B E
I N S P I R E D
B E
I N F O R M E D
J U LY 2010
B E
E N T E R TA I N E D
FREE.99
FASHION & BEAUTY
ON DISPLAY AT THE FAB EXPO
&
COMMON CENTS
MANAGE YOUR MONEY
STYLE COLD THE
KWELI TRAXX
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FASHION TIPS LOOK HOT IN THE COLD
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NERVE CENTER Management • Articles Ring Leader a.k.a Okwi Okoh Rubix a.k.a Jeri Furahah Admin • Logistics • Accounting • Marketing Iron Lady a.k.a Elsie Mwongeli Smooth Operator a.k.a Wycliffe Ajwang’ Pied Piper a.k.a Gillian Ndeti Photography Sharp Shooter a.k.a Mwangi Kirubi Marksman a.k.a Wagema Munyori Web Management Spider a.k.a Wanja Ngunjiri Art Direction • Design & Layout Design Jockey a.k.a Vikki Keingati Arti San a.k.a Mark Muchura SPECIAL THANKS Our Heavenly Father Mary Theru Rey Haema Frank Mutua Kangai Mwiti Rina Karina-Hicks Naanjie Onyonka Rockafella a.k.a Amani Maranga All our friends and family
on the cover KWELI’s Smooth Operator | Wycliffe Ajwang’ & Rubix | Jeri Furahah model funky fashion for the cold weather. Snapped by MARKSMAN in Lavingware, Nairobi.
FROM THE RING LEADER I SAY IT every year. Every time the temperature starts to nose-dive my family and close friends will hear me say, “wow, it’s never been this cold. It was cold last year for sure, but not like this oh, will we survive? I better learn how to ski!” Well, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks and so I’m saying it again: this is the coldest I’ve ever been this close to the Equator! I find myself struggling to get out of bed and I’m a morning person (on steroids!) These days it’s gray and dull outside. Everyone is sniffling and wrapped in enough layers to protect them from a gunshot at point blank range. Soaring electricity bills send those with heaters into cardiac arrest and couples consider separate beds so as not to encounter each other’s cold feet under the covers. And that’s in cozy middle-class maisonettes or flats. I find myself praying for mercy for those who live in the millions of poorly insulated shacks that are found around Nairobi and its outskirts. But it’s not all doom and gloom folks. The season has some beneficial effects on our lifestyles.
The iciness of the oxygen in our atmosphere, and the fear of missing any World Cup matches, is keeping many citizens indoors. Voluntary house arrest usually means more home-cooked meals, which is very much in line with KWELI’s ‘Culinary Revolution’ – our push to get more people back in front of their stoves. And let’s not forget the pretty cool fashion that accompanies the yearly chill. Also is there any better time to brush up on your reading or be soothed with some mellow tunes? Or even figure where all your money is in preparation for the usual adventures that accompany summer time? So if you can, give a helping hand of some sort to those who may not have the luxury of fleeces and fireplaces. And try, if you can, to enjoy “winter”, we’ve put a couple ideas of ways to do that in the following pages. As for me, I’ll be online; shopping for ice skates or a “onehorse open sleigh”… God Bless, Ring Leader
Read more about how to dress warmly fashionably inside.
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got WHAT WE’VE
BE I NSPI R E D
BE I NF O R M ED
B E EN T ER TAINED
20 COMMON CENTS
8 THE Fashion & BEAUTY
6 PAGE TURNER
Advice on personal financial planning and budgeting
Check out Mike and Makena’s very different ways of handling money and learn how to make your own budget work
EXPO
A review of Black Mamba Boy
Fashion shows, beauty tips and accessories on display
7 ON THE AIR
KWELI launches KWELI Traxx! Hang out with RUBIX as you read through this issue of kaKWELI.
12 Fashion Queen &
24 CULINARY REVOLUTION
Frankly Fashionable Fashion tips for Him and Her How to dress fashionably for the cold
16 LOOKING HOT IN THE COLD
Make-up tips
Brighten up the grey days
An easy recipe for a delicious pasta dish
20
12
8
16
WITH MARY THERU, a freelance television producer who writes and studies literature – especially of the African variety.
