Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

I have been “forecasting” for years. It’s my way of budgeting and planning. My kids also use this method.

Here is my planned spending for next month. Praying there are no surprises because I am planning to the last penny especially with Princess’ wisdom teeth surgery this coming month.

I will pay off the Frontier card this month. And savings continues. And I will figure out this month how my new income is going to affect my taxes and self employment related costs. So that number may be affected significantly once I run some analysis.

It’s also the twins’ birthday month! Last year I could do almost nothing. While I will stick to my budget, I do plan to try to come up with something pretty cool for their birthday. Ideas?

With the dogs being boarded next month for our Thanksgiving trip to Texas, I must make sure they are up to date on everything specifically Bordatella, etc to prevent kennel cough.  Not sure on cost, but I figured this amount should be plenty.

The kids’ contributions have been adjusted based on Paying Back Gymnast AND I anticipate that Beauty will have a plan for moving out and no longer be paying rent. (That’s not firm at this point, but it’s a definite possibility so I am planning accordingly.) Their remaining payments are their phone payments (the Verizon bill).

Update on 9/16: I wrote this post at the beginning of the month. And then all sorts of things changed. So I’m publishing it as planned, but there will be revised version going up by the end of the month that will be a more accurate plan. Lots of moving parts and decisions being made.

Hope

Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.

Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.

Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.