🚨12 COMMON SCAMS THAT TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

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🧠 INTRO: YOU’RE A TARGET, NOT A FOOL Young people are smart, tech-savvy—and unfortunately, prime targets for online scammers. From flashy job offers to fake scholarships and “easy money” investments, the digital world is filled with traps that look tempting, especially if you're hustling to earn. This post isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to equip you. We’ll break down the most common online scams that target students, jobseekers, and young professionals—and how to spot them before it’s too late. 🚫 12 COMMON SCAMS THAT TARGET YOUNG PEOPLE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM) 1. Fake Online Jobs Promising “Work From Home” Riches 👀 What It Looks Like: “Earn KSh 50,000/week working 2 hours a day from home!” These often appear in social media ads or shady Telegram groups. 📌 Real Example: Esther, a university student in Eldoret, paid KSh 1,000 for a “training manual” only to discover the company disappeared after that. ✔️ How to Avoid It: Legit jobs don’t ask for upfront payments. Cross-check...
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10 SIMPLE STEPS TO TRACK YOUR SPENDING (WITHOUT GETTING OVERWHELMED

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Young person tracking expenses on a phone budgeting app with notebook and calculator.


🧠 INTRO: SPENDING TRACKING SHOULDN’T FEEL LIKE A FULL-TIME JOB

Let’s be honest: tracking every shilling you spend sounds like a nightmare when you’re juggling school, work, bills, or kids. But without tracking, it’s like trying to drive blindfolded—you’ll eventually crash.

The good news? You don’t need a complicated spreadsheet or fancy tools. You just need a system that works for you. Here are 10 beginner-friendly steps to help you track your spending without getting overwhelmed.


✅ 10 SIMPLE STEPS TO TRACK YOUR SPENDING (WITHOUT STRESS)


1. Set Your "Why" First

Before you start, ask: Why do I want to track my spending? Is it to save more? Stop impulse shopping? Pay off debt?

📌 Example: Mercy, a 23-year-old mom, wanted to save for her child’s school fees. That "why" helped her stay committed even when tracking felt boring.


2. Choose ONE Tracking Method to Start

Don't complicate it. Choose one method that suits your lifestyle:

📱 Mobile app (e.g., Monefy, Money Manager, or Goodbudget

📒 Small notebook you keep in your bag

📊 Basic Google Sheet

🧠 Pro Tip: Don’t mix multiple tools in the beginning—just one method until it becomes a habit.


3. Track Only the Essentials First

Start by tracking 3 main categories:

Food & groceries

Transport or fuel

Entertainment or "wants"

📌 Example: Sam began tracking only his takeout, matatu fare, and Netflix subscription for the first 2 weeks. It was manageable and eye-opening.


4. Record Daily—Even If It’s Just 2 Minutes

Make it a habit like brushing your teeth. Before bed or after a purchase, just log your expense immediately.

🎯 Hack: Use voice notes if you’re too tired to write—then log everything once a week.


5. Set a Weekly Review Time (Just 15 Minutes)

Every Sunday evening, take 10–15 minutes to look at your total spending.

Ask yourself:

Where did most of my money go?

Was this spending necessary?

What can I cut down next week?

📌 Example: Ivy noticed she spent KSh 1,400 weekly on snacks at work—she switched to homemade meals and saved KSh 5,600 a month.


6. Use Cash Envelopes or Prepaid Options

If you constantly overspend with your card, try the envelope method:

Withdraw your weekly budget in cash.

Put it in labeled envelopes (e.g., groceries, transport, fun).

When an envelope is empty, stop spending in that category.

🧠 It’s old-school, but incredibly effective for impulse buyers.


7. Highlight Spending Patterns, Not Perfection

Don’t worry about recording every coin perfectly. Focus on spotting patterns:

Are you spending a lot on takeout after 6 pm?

Do weekends drain your wallet?

🎯 Tracking is about awareness, not shame.


8. Automate When Possible

Link your mobile banking or M-Pesa app to get automated summaries. Some banks provide:

Weekly expense breakdowns

SMS alerts per transaction

📌 Example: Joseph turned on mobile banking alerts and realized he had been charged hidden subscription fees every month.


9. Make It Visual with Monthly Charts

Seeing your data visually can be powerful. Even basic bar or pie charts can help you:

Compare “needs” vs. “wants”

Spot expensive months

Set visual goals (like a savings thermometer)

Use free tools like:

Canva Pie Chart Maker

Google Sheets Chart Tools


10. Reward Yourself for Staying Consistent

Give yourself a small, guilt-free treat if you tracked consistently for the week.

A movie night at home

A fancy coffee

A new book

💡Celebrating progress keeps you motivated.


💬 REALISTIC TRACKING JOURNEY (EXAMPLE)

Grace, a 20-year-old college student, hated math and never tracked her expenses. She started using Monefy, tracking only her “fun” money. Within two months, she realized she spent KSh 6,000 monthly on impulse shopping. She adjusted, set a cap of KSh 2,000, and now puts the extra KSh 4,000 into her emergency fund.


🔗 RELATED POSTS ON THIS BLOG YOU CAN CHECK ON:

10 Simple Budgeting Hacks Every Student Should Know

How to Start Saving Money on a Tight Budget

Credit Cards vs Debit Cards: What’s Better for Beginners

Explore budget template you can start today 

🎯 FINAL TAKEAWAY

Tracking your spending doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Start small. Focus on progress, not perfection. And remember: you can’t control what you don’t measure.




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