What requires higher-order thinking is the task of dietary budgeting--monitoring both the quality and quantity of food to ensure that one gets the necessary nourishment without overeating.

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An article in the New York Times Bucks blog calls budgeting your most essential financial task.

FORBES: You Need A Budget. Yes, You.

If you have finance skills and plan to volunteer at a soup kitchen, he says, one hour of your time is worth significantly more for the organization if you spend it helping with budgeting rather than doing a manual task like sorting cans.

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