by Hope
Phew! I didn’t realize that I didn’t check in here even one time last month. I apologize for that. The holidays and all the peopling and visiting family…it was a lot for this introverted mama. I loved having the kids here, but man, was I glad when everyone went home and the quiet returned.
Oh, and then the flu struck. Not me or my parents…but the kids. So we’ve been on flu watch here, but so far so good. And kids are all on the road to recovery. Terrible way to bring in the new year.
But here we are, welcome to 2026!
And my only debt to contend with is my student loans. But this is the year, this is the year, I become 100% completely debt free! So this is where we are starting.
| Debt Description | October, 2023 Total | Interest Rate | Minimum Payment | Current Total | Payoff Date (Est) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Loans | $22,121 | 2.875% | $176 | $15,959 | |
| CC - Apple** | $500 | $0 | May, 2025 | ||
| CC - Frontier | $3,857 | 29.99% | $0 | $0 | May, 2025 - Closed |
| 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) - Closed | |||
| 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 | $176 | $15,959 |
This will be the last time I present this table. The old debts are gone. Never to be resurrected.
And this is a year of sitting still. No big plans. No big changes.
Just sitting still and staying focused.
Don’t get me wrong, things are still happening. I’m still me. And I’m sure you all won’t agree with some of my goals and plans to get there. (To be shared later.)
But first let’s recap the crazy, change filled year that was 2025…
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.
So glad to have you back Hope! Can’t wait to hear about your goals and plans moving forward.
Thank you.
Update your bio Hope. You no longer live in Georgia. November update: 16405.16 You paid off 446.16 in December. It’s the right direction but if you pay at that amount monthly then it is not getting paid this year. How is the saving going?
Yes, life just took over last month. And lots of things fell through the cracks including my billing ie income.
Sent out bills last week to my clients so hopefully I’ll get to catch up this month.
Good to have you back, Hope!
Thank you.