Mercy Agbeti is a faith-based Money and Marriage Coach, dedicated to empowering women to achieve financial freedom while nurturing happy, balanced homes. She holds a first degree in Chemical Engineering and second degree in Project Management Technology. As visionary leader of the Money Women community, she speaks with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA about personal finance, investment, and homemaking.
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You are passionate about helping women achieve financial freedom while nurturing balanced homes, what informed this?
Absolutely, thank you for asking, Ijeoma. My passion for helping women achieve financial freedom while nurturing balanced homes stems from a very personal experience in my own life. Before I got married, I was financially independent and doing quite well for myself. However, things changed drastically when I got married and became pregnant almost immediately. I faced health challenges that prevented me from working, and I ended up using all my savings with no income coming in. By the end of my pregnancy, I was financially drained. This experience made me realise that my lack of adequate financial education was the root cause of my financial struggles during that time. It’s easy to blame marriage or family for financial difficulties, but I understood that the issue wasn’t getting married—it was not having the necessary financial knowledge and structures in place to navigate life’s challenges.
Today, we often see women feeling pressured to choose between family responsibilities and financial independence. However, I firmly believe that with the right financial education and planning, no woman should have to make that choice. Women can thrive both in their careers or businesses and in nurturing their families. Financial freedom and a happy home life are not mutually exclusive. I’m passionate about empowering women with the tools and knowledge they need to achieve financial independence while also nurturing their homes. Every woman deserves to have financial stability and secure, regardless of her family responsibilities. No woman should ever feel like she has to sacrifice her financial well-being to care for her family. That’s why I’m committed to providing practical financial education and guidance to help women achieve both personal and financial fulfilment.
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You have a background in Chemical Engineering and then Project Management Technology, how have these academic paths impacted your work as a finance coach?
The truth is, my background in Chemical Engineering and Project Management Technology has significantly impacted my work as a finance coach. I believe no knowledge is wasted, and both academic paths have provided valuable insights that I apply to my current profession. Chemical Engineering, often referred to as Process Engineering, has made me appreciate the importance of time and process in achieving financial freedom. As a Chemical Engineer, I had to work with various chemicals, carefully managing reactions where time was of the essence. Similarly, in finance, I work with clients to help them manage their emotions, reactions, and risks with money. It’s all a process where time plays a crucial role.
Understanding the importance of each step and the patience required has been instrumental in guiding my clients toward financial stability. My background in Project Management Technology has also been incredibly beneficial. Project management involves planning and organising resources to achieve specific goals, a skill that is directly transferable to finance coaching. I treat each client as a project, starting by identifying their financial goals. I then itemise the resources available, plan, and organise how to manage and execute tasks to meet these goals.
As the visionary of Money Women community, what stands out for you?
As the visionary behind the Money Women community, what stands out to me the most is our unique ability to balance wealth and healthy marriages. We are a group of women who have achieved financial success without sacrificing our family values. We believe in making money and making our homes, simultaneously thriving in both areas. In today’s world, it often seems like family values are being lost, with many people focusing solely on financial success. However, in the Money Women community, we emphasise that women do not have to choose between being wealthy and having a fulfilling marriage. For those who desire to be married, we strive to uphold family values while achieving financial freedom. What sets our community apart is this dual commitment. We are dedicated to helping women build their financial independence and create nurturing, loving home environments. We support each other in our journeys, proving that it is possible to have both—a thriving financial life and a happy, balanced family life.
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What finance myths do you consider common among women?
You know, there are quite a few finance myths that we often hear, especially about women. One of the most common finance myths is the notion that women aren’t good with money. There’s this stereotype that women are emotional spenders and poor investors. However, research has shown that women actually make better investors than men. It’s true that women are often more inclined to save rather than invest, but when they do invest, they tend to outperform men. This myth about women and money is something we’re actively working to debunk in the Money Women community. Our mission is to demystify these misconceptions and help women realise their financial potential. We want women to know that they are better with money than they might think and that they can be successful investors. By educating and empowering women, we’re showing that financial freedom is not just achievable, but also something that women can excel at, often surpassing their male counterparts. Our goal is to boost women’s confidence in their financial abilities and help them see that they have the skills and knowledge to make smart investment decisions and achieve their financial goals.
In our economy today where the rising cost of living continues to be a front burner concern, what tips do you have for women?
My number one tip for women is to focus on increasing their income. There’s only so much you can cut from your expenses, but the potential to increase your income is limitless. Thankfully, there are many ways to earn money from anywhere in the world. You can earn in different currencies, work multiple jobs, and create various streams of income. So, put more effort into finding ways to increase your income. It’s also important to avoid lifestyle creep, which means managing your expenses wisely. This doesn’t necessarily mean constantly looking for ways to cut costs, but rather being cautious about increasing your basic lifestyle expenses unnecessarily. Having a budget is crucial. I’m a big advocate for budgeting because it can significantly improve your financial situation if done properly. Create a budget, stick to it, and regularly track and review it to ensure you’re spending your money wisely. Lastly, make sure to invest a portion of your income. Invest in things that can generate passive income over time, as this will help you stay financially healthy in the long run.
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What drives and motivates you for success?
What drives and motivates me for success is my family: my husband and my daughter. I want them to look at me and feel genuinely happy and proud, not just for what I’m achieving outside the home, but for who I am within it. My ultimate goal is to be a source of inspiration and support for them, showing that it’s possible to balance professional success with a loving and nurturing home life. Seeing my family happy and proud of me fuels my ambition and dedication. It’s important to me that my success is not just measured by my career achievements but also by the positive impact I have on my family.
Their happiness and well-being are my top priorities, and knowing that I can contribute to that through my work and personal life motivates me to keep striving for excellence.
How can more women rise to the top and live their best lives while holding on the homefront?
I believe every woman should first define for herself what her best life looks like, rather than living up to someone else’s idea of it. Once you’ve determined your path, especially if it includes building a home, be intentional about choosing your life partner. Your choice of spouse profoundly influences your life’s success, so choose wisely. While managing responsibilities on the home front, it’s crucial to recognise the importance of timing and seasons in life. Understand where you are in your journey and make the most of each phase. Lastly, don’t hesitate to leverage the support of others. Engage the strengths of those around you, delegate tasks where needed, and allow others to help you. This teamwork can propel you forward more effectively towards achieving your goals.
What is your life mantra?
My life mantra is “We are a rich people.” It reminds me to see abundance in every aspect of life and approach challenges with optimism and gratitude. This belief helps me stay positive and strive for excellence, knowing that richness isn’t just about money but includes health, relationships, and personal fulfilment.
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