A very long time ago my grandfather provided very profound wisdom. In my own opinion, this is a wisdom that deserves to be celebrated. When your child is very young, whomever they may or may not be, teach them how to budget, and you will give them the tools to navigate life. He provided my mother with five mason jars and labelled them accordingly. My mother did the same with me when I was about six, and I never forgot it.

Tithing, Offerings, Savings, Investing, and Spending. That wisdom still holds today for anyone, and it doesn’t matter if you can’t save money for tithing or offerings. Call those mason jars an emergency fund, significant expenses, or tuition. When you do have the means to do so, you could then give back to others if you really wanted to. The same rule applies and provides a solid basis for mental health, resilience, and inner strength.

The biggest lesson I have taken away for myself is that resilience and perseverance have become close to second nature because these are also practiced skills. Thinking about these five jars becomes a personal philosophy. The same rule applies to everything, Sir Issac Newton famously once said, “My powers are ordinary. Only my application has brought me success.”

It is essential to be flexible and adaptable to life’s challenges. I argue that this goes far beyond just learning to budget money. It is a way of life for practically everything, especially regarding aspects of yourself and your time management. The time you invest today in yourself, whether it is finances, mental health, friends or family, compounds tremendously for whatever lies in the future.

Consider how you manage your time and where you place your time to get the most out of it. Remember to take the time to relax when it is needed during a day, week, or month. Your education is its reward, but don’t burn yourself out. Remember to take time for yourself for rest, mental health, and relaxation. It is incredible how much clearer and more focused your mind can become after having good food, rest, and relaxation.

Consider how you can invest your money, as little as you may or may not have, for future opportunities. The Roman philosopher Seneca once wrote, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Therefore, consider what you can do today, even if it is the smallest amount possible. Do it. Then, continue to save and work towards those goals.

Many nights, I lay awake thinking about those five jars from my childhood and how I have come to budget everything from my money, time, and emotions. It is incredible to think about how a simple practice from childhood has taught me to be responsible and accountable for my actions.

I offer this wisdom, this action item. Consider what you can budget today, to help you move further ahead towards your goals for tomorrow.