PAGE turner
REVIEW
bo o k s Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed
must read pretty good not too bad nothing special leave it on the shelf 6 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
IT’S BEEN A WHILE a while since I read a book in one sitting but Somali-British author, Nadifa Mohamed’s Black Mamba Boy debut novel is captivating. It’s a tale about a little boy’s physical and metaphorical journey that takes him from his traumatic childhood in Aden to a life as an adult in Europe.
and the only viable employment is a slaughter house. The shock that he feels as he faces the caged animals compels the reader to think about the brutality of even mundane human activities like an abattoir: “the slaughterhouse was empty of people; only the penned up animals acknowledged him, fixing their pleading eyes on him, sticking their
There’s NO BETTER time to curl u book than when it’s COLD AND GRA here’s a recommendation fro Jama, the black mamba boy is born to be great so the signs at his birth predict but that fortune does not fall easily into his lap. At the outset, he has to battle to survive. In Aden, as a young ten-year-old, he lives with his mother in her relatives’ home, where they endure shame and humiliation at the hands of the home’s matriarch who goes out her way to ostracise the two Somali immigrants. So terrible is the situation that Jama escapes to live as a street urchin preferring this to the Islaweyne house. The long hours working at a coffee factory, the poverty, the cruelty at the hands of their relatives have also made his mother, Ambaro cold and abrasive. Through the young protagonist’s eyes, the streets of 1930’s Aden come alive; from the Jewish quarter where Jama and his cohorts pick fights with young Hebrew boys to the ports where European sailors, Yemeni and Arab traders and Somali workers mingle with each other and the racial and ethnic tensions of the day play out. The magic of the novel lies in the descriptions of Jama’s lived experiences. On one occasion, Jama describes one of his first encounters with death. He has to find work in Aden
flaring nostrils into the air. Jama felt the impending bloodshed sizzle in the air and rubbed down the tiny hairs on his lower spine as they nervously stood up, as if they were frightened conscripts standing to attention, before the bloodied old general. He paced up and down, avoiding the eyes of the animals, turning his back to them, counting the stars, as they one by one bowed and left the stage.” After his mother’s unprecedented death, Jama is adopted by his mother’s aunt, and is returned to Hargeisa in Somalia. Another series of tragedies force Jama to brave the desert in search of his father who is rumoured to be working in Sudan. It is here that the impact of the internecine wars between clans, the World Wars and the colonial conquest of Africa is most vividly portrayed. Mohamed deftly draws her reader into Jama’s narrative of loss which mirrors that of his home and country. His childlike faith propels him forward despite the obstacles he faces as he searches for his father, the man who can confer on him his true identity. The ravages of war and death never truly dampen his hope. Mohamed says the novel is homage to
m u s ic ON THE
her father and is in part based on his own journey to Britain from Somalia. “I am my father’s griot, this is a hymn to him. I am telling you this story so that I can turn my father’s blood and bones, and whatever magic his mother sewed under his skin, into his skin,” the narrator states in the first chapter of the novel. Mohamed takes the stories
air
up with a good AY outside so
om Mary Theru...
of the voiceless people forgotten in grand political narratives and makes them a part of our remembered history. Despite this I do feel the insistent portrayal of Somalia as one large dust bowl of dying, sniveling children with hungry, often angry mothers falls smack into the very stereotypes that have defined Africa as strange and other riddled with clichés like ‘a continent torn apart by war.’ The novel also does meander along rather slowly as you have to plough through the somewhat lengthy descriptions of place and history. Still, if nothing else, I would say this is a novel that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and is an indictment against humanity’s worst excesses. Jama’s life toddles along destroyed by the hatred and selfishness of the people he encounters and saved in equal measure by the kindness of strangers. It is a novel that attempts to draw a picture of the constant struggle that is life for the dispossessed in our world; those who are victims of the hegemonic systems that ensure that the rich remain richer and the poor, poorer. Mohamed’s novel was nominated for the 2010 Orange Book Prize. ☐
Click here
to listen to great warm-me-up tracks!
