, it might have to do with transaction limits. I know there are certain checks for fraud, but I once recommended Grey to a higher-up, and he wanted to use it to pay for his child’s school fees. Then he asked me about the limit. So I’d say maybe more obvious limits.

Then there was an issue with sending money for a project once. The money was returned to my account, and I think it had to do with the Silvergate issue. So, having USD accounts back will make my life easier.

There’s been a lot of transactions I’ve needed to do, and I end up swapping to pounds which makes me lose a bit of money in FX.

Apologies for this. USD accounts will be back soon. It’s taking time because we want to work with the right credible partners so this issue doesn’t happen again.

How long do you typically spend on the mobile app?

A lot.  I don’t even keep money in my regular bank app because the Grey Naira account seems to be more efficient than my regular account. So I just save on Grey after conversion and move money to my spending account when necessary, which reminds me.

Please look into investments. We need a savings section on Grey. Somewhere I can lock up some money or an instance where once I spend, a percentage gets automatically saved too. Because right now, there’s no way to save on Grey.

We’re working on this, and we can’t wait to share it with you. On a scale from 1-10, how easy has it been for you to navigate the Grey app?

I’ll say 8 - 9. It wasn’t so hard to navigate.

Have you ever required customer support? Were they helpful in resolving your issue?

Hmm, I haven’t had a need for support. But a friend did, and he got a response not quite long after. So from hearsay, support seemed very helpful and prompt.

Finally, is there any other way we can make your experience on Grey better?

Get USD accounts back up - that’ll really make it easier. Then maybe lesser downtimes.

But generally, it’s been good. Grey is greying.

‍