#MySubDiaries- The Freelancer Running 4 Premium Tools on a ₦20k Budget
Every week, MySubShare explores how people are embracing artificial intelligence, using digital tools, and navigating an increasingly AI-powered world. From inspiring success stories to everyday struggles, unexpected discoveries, and life-changing experiences, every story offers a revealing glimpse into how technology is transforming the way we live, work, and connect.
Today’s #MySubDiaries follows a 26-year-old Lagos freelance writer. She runs ChatGPT Plus, Claude AI, Grammarly Pro and Canva Pro for ₦18,700 a month, with ₦1,300 left over. After dollar card declines and exchange-rate wahala nearly ended her hustle, she found a way to keep four premium tools without going broke. Got a subscription story of your own? Send it to stories@mysubshare.com
Let’s start simple. What do you do?
I’m a freelance content writer, plus some design on the side. I write blog posts, LinkedIn ghostwriting and website copy for clients on Fiverr and Upwork, and a few direct clients I met through referrals. I also design Canva carousels, because clients love “one person, everything”.
How much does that bring in?
Depends on the month. A good month is around ₦350k. A dry month is ₦180k. Freelancing is feast or famine. You learn to budget for the famine.
Omo. When did premium tools enter the picture?
In 2024. A client asked me to turn around four articles a week instead of two. I was using free ChatGPT, and he complained my drafts sounded “robotic”. I knew I needed better tools if I wanted to keep up and still sound like a human.
So you subscribed?
I tried. My naira card kept getting declined for dollar payments. When it did go through, the bill changed every month because of the exchange rate. One month I paid for one tool and couldn’t afford the second. It felt like I was working to pay Silicon Valley.
Ah. How did you fix it?
A friend in a freelancers’ WhatsApp group dropped a link to MySubShare. I thought it was a scam at first, not going to lie. But I read the FAQ, saw I could pay in naira by transfer, and tried one slot. Access came through the same day. Then I added the rest.
Walk me through your tool budget.
| Tool | What I use it for | My monthly share |
|---|---|---|
| Claude AI | Long-form drafts, proposals, editing for tone | ₦9,000 |
| ChatGPT Plus | Research, outlines, headline ideas | ₦4,200 |
| Grammarly Pro | Final proofreading before I send anything | ₦3,500 |
| Canva Pro | Carousels, thumbnails, client pitch decks | ₦2,000 |
| Total | ₦18,700 |
That’s ₦1,300 under my ₦20k cap. I also pay the same naira amount every month. No exchange rate surprises.
Wait. Claude and ChatGPT? Isn’t that double?
Everyone asks this. They’re not the same in my workflow. ChatGPT is my research buddy. I throw messy ideas at it and get structure back. Claude is where the actual writing happens. My long-form drafts come out sounding more like me. My Upwork proposals, too. I wrote about that once, and someone sent me this guide on writing Fiverr and Upwork proposals with Claude. It’s basically my process.
Sweet. What does a workday look like with all four?
Morning: ChatGPT for research and outlines. Afternoon: I draft in Claude, then rewrite the parts that still sound like a machine. Evening: Grammarly pass, then Canva for any visuals the client needs. I’m done by 7 pm most days. Before, I’d still be typing at midnight.
Has it actually paid off?
Yes. I handle two more clients a month than I did before, without burning out. One of them became a monthly retainer. That retainer alone covers my tools many times over.
Any wahala with sharing an account?
Small ones. You follow the member rules: don’t change passwords, don’t log other people out. Passwords reset every Monday, so I just pick up the new login from my dashboard. One-time codes come from there too. And I renew at least five days before my cycle ends, because I learnt that one the hard way.
Lol. What happened?
I forgot to renew right before a client deadline. I was on WhatsApp begging support like it was my rent. They sorted me out, but now I have a calendar reminder.
What do you do with the ₦1,300 left over?
It goes into my “tools upgrade” savings. I also referred two writer friends through the referral programme, which pays up to ₦1,000 per friend who subscribes. So the leftover money is growing small-small.
If money got tight, what would you cut first?
Canva, which is wild, because it’s the cheapest. But I can do basic design without it. Claude is the one I’d fight for. It’s the closest thing I have to a writing partner.
Is there any tool you want right now but can’t afford?
Envato Elements. Clients keep asking for stock videos and templates. At ₦9,000 a month, it’ll take me above my cap, so I’m waiting for one more retainer.
How would you rate your subscription happiness on a scale of 1–10?
8. I’m paying for tools that make me money, at a price that doesn’t make me cry. The 2 points are for the day I can stop counting every naira.
Got a #MySubDiaries story about how you manage your subscriptions? Message the MySubShare team through the contact page. And if you want to build your own stack, see every tool and combo deal on the plans page.
FAQs (add FAQPage schema)
How much does ChatGPT Plus cost on MySubShare?
A ChatGPT Plus slot on MySubShare costs ₦4,200 a month, paid in naira by bank transfer or card.
What are the best AI tools for freelancers in Nigeria?
A common freelancer setup is ChatGPT Plus for research, Claude for long-form writing, Grammarly for proofreading and Canva Pro for visuals. On MySubShare, those four come to ₦18,700 a month.
Can I pay for premium subscriptions in naira?
Yes. MySubShare takes naira by card or bank transfer, so you don’t need a dollar card.
How fast do I get access after paying?
Usually as soon as payment is confirmed. MySubShare’s FAQ says it can take up to 24 hours in rare cases.
Is there a cheaper bundle for freelancers?
MySubShare has Freelancer Starter and Freelancer Pro combo deals. Check the plans page to see which tools each one includes.
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