Ref 3.9
Title
FEEDING MONEY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF DUAL
CAREERHOMEMAKERS IN DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY,
ABRAKA, NIGERIA INTHE RECENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC
MELT DOWN PERIOD
Abstract
Money is an essential resource which can be used to purchase needed goods and
services. The supply of money is limited while human needs are many. Human
wants are unlimited. Feeding a family requires a lot of money. Many families in
Nigeria find it difficult to feed adequately resulting in malnutrition, morbidity and
death. This problem has now become aggravated with the recent global economic
meltdown. Irrespective of this, each family needs to feed well to maintain good
nutritional and health status. Many families have resorted to various coping
strategies in terms of feeding. The study investigated the measures used for the
management of feeding money by dual career women in the Delta State University,
Abraka. Nigeria. The sample comprised of eighty (80) women who were randomly
selected The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The data was
analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation. Some findings are as
follows: Most of the women bought their foodstuffs in bulk. They used shopping list,
adequate bargaining before food purchase and avoidance of impulse buying. The
women used certain food management strategies which are as follows; Adequate
management of meals to prevent wastage; control of foodstuffs to prevent
spoilage/wastage; serving of meals that are acceptable to family members; adequate
meal planning before going on shopping. The food purchasing and management
strategies if well adopted could serve as useful coping strategies in the present
economic down turn. It was recommended among others that the women should
learn to buy cheap foodstuffs that are nutritious. The women should compare prices
and quality of foodstuffs before buying.
Country
NIGERIA
Author Details
AUTHOR
Title of author
Surname
First Name
Name of Institution
Address of Institution
E-mail address of author
ASSOC. PROF.
UYOYOU IMONIKEBE
Bridget
HOME ECONOMICS UNIT,
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
DELTA ST TE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA,
NIGERIA.
bridgetimonikebe@yahoo.com
1
CATEGORY
Consumer
Home Economics
Education
THEMES
Health Promotion
Sustainable Consumption
TYPE
Research Paper
2
FEEDING MONEY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF DUAL CAREER
HOMEMAKERS IN DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA, NIGERIA IN
THE RECENT GLOBAL ECONOMIC MELT DOWN PERIOD
BY
ASSOC. PROF. BRIDGET UYOYOU IMONIKEBE
Key words: Management, Dual career women, Feeding money, Bargaining, Food
purchase, Global economic down turn.
Introduction
In Nigeria, the cost of feeding is very high. This has been further aggravated by
the recent global economic meltdown. This has made many families not to be able to feed
adequately leading to malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. This is very high among the
vulnerable group — infants, children and pregnant women. Families have to device ways
of coping with the global crisis. Adequate management of feeding money becomes
compulsorily necessary. Different families therefore resort to various measures to
manage the little available feeding money. Feeding money has to be wisely managed so
as to be able to adequately meet the nutritional and health needs of each family member.
Money is one of the resources that a family uses to meet its needs. It is very
necessary to manage money to meet family needs. Money management is highly
essential. It is an organized process of allocating or using money to achieve specific goals
that are usually purchased with money (Anyakoha and Eluwa, 1999). Better money
management will enable individuals or family to purchase more of goals and services that
are needed. In money management, there is need to make a budget on how to use the
available income for achieving goals. Financial management is a problem of some
3
families. This is due to poor planning. This problem is further aggravated if the family’s
monthly income is low which eventually makes feeding money to be insufficient.
Ezema (2002) pointed out that, financial control is practiced in homes and by
individuals and that no two families spend their money in exactly the same ways.
Anyakoha and Eluwa (1991) observed that no two families are identical and advised that
each family should make their plans for the utilization of their income.
Ezema stated that knowledge and understanding of how to handle money wisely
is a skill to be developed right from youth. He stated that the experiences gained can help
in adult life and in family finance management. A good financial plan can help a family
to choose a suitable standard of living within the family present earning and help people
to study their values and satisfaction in their use of money. According to James, Yusuf
and Adams (2001) the quality of life is not completely dependent on how big resources
are. Many families with low income show adequate management strategies to enjoy high
and good quality of life.
In the purchase of food items, certain techniques need to be utilized. UkohAviornoh (2003) described food purchase as an art that must be learnt at the family level
and hence encouraged economic spending on food. Nigerian food prices are not
standardized, hence bargaining well in the market could reduce the amount spent on the
purchase of food items. She stressed the need to price well in the market, select good
quality food, and identify the markets that foods are cheapest and the best time for
shopping. Other strategies referred to the generation of shopping list, regular stock taking
at home, management of purchased food, food packaging / storage and bulk purchase.
4
Imonikebe (1993) identified the following measures for good financial
management: adequate planning on how to spend feeding money, planning of menu
before shopping: making shopping list before purchasing food items: comparing prices of
foodstuffs before buying them; the buying of foodstuffs in bulk from village market,
buying of cheap food items that are good.
Ukoh-Aviomoh recommended that budgeting before purchase helps to cut down
on excesses and teaches one to be prudent to become good resource manager. It was also
pointed out that the buying of good quality food, through proper budgeting ensures the
consumption of good quality food, saves money, increases nutrient intake by
individuals/families.