As you flip through these pages, listen to smooth tunes specially chosen and mixed to soothe your frozen ear lobes by RUBIX – KWELI’s very own “musical chef”.
the
playlist
1 Still time collage by The Still Time Band Album: Still Time 2 You are my one and only by Jonathan Butier Album: So Strong 3 Too good by Dee Album: Sophomore Track 4 Angel by Astar ft. Kiki Album: The Light
Stay tuned! All tracks have been used with the artists’ permission or sourced from reputable royalty-free sites. www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JUN 10 7
FA
LEFT: Outfit by Woolworths ABOVE: Pinky Ghelani-Raj and Mercy Wambui, organizers of the FAB Expo ADJACENT PAGE: Various accessories showcased at the event
8 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
ASHION Beauty and
on DISPLAY
RUBIX WROTE IT, MARKSMAN SNAPPED ‘EM
THE Fashion and Beauty Expo (FAB) that was held from July 2 – 4, 2010 at the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Westlands was a girl’s ultimate dream. Handbags, shoes, jewelry, hats, make-up, a mini-spa and a nail bar were all available to be bought, examined or experienced.
The three-day affair was organized by former model turned event organizer Pinky Ghelani-Raj. “It has been a dream of mine to have all these designers and suppliers under one roof,” Pinky said. “The fashion-conscious Kenyan woman
needed a place where she can browse and find the best bargains on one-of-akind stuff.” And why was kaKWELI there you may ask? Well, it’s our job to take good care of our God-given bodies
and look our best isn’t it? It’s not about comparing ourselves to the next person, or sending out the wrong message with our appearance, it’s about taking care of ourselves (soul AND body)... > www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 9
Woolworths
Woolworths
Sylvia Awori
Fashion shows at the FAB Expo at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
“...or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (The Message) Visitors to the Expo got free beauty consultations and style advice. There was even a “champagne-tasting booth” and a mini-studio where you could
10 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
get “glammed-out” photos taken. There was something for everyone, no matter the size of your purse. Children were not left out either, as there were some really fun looking activities for them in addition to the usual face painting and candy-floss. The event ended with an fashion show by Sylvia Owori, the Ugandan designer, retailer and editor of African Woman magazine. Before we left, we asked Pinky for style tips for the cold weather and this is what she said: “The secret is layering. Nairobi weather is full of surprises, one
minute it’s freezing cold and the next it’s blazing hot. You need to stay warm and look good at the same time and layering does this perfectly. Layering means that you have a shirt, a warm sleeveless sweater, a jacket, a scarf and gloves as part of your ensemble. The good thing with this is that as the day gets warmer, you go removing a piece of clothing until you are comfy and vice versa. This also applies to the guys as well. Get layering and stay warm in style.” See you there next year! ☐
Woolworths
Woolworths
Sylvia Awori
Woolworths
Eye-wear by Eyeris
Click here for more photos
www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 11
WITH REY HAEMA, a fashionista and avid people-watcher based in Nairobi with a keen eye for emerging trends and unique awareness of ‘what’s hot or not’.
LIFESTYLE
FASHION queen
Is your inner Diva being
forced to take a chill pill? WHO ARE WE KIDDING? There is no winter here. Just hot and cold. Rain and shine. You are probably reading this dressed in what you have worn all year long even though June and July are the coldest months of the year, many of us just throw on a sweater or jacket, drink lots of tea and wait it out – at least that’s what I do. Plus climate change is really messing things up. We have all been there – walk out the door bundled up like an Eskimo in the morning and only a few hours later, you are trudging down Kenyatta Avenue with an unrelenting sun overhead. You lose the scarf and jacket but opt to leave the scratchy acrylic sweater on. Those knee high boots looked
great in that Alicia Keys video but you can swear you smell them melting as the sun beats you down. It’s taught me to read fashion spreads with some caution – especially ‘How To Dress For Winter’ types. There can be no mink coats and ear muffs in sub-Saharan Africa (!!!) But more power to you if you do own one or both of these things. After all this isn’t one of those columns that want to turn us all into glazyeyed Manolo-wearing zombies. We simply watch and write. You make the rules.
Scarves You are probably seeing a lot of scarves right now. Chunky knit, colourful, the lengthier the better. Bright khangas and kikoys can also be worn around the neck, some are even sold as ready-to-go scarves and instantly transform any outfit.
Turtlenecks If you
Granny Cardigan The
aren’t a scarf person, get a turtleneck. Most styles now make great use of ruffles, gathers and micro-buttons to ultra feminize and romanticize the ‘turt’.
granny cardigan is still here with us though longer and drapier. With or without buttons, try and keep what you wear under it minimal and maybe even throw a skinny or broad belt on top to accessorize.
