Blogging Away Debt

Hope’s Debt Update – February, 2026

Well, I’m not where I want to be, where I planned to be, but I am further than I was.

Current student loan balance (as of 2/23/26) is $15,255.65.

Income dropped unexpectedly as one of my clients took an early retirement once he qualified for disability. I’ve gotten no hours for the last two months. Our contract still stands, but he’s backed way off.

My other contracts continue as they have, but this one was the bulk of my income in Q4 and this drop was completely unexpected.

Thankfully, this hasn’t affected anything except my debt payoff. I’ve not accrued any more debt. still going cash only, but I’m also being really cautious until I replace the income. Especially since I am in Q1 of a new business launch.

What am I doing about that?

I’m looking for new work – both W2 and 1099. I continue to apply for projects via Upwork. And recently joined a couple of local, in person business networking groups (free). I attended my first two meet ups this past Friday. In addition, I’ve been applying for remote only W2 positions, but am being very selective on that as caretaking for my parents in the priority still.

I’m not in the whoa is me state that I’ve been in in the past when work fell through, but I am in a rebuilding phase of my primary business contracts/projects again. The last year has been really, really solid though so I’m in a good place.

New Business Update

As I am launching my new business, which is not taking much or really any money at this point, just lots of time; I am just hoarding my income paying bare minimums on everything. I’m anticipating breaking even on the money invested in this new venture near the end of Q2 and hopefully *crossing my fingers, will begin seeing some profits in Q3. But that will all be re-invested. It’s really running on a skeleton tech stack and to take it to the next level, I’ll have to invest a little more money. But getting through this first year as lean as possible to prove proof of concept.

And long term, this should become relatively passive. Goals – at least!

The Migration has Begun

by Hope

One started submitting their resume early last year.

Two told me at Thanksgiving.

One told me at Christmas.

Another laid out their plans in mid-February.

And, of course, one is already here.

Yes, what I’m saying is that my kids have begun a migration to Texas.

Beauty has been here for just over two weeks now, started a new job, and has found housing. She’s staying here with my parents and I in the meantime, but will return to GA within the month to pack up the house, the animals, and the husband. We anticipate they will be moved into their new place by the end of March.

History Buff made clear his intention to move to Texas when his current lease is up in August. He’s hoping his roommate/best friend will make the move with him.

Sea Cadet wants to move here too. However, we’ve discussed him sitting tight in VA until he finishes the degree he’s working on in preparation for applying to PA school (eventually.)

Princess is the hold out. But she is coming for 3 different week+ long visits between now and mid-year. She arrives for a 10 day visit this week. Woot, woot!

It will be interesting to see who all is here by the end of 2026. (No pressure from me.)

Move My Stuff

I am here as moral support. They are getting no pressure from me to move. In fact, I continue to caution them that I don’t know what I will do next, after my parents no longer need me. I never wanted Texas to be my home again. But we shall see…

In the meantime, I’ve got to decide if this is the time to move my storage from GA. Since Beauty and her husband will be making the move, it may be a good time to get my stuff moved. Share the cost of a Uhaul maybe? I’ve begun pricing storage here.