Don’t build your life around child support. It is support, not a foundation.
I am 25. I did not proceed past form four. I am a single mom of one. My daughter is four years old. I am currently jobless. I have been getting child support of about Sh8,000 from my baby daddy. He works in the civil service and this money is deducted directly from his salary to my child's bank account after a court order.
I recently moved from home and got into a come-we-stay marriage out of financial desperation. I felt like I was being a financial burden to my mum who is not doing well. Now I feel like I have boxed myself into a corner and I am discreetly avoiding pregnancy. I would like to get out of this arrangement but I only have Sh72,000 at the bank. How can I use this money to get myself out of the hole I am in? What business can I start? How do I handle the child support money I am getting to improve my life and the life of my daughter? Please help me with advice. – Rahab
Muthoni Njakwe is an accountant and the author of personal finance book 'Her Shilling, Her Power: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom.'
Rahab, let me start by acknowledging your boldness in opening up about this. It takes courage to be this honest about where you are and what you are dealing with.
From where you are, it may be hard to build long-term stability while staying in a situation that was entered into mainly from financial pressure and dependence. Over time, it can mess with your thinking, your planning, even your peace. For that reason, it may be important to step out of that arrangement and go back to your mother’s home or somewhere safe. Just a place where you can breathe again and think properly.
You have Sh8,000 coming in from child support, and Sh72,000 in savings. That child support is stable, yes, but it is small. Use it for your child’s immediate needs. Don’t build your life around it. It is support, not a foundation. The savings, on the other hand, is your most important leverage point right now. That money is what will help you transition and rebuild.
Set up emergency fund
Before anything else, take 20-30 percent and set it aside. Put it in a separate account where you can’t easily access it. A Money Market Fund is fine. That money is not for business or lifestyle; it is purely protection. It is what ensures that no matter what happens, you are not completely exposed or forced into desperate financial decisions. After setting aside your emergency fund, the remaining balance becomes your working capital.
Low-risk, minimal-capital business
Because your capital is limited, don’t overthink or overcomplicate things. Your focus should be on low risk, low cost, and quick cash flow.
Start a business that does not require heavy capital and can operate from home or a very small setup. This will help you avoid expenses such as rent, transport, and daily operating costs that can drain your capital before the business even stabilizes. Starting from home will also enable you to test the market, understand what is working and adjust gradually without the pressure of fixed costs.
Focus on something simple and fast-moving. One option is a small chapati or snack business, where you prepare food from home and sell within your neighbourhood or nearby working areas. You can market it through WhatsApp status and let people know you supply for events, workers, or small office orders.
Another option is mitumba camera selection, where you start small by picking individual pieces instead of buying a full bale. Focus on fast-moving items like children’s clothes or simple ladies’ wear, then resell through WhatsApp or social media. This allows you to operate without a physical shop and restock gradually based on demand.
Regardless of the venture you choose, start small, keep it simple, and keep your costs low. At this stage, the priority is not big profits but consistent daily or weekly cash flow.
Move out and expand your business
Once your business becomes stable and you are consistently generating income, the next step is to start planning your move into independent living.
This should not be rushed or driven by pressure, but guided by clear financial readiness. Only move when your income is predictable, your basic needs are covered, and you are no longer relying on savings or child support for survival. The goal is simple: when you move, you are stepping into stability, not uncertainty.
Once you are settled in your own space, focus on growing what is already working. Reinvest your profits wisely, add stock gradually, and expand your customer base based on real demand. Growth at this stage should be steady and intentional, not rushed or forced.
From the start, keep proper records of your business. Even simple notes are enough. This will help you track daily sales, understand your actual profit, and avoid mixing business money with personal spending. Over time, this discipline is what will keep the business stable and allow it to grow sustainably.
Rahab, you can get unstuck. But it will not happen all at once, but through small, intentional steps that you stay consistent with. Start by stabilising your foundation. Go back to your mother’s home and create a calm space where you can think clearly and plan without pressure.
From there, begin building slowly using what you already have. Don’t rush into pressure-driven choices or try to fix everything at once. When your income becomes steady, you can then plan your move into independent living and grow your business step by step.
Though you left school at form four, there is no age limit to pursuing knowledge. Look out for scholarships and, or sponsorship opportunities for courses that you can apply to and pursue from your mom’s home. At 25, you are still very young. One step at a time, things will get better for you.
If you have any money problems, send us an email at [email protected] and leave your number for contact. Money questions will be answered on this column.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.