Boots I don’t think you should toss
your pointy, square or no-shape-inthe-front boots, like the ear muffs and mink coat – ‘power!’ If you own some HOWEVER, round toes are the current rage. High or flat, they look great under or over jeans, worn with bohemian skirts or baby doll dresses and extra long tees. Don’t throw your warm weather leggings away – layer them under skirts, dresses and boots. Jeggings
The Trenchcoat
This immediately dresses up anything, whether you are headed to class in jeans, or for an evening soiree in layers of taffeta - depending on the cut and fabric of course. Most people buy these in black, blue, grey and beige but we encourage you to pop some color on. Red, Yellow, green and purple can warm up any blue day. If you don’t like carrying a cumbersome knee length coat, try an eighties-inspired blazer. Let me hear the fashion victims err fashionistas say ‘Victoria Beckham!’ Shoulder pads are like, here again, and make most people feel like they can rule the world – how can you not when you resemble a Star Trek action figure in silhouette? Personally I think the trend will grow on us given some time. Giving due credit, nothing transforms a bland jacket like some stuffed shoulders.
They have even gone and fused jeans and leggings. The result? ‘Jeggings’! They’re thicker than leggings, thinner than jeans and easier to slip into a pair of boots. It’s jeanetic engineering (pun intended).
Hats It’s probably going to get really chilly on some days so wrap your head up in a scarf or throw on a hat before you walk out the door. Remember Grumpy thrives in the cold so wear what makes you smile this season.
www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 13
WITH FRANK MUTUA an entrepreneur with a rare sense of style and a keen eye for the latest fashion trends.
LIFESTYLE
FRANKLY fashionable
Cold Weather
putting your Swagger? on
ice
THE RAINS ARE HERE and you know what that means… cloudy skies, muddy paths and longer traffic jams (since the roads don’t shrink what does that say about our driving sense…!?). This however does not mean you need to look drab heading to the office, college, church or out for an evening. This season always conjures up memories of my mum forcing me to put on THAT sweater she had so faithfully knit before I was allowed to leave the house. Am sure you all have photos in ONE of THOSE sweaters! God bless mums soul… and thank God for growing up and the advent of designer machine knit sweaters! Guys, this is an opportunity to make an impression in that sweater…
What is a sweater? This is a versatile item of clothing that can be worn on top of almost any outfit and covers the torso and arms. A sweater is distinguished from other tops by the fact that the fiber used is woven together. Initially sweaters were almost always made from wool though now cotton, cashmere and synthetic fibers are used. Sweaters are also widely referred to as pullover, jumper, cardigan and vest.
Types of sweaters Polo neck Sweaters have a raised collar and usually
have two or three buttons directly below the neckline creating a cool relaxed look. You can close the buttons or keep them open to reveal a t-shirt underneath. They are good for weekends and dress down Fridays especially matched with a coat. Turtleneck Sweaters cover the neck from the top to
the collarbone so as to keep you warm. They can be worn under a suit coat or sport coat replacing the conventional shirt or tie that many men often pair them with. The cool part is that in the evening just remove the jacket and voila, you have a casual evening look for a cocktail or dinner! My personal favorite though is the simple black turtleneck with worn blue jeans and black suede ankle top boots. 14 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
How do I keep my sweater in good condition?
V-Neck Sweaters have a
triangular-shape neckline and are suitable for both formal and casual occasions. Create a cool weekend look with a printed design worn with shorts or jeans and a T-shirt underneath the sweater or to the office worn over a shirt with the shirt’s collar displayed over the sweater’s neckline. My favorite is a cotton v-neck worn underneath a three button leather jacket or suede jacket for an evening out. Match the shoes with the jacket.
WOOL · Never hang a wool sweater since due to the heavy weight of wool, hanging will cause the sweater to lose its shape, and develop hanger indentations. · Always fold neatly, and keep in a cool, dry place.
COTTON Vest sweaters
Famously referred to as a half sweater due to the lack of arms. This is very popular as a casual item of clothing with jeans, khakis or even formal trousers. They can also be worn inside coats during cold weather either with a print or plain color.
· Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions though preferably hand wash with a mild detergent. · Line dry or dry flat to prevent stretching.
SYNTHETICS · Follow manufacturer instructions pertaining to care due to the various fibers used.
Where can I find cool sweaters in Nairobi? Sweaters are widely available in Nairobi with the defining factors being quality and price. Here are a few recommended outlets:
Crew-Neck Sweaters
Sweaters with a roundshaped neckline are referred to as crew necks. This is perhaps the most casual sweater style available for men. Crew necks are most often worn over an undershirt or on their own.
