Financial struggles inspire author

Moved by daily financial challenges, up-and-coming author Kate Kujaliwa has published a book that gives tips to help those trying to achieve financial freedom.

Titled Help! I Am Always Broke, the book is based on her experiences on handling finances and the zeal by many to achieve financial freedom.

“Growing up in Malawi, it is not strange to see and hear about financial difficulties. Many people live for this day. Some not because they don’t have a lot but because of mismanagement of resources,” Kujaliwa said.

She said she used to struggle with her finances too until she told herself that she did not want that life anymore.

“I thought my problems and needs were too many and could not be met until I learned how to manage my resources,” the author said in an interview after the launch at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on Saturday.

When the communications specialist saw the changes in her life and after realising  what she was able to achieve with what she once considered small, Kujaliwa was motivated to share her experiences.

Years after keeping the book in her laptop, she decided to move a step further.

“I wrote the book in two days, but just kept it for about two years. I never thought it was publishable material,” she said.

With the book, Kujaliwa wants to help other people to move to financial freedom.

She said: “When I talk about financial freedom, I am not talking about riches, but rather the ability to live within ones means, pay bills without debts.”

Speaking during the book launch, Deputy Minister of Labour Vera Kamtukule said Help! I Am Always Broke is about a personal understanding of challenges that many people face.

She said: “Kujaliwa’s passion to see many enjoy financial freedom drove her out of her comfort zone. In the book, one will see how attitude towards money, matters.

“If you don’t respect money, it will leave you. She is also talking about planning before spending as the little we think we spend, cumulatively translates into so much.” 

Kamtukule said the book also touches on modern sticky issues like easy money.

“There are no miracles when it comes to money. So, work hard in order to make money. Also, check the inlets and outlets of money thus sources of making or spending money,” said the deputy minister.

Guest speaker Thomas Chataghalala Munthali, who is also National Planning Commission director general, said the book has three key distinct features which people should look out for.

“She is talking through experience which in some thought, this is her autobiography. Then there’s the combination of spiritual wisdom and the need for hard work,” he said.

Munthali said Kujaliwa is linking almost everything in the book to the Bible.

So far, Help! I Am Always Broke book is only available in hard copy, but Kujaliwa is working on having an e-copy.