There is a knock at the door and I look out the window. A man wearing a gray sweatshirt moves around impatiently. I open the door to discover he’s

stomping his feet as well. The writing on his sweatshirt says BUDGET in bold text. I close the door to block him from view and then begin to wonder. What does BUD GET and why is he knocking here?

I am not a procrastinator by definition, although I work better under pressure. A budget is logical before beginning a new year. The gray tones associated with putting a budget together are unique for each organization but the reality is the same. A written financial plan is a best practice before starting anything new.

Bud continues to knock on the door even though I choose to ignore him. A quick glimpse lets me know he has held up a sign that says, 2+0+2+3=7. I decide to check a website called numerology.com. He’s obviously taken the year 2023 and added the numbers together for some reason. The website reveals that seven is a serious number. It avoids frivolous explanations because it doesn’t have time for that. Seven also signifies real gold is buried deep and you must be willing to go the distance to find it. This seems appropriate for Teller County, since we have our own gold mine in Victor.

Bud is busy writing another sign and this time he’s using careful penmanship on glass. Apparently, he wants everything to be crystal clear. This is when I take the time to search the internet for a sweatshirt like his. The results show you can buy 24 million different kinds of gray sweatshirts on a budget. Then, there is a link that describes the word budget as a financial plan. There is also a link for a variety of budget templates. This will be a good place to start for someone who wants to build a budget from scratch.

Bud has finished writing now and holds his sign up next to his sweatshirt. I read BUDGET NOW and react with a thumbs up. It all makes sense. Bud turns to leave and the writing on his back says DONATIONS HELP. Immediately, I begin to think of the nonprofits who are well-staffed but volunteer-oriented. Nonprofits help by providing services in our community. Donating to them at the end of the year is a way to give back while reducing the taxes you may have to pay on April 15.

Bud leaves my doorstep because he’s done his job. To be honest, I don’t think Bud is his real name.

Happy Holidays to you and your family. I’ll see you in seven, aka 2023.

Gayle Gross works with nonprofits through the Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County, which meets at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Reserve Our Gallery, 400 W. Midland Ave, Suite 120, Woodland Park. She opened Reserve Our Gallery in May 2021. The Gallery hosts fundraisers for nonprofits and features 19 local artists. Contact Gross at iwantto@soarwithnetworkfundraising.org or 719-233-9902 to learn more about the Nonprofit Cooperative of Teller County.

Gayle Gross