Anyakoha and Eluwa (1991) outlined money management activities as follows;
spending only on planned goods; avoiding “impulse buying”, comparing prices and
commodities before buying, studying available information on items before buying;
reading of any agreement before signing, keeping of good record of any money spent.
Martin and Oliver (2001) advised that parents should start teaching their children
money management. This is necessary especially when children make certain demands.
Such demands are common especially among preschool children.
Financial resources are limited even though human wants are unlimited. With the
present high cost of living arising from the recent global economic down turn; the
management of feeding money becomes very necessary. There is need to effectively
utilize feeding money for attainment of good nutritional status. This study investigated
the management of feeding money by married working women in Delta State University,
Abraka, Nigeria.
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Purpose of the study
The main purpose of the study was to find out the measures used for the
management of feeding money by the dual career women in the Delta State University,
Abraka, Nigeria.
The specific objectives of the study were to;
1.
Identify the food purchasing measures used by the married working women in
Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
2.
Find out the places where they purchase food items.
3.
Identify the food management measures employed by the women.
Methodology
Design of the study: The study was a survey meant to investigate into the measures for
effective management of feeding money by dual career women in the Delta State
University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Population/Sample: The population comprised all the married workingwomen in the
Delta State University, Abraka Campus. A sample of 80 women was randomly selected.
Instrument: The instrument used for the data collection was a questionnaire. This
comprised of items that elicited responses on the measures for the management of
feeding money by the married working women. The questionnaire items were on a
4-point scale of strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree representing 4, 3, 2
and 1 respectively.
Method of data collection/Analysis: Eighty copies of the questionnaire were
administered to the women. After completion, they were immediately retrieved on the
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spot. The data were analyzed by calculating the percentages and mean of the responses.
Any item with a mean between 2.50 and 4.00 shows it is an effective food purchasing
measure or food management measure. Any item with mean below 2.50 shows that it is
not an important food purchasing measure or food management measure as perceived by
the women.
Results
Finding shows that 23 (28.8%) of the women earned below N60,000 monthly.
Others 57 (71.2%) of them earned above N60,000.
Table 1: Food purchasing strategies of the dual career women in Delta State University,
Abraka, Nigeria.
S/N Food Purchasing Strategies
Mean (X) Standard
responses
deviation
3.87
0.34
1
Comparing of prices before purchasing foodstuffs
2
Adequate bargaining before purchasing food items
4.00
0
3
Budgeting on how well to spend feeding money
3.90
0.04
4
Regular evaluation of how feeding money is spent
3.73
0.63
5
Bulk purchase when prices of foodstuffs are low
3.88
0.33
6
Shopping from markets where foodstuffs are
cheap
3.75
0.63
7
Shopping on market days to reduce cost of food
items
3.13
0.33
8
Buying of alternative but cheap rich food
4.00
0
9
Avoidance of “impulse buying”
4.00
0
10
Use of market list
4.00
0
11
Purchasing of foods in season
3.98
0.12
12
Purchasing of only the foodstuffs that are needed.
2.95
0.12
7
Table 1 showed that all the items 1-12 have their mean above 2.50. This indicated
that all the items are effective food purchasing strategies that are utilized by the dual
career women in the Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Table 2: Food management practices of the dual career women in Delta State University,
Abraka, Nigeria.
S/N Food Management Practices
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Mean (X) Standard
responses deviation
Adequate management of meals to prevent wastage
3.90
0.40
Control of foodstuffs to prevent spoilage / wastage
4.00
0
Regulated consumption of purchased food items
3.91
0.28
Serving meals that are acceptable to family members
3.13
0.33
Preserving of certain food items to prevent spoilage
3.87
0.34
Varying of meals to prevent monotony (which could
3.93
0.35
lead to food wastage)
Adequate storage of food stuffs
4.00
0
Introducing new cheap nutritious diet to the family
3.89
0.43
Adequate meal planning before going on shopping for
3.89
0.43
foodstuffs
Use of convenience foods at times to save time e.g.
2.96
0.19
ground pepper
Use of alternative rich cheap foodstuffs
4.00
0
Selecting/cooking only food that do not consume
3.87
0.49
much fuel
Dehulling beans to save the time of cooking it
3.89
0.42
Eating the same type of food twice daily to save the
3.96
0.34
time spent for meal preparation
Serving meals when needed
4.00
0
Introducing variety to meal preparation
4.00
0
Table 2 shows that all the items 1-16 have their mean above 2.50. This indicated
that all the items were regarded as effective food management measures of monthly
feeding money by the dual career women in the Delta State University, Abraka.
Discussion of results
The study identified the food purchasing measures and food management
strategies of the dual career women in the Delta State University, Abraka. One of the
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food purchasing measures is budgeting. Ukoh-Aviornoh (2005) found that budgeting
before purchase helps to cut down on excesses and teaches prudence. Budgeting helps
individuals and families by ensuring the consumption of quality foods and in saving
money. It also allows for increased nutrient intake for good health status. Ezema (2002),
pointed out that financial planning prevents anxiety and insecurity.
