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by Hope

It’s back to school time around here. Wow, did summer go by quickly.

This will be our first time ever being involved in all the hoopla surrounding this time of year.

Back to School Clothes

I’ve got open houses to attend, school supplies to buy and well, I’m not really sure what else to expect.

Clothes? I remember always wanting or having a new outfit for the first day of school. But as homeschoolers we have always done our shopping around the seasons ie weather. I would prefer to keep it that way.

Since neither of my two younger kids needs new clothes at this time of year, I think we will wait. They haven’t brought it up so I won’t.

Back to School Supplies

The local stores are already overflowing with school supplies. Rows of backpacks greet me when I walk into the local Wal-mart.

From what I understand, I will receive the school supply list at open house. This occurs one day before school starts.

Neither Princess or Gymnast need new backpacks, but I’m not real sure what to expect cost wise for the “supplies.” I’m sure the kids will have some specific requests, but I would really like to keep the costs in check.

College Costs Covered

Sea Cadet will be continuing his EMT program at the local community college and living at home. We are all going to drive up in 3 weeks to pick him up and will spend a day with History Buff before we return home. (It will be the first time we’ve all been together in almost 2 years. I’m so excited!)

All of Sea Cadet’s college costs have been covered by grants. And he will be living at home. That takes a HUGE load off financially!

What do you for back to school clothes? Tell me what are the biggest challenges when it comes to school supplies. Frustrations? Guidance for me?

Hope

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.