by Hope
Thank you, Susan, for recommending I read the Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel when I requested book recommendations back in January. I fully appreciate the knowledge gained even though it is an older book. It is evidently pretty popular around here as I got on the wait list for it at the library on the day (1/20/26) you recommended and just got access a week ago (3/15/26). I just finished reading it today (3/22/26).
My favorite quote of the entire book was this:
“We should use past surprises as an admission that we have no idea what might happen next.”
Truly the story of my life, and profoud in it’s simplicity. It really made me evaluate in a different light, why my “forecasting” hasn’t worked as well as I always think it should. Because if nothing else, my life has been a true roller coaster of surprises – personal, professional, financial and every other which way.
If you have not read it, definitely recommend.
I’ve now got pages worth of notes to review and think through. But I enjoyed all the real life examples the author shared, the analogies for financial fundamentals using related stories, people and subject matter, and especially how easy it was to read. It didn’t bog me down, and there were few sections that I had to re-read to understand and grasp the implications. That has rarely been the case with personal finance books.
And I definitely appreciated that the author was very clear that personal finance is very personal. All of our histories, life experiences, culture, education, and our perspectives is going to lend itself to each of us prioritizing different things, make different decisions with our financial assets. Truly emphasizing the true psychology of money versus the math of money.
Finally, I loved the recognition that happiness is not from having money. It’s ultimately in the freedom that money gives us. Money gives us control our time and how we spend it. Now that’s a concept I fully agree with and appreciate!
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.
With all due respect Hope some of your “ surprises” are not surprising. They are CHOICES you are making. They are gambles you are betting on. For example, your choice to end health care coverage could land you thousands of dollars in debt should you get sick. It’s not a surprise that people get sick. It’s why health insurance exists. It won’t be a surprise if you get sick to anyone other than you.You are human after all. You are a 50 year old woman with diabetes. Your health is less than optimal and as an aging person will likely just become harder to manage. Instead of choosing to spend the money you are choosing to gamble. Why? You aren’t prioritizing your health. I suspect it’s likely you’d rather invest and save that money. Own that choice.
I do hope that if you don’t pay the $697 that you choose to put that money in a high yield savings account that you can quickly and easily access. You will likely get sick sometime between now and when you qualify for Medicare. The fact that you aren’t planning for it won’t make it a surprise though.
$700 a month in hopes situation is a no-brainer. She’s got pre-existing health conditions and is staying for free with her family. Health must be prioritized.
So this means you’re going to start doing actual budgets instead of “forecasts?”
Also chiming in on the health insurance issue that didn’t you just say you had a bunch of blood sugar issues in the fall? Are those corrected now? Do you know how much whatever happened then would’ve cost without insurance?
Also seconding that you voted for this.
Voted for this? Not following.
And yes, I do have diabetes. But my current medications and supplements have it under control. I also now wear a continuous glucose monitor to help me made smart, informed decisions. Exercise has become an important part of my life over the last 5 months.
So you will be paying for these supplies out of pocket? Medical supplies are not cheap and now without insurance how are you going to pay?
By voted for this, I mean that you are a republican/Trump supporter and that is who is to blame.
Interesting that this community seems to know my political leanings…
But for your assumption on my “vote” you are wrong.
she’s not a trump voter the same way she wasn’t using Chat GPT to write posts.