Some other identified purchasing strategies are the use of shopping list. Shopping
list serves as a guide in ensuring that all the items in the list are purchased. The use of
shopping list helps to prevent “impulse buying”. Another purchasing measure is bulk
purchase and making purchases from markets where foodstuffs are cheap (Imonikebe,
1993). Another food purchasing measure is adequate bargaining before purchasing
foodstuffs in the market (Ukoh-Aviomoh, 2005). Bargaining well in the market could
reduce the amount spent on the purchase of food items. The purchasing of foods in
season was one of the food purchasing strategies of the women. Foods in season are
usually very cheap, fresh, readily available and nourishing. Judicious utilization of foods
in season in meal preparation will greatly reduce the cost of feeding since such foods are
usually very cheap. The use of foods in season will promote the nutritional and health
status of the individual or families. This is because foods in season are at their best and so
are highly nourishing.
Some other identified food purchasing measures are as follows. Purchasing of
only the food items that are really needed, comparing of prices before purchasing
foodstuffs and avoidance of “impulse buying”. Anyakoha and Eluwa (1999) gave such
suggestions.
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Another measure is regular evaluation of how feeding money is spent. This is
necessary. It allows for adopting necessary adjustment in the expenditure of money and
foods purchased. If the homemaker discovers that the feeding money is not enough to
meet family needs, she can adjust by increasing the amount of money allocated to
feeding. On the other hand, if the monthly feeding allowance is too much, the excess
amount can be saved for future use when there will likely be increase in the prices of
food commodities.
Some of the food management strategies identified are as follows; control of
foodstuffs to prevent spoilage, wastage and preserving of certain food items to prevent
spoilage. Ukoh-Aviomoh (2005) had similar findings. She stressed the need for the
management of purchased food, food packaging and storage. These measures aim at
preventing food wastage which can adversely affect the amount of money spent on
feeding the family. Another food management measure is meal planning before shopping
(Imonikebe, 1993). Planning of meals before shopping guides one on the purchasing of
the needed food items. It prevents “impulse buying”. It prevents in-decision and ensures
good selection of foodstuffs needed.
Another meal management strategy is the introduction of variety to meal
preparation. Variety is the spice of life. When there is variety in the meals prepared, the
appetite of the consumers will be improved. As such food wastage will be minimized.
The serving of meals when needed is important. Serving meals late at night and waking
children to eat is a bad practice. Such children may develop dislike for such meals.
Indigestion and constipation could occur.
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The introduction of new cheap but nourishing food to meals prepared is good.
This could serve as a means of introducing variety to meals prepared.
Conclusion
The study identified the food purchasing strategies and food management
measures that are utilized by the dual career women in the Delta State University,
Abraka. Some of such purchasing measures used were the practice of bulk purchase when
prices of foodstuffs are low; avoidance of “impulse buying;” purchasing of only the food
items that are really needed, shopping from markets where foodstuffs are cheap. Some of
the identified food management measures used by the women are as follows; introducing
variety to meal preparation; serving of meals when needed and regulated consumption of
purchased foodstuffs.
The food purchasing strategies and food management measures are very
important. They serve as adequate measures in the management of feeding money to
promote the nutritional and health status of their families. They also help to keep the
family from financial stress which occurs from borrowing money when feeding money is
not adequately managed.
Recommendations
There is need to plan and prepare meals that are acceptable to family members.
This will prevent wastage which would have resulted due to dislike for the food.
The women should plan meals to include much of the foods in season. Such foods
are usually cheap, available, fresh and highly nourishing.
The married women should train their children on various purchasing strategies
that can reduce money spent on feeding.
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The women should compare prices of food items as well as the quality of the
food. It is not wise to purchase cheap food that have very low nourishment or that is
highly denatured e.g. cheap wilted leafy vegetables, cheap partly broken and rotten
tomatoes and pepper. This could be a potential source of food poison.
The women should choose cheap safe, clean source of fuel for preparing their
meals as a means of reducing cost of feeding.
References
Anyakoha E.U. and Eluwa M.A. (1991) Home Management for Schools and Colleges
Onitsha, Nigeria, Africana Feb Publishers Ltd.
Ezema P.N (2002) Financial Management by Couples in Emene Community of Enugu
State. Research issues in Home Economics.
Irnonikebe B.U. (1993) Strategies for Meeting Family Food Needs in a Depressed
Economy. Nigerian Vocational Journal. Vol. VI
James M.B, Yusuf M, and Adams H.A, The role of Home Economics in Poverty
Alleviation in Nigeria. Research Imperatives. Challenges for Home Economics in
Nigeria.
Martin A and Oliva I.C (2001) Teaching Children About Money. Application of social
learning and cognitive learning development theories. Journal of Family and
Consumer Sciences 93, (2) 26-29.
Ukoh-Aviomoh E.E. (2005) Family Education, Vocationalism and Food Security of the
Nigerian Child. Journal of Home Economics Research of Nigeria. Vol. 6 No.2
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