Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

Ever spent $17 for a shower? Yeah, me neither. At least until this past week.

Addie and I left last Saturday evening to begin our trip to Georgia. Car camping along the way. I have new blackout curtains for the 5 windows that my dad helped me fit properly with duct tape and some magnets we found in my mom’s sewing supplies as I’ve been purging the different rooms in the house. (Previously I only had the front sun windshield cover.)

We drove through Arkansas and Missouri to start. Taking mostly back roads and exploring places I’d never been. I typically try to sleep at rest areas, but with using mostly back roads and small highways, rest areas were not easy to find. Therefore, we had to spend nights at truck tops more often. Which is fine. I feel safe there, the bathrooms are clean, and many now have dog parks.

I experienced my first Love’s Truck Stop shower. And here’s how it went…

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It was large and clean. Quick and easy to book and access using their app. And they supplied everything I needed although I couldn’t determine the difference between the soap dispensers in the shower. I believe one was supposed to be body wash and one shampoo? But no idea which was which.

I took these pictures as I walked in the door. So you could share the experience just as I did. The water was hot. There was no wait at this time. And no time limit that I could discern. After a few days in the car and just sponge baths, a long hot shower was magical.

Additional Costs

I packed lots of food and a cooler full of drinks. Outside of a splurge for a Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich (~$9) and a bag of ice  ($1.50) to replenish the cooler and my water bottles, and now my $17 shower, I’ve not really spent any money.

I ended up leaving Missouri, back tracking a bit, and then went through Memphis. It wasn’t my planned route. But lots of thoughts and considerations rolling around in my head which re-routed me a bit to see some clients along the way.

I would up in Atlanta at Princess house late Thursday. We had plans with my aunt and uncle Friday night. And then I moved to my Grandmother’s house in the tiny town where we used to live on Saturday night. I’ll stay here until after the wedding.

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.