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Mike (not his real name), a Kenyan man living in Nairobi, has shared how he budgets his monthly salary of Sh100,000.
As a family man with two kids and a stay-at-home wife, Mike revealed that he works as a hotel Manager in Westlands. He earns a gross salary of Sh100,000 which goes down to Sh73,385 after deductions.
Of this, Sh22,500 goes to rent and utilities, while Sh12,000 goes to groceries. Transportation from his home in Rungiri near Kinoo market to his workplace in Westlands costs Sh4,000 monthly.
“We prefer shopping at the Kangemi market because there is always fresh produce at a fair price. The rest of the items we buy in bulk to stretch our Sh12,000 as far as possible. This includes our kids’ snacks to carry to school,” he told Money254.
Once a car owner, Mike sold his saloon vehicle to resolve financial challenges. Today, he considers public transport a blessing in disguise. “With fuel prices where they are now, it would cost me much more to drive daily,” he notes.
Other expenses include school fees which totals Sh20,000 per term for his two daughters, Mukami, in Grade 2 (Sh12,000), and Makena, in Baby Class (Sh8,000).
“We’re lucky that the school is within walking distance which means we get to save on their transport costs to and from school. Acknowledging my wife’s efforts once more for always ensuring they are ready up and in school on time every day without fail,” he explains.
Beyond these essentials, Mike contributes Sh2,500 monthly to his wife’s chama, and pays Sh5,000 toward a Sacco loan he is determined to clear in 18 months. Miscellaneous expenses, such as household incidentals, average Sh3,500.
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By the end of fee-paying months, he is left with just Sh3,885, which he channels into his Sacco savings. In months without school fees, however, he diverts around Sh10,000 into a money market fund, creating both an emergency cushion and a future education fund for his children.
He also finds room to extend support to his parents, sending them Sh5,000 quarterly, particularly in lighter months without school-related expenses.
According to him, his financial strategy is rooted in discipline and teamwork adding that every purchase the family makes is deliberate.
“Living within our means has become more than just a necessity—it’s a philosophy that shapes our daily existence. Through careful budgeting and prudent financial decisions, we’ve learned to make the most of what we have. Every coin counts, from the groceries we purchase at the local market to the smart choices we make when it comes to transportation and utilities,” he explains.
