Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

I’m working on a new budget with the thought of being cash only. It’s really a new mindset. And a bit scary. You can see my 2025 budget here.)

Thanks to Financial Peace University, a quieter living situation, and a life season that looks nothing like it did ten, even 2 years ago, my budget is requiring a complete overhaul and a lot of thought!

This isn’t a “bigger goals, tighter rules” budget.
This is a protect my nervous system budget.

What “Budgeting for Peace” Actually Means for Me

Peace isn’t vague. It’s specific. It’s practical. And it’s exactly how I am living right now.

Here’s what peace looks like in my 2026 budget.

1. Fewer Categories, Fewer Decisions

If I have to negotiate with myself every time I spend money, the budget is broken.

So peace looks like:

• simplified categories
• predictable spending
• fewer “maybe” line items

I’m tired. I don’t want to argue with my budget or the BAD community. I want it to support me and make financial decision making easier/cleaner.

2. Margin for My Actual Life (Not an Imaginary One)

My living situation is quieter. Slower. More home-based. More caretaking. More hermit, less hustle.

So my budget includes:

• convenience where it preserves energy, that means, yes, I am paying for Walmart+ so I can get ALL my groceries delivered
• room for the unexpected

I’m not budgeting like I’m running marathons when I’m clearly walking the trail right now.

3. Clear Boundaries Around Emotional Spending

Quiet seasons can be sneaky. And I’m certainly not immune to those “I just need to go buy something” moments.

So my budget now assumes:

• emotions will show up
• loneliness may try to swipe my card
• stress might whisper “just buy it”

Peace looks like pausing, naming the feeling, and choosing something that doesn’t show up on a statement.

This is SO HUGE for me. (Today it meant getting off DoorDash and heating up some of last night’s casserole.)

4. A Real Plan for Irregular Income & Expenses

Peace looks like:

• sinking funds
• boring consistency
• and not acting shocked when life does what life always does

This alone lowers my stress more than any inspirational quote ever could.

5. Money That Supports My Values, Not My Ego

My budget reflects what matters now:

1. stability
2. faith
3. stewardship
4. rest
5. and the freedom to say no

I don’t need my money to tell a story to others. I need it to make my life quieter. I realize that the BAD community doesn’t agree with my recent decision to tithe again. But it is important to me.

What This Budget Is Not

It’s not extreme.
It’s not flashy.
It’s not optimized for admiration.

It’s optimized for sleep.

The 2026 Goal (Spoiler: It’s Not a Number)

The goal isn’t a perfect spreadsheet or a dramatic payoff date. (Ok, maybe it is still a payoff date!)

The goal is:

• fewer financial surprises
• fewer internal arguments
• fewer stress responses tied to money

I am finally learning that money is a tool, not a test.

And this stage of life?
I’m choosing peace on purpose.

Not because I’ve arrived-but because I’ve learned.

And that might be the most valuable return yet.

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.