Sense and Sika

Akuba
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Welcome to the Sense and Sika podcast, created + hosted by Akuba A! This is a space where we talk about navigating careers and finances in a relatable way. This podcast is a resource that empowers people to take charge and strategize their careers and personal finances. Your Host Akuba shares her journey navigating the corporate world as a first generation Ghanaian, and her advice on different situations that arise from Q&A's. You're welcome here, let's make sense of your career and your sika (money)!. Work dilemma or financial question? Send to senseandsika@gmail.com

  1. Sep 23

    Retirement Planning 2.0

    Let's be real - Social Security might not be there for us when it's our turn to retire. 401k's are "safe", but no one taught us how to actually invest in them. We're sending money back home while trying to build wealth abroad. So what does retirement actually look like for millenials and Gen-Z? In this season finale, we're redefining what retirement means for our generation — building a real number for your real life, planning for aging parents as part of YOUR retirement equation, and starting wherever you are, even if that's $5 a month. Topics We'll Cover in this episode: Redefining 'Retirement' for First-Gens — Traditional retirement wasn't designed for us, now we have to re-define it for ourselves. The Power of Starting Early (Even Small) — $100/month at 25 is worth dramatically more than $200/month at 35. Compound interest is math, not motivation. Different Account Options — Employer 401(k)/403(b), personal Roth IRA, and real estate or business equity. Treat Social Security as a potential bonus, not a plan. Build a Retirement Number for Your Real Life — Online calculators assume too much. What do you need monthly? Work backward from your actual life, not a template. Let's Connect! Instagram: akubaaaa TikTok: akubaaaa Subscribe to YouTube: Sense & Sika Inquiries & partnerships: senseandsika@gmail.com This episode of Sense and Sika was produced by CaneSugar Studios. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions shared on this channel are for informational and educational purposes only. This is NOT financial adivce. Always do your own research and due diligence before investing or executing a financial decision.

  2. Sep 16

    Love & Money- Financial Red Flags

    Love is important—but so is being financially compatible. In this episode, we’re talking about the money habits and behaviors that can become major red flags in a relationship. From hiding debt and being financially irresponsible to avoiding money conversations altogether, we’re breaking down what to look out for before “I do” becomes “we need to figure this out.” We’re also getting into the difference between a financial red flag and simply having different money habits—and why transparency, accountability, and shared financial goals matter when building a life together. Your partner doesn’t have to have the same relationship with money as you do… but you should be able to talk about it. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to identify financial red flags in a relationshipWhich money habits can create bigger problems down the lineWhy financial transparency matters between partnersHow to approach conversations about debt, spending, income, and financial goalsThe difference between having different money habits and being financially incompatibleHow to establish healthy financial boundaries and expectations with your partner

  3. Sep 2

    Black Tax - The Price We Pay to "Make It"

    What does it really cost to be the “successful” as an immigrant or first gen? From sending money home and paying family members’ bills to funding education, supporting relatives, and being the emergency bank account for your entire family — many immigrants & first gens carry a financial responsibility that goes far beyond their own household. In this episode of Sense & Sika, we’re unpacking the Immigrant Black Tax: the financial, emotional, and cultural pressure that comes with being the one who “made it” abroad. We’ll talk about expectations, boundaries, guilt, remittances, and how to support family without sacrificing your own financial future. Further more you'll learn about how the capitalistic society wasn't made to benefit you - but there are several ways in which you can take advantage of the systems and powers that exist to propel your finances into a better state.

  4. Aug 26

    Are You Leaving Money On the Table?

    Your employer is offering you free money and most of us are leaving it on the table. In this episode, we're breaking down the financial tools that live inside your benefits package — 401(k) and 403(b) matching, FSAs, HSAs, equity, bonuses, and the annual benefits audit that could save you thousands. For first-gen workers whose parents couldn't walk them through this, consider this the episode your HR orientation never gave you.

  5. Aug 19

    Decisions From the Top

    You built your whole life around a job that told you remote work was the future. You may have decided to stay and grow with 1 company, only to be laid off unexpectedly. In this episode, we're getting personal about how decisions made by corporate leadership can impact your life - through a candid story about return-to-office mandates, the end of WFH flexibility, bonus freezes and restructuring how are people navigating through these tough decisions that are having real impacts on their day to day lives. What's discussed in this episode: When One Decision Changes Everything — A new CEO or policy change can upend your career overnight. Loyalty doesn't protect you. Your skills and network do. Have a Plan — Gone are the days of working 1 job for 12 -15 years. every job should have an assignment. How long are you staying for, what are your goals? How Decision Making Actually Works with Leadership— Senior leaders make decisions based on investor or shareholder pressure and their own worldview Expect changes- When you anticipate that things can change quickly in a company, you're able to move with intention and adjust vs feeling paralyzed. Let's Connect! Instagram: akubaaaa TikTok: akubaaaa Subscribe to YouTube: Sense & Sika Inquiries & partnerships: senseandsika@gmail.com This episode of Sense and Sika was produced by CaneSugar Studios. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions shared on this channel are for informational and educational purposes only. This is NOT financial adivce. Always do your own research and due diligence before investing or executing a financial decision.

