by Hope
This is part 4 of my How I Spent the House Proceeds series. You can find the previous parts in the previous posts.
Within a week of my arrival in Texas, my computer broke. I spent a week limping through work and trying to find somewhere to fix it. But no luck.
You guessed it, I bought a new computer. And mouse. And the AirPod Pros I mentioned in a previous post.
BUT before you jump down my throat…unnecessary spend, yada, yada. I have insurance on my work computer. I just haven’t filed the claim yet. Not sure how much I will get back, but it should cover at least part of this new expense.
Total Spend on these items: $1,919*
*This includes a 2 year full cover warranty on both the computer and the AirPods. With extended travel planned for the fall, and a lot more movement during my day to day work life, it just made sense to make sure I was fully covered. I didn’t want to have this challenge again.
And when I have time, I am going to try and get my Dell XPS fixed and either keep it as a back up or sell it. Maybe. Just haven’t had time to deal with it.
Total spent from House Proceeds as described in this and the last 3 posts: $9,347. More to come…

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.
You can’t even make up the waste. 6 months and you will be in major debt.
This is why no one wanted you to sell the house. You’ve spent almost all the money you’ve made and now you have no where to live permanently. This whole thing about caretaking is not why you sold the house if it were people would’ve supported the idea better than car camping. You’ve sold your stability for a few months of feeling good. When you crash this is going to be one more thing you’ll look back and say you’d do things different. But every time you do things the same with just a different excuse
Surreal. You have a Dell XPS, which based on your posted link may have cost around $1500, **and for which you have insurance**, but instead of having it fixed, you purchased a new computer (+mouse + Airpods) which probably cost you $1200, plus insurance.
What’s the point of having the insurance if you won’t use it? And further, why buy a $1200 computer when a $600 one would do? Maybe even a $300 one.
And unfortunately, you’ll never get much for resale of your XPS even if you do get it repaired.
Hope,
I believe you said $300 or so of this was the airpods so that would mean about 1600 was the computer and warranty. I question if that was absolutely necessary. No question you had to replace the computer, it’s necessary for your income. But, you could have done that EASILY for under 800 unless I am missing something. Since the old computer was a windows machine it can’t be because you needed the mac for work and airpods can be used with other systems. I am interested to know more about why you chose to upgrade here when this seems like a waste of roughly 1000. Was there some extra service you will now be able to provide your clients?
This “series” has me very unsettled. I feel like it’s inevitably leading up to Hope explaining there is no money left, but rolled out in a fun and exciting way. This is terrifying!
you could not have looked very hard for a computer repair shop. i did a quick google search and there are multiple highly rated shops very close to your location. i really don’t think that you know the difference between needs and wants. you wanted a new computer and you had money burning a hole in your pocket.