How This Student Turned Saving 90% of Her Income Into a Habit

Meet Joyce Yetsa Amable

Joyce is a final-year biomedical engineering student at KNUST in Ghana. But her entrepreneurial journey started long before university — in primary school, making and selling Shambala bracelets with her twin sister.

Early Entrepreneurial Spirit

Joyce's grandmother, who collected and sold construction materials, inspired her entrepreneurial mindset. From a young age, she understood the value of creating something and turning it into income.

First Real Earnings

During her gap year after secondary school, Joyce applied via Instagram for a remote content writing position. She earned approximately $58 monthly — later increased to $80 after being advised by a mentor to negotiate her rate. She simultaneously taught at her former school for roughly $60-70 monthly.

Building a Business

With her sister, Joyce invested early savings into renting market canopies, operating roughly 12 units. Though university commitments forced closure of the venture after eleven months, the experience taught her valuable lessons about business operations and investment.

Digital Marketing Journey

Joyce pursued digital marketing education through the Ingressive for Good scholarship, gaining hands-on experience through internships. She now manages social media for Investment Friend, a financial literacy platform.

The 90% Rule

With a Mastercard Foundation Scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, laptop, stipend, and meals, Joyce has minimal personal expenses. This allows her to direct over 90% of the money she earns into investments or savings, prioritizing long-term financial security.

Key Lessons

• Start earning early, even in small amounts
• Negotiate your rates — you are worth more than you think
• Use scholarships and benefits strategically to maximize savings
• Financial literacy changes how you think about money
• Consistency in saving matters more than the amount