My favorite season is fall, and as we’re getting closer to colorful leaves and pumpkins, I find myself wanting to be outside even more than when we were basking in sunshine and swimsuits. Of course, we still have a few weeks of summer ahead of us, but you can find me out on our deck every evening, with a cup of hot chocolate and a serene expression. While I am content to relax and watch the trees dance in the breeze, the kids have a little more energy than that, so every evening we go on a walk.

Let me tell you about getting ready for the WALK. First, the children, usually led by my oldest, brings up the subject. Can we take Moose for a walk? Then we spend about five minutes hunting for the leash, which somehow is never where I left it. Once we’ve located the leash that is buried in the couch cushions, we proceed to gather our other supplies: phone, bug spray, sunglasses, juice pouches, and dog treats. Once we’ve loaded all of this and little man into the stroller, we grab Moose and head out.

My youngest daughter insists that we are going to walk far, far away. What this means to her is at least a quarter mile, which I imagine feels pretty long to little legs and feet. Both of the girls want a turn at holding the leash, which Moose takes as a tug-of-war challenge, and at a whopping 60 pounds, he is typically the winner. We then spend approximately five minutes chasing after Moose, who you could almost describe as offended by the leash and collar gig we’ve got going on. Meanwhile, little man, taking a cue from his furry younger brother, decides he’s offended at the whole stroller concept and wants to walk as well.

So this is where we end up…a quarter mile from home with a stubborn toddler, a rambunctious puppy, and two little girls chasing the end of a leash and each other. Despite the stroller full of preparation, things are still just a bit chaotic. And isn’t that the way so many things in life go? Before I found myself here, in this time, with a career I enjoy and a family I adore, I spent time selling holiday displays, delivering flowers, and slicing cheese and meat in a deli. None of those jobs were what I went to school for, but they’re what got me from there to here.

There’s a saying that change is the only constant in life. We all make plans. The premise of budgeting is planning for your spending, planning for your goals, and turning those plans into reality. But even the best laid plans can be hijacked by unexpected changes. Some changes we can plan for: marriage, homeownership, children, retirement. Fall will always predictably follow summer. And some changes, like losing a job, can rip the leash right out of our hands and leave us chasing after those plans that have fallen apart.

My advice? Get that stroller full of preparation ready, expect the unexpected, wear good shoes, and choose good company. The best and most worthy of financial goals usually mean a long walk. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.