Author and financial educator, Yemisi Adepoju, has unveiled a new book aimed at helping individuals break free from debt cycles and chronic financial stress, while addressing the behavioural and emotional patterns behind poor money management.
The book, Broke After Pay Day, was launched recently at RovingHeights Bookstore, Lagos, where the author said the publication draws from years of observing workers trapped in recurring salary-to-salary struggles, regardless of income level.
Speaking at the event, Adepoju said her experience as chairperson of a cooperative society exposed her to widespread financial instability among employees across different income brackets.
She said, “As the chairperson of a cooperative since 2015 and rising to the management level, I saw a lot of employees going through the headache of paycheck-to-paycheck living.”
She noted that financial distress was not limited to low-income earners, citing cases of relatively high earners still struggling with debt.
“I’ve seen people earn N500,000 to N600,000 and are still owing. The financial embarrassment is crazy. And I felt, how do we break this cycle?” she said.
Adepoju explained that the book is designed to help readers confront habits such as impulsive spending, lifestyle inflation, peer pressure and emotional decision-making that contribute to financial exhaustion.
According to her, the central aim of the book is to equip readers with practical tools to achieve financial stability and escape debt traps.
“I wrote this book because I want to see a change in Africa and want employees to understand that it doesn’t matter what the situation is, whether black tax or a terrible partner. All that matters is that you can get out of it,” she said.
She said the book is structured into eight chapters and combines storytelling with practical exercises to make financial lessons relatable and easy to apply.
Adepoju added that many workers remain financially active but are mentally burdened by debt and poor financial decisions.
“Many people are working but not happy. Some are in the prison of debt. The book addresses it,” she said.
She explained that storytelling was deliberately used to reflect everyday financial experiences, including a character whose salary disappears within minutes of being paid.
“The title of Chapter One is ‘Who chop my salary?’ The character’s salary was paid, and within thirty minutes, it was gone,” she said.
The author stressed the importance of budgeting, discipline and delayed gratification, warning that poor money habits persist regardless of income size.
“If you cannot manage N30,000, you will not be able to manage N5m. So you must have structure or a budget,” she said.
“Money is a tool that needs to be sent on errands and return in multiple folds. You want to buy the latest phone, do you really need it? You want to change your car, is it really due for a change?” she asked.
She advised that investment discipline is key to long-term financial freedom, urging individuals to allow returns on investment to fund lifestyle needs rather than immediate income.
“You can invest, and the proceeds of that investment can fund your lifestyle. But because we are not patient and want to live luxury lives, we feel we are not among,” she said.
Reviewing the book, real estate entrepreneur and television host, Tope Mark-Odigie, said budgeting remains a neglected but critical aspect of personal finance.
“I feel we haven’t had enough conversation on budgeting,” she said.
Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Tulcan Energy Resources Limited, Dolapo Akinwale, said the book reflects the financial realities of many Nigerians, particularly young people influenced by social media lifestyles.
“Some youths want to be like celebrities. Most of them probably don’t have what they flaunt online. They live fake lives,” he said.
He urged readers to live within their means and adopt better financial tracking habits, describing the book as practical and relevant.
Prof Sunday Owualah of the Department of Finance, University of Lagos, described the book as a useful guide capable of helping workers avoid post-salary financial distress.
Chief Executive Officer of Umera Farms Nigeria, Olamide Alao-Akala, also commended the book for its blend of storytelling, exercises and practical survival strategies.
Adepoju, who is also a wellness advocate and life coach, said the book is part of her broader mission to promote financial literacy, discipline and long-term wealth creation among professionals.
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