Big Daddy Fashions – Capital Center (Mombasa Road) and The Junction (Ngong Road) 4U2 – Sarit Centre (Westlands) and Capital Center Barton’s – Junction, Village Market (Gigiri) and Prestige (Ngong Road) Sir Henrys – Kimathi Street Enka Rasha – Kenyatta Avenue
www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 15
LIFESTYLE
styling. For more on Kangai visit kangaimwiti.com
WITH KANGAI MWITI, an expert in makeup artistry and
FACE forward
STEP 1- SKIN
HOT in the
Stay
THE GRAY DAYS are with us. It’s easy to neglect your appearance and just dive into layers of warm cotton and wool. But if there’s any time to pay a little extra attention to your appearance, it’s now, when everything around you is dull and chilly. And in that regard, here are a couple beauty tips from our guest beautician Kangai Mwiti. It is said that the eye is the window to the soul. To some the saying rings true and to others, it’s a boat load of dogbreath. I do believe, however, that you can know a man (or woman) by the ‘look’ in their eyes, and where they direct them. For example, women can definitely know whether a man is interested in them after the first meeting. Is he having a conversation with you (i.e.looking into your eyes), or with your more prominent body parts (is he looking into your shirt)? When you meet a woman, is she interested in what you’re saying (is she looking into your 16 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
Cold
eyes, or your hands), or with your more prominent wallet size (her eyes light up when she sees all the thousands ensconced within the soft folds of your limited-edition Gucci leather wallet)? Sometimes it does pay to purify your heart and embrace brokenness, which shows through your eyes. It’s a life-long experience, but one that’s worthwhile in the end. We should, as veritable Queen Esthers, be feminine and queenly in our outward intentions that mirror exactly what is on the inside- a beauty that intensifies over time. When it comes to eyes, for example, our intentions can be enhanced also by how we apply makeup. There are correct ways to do it, and wrong ways too. Hopefully I’ll show you the best ways to put on eye makeup that compliments your eyes and your personality, and also puts forth the best intentions that we have for the loved ones in our lives.
It’s really important to prepare your skin before you put on any products. Why? Your skin needs moisture and proper treatment for it to remain healthy. Otherwise you’ll end up with loads of blotches and pimples and dark marks that are difficult to conceal. So make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin before putting on anything else. Then, use a little bit of your favorite tinted moisturizer or liquid/cream foundation and blend it into your face, not forgetting your neck. Most women I’ve worked with have faces with more than one color. Usually, your t-zone (the skin around your eyebrows and down your nose) is a little bit lighter than the rest of your face. Use a foundation in this area that’s one or two shades lighter than the skin on your forehead and around your chin. Then blend blend blend! Use a liquid-foundation brush, or even a makeup sponge (Sleek make some good ones). If you’ve got problem areas such as dark circles or blemishes, use your ring finger to apply concealer on these spots and blend them into your skin. Remember to put on concealer after liquid foundation, so that it’s not wiped off by mistake. Follow with a light dusting of a compressed or loose powder that complements your skin tone. Dust the powder with a brush along the hairline, cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose as well. Blend blend blend.
STEP 2 - EYEBROWS
This is the most abused area of the face- the eyebrows. Your face is similar to a painting- note that it’s comprised of the canvas and the frame. The latter enhances the beauty and quality of the canvas, although sometimes it’s ignored. In the same manner, eyebrows once properly defined and shaped provide a frame that can really open up your face and make your eyes even more beautiful. On the other hand, when eyebrows are overplucked it leaves the wearer looking permanently surprised or depressednot the look we’re going for. Here are some guidelines to excellent eyebrow treatment • Never raise your eyebrows when tweezing- keep them relaxed • Think of your eyebrows as having two lines that are filled in, and not as a shape. The top portion makes up the first line, the bottom portion the second • Only tweeze one hair at a time • Use a pencil sparingly to fill in thin or missing hair
First we create the shape. Using Picture 1, use an eye-brow or eyeliner pencil to locate the start of your eyebrow. Line up your nostril to the inner edge of your eye. Where the pencil meets the beginning of your brow is where the brow should begin. Make a small mark where the hair begins on the top and bottom of the brow. Next, using Picture 2 as a guide, align the edge of your nostril with your pupil with the same pencil, and where the end of the pencil meets your eyebrow is where the highest part of your brow should reach. Make a small mark above and below the eyebrow there. Lastly, align the edge of your nostril to the edge of your eye, and where the end of the pencil meets the eyebrow is where it should end. Make the last mark there. Now join the dots and you have your shape. Tweeze outside the lines and you’ll have beautiful eyebrows in no time at all!
