How to know you have overstayed your welcome

In 2003, I visited my aunt, in Port harcourt, before my NYSC. Although I’m related to her husband, we grew so fond of each other on my short visits from school. Holidays in Madonna University were short and going to Lagos was hardly an option. On this visit, I didn’t exactly have a time duration, I needed to finish up my clearance and sort out graduation issues, so you see, I couldn’t exactly tell her when I was leaving.

Ever heard the saying: ‘visitors and fish smell after 3 days’? Well, I started to smell after 3 weeks.

Here are 5 signs to know that you have overstayed your welcome.

Everyone always retires early
For some reason, no one wants to stay up and chat anymore, they all just retire to their rooms. It could be a coincidence though, but yeah, it happens very often.

No one asks if you are hungry
You are no longer lovingly welcomed with “Will you have dinner, there’s some tasty jollof on the cooker.” You find the kitchen very very clean, with no food in sight.

How are your parents at home?
They start asking how your parents are faring and if you speak with them all the time. Once in a while you get an “I hope they don’t miss you too much oh”

They start to ask about your mission there
They suddenly become interested in your mission; how is the clearance going? Hope no problems? What’s holding you? Enya! God will see you out through.

The point is, staying with people who aren’t your family can become pretty stifling. Here are a few ways to make it easier on your hosts.

Offer to help out around the house
Participate in chores and family activities, be eager to help. Stay useful.

Come with gifts
Whenever you visit, go there bearing gifts to show you appreciate the hospitality, if they have kids, ordinary bread can go a long way.

Try to stick to your plan
Let 3 days be 3 days. If there are any changes, tell them about it. Just don’t stay on and feel they are okay with it.

Once in a while, replace something that has finished
Offer to buy fuel if they drive you around. Buy some provisions for the kids. Show care.

Clean up after yourself, always.

Be grateful
Always tell them how grateful you are for their hospitality, back it up by being tolerant of their house rules. When in Rome…

Ever stayed with someone or hosted a guest? Do share your experiences.

Shopping on a budget- How to know when to exceed your budget

I am allergic to the word budgets, but they are a necessary evil. I had a wedding to attend last month, and my mom kept saying no to all the dresses I brought for screening and I figured I'd get a new one. We went to Debra's grace, opposite Panti police station. You would know Debra's grace on Instagram for their dope affordable wears. It was the end of the month, so I didn't have a large budget, I saw some really nice 6k dresses so that's where I pinned my budget. Long story short, I ended up buying this awesome dress for 15k and I never looked back.

When do you know to exceed your budget?

* When you have support from a second party. Like I had my mom pay up the difference for me. 

* When the dress is a good investment. Here we are talking about quality. Will the fabric stand the test of time? Is the color manageable? Does the color leak? how long do you foresee wearing before you probably put on weight, and pass on to the next generation. lol 

* Let's talk about functionality? How re-wearable is the dress? Will you be able to wear it after that fashion season? How many functions can it serve you? Work? church? party? all the above? Buy the dress!

When will you surpass your budget for a dress?