Contrary to what is considered one of the conventional best practices regarding finances – saving, rapper Juliani has opened up about why he doesn’t save money.
Juliani is arguably one of the country’s most talented rappers. According to music circles, he is part of a clique of successful artists who have figured out how to make good money from their passion and musical talent.
While the best decision for most would be to save, Juliani says he loves to spend his money instead of saving it.
“I spend my money when I make it, and that’s because I’ve lived in poverty. I don’t like to keep money.
But I also don’t waste my money on unnecessary endeavors. What I do with my money is the opposite of what most people do, which is to save. I don’t save; I try to make my money do something instead. If I have two shillings, I will put it into something.
Even if it’s Sh500 that will give me an extra Sh5 in two years if I put it into something, then that’s what I will do. I also invest in myself, my music, my career, and my ideas. When I did my concert, it was self-sponsored. If nobody (sponsors) put their money in, I will put mine in,” Juliani says, as he opens up about his relationship with money.
In September last year, the rapper curated a live performance concert dubbed ‘Exponential Potential’ where he performed with a band on the rooftop of the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC).
The event was curated for only 100 people who bought tickets at Sh5,000 each. It was self-funded, with Juliani putting money from his pocket into the project.
Reflecting on the bad money decisions he has ever made, Juliani puts -borrowing money to start a business- at the top of the list.
“The worst decision I ever made with money, which I learned the hard way, is that you never take a loan to start a business. You take a loan to grow a business, to scale a business, not to start a business. That was the worst mistake I ever made with money. This is because it takes time to build a business, it can take five years. He adds.
