by Hope
I just logged on here for the first time and saw all the comments from my last two posts. And will wade through them and reply shortly. I appreciate your patience. (No, I don’t get notified of comments.)
That being said, this month has been a doozy…so here’s just a summary of updates:
The Kids
- Beauty and Redhead were planning to move here. She spent 7 weeks here, got a job, worked a few weeks. And then decided they didn’t want to move. So in just a few short days, she quit her new job and drove home.
- History Buff was planning to move here in August. His timeline got unexpectedly moved up when his roommate got transferred. So he is moving here, in with my dad and I while he job searches, in May.
- Princess has decided that she would like to move here. However, she is under contract with her job so the reality of that or timeline is not clear. But she has now expressed a desire to move to Texas. I was shocked.
- Sea Cadet also wants to move here. He’s been saying that, but is in school. So we have talked and decided that his move should wait until he completes school so he doesn’t have to deal with out of state tuition.
The Finances
- Work continues to be slow, but I am making enough to cover my bills. No new debt.
- My first month of cash only has been AWESOME. Life changing. Just from a stress and mental health level, it’s been really good.
- I’m continuing to apply for remote work both full time and project based. Caretaking is my primary role for the foreseeable future.
What’s Next
- In three weeks, I leave on a 3 week road trip. It was planned as a weekend with my youngest daughter, Princess. We were meeting for a weekend in Branson. But then with History’s looming move, it was extended so I will go straight from my weekend with Princess out to Vegas to help him move.
- When I return, I will be house/dog sitting for a week. (I signed up for Rover as a house sitter and dog walker and have two week long bookings here locally.)
No other travel plans for now. But I am beginning to consider a visit to Georgia sometime in the fall and combine it with relocating my storage unit here to Texas. That’s just a thought for now, no firm.
Sides Notes
Before you jump on me for being gone for 3 weeks, my siblings will be covering my parents while I’m gone. I’m leaving cooked meals, etc. This has been planned, