January 28, 2026 marks 40 years since Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51L) broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff, killing everyone onboard and searing a hard lesson into American public memory.  The anniversary matters not because time has softened the loss, but because the real story of Challenger is not “a rocket exploded.” It’s how a high-performing organization slowly taught itself to accept danger—until the day physics finally refused to cooperate.
Creating and Following a Budget
Creating and Following a Budget
by Tim Rubash
3
0
Money stewardship is the responsible management and oversight of one’s financial resources. At the heart of effective money stewardship lies the art of budgeting. Budgeting is not merely about restricting spending; rather, it is a tool for empowerment and financial freedom. We will discuss the importance of budgeting, how to set up a budget, strategies for following it, and tips for staying on track.
Setting Up a Budget: The first step in effective money stewardship is to create a budget. To begin, gather all sources of income and list them. This may include salaries, bonuses, freelance earnings, or any other sources of income. Next, compile a list of all expenses, categorizing them as fixed (e.g., rent, utilities) or variable (e.g., groceries, entertainment). Subtract total expenses from total income to determine discretionary income. This surplus can be allocated towards charitable giving, savings, investments, or debt repayment.
How to Follow a Budget: Following a budget requires discipline and commitment. Start by establishing clear financial goals. Whether it’s saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund, having specific objectives will provide motivation to adhere to the budget. Allocate funds accordingly, prioritizing necessities while allowing for some flexibility in discretionary spending. Regularly review and adjust the budget as needed to accommodate changes in income or expenses. If you have a spouse or partner, it is essential that they are on the same page.
Strategies for Staying on Budget: Several strategies can help individuals stay on budget. First, automate savings and bill payments to ensure they are prioritized each month. Additionally, use cash or debit cards for discretionary spending to prevent overspending. Consider using budgeting apps or spreadsheets to track expenses and monitor progress towards financial goals. Set aside time each month to review spending habits and identify areas for improvement. Include your spouse. Finally, practice self-discipline and avoid impulse purchases by sticking to the budgeting plan.
It is important to understand the difference between Needs and Wants. Needs are expenses that are essential for a person to live and may include rent or mortgage payments, insurance premiums, utilities, transportation expenses and food costs. In addition, health and child care fall into this category. Wants, nonessentials, lifestyle and discretionary purchases are costs that are not necessary to maintain your basic quality of life.
By implementing strategies for staying on track, individuals can successfully manage their money and achieve long-term financial success.
If you wish to purchase Dave Ramsey's "The Total Money Makeover" book from Amazon https://amzn.to/49l1dZe
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
Leave a Comment 👋
2 Comments
Pamela Rubash
I think this is key to peaceful living and a beautiful life
Pamela Rubash
Great information and reminders
Seventy-Three Seconds
Toward the Green Light
West Egg Living didn’t start as a business idea. It didn’t begin with a marketing plan, a logo, or a domain name. It wasn’t born in a conference room or during a late-night brainstorming session fueled by ambition. It started the way most meaningful things do—slowly, quietly, and out of necessity. There comes a point in life when the scaffolding you thought was permanent begins to wobble. For me, that point came in my late 50’s / early 60’s. Career paths shifted. Relationships changed. Financial assumptions were challenged. Health became something I could no longer take for granted. I found myself asking questions I hadn’t needed to ask before—not because I was failing, but because I was aging. And aging has a way of stripping away illusions while sharpening perspective.
Cabin Life
ome of the most important places in our lives never show up on a résumé or a map that outsiders recognize. They don’t announce themselves as formative or life-shaping at the time. They simply exist—quietly, steadily—doing their work in the background. For me, one of those places was a cabin on Bass Lake, near Biwabik, just a short 15 minute drive from Aurora, Minnesota. I was born in Virginia, MN and by the late 50’s / early 60’s my parents were raising five boys (ages ranging from newborn to 10) in a brand-new house in Sunset Acres located in Aurora. But not long after that, my dad did something that, in hindsight, says a lot about who he was: he bought several acres of land on a lake that most people couldn’t even figure out how to reach. Between the main road and the lake sat a swamp—wide, messy, and impassable. It was the kind of land most folks would look at once and walk away from. My dad didn’t.
I think this is key to peaceful living and a beautiful life
Great information and reminders