Time and Money: Lessons Learned on the Journey to Flight

Looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of managing both time and money much earlier in life. For years, I drifted through different careers, each offering something but none fulfilling me the way aviation does. I spent a lot of time searching for my true calling. Even though it wasn’t all wasted, I gained skills and life experience, but it definitely wasn’t planned. I hadn’t managed my time wisely, and by the time I realized what I truly loved, decades had passed.

Discovering my passion for aviation in my late forties was both exciting and intimidating. Now I had to plan carefully. I needed to reallocate my time, eliminate unnecessary distractions, and study again as if I were twenty. It has been much harder than I expected. But more importantly, I had to manage my finances. Changing careers at that age isn’t easy. I couldn’t depend on student loans or youthful flexibility. Instead, I relied on the savings I had accumulated and made tough financial choices. I cut back on luxuries, delayed immediate gratification, and lived modestly so I could afford flight training and certifications.

It taught me that budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about alignment. When your time and money support your passion, they become tools of empowerment, not limits. I had to live on part-time income and practice strong self-discipline, but I gained something far more valuable: the chance to wake up excited about what I do.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: budget early. Save money as if your dreams depend on it because they might someday. And protect your time, because once it’s gone, you never get it back. Budgeting time and money wisely gave me the runway to follow my passion. And now, I finally get to fly.

Want more insights on navigating life skills? Grab Flight Plan for Success here.

This book makes an excellent gift for any young adult about to graduate, offering timeless guidance as they prepare to chart their life’s course.