  6. Aug 12

    MONEY 101 — THE FOUNDATIONS OF FINANCIAL LITERACY

    Nobody handed us a personal finance class on the way in. For first-gen and immigrant earners, the fundamentals — budgeting, credit, debt, saving, and building net worth — often have to be self-taught, and usually after you've already made a few expensive mistakes. In this episode, we go back to basics with the financial literacy foundation that mainstream advice assumes you already have. No shame, no jargon — just the tools you need to start making your money work for you. Topics covered in this episode: Budgeting That Actually Works for Our Lives — The 50/30/20 rule was not designed for someone sending money home or carrying student loans. Advice such as "move home with your parents" doesn't land well if you are new to a country and don't know anyone close to where you are working. Building your Savings Fund From Zero — Advisors say 3–6 months of expenses. For first-gens supporting others, that feels impossible. Start small and work your balance up over time. Understand how your money flows - what are your recurring expenses? How much are you sending back home on average? What are some ways that you can maximize your dollar (bulk buying etc.) Let's Connect! Instagram: akubaaaa TikTok: akubaaaa Subscribe to YouTube: Sense & Sika Inquiries & partnerships: senseandsika@gmail.com This episode of Sense and Sika was produced by CaneSugar Studios. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions shared on this channel are for informational and educational purposes only. This is NOT financial adivce. Always do your own research and due diligence before investing or executing a financial decision.

  7. Aug 5

    New Rules — Navigating the 2026 Job Economy

    The job market that got you here is not the job market you're in right now. Mass layoffs, AI-driven hiring changes, and a tighter, constantly changing economy have rewritten the rules — and for first-gen and immigrant professionals, the stakes are even higher. In this episode, we're talking honestly about what the current landscape looks like, why shifting to a global mindset isn't just a buzzword but a real competitive advantage, and how to position yourself to not just survive this moment — but actually get ahead in it. What you'll learn in this episode: Understanding the Landscape Honestly — Hiring is slower and more automated, and AI is changing which roles even exist. See the market clearly, not through the lens of " what should be". What 'Global Mindset' Actually Means for Your Career — It's not just about being open to international roles. It means understanding that your skills compete globally, and your multicultural fluency is an asset most of your peers simply don't have. Building a Career Safety Net Before You Need It — Diversify your income streams, keep your resume perpetually updated,maintain relationships outside your current company. Let's Connect! Instagram: akubaaaa TikTok: akubaaaa Subscribe to YouTube: Sense & Sika Inquiries & partnerships: senseandsika@gmail.com This episode of Sense and Sika was produced by CaneSugar Studios. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions shared on this channel are for informational and educational purposes only. This is NOT financial adivce. Always do your own research and due diligence before investing or executing a financial decision.

  8. Jul 29

    Characters of the Workplace

    Every workplace has the same typecast of people — just with different names and job titles. In this episode, Akuba breaks down the characters you will meet in every office, ever — what makes them tick, how to work with (or around) them, and how to spot the new villain on the scene: quiet firing. What you'll learn in this episode: How to successfully navigate around different personality types at workHow to identify colleagues who are genuine, and those who can truly help you out in the course of your career. Let's Connect! Instagram: akubaaaa TikTok: akubaaaa Subscribe to YouTube: Sense & Sika Inquiries & partnerships: senseandsika@gmail.com This episode of Sense and Sika was produced by CaneSugar Studios. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions shared on this channel are for informational and educational purposes only. This is NOT financial adivce. Always do your own research and due diligence before investing or executing a financial decision.

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About

Welcome to the Sense and Sika podcast, created + hosted by Akuba A! This is a space where we talk about navigating careers and finances in a relatable way. This podcast is a resource that empowers people to take charge and strategize their careers and personal finances. Your Host Akuba shares her journey navigating the corporate world as a first generation Ghanaian, and her advice on different situations that arise from Q&A's. You're welcome here, let's make sense of your career and your sika (money)!. Work dilemma or financial question? Send to senseandsika@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Akuba
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Akuba
  • Show Website
    Sense and Sika