How to Build an Investment Portfolio and Convert Your Active Income to Passive Income
1. You earn Abi? If you don't earn, stop here and earn.
2. Make a personal pledge to save 10% of what you earn—meaning you don't spend ₦10 of every ₦100 you get. I recommend setting up a direct debit from your paycheck to a separate account so 10% is taken automatically. Don't trust yourself to transfer manually. Use technology; you can't miss cash you never saw.
3. Of that 10% saved, invest 2% (lock it up, preferably in an equity mutual fund or equity ETF if you are younger—below 50). Put the 8% in a money market fund as your emergency fund (you can touch it, but don't).
4. Do this every month: 10% not spent, 2% invested, 8% saved.
5. Every quarter, take another 2% from that 8% emergency fund and add it to the equity fund (i prefer dividend paying equity). Increase the invested portion by 1% each year. So next year: don't spend 10%; save 7% in a money-market emergency fund; invest 3% in a long-term equity fund. Reinvest dividends. When you get to 10% of your earnings invested, you are ok; at 20%, you can chill. Your goal is to build a passive income portfolio from your active income
6. Get an accountability partner or group. If you have a partner, do this together. Do an investing "ajo" just for commitment. Don't do bulk investment—do monthly investments or invest money anytime it touches your hand if you are self-employed. Ladies, if he can't save 1%, he can't save 10%; save yourself.
7. Don't wait until you "earn more". Don't say "I don't have money". That's the devil trying to mislead you. (yes, same devil that tempted Eve)
8. Minimum, I think you should start to invest with ₦5,000. Meaning: if your 10% is not up to N5000 in a month, accumulate it in an emergency fund; once it reaches N5000, open your equity fund.
9. The key is consistency and discipline, not the amount invested. Ignore the maker's daily rise or fall; you are a long-term investor.
10. This is a proven formula. It will not fail if you follow it.
11. Pay tithes or give to charity—it brings good karma.