As you get older, you tend to look back and wonder two things… One, how did I survive “such and such”…I mean we’ve all had to go through some serious ish at one point or another, and we’ve come out stronger.
The other thing you wonder, is why did I worry about “such and such” so much? It either wasn’t worth the worry, or it didn’t turn out to be as bad as we thought.
In the 5 ½ years since I hit magic age of 30, I’ve gone through a lot and have learned some hard knock lessons. If I could go back and have a convo’ with my younger self, you know, the one tossing back some margaritas (hey I’m 30! Par-tay!)…I would say:
1. Being a parent is hard work. No one tells you this, not really. When people who don’t have kids make comments about parenting that are truly off the mark, actual parents just smirk and say “You just wait”.
And they mean it.
Parenting. Is. Hard. But with combinations of sweetness thrown in for good measure or else your kids would literally drive you bonkers. But it is work, nonetheless.
I would tell my 30 year-old self to remember to take deep breaths and that part of being a parent is to always learn, and sometimes you don’t always have the answer or know what to do.
And that’s okay.
2. You will have to sell your house, but you’ll be okay. Long story, but we had to sell our house a few years ago. You can read about it here. Although for many reasons, it ended up working out for us in the long run, it still sucked. The whole process sucked. I would tell myself, that life is throwing a major curveball at you, but just swing that thing outta the park. This major moment in your life will make you stronger.
3. Save more money you dingbat! Yes, I am calling myself names but she deserves it 
WHY, why, why didn’t I put more money in my savings? WHY? Because although I’m smarter with my money now, I can’t speak for my own personal Roaring Twenties. The money wasted just makes me sick. Bleh…
4. Get an exercise regimen going NOW! Listen honey, things don’t quite fall back into place after having a baby. Get going on that treadmill now. You’ll thank me later.
5. Contribute the max to your 401K. Arghhhhhh…. *face palm* I contributed a substantial amount, but never the max. Are you listening 30 year-old self? CONTRIBUTE THE MAX!!!
No matter the age, is there anything you would tell your younger self?
I love your posts so much! I get so sick of reading about investing and real estate (bla bla bla bla bla), but I can relate on a lot of levels. Obviously not having a kid, although my friends with kids would try to blow sunshine up my ass about how I’m missing out and parenting is the most wonderful thing EVER! I think they are liars who want you to join their personal hell. lol!!! OK I’m kidding kind of of. I’m sure there are amazing things about it too!
The saving money and retirement part? Hell yeah!!
And I did manage to stay in good shape (in fact I got in even better shape in my 30′s), but too many youngins are eating crap and not exercising enough, then when they get older they have to take it off, then figure out it’s a LOT harder to maintain as you get older. I have to work twice as hard as a 20-something to keep weight off (damn hormones!). That’s just how nature works.
Great blog!
Awwww, thanks Tonya! That means a lot
Yeah, as you get older it gets harder to lose weight and maintain. Stupid gravity
All the young gals out there, listen up! You really do have to work at it as you get older! We speak the truth!
I would tell myself to stop buying clothes! You don’t need all of that. Also, save more money and have fun at the same time.
Definitely save money! You never know what could happen. But you are doing awesome Michelle
Keep up the good work!
I agree about saving and contributing to retirement accounts – I’m well into my 30′s, as well, and I’m so impressed with the PF blogs who are only in their 20′s who are saving and maximizing their opportunities so much. I guess better late than never… great post
Hey, thanks
Yes, saving and contributing to retirement are sooooo important! I wish someone would have hammered that home with me. But like you said, better late than never!
Parenting is hard work?!
I LOVE getting up at the a$$ crack of dawn so I can get some work done. 
Seriously though, I love our kids and they’re worth it all, but it is a lot of hard work. If I could go back and tell myself something I would actually tell myself to have kids when we were younger as opposed to waiting.
Ooh, that’s a good one! Start younger when having kids! Yes, yes, yes! Kids are energy vampires and I wish I would have had my daughter earlier. We waited too
To have invested more in my 20s. But I guess in your 20s, they are like you said “roaring.” I didn’t waste a lot of $, but I didn’t start to get more smart about my $ until I was 26, and didn’t really learning about investing until my late 20s. Better late than never, right?
Sometimes people will tell you all those things, but sometimes it doesn’t really stick or hit you until you tell yourself those things. It was kind of an a-ha! Moment for me.
Why can’t we learn how to properly manage money in our early 20′s?
One of life’s never-ending lessons, I suppose…
The one thing that I was aware of was that parenting would be hard and that I didn’t want to do that. The one thing that I wish I had done differently was not quit my corporate good paying job without really considering how it would affect our finances long term. For some reason I thought the money tree would continue to bloom but it didn’t.
Totally understand about the job/money thing. I wish I had saved up more money before staying home full-time with my daughter.
Good tips! I’m still under 30 but there are a few things I’d like to talk to my 20 or even 25 year old self about.
Oh, the things I would tell my 20 year-old self! Ha
I think everyone would have a lot to say to themselves on that one!
I love the little commentary! LOL. We all have things we regret and wish we could change and do over again. The most important part is that you tell your 35 1/2 year old self these same things and get on to doing something about it.
Ha, thanks Jason
Just turned 30, but I’d tell my 18 year old self to not take out so many student loans. I did work during college, but could have worked a lot more and taken out a lot fewer loans. With less loans I could have saved more when I graduated and contributed more to retirement from a younger age. Live and learn, right?
Yeah, I think many of us make money mistakes during college! Ugh…
These are great tips for anyone in their twenties :0) 35 is the new 30 anyway and I think you’re doing great with your money so far
If I could have a conversation with the me 5 years ago I would tell him to buy Apple and Lululemon stocks 
Ugh, Apple stocks! Why didn’t I think of that? That’s a good one!
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Dear 30 year old Kathleen, listen to your heart. It’s telling you something. Sincerely, 31 year old Kathleen.
That’s a good one! We all need to continually do that.
I second the parenting is hard work. I’d tell thirty year old me to not sweat it so much,especially that first year or two, and I would have worked much less. Oh well, easy to say in hindsight.
Yes, not to sweat it so much! I think when you become a parent, you try to make sure you are doing everything absolutely right and you realize as you go, it’s okay to make mistakes! We’re only human.
Love this post! So much I’d tell myself but most importantly – to believe in myself and just be me. I will be a good mom. I am right to wait to have kids.
Thanks Shannon! I agree: always believe in yourself, no matter what your age may be
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