Blogging Away Debt Blogging Away Debt follows real people on their journey to debt freedom — with tips on the debt snowball, budgeting, cutting expenses, and staying motivated.

by Hope

I moved to Chicago in 1996. I had just completed by Bachelor’s degree and was moving to Chicago to save the world. Ha! My plan was to work with gangland kids as a licensed social worker.

My rent was $350. I didn’t have any debt. I didn’t have any credit cards. And I didn’t have a car. In fact, I left my car in Texas for my parents to sell.

I was completely ignorant of finances. I mean, I had grown up with a checking account. But credit score, no clue. Credit cards, no clue. Loans, no clue. I was really ignorant about the bigger world of money and debt and such.

And then I walked by a table somewhere and I’m sure they were offering something for free. And I signed up for my very first credit card.

This was my first purchase… (There was one more that I remember…a Coach backpack purse. I loved that bag! But I had no idea what Coach was. I had never been a name brand girl. And frankly, I’m still not, even though I do know what they are now.)

If memory serves, this watch cost me $300? Don’t quote me, it has been almost three decades since I made this purchase.

During my continuous clean out and purge, I found it a few weeks ago. Along with a couple of other nice watches I obtained since then.

I went to Walmart to try to get new batteries in all three. But they wouldn’t do anything with them due to the price point, I guess. They referred me to a jeweler to replace them. For $42, I got three new watch batteries. And now, I’m wearing my 28 year old purchase, and my daughter’s will each have a nice watch.

Several months ago, I was able to sell my engagement ring. (I couldn’t find the post about it.) But I had tried pawn shops, jewelers, and finally Facebook Marketplace to sell my “real” jewelry. I was shocked at how little these supposed valuable pieces were worth. But for now, I will keep this watch. I haven’t worn a watch for years. And I will enjoy it. It brings back the memories of some of the best times of my early adult life. I LOVE Chicago.

But it will also be a reminder of what not to do financially ever, ever again! No MORE CREDIT CARD debt!

Sidenote: Before you bring up unexpected spending, etc. this money came from my Christmas saving – cash bucket. I figured these are perfect gifts for the girls.

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.