STEP 3 - EYES Once you’ve defined your eyebrows with your favorite eyeliner (two shades lighter than your hair color), fill in the area underneath your brow with a light shade of eyeshadow that complements your skin tone. Fade it gently towards your crease area. Then blend any color (blue, green, magenta, yellow, periwinkle) on your eyelid towards the middle portion of your eye- the crease. Now the secret is in blending. The more you blend, the better it will look. Lastly, take a darker shade (maybe a dark brown if you’ve got chocolate skin, or a
light brown if you’ve got vanilla skin) and blend it into your crease creating a connection between your lid and your highlighted area right underneath the brow. Line your waterlines with a dark (or colorful) liquid or pencil liner and finish off with your favorite mascara. That’s it! Remember that your eyes are the windows into your soul- so why not dress them up a little? Give them some cute curtains or shades, and paint them to look appealing? Have fun with it, and don’t regret the fact that you were created to be a Queen.
AND THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE... KWELI Magazine teamed up with ELF (Eyes Lips Face) Cosmetics and ran a competition on the KWELI Facebook page. We asked our 5000 (now 6000+) fans to give us a reason why they deserved the fantastic ELF hamper which contained various beauty products and a make-over.
ELF
COSMETICS GIFT HAMPER
MEET THE
WINNERS
We received an overwhelming number of deserving responses but at the end of the day there could only be two winners, and here they are getting dolled up by a ‘Glam Squad’ from ELF and the KWELI team. KWELI thanks everyone who entered the competition – a big congratulations to the winners!
Ngoiri wa Gitehi got the Runners-up Prize - ELF Cosmetics hamper - for her amazing story of triumph over personal tragedy. She gave the prize to her sister who she says was there for her every step of the way. KWELI’s Spider presents the prize to Ngoiri.
Click here for more photos
18 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
MARKSMAN SNAPPED ‘EM
BEFORE
AFTER
Tina Nduba got the 1st Prize - ELF Cosmetics hamper, make-over & photo shoot by KWELI’s Marksman - for her persistence, enthusiasm, and for the humour and sunshine she brought to the whole competition. Naomi KonditiKivuvani, Managing Director and Exclusive Distributor of ELF Cosmetics in Kenya from ELF New York presents the hamper to Tina.
Click here
to watch the make-over!
www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 19
WITH RINA KARINA-HICKS, a Corporate Finance & Research Analyst at Faida Investment Bank.
COMMONcents
MONEY
school fees
> housing >
I’ve recorded my monthly Power Water
debts
Mortgage!!
8,000 + 13,700 21,700
Insurance 5,860 + 850 35,000
now
Medical?
7,980
my budget
IT’S FREEZING outside so you’re hiding indoors and have run out of stuff to watch or read. Why not use this time to take a good hard look at your personal finances?
Housing:
Mortgage/Ren
t
Taxes Service Charg e Electricity Gas Water Maintenance & Repair Cell Phone
You are in your late-twenties to late-thirties, a couple of colleagues and friends have mentioned some lucrative business ideas and investment opportunities, and unfortunately you can’t make a move. The required capital is too high. You are living from paycheck to paycheck, and you are in debt. You begin thinking about the future and the dreams that you have for yourself, family, travel, children’s education, dream home, business venture, etc. Let’s not even mention the Word of God that says ‘the good leave an inheritance to their children’s children…’(Prov 13:22). Where will you get the money for all of this? It seems so daunting. ‘How do people do it?’ you ask yourself. You finally wake up to the reality that you need to take some action, and fast. The truth of the matter is that 20 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
the most effective way to begin to generate cash is to spend less. The less you spend, the more you will have to pay for your debt, to build your emergency savings and to begin to save for your retirement and your dreams. This is what tracking expenses and budgeting is all about; discovering exactly what you’re spending money on so that you can cut out, or reduce your wants. Your needs are expenses such as medical insurance, fuel, rent, and food. They are expenses that you cannot do without. Expenses like satellite TV, gym membership, movie theatre tickets are desires, and you can do without them. If you can track your expenses, then you’re halfway there. An expense tracker helps you determine how you’re spending your money. It begins with carrying a notebook around and writing down exactly what you’re
spending every day - including newspapers and coffees. Transfer this information to a spreadsheet.
