I’m ready for the next season of my life

Caroline Mutoko is arguably the queen of radio. Her career spans 14 years, 10 of which she has spent at Radio Africa’s Kiss 100. Love or hate her, Mutoko has no apologies to make for her brutal honesty on air, which has, on a few occasions, seen her hauled to court to defend her words in defamation suits.

She maintains there’s nothing controversial about what she does or says as she simply states the issues as she sees them. Having cemented her career, Mutoko is now ready to settle down and start a family.

I also work with rural girls’ schools where the issues are water, lack of dormitories and sanitary towels. I didn’t know until 2005 that there are girls who use rags instead of sanitary towels. I work with schools in Siakago, Eldoret, Machakos, Kilifi, Mbooni and Laisamis, where I was shocked to learn that underwear is unheard of! So much for giving them sanitary towels!

I call all my charity work God’s work. This is my tithe. My charities balance me and I get a lot of satisfaction. My mother keeps thinking I’ve gone over-board with my charities but it’s because I feel I have lost too much time not giving back.

With my job, I have to find a balance in my work and life. I want to be challenged in areas where I am capable. My horror is that it took me a long time to realise the platform I sit on.

Time management

Last year was about setting priorities and I’m proud to say I bought a house off a plan. It is now ready and preparing to move in has given me an opportunity to de-clutter once again. Today, I get shocked at how much more I save. Buying a house set me on a different tangent.

As I left the bank, my head was spinning from the repayment schedule, legal fees, stamp duty and evaluation fees ... and they all come one after the other. There should be a support group for people who take mortgages.

I once lived in a world where US$300-400 (Sh24,000-32,000) meant a good handbag. Today, you won’t find me blowing cash on crazy stuff, because I’ve learnt it is how you dress up something and not where you buy it that counts. I’m also the worst haggler. I go to Ngong Road and haggle and, if I don’t get what I want, I walk to the next guy. You can buy a bed from there then walk into Mr Price and buy the accessories.

My life is about how I manage my money, my time and whom I consider my friends. I believe in planning and I don’t like it when people become anxious around the 15th or 20th of the month because they are broke.