Tag: Shopping

  • Vlog: I Run Errands, Bake Cookies, & Work From Home

    Vlog: I Run Errands, Bake Cookies, & Work From Home

    It’s a beautiful day in the new normal. In this vlog, I run some errands, bake Oat, Coconut, Chocolate Chip cookies from scratch, dance in the kitchen, and work from home. I talk about what I have been watching and listening to recently. I also share details about the work I am doing with the platform Africans on China.

    Regarding skincare, I have been developing a routine since I was in middle school. For the past 3 or 4 years, I have been using Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil, Skin Therapy Face Oil, and recently added their Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub. I have seen a great improvement in my skin with these products. My skin tone is more even and my natural glow is brighter. Due to the success of my skin, I have also convinced my mother, sisters, and brother to use these products. They all have different skin types and they all love how these products work on their face.

    Like I mentioned in the video, I do recommend using cotton pads. I have been using them for a few years now and I do feel they have made a difference with my cycle. They also feel more comfortable. I use L, which does not only produce a quality organic product, but is also supporting education and access (read more on their website). I also finally got my hands on The Honey Pot, which is Black-owned and the first feminine hygiene care system powered by herbs.

    Are you going out a lot these days? I feel uneasy when I do go out for essentials things. It is so worrisome knowing any and all precautions taken carry no guarantees.

    The cookies! This is the oatmeal cookie recipe I used. For this batch, I substituted the coconut oil with almond milk and oat flour with almond flour. This is possibly why the texture came out more like a lump than a circle. It did taste delicious. This is a great dessert option if you are looking to cut down on sugar. The whole family liked it and demanded I make more. It was also a fun activity for me. As you may notice, if I continue doing vlogs, I must play music while I cook or bake. The food does not taste right when it is quiet in the kitchen.

    I am currently reading the Inheritance Trilogy by N. K. Jemisin. It is so good! I am really enjoying the story. This author is so clever. I will share more about it once I finish it. The music I mentioned in the video are two albums I have been listening to fully back to back. Sauti Sol is a Kenyan Afro-Pop group. Their new album Midnight Train is really nice. I like the vocals and lyrics. It has a positive vibe.

    Chloe x Halle are an American R&B sister duet. Their new album Ungodly Hour is really cool. I like the variety in beats and their rich vocals. It has a smooth vibe.

    In terms of life in general, I am OK. Kind of feel like I am on a really long roller coaster…and I am not fond of real roller coasters. One week I feel balanced and productive, the next week I am wondering why I bother to thrive. It is weird and surreal. I am grateful.

    Like I mentioned in the video, I am now part of the team behind Africans on China. It is a media platform that builds leadership capacity and boosts the agency of Africa in the China-Africa relationship. It is also a consultancy firm that provides strategic advisory services for individuals and businesses in both China and Africa. Currently, I am producing content. Feel free to check out my recent article, “The Surprising Way TikTok is Empowering African Artists.” The website has been up for a few weeks. So, we are working on building the brand voice and position the content to reach people who are interested in learning and contributing. Would you be interested in hearing more about this topic? Let me know in the comments.

    Also, I am always looking for new music to listen to. Do you have any suggestions? Open to all genres. Share with me in the comments.

    Remember to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I love hearing from you.

  • How I Use Money and Keep a Budget in Ghana

    How I Use Money and Keep a Budget in Ghana

    Let’s talk about money. The thing everyone wants and the thing most are uncomfortable sharing details about. Financial literacy really makes a difference in your life, regardless of where you live. How you spend and budget is equally as important to how much you earn. So, in this video, I discuss how I made a point to understand the variety of payment methods and transactions in Ghana and monitor what things cost and how much I spend.

    The payments methods I use in Ghana are cash, debit card, checks, and MTN mobile money. The most convenient method is mobile money because it can be used to pay monthly bills, purchase products and services, and be used as a method to receive payments. In the video, I explain how to set up mobile money on your phone.

    Living expenses can vary depending on where you live and your lifestyle. Like I said in the video, my monthly bills slightly fluctuate. For estimating purposes, my electricity bill is 200 Ghc ($40), diesel bill is 200 Ghc ($40), water bill is 20 Ghc ($4), internet is 350 Ghc ($70), groceries is 100 – 200 Ghc twice a month ($40 – $80) and gas is 170 Ghc ($35). Finding where to shop for essentials makes a difference in how much you spend. Accra has a number of grocery stores, including Palace, Shoprite, Game, Melcolm, MaxMart, and Koala. I have shopped at all of them and found each of them have such helpful people working there. I primarily shop for legumes, frozen vegetables, rice, couscous, and spices at MaxMart, bread at Koala, and plantains, avocados, and peppers at an outside mini market.

    When it comes to keeping a budget, the first thing you need to do is monitor your spending, like what I mentioned above. I used a note on my phone. There are also a variety of apps you can use to monitor your spending. The information you need to focus on is the dates you spend and categorizing your expenses. Search the app store for “budget” or “personal spending” for options that fit your preference.

    I monitored my spending for about 6 months because I was also learning the currency and what things cost. You can monitor your spending for at least a month. The categories are important because it helps analyze your data. For example, you may not have any control over your essential expenses, like rent and amenities, but you could find alternatives for lifestyle expenses, like take-out food. Once you have this data, you can compare it to the amount of money you earn. The goal is to balance spending less than you earn. You can do this intentionally without depriving your lifestyle by planning your future spending. Each month you stick to alternatives for your lifestyle expenses to maintain that balance. I find this helps shift your mindset around your power with money. It is needed to pay bills, but it can also be used to plan, invest, and save beyond recurring essential expenses.

    Regarding consumerism culture, I have found my spending habits evolving while living in Ghana. I have always been frugal, but shopping, especially for miscellaneous things, was usually an isolated experience. I would check ASOS to see what they have, even if I have no where to go. Now, when I visit home, I still check ASOS, but don’t feel the urge to purchase as much. Instead, I really enjoy shopping in Ghana at pop-up events. Since the majority of my wardrobe has been Western focused for so long, I am more focused on adding statement pieces that are afrocentric and traditionally African. There are a variety of boutiques in Accra plus many talented designers and tailors. I love shopping at pop-up events because it feels more personal. I get to chat with the designer and brand owner. I always ask about their inspiration, how long they have been in business, and what their brand story is. During every national holiday that creates a long weekend, the Accra Goods Market hosts a pop-up event. It features several vendors in clothing, accessories, fabric, decor, and food. Plus a DJ to keep the party vibe. I have attended three of their pop-ups so far and have purchased so many unique gems each time.

    My consumerism behavior has become more intentional while living in Ghana. I feel this is because there is more of a sense of community and more opportunities to shop local. My purchase goes beyond a faceless transaction between a product and currency. Each piece has its own personality, which makes the shopping experience more worth while.

    Dagny Zenovia

    How do you keep a budget? What is your shopping personality? Share with me in the comments below.

    Also, remember to connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. I love hearing from you.