DSTV/Zuku Total home exp ense:
Insurance: Life Insurance Medical Insura nce Car Insurance Total insurance expense:
Transportatio Public Transport Fuel
n:
Car Repair Co sts Parking
Here’s a sample you can use. >>
Total transportat ion
expense:
Food: Groceries Dining Out Lunches Coffees Total food expens e:
Recreation & Personal:
Entertainment (DV movies, concer D rentals, ts) Holiday/Trips
Gym/Club Memb ership Internet Subscr iption News ers & KWELI Ma yourpap own budgetgazines Gifts
Click here to download this sheet to create
Clothing Total recreation expense:
Ok, do I have any extra cash lef t?
expenses
what ?
3,600 + 2,175 5,775 transport
Giving
plan!
,880 80 + 6 School/Child School/Tuition
15,000 + 8,500 23,500
3,110 + 0 8 7,9 Taxes?
830 entertainment + 1,602 fOOD! 6,432
Care:
Fees
Books & other materials Activities (Piano, Guitar Lessons) Total school/ch ild care expens e:
Hygiene: Hair/Pedicure/M
anicure
Laundry
Toiletry/Cosmetic
s
Total hygiene exp ense:
Debts: Credit Cards Bank/Personal HELB/Student
Loan
Loan
Car Loan Total debts:
Giving: Tithe Offering Giving to Parent s Giving to the Poo r Total giving:
Savings: Unit Trust/Mutu al Fund Emergency Sav ings Acc Pension Contri bution
ount
Total savings:
Total expens es:
•
Income: After Tax Pay Commissions/All
owances
Dividend/Interes
t Income
Rental income Total income:
Total income:
* •
*
In my view, it works best to fill out this spreadsheet monthly, for a year. If you have already recorded your expenses, calculate the annual figures and find a monthly average. Highlight all the expenses that are ‘wants’ and decide what you can live without. You now have a monthly budget that you can work with. The idea behind putting together a budget in this manner - by beginning with tracking your actual expenses - is that it ensures that you have a realistic budget. The budget is an expression of who you are, what you value and your life purpose. I, for instance, value learning and reading more than I value a car. So irrespective of what I earn, I may spend very little on my car and spend more on reading books, signing up for classes and going to school. Make the budget work for you and reflect what you value. Some of us may also have heavy demands from our extended family where we educate
savings
our siblings and their children and so on… these are demands that are different for each of us and should be taken care of in our budget. The reason most of us do not consistently budget is because we do not see value in it. We believe we are free and have the right to enjoy the good things in life. So when following it becomes difficult, we quickly rebel and consider the budget a form of slavery. The truth is that God has promised to bless us if we are obedient to Him (Deuteronomy 28). This means being prudent, diligent, and careful with what God has entrusted us with. Prov. 10:4-5 says: ‘A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. A child who gathers in summer is prudent, but a child who sleeps in harvest brings shame.’ Prov. 20:4 ‘The lazy person does not plough in season; >
www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 21
harvest comes, and there is nothing to be found.’ Our problem is not whether God will bless us or not, it is that our expenditure exceeds our income and we are not wise in handling what God has given us. God’s blessings are tied to obedience and we must be good stewards of what He has already given us. As you prepare your budget and stick to it, keep in mind that if you are spending more than 60
Tithe
Giving
(to parents, the poor, offering)
Saving
(short term savings)
Investing &
10% 5% 10%
Retirement Savings
15%
Living Expenses
60%
matter is that this lack of investment capital is not necessarily a real one, it is perceived lack. Seasoned investors see things a little differently, and make sacrifices to make their money work for them. Allow me to quote from George Clason’s ‘The Richest Man in Babylon’: “What each of us calls our ‘necessary expenses’ will always grow to equal our incomes unless we protest to the contrary. Confuse not the
God’s BLESSINGS are TIED TO OBEDIENCE and we must be good stewards of what He has already given us.
