by Hope
Phew, it seems like forever since I’ve felt good about giving a debt update. But I am over the moon as I write this!
This girl’s only debt, only debt…are my student loans. And I did make an extra payment to them, along with my now regularly required monthly payment of $307. For those that are new, my student loans have been in deferment for a very long time. But no more!
Prior to this month’s payment, this is where my student loans stood.
You can see, it has been a LONG time since I made a payment toward them.
But here we are today…
| Debt Description | October, 2023 Total | Interest Rate | Minimum Payment | Current Total | Payoff Date (Est) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Loans | $22,121 | 2.875% | $307 | $21,811 | |
| CC - Apple** | $500 | Paid off every month | $0 | ||
| CC - Frontier | $3,857 | 29.99% | $0 | $0 | May, 2025 |
| Dad - New Furnace | $2,600 | 0% | $0 | $0 | May, 2025 |
| CC - USAA | $5,000 | 19.15% | $0 | $0 | May, 2025 |
| CC - Sam's Club | $0 | May, 2025 (again) | |||
| CC - Amazon | $0 | May, 2025 (again) | |||
| CC - Southwest | $0 | May, 2025 | |||
| Painter | $0 | May, 2025 | |||
| CC - AMEX | $894 | 29.24% | $0 | $0 | Mar, 2024 - Closed |
| CC - Sams | $1,106 | 29.99% | $0 | $0 | April, 2024 |
| Personal Loan #1 | $2,500 | 0% | $0 | $0 | July, 2024 |
| Personal Loan #2 | $2,500 | 0% | $0 | $0 | August, 2024 |
| CC - Wander | $1,630 | 29.24% | $0 | $0 | August, 2024 - Closed |
| CC - Amazon | $1,497 | 29.99% | $0 | $0 | September, 2024 |
| Total | $44,206 | $265 | $32,131 |
Getting Acclimated & Making Plans
As of yesterday, I’ve been at my parent’s in Texas for one week. Dad and I are slowly adjusting to a new normal and getting into a routine. And I’m still feeling out the area and keeping an eye out for things to get involved in.
My number one priority is to be available to help care for my mom. What that looks like now is giving Dad the freedom to get out and about a bit without being worried about inconveniencing anyone. We’ve set two days a week that he knows that I will be here, ie not make any plans that would take me away from the house, and he doesn’t have to “ask” for coverage. He’s still struggling with that. (I don’t leave the house often anyways, but this regular schedule gives him more freedom than he’s had in years as mom’s constant companion and primary caregiver. My siblings have been fantastic about helping. But dad struggles with asking and feeling like a burden. I’m hoping this alleviates that weight on his shoulders a bit.)
On the flip side, I’m looking for ways to build community. A type of self care that I need. I visited a new church with Gymnast on Sunday. And I’ve reach out a couple of places to check on volunteer opportunities. Now I’m thinking of creating a flyer to print and drop off at local businesses to advertise my services.
I actually went to a chiropractor and in discussions about what I do, he hired me to help with his website and marketing. I just need to get more bold with putting it out there.
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.
ok-now time to close all those credit cards but 2. I would say keep USAA and one more. Also, why does it say that your total remaining debt is $31,000 instead of what your Student Loan Balance is?
As for helping-It sounds like what you have proposed doesn’t work for your dad. Why not see what helps him best? Maybe he wants to be able to hand over a set of daily tasks (laundry, personal care, meals, etc) and have a few full days to be able to do what he needs to do. But 2 days of vague time you are available does not sound like much help. Have you and all of your local siblings had a sit down with your dad to determine how to best support him and your mother? Perhaps taking some of your siblings duties at your parents home while you are there is appropriate as well? I hope it all falls into place!
Hi Hope,
I had an idea while reading your post. Maybe look into some professional networking groups? In my experience, those are great for building community and getting your business out there. I’m sure some Google searching in your new location would find some results, or ask any new connections you might make if they are in any networking groups. Good luck!
Excellent idea, will do that today.
Hope,
Double check those totals at the bottom. If I understand you correctly, the only debt should be student loan debt which means those are not correct.
Congrats again! Hopefully now you can throw extra money at those student loans now that you should have some emergency funds like you spoke about. With your income, you could realistically pay off at least half of that this year! You’ve got this.
Apple Card pod off every month is not important. What is important is what the heck are you charging to it.
It’s like you get a bill and think whatever that charge was is either a
Necessity or not your fault.
What do you spend 500 dollars on and charge to that card? This should not be a mystery to you although your expenses are always hidden from readers if you don’t want to take responsibility