Budgeting isn’t the funnest thing in the world to do, to say the least. But it is something we all should do.

I tend to do check-to-check budgeting, saving very little, if any, for use in a month or two.

This has nothing to do with the upbringing my parents gave me. I think one’s tendency to budget, or not budget, is something that is either born in them or not.

For me, I was not born a budgeter, or a saver for that matter. I’ve always enjoyed spending every penny I earn, even if it is on something frivolous like a CD or shoes or clothes or jewelry or a new car I didn’t need to replace the one that was perfectly fine. You get the point.

As the wife of a self-employed business owner with employees, I see how hard it is for entrepreneurs to save up as well.

I always look forward to going on trips for vacation, and we’ve been lucky most of the time that the perfect amount of money to just get by always comes in just in time for the trip.

But sometime down the road, there are bigger vacations I would like to take. For one, my dream is to travel to Ireland to see the green land where many of my ancestors originated.

Then there are places like Hawaii, cruises on the ocean, Greece, Italy, Alaska (for my husband), that would tickle me pink if I got to go see in person rather than watching shows on them on Travel Channel like I’ve been doing.

But, these things will take budgeting, and definitely saving, over the long haul to afford. And every time I think I can put a penny or two back, it seems like something comes up — the air conditioner breaks, an animal gets sick and needs medical attention, the car needs something, auto insurance comes around again, taxes must be paid, I know you know what I mean.

As I get older I feel the time quickly slipping by me and I wonder when I’ll finally get some cash stowed away for the big things. I’m looking at potentially seeing a bill or two finally satisfied, so maybe the adventures are closer than I thought they would be.

Until then, it’ll be spend, spend, spend.

Wendy Byerly Wood is the associate editor of The Mount Airy News. She can be reached at wbyerly-wood@mtairynews.com.