percent of your monthly income on living expenses such as rent, food, school fees, household needs, entertainment and personal needs, you are living beyond your means. 40 percent of your monthly income should go towards savings, retirement, investments and giving. It would look something like this: 22 kaKWELI | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10
In my line of work, I constantly come across people who say that at the end of the month when they’ve paid for all their ‘necessities’ they don’t have anything left to invest. In fact, with all the demands from their children and other family responsibilities, they often don’t seem to have enough for what they ‘need’. The truth of the
necessary expenses with thy desires. Each of you, together with your good families, have more desires than your earnings can gratify. Therefore are thy earnings spent to gratify these desires insofar as they will go. Still thou retainest many ungratified desires. All men are burdened with more desires than they can gratify. Because of my
What can we learn from Mike and Makena? >> wealth thinkest thou I may gratify every desire? ‘Tis a false idea. There are limits to my time. There are limits to my strength. There are limits to the distance I may travel. There are limits to what I may eat. There are limits to the zest which I may enjoy.� To achieve your financial goals, you must have some money left over at the end of the month to invest. The best way to ensure this is to have a budget for it. Millionaires understand the temptation to live for today. They consistently keep their focus on their financial future. Through budgeting and thrift, they manage to live comfortable lifestyles while investing a sizable chunk of their disposable income. We must be willing to make small sacrifices today in exchange for big rewards tomorrow. When you invest, you make more by earning interest on what you put away, or by buying and selling items that increase in value. The more you put away, the more your money will grow over time. This example of the power of compounding illustrates this principal. For simplicity, assume an annual return of 10 percent, with no withdrawals, and no taxes, and two individuals: Mike and Makena. Mike invests KShs 2,000 annually from age 19 and invests for 8 years but does not withdraw any money until he turns 65. Makena begins investing KShs 2,000 every year at 27 years, and invests every year for 38 years consistently until age 65. Mike will have more money than Makena at 65. � www.kwelimag.com | ISSUE 5 | JULY 10 23
LIFESTYLE WITH NAANJIE ONYONKA, whose cooking is one of the wonders of the modern world!
revolution CULINARY
CR! A plummeting thermometer usually means a bigger appetite right? So we figured this is a great opportunity to recruit as many of you as possible: KWELI is asking YOU to join its culinary revolution. We’re leading a revolt against fast food, deep fried meals and basically any grub that blocks your arteries faster than you can say “mbuzi ulaya”. Let’s get back into the kitchen. Let’s go back to the market. Let’s cook!
Click here to download
Stuffed
how to make it
and print this recipe!
Jumbo Shells PREP TIME 45 MINUTES • READY IN 50 MINUTES SERVES 6
For the Pasta 1. Cook Jumbo shells using a large pot. Bring 4 quarts of water to a rolling boil. Add some salt to taste if desired. 2. Add the contents of pasta shells or penne to the boiling water. Stir gently. 3. Return water to a boil. Boil uncovered for 12-15 minutes. 4. When pasta feels tender, remove from heat. Drain well reserving about 1/3 cup of pasta cooking water
OVEN 350º F
For the Stuffing
what you would need
1. Cook ground beef in a large skillet or pan over medium high heat until no longer pink stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Drain grease. 2. Add oil, spinach, onion, garlic, roiko in reserved pasta water; continue cooking 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. 3. Add remaining seasonings and chopped coriander and blend well. Let the mixture cool. 4. Stir in egg and cheese. 5. Pour 1 cup of the tomato basil sauce into a baking tray or casserole dish.
1 box jumbo shells or substitute with penne pasta (large shells) 1 pound of ground beef 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil 1 bunch spinach (chopped) 1 cup finely chopped onion 1 bunch finely chopped coriander (dhania) 1 clove garlic minced or finely chopped 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons of Roiko mchuzi mix (seasoning) ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 egg ½ a cup of grated parmesan or cheddar, or mozzarella cheese 1 jars of tomato and basil sauce or substitute with 2 cups of blended tomatoes with basil
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Layering 1. 2. 3. 4.
Fill jumbo shells or penne with the meat mixture; place in dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle cheese over the top, cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes until thoroughly heated.
TIP: Substitute jumbo shells with penne shells that are large enough to stuff.
Bon Appétit! Italian pasta is almost always made from semolina wheat flour that is widely used in the preparation of couscous a staple diet of North African and Arab cultures. This is a meal that is very easy to prepare and can be altered to suit ones individual’s tastes ranging from vegetables to white meats. Great for family dinner and potluck. This recipe is true Italian comfort food!
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Any enquiries? Email watscrackin@kwelimag.com