HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED TO SAVE FOR A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT?

Let’s be honest, my friend. Nobody dreams of struggling in old age

Hey there friend,

We all want a retirement where bills are sorted, the fridge is full, medical care is handled, and maybe even a little something left to spoil the grandkids or bless others. Imagine this: you are 65 years old, chilling with zero stress, and a cool KES 300,000 lands in your account every month. Sweet life, right?

Now here’s the kicker - this dream is not reserved for “big shots.” It’s not just for politicians or the wealthy. It’s for you, for me, and for that mama mboga down the road. The secret is simple: start saving and investing early.

🌱 The Freedom Tree

Think about it like this. To get KES 300,000 every month (KES 3.6 million a year) in retirement, you need about KES 30 million invested at 12% per year.

That’s what I call the Freedom Tree. You don’t cut it down. You don’t sell it. You simply sit under it and enjoy the fruit it gives every year — your steady retirement income.

The big question is: how do you grow such a tree if you’re starting small? The answer lies in the magic of time and consistency.

Why Starting Early Changes Everything

Here’s where people get shocked. The earlier you start, the cheaper it is to grow your Freedom Tree. Let’s break it down with numbers.

Starting Age	Years to Save	Monthly Savings Needed
20 years	45 years	KES 1,398
25 years	40 years	KES 2,550
30 years	35 years	KES 4,665
40 years	25 years	KES 15,967
50 years	15 years	KES 60,050

Now stop and think.

At 20 years old , you only need KES 1,398 per month. That’s less than what many people spend on chips, soda, or weekend treats. At 25 , you still need only KES 2,550. But delay until you’re 50 , and the price of the same dream shoots up to over KES 60,000 every month.

Same dream. Different costs. The only difference is when you start.

A Story from Mukuru Kwa Reuben

Recently, I had the privilege of facilitating a financial literacy class with young mothers in their 20s and 30s under Irise Foundation in Kwa Reuben. These ladies are hardworking, hustling daily to provide for their families. Some sell vegetables, others run kiosks, others braid hair, and one particular lady caught my attention.

She hawks tea and mandazi, making just a little over KES 300 a day. Nothing glamorous, just pure sweat and grit.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. We sat down and did the math. If she saves just KES 200 every day (that’s about KES 6,000 per month) in an account or investment that earns 18% interest per year, compounding monthly , what would happen?

After 20 years , her savings would not be a few thousand. Not even a few hundred thousand. Her savings would grow to about KES 13.7 million.

Let that sink in. From mandazi and tea to over 13 million shillings . Enough to buy land, build rentals, or open a proper business that secures her family’s future.

Her eyes widened. She leaned back, shook her head, and laughed in disbelief. “Ati 13 million? From my mandazi? You mean I can actually do this?”

Yes, she can. And so can you.

Why This Matters for You

Maybe you’re thinking, “Ah, but my income is small.” Or “I’ll start saving when I earn more.” My friend, money doesn’t care how much you earn today. What it cares about is when you start and how consistent you are.

Think of it like planting maize. The earlier you plant, the more time the crop has to grow. If you plant too late, don’t be surprised if you harvest little. Savings and investments work exactly the same way.

The tea-and-mandazi hawker didn’t need millions to begin. She only needed to start with what she had. That’s the power of postponing gratification — choosing to sacrifice a little today for a much greater reward tomorrow.

Your Takeaway

• Start early - The earlier you plant your Freedom Tree, the cheaper your retirement becomes.
• Be consistent - Even small daily savings grow into millions when compounded over time.
• Postpone gratification - Sacrificing a soda, nyama choma, or a pair of shoes today can translate into financial freedom tomorrow.
• Don't wait - Every year you delay, the cost of your dream shoots up.

Final Word: Plant Your Tree Today

Here’s the truth. Whether you’re 20, 30, or 40, the best time to start was yesterday. But since we cannot go back in time, the next best time is today.

Money doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care about your background, your current hustle, or your level of education. All it cares about is consistency and time.

So don’t wait until you’re 50 and stressed, trying to save KES 60,000 a month just to catch up. Begin now with what you have, no matter how little.

Plant your Freedom Tree today. Water it with consistency. And one day, you will sit under its shade, enjoying the fruit of your labor, smiling as your younger self thanks you for being wise enough to start. 🌱

Because financial freedom is not for the lucky. It’s for the prepared. And you, my friend, can be one of them.

Because in 20 or 30 years, your future self is going to look back and say:

“Thank God I started when I did.”

Let’s make money work for you—not the other way around.

Cheers to your first million, friend! 🥂💸

Want to Go Further, Faster? Join the Kingdom Finance Family!

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This isn’t just a membership it’s about fulfilling the call of God to finance His work.

You only need to start saving Ksh 200 per day to comfortably become a millionaire.

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John Kangu, Team Leader, Financial Coach