ABSTRACT

A simple frequency table, Percentage, as chi-square technique were used to analyze the data and test the to theses for the study. It was discovered that most families in Aba were experiencing fluctuating income, their financial managerne practices were still very crude and not standardized. The physical impairment of bread-winners, unpopular government policies which led to inflation, unemployment, cut in wages/salaries, nonpayment of salaries, instability in government, and ignorance on appropriate investment ventures were most'y causes of fluctuating income. Some of the consequences of fluctuating income were identified as, marital/family conflicts such as assault/battery, separation/divorce, debt bondage, insufficient and low quality of food x Intake ejection from rented apament, illness and stressful condition due to bread -winners' inability to meet up with family obligations. Given the above, the study came up with pragmatic and functional recommendations which if adopted, would contribute to a large extent in controlling the problem of fluctuating income in families. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made. Namely: 1. Low-income families should imbibe savings culture no matter how little. This would help in days of adverse financial condition. 2. Low-income families especially the civil servants/paid workers amongst this group should endeavor to learn other skills to complement their salaries/wages. 3. Government should paid their worker as at when due. 4. Families should adopt a high standard of education to their members, to enable them earn higher etc.