Have you ever wished you could communicate with your younger self?

Man… I do.

And I try all the time. 

I try to give Younger Annie advice in my mind, like, transcending space and time. (Yes, sometimes I get all mystical and kung-fuey and non-sequential about things.)

I share with her super helpful things, such as:

Dear Ann-of-15-years-ago,
Stop barking up the wrong tree. You know what I’m talking about…
Sincerely,
Future You

And:

Dear L.A. Ann, 
You need to leave right now. Like, stat, get out.
Your life awaits.
Sincerely, 
Older and Wiser You

Of course… she doesn’t always listen, the little flibbertigibbet. (Though she did listen to the second one, thank God.) But it’s a one-way conversation most days, and the proverbial tale of Hindsight is 20/20… blah blah.

*Sigh*

But, friends, instead of giving you a boring laundry list of things I wish I knew before (and it’s extensive,) let’s just focus on a big one – budgeting.

Of the many things I would like to impart on my younger, less mature self, one of the most important would certainly be the value of budgeting.

I’m embarrassed to say it, but there have been times in my life where I didn’t budget, like, at all. For example, I would go to the store without a plan, buying anything that struck my fancy, all willy-nilly-like. The ensuing result being that I would end up wasting food and money.

Furthermore, I would eat out, shop too much, get unnecessary mani-pedis, and worse yet, I didn’t keep track of these expenses or take a moment to analyze my spending. This behavior, of course, caused many, um, tricky situations.

And while we’re here – swimming in this pool of vulnerability I’ve just poured – I might as well say it: I’m still not that good at budgeting.

But I’m trying. Really I am.

Since I’m a foodie, and a baker, and apparently, all I ever want to talk about is food (ask my husband,) naturally, one of our biggest expenses is food.

As such, the last coupla years I’ve been on a mission to reduce the money we spend on groceries, and food in general, so I thought I would share some of the strategies we’ve employed on this quest. So, to be clear, I’m sharing my findings, and not saying that I’m a budgeting guru. Oui?

People love to pretend that “being vegan” is expensive…. being a food snob is expensive, not being vegan – those are two entirely different things.

So here’s to saving money, eating more plants, smelling nice, and perhaps even making peace with our younger selves.

Dear Youngster Annie,
I know you’re doing the best you can. Try not to worry too much. One day you’ll end up married to the man of your dreams, doing something that matters, with an adorable son named Edgar, and all will seem (mostly) right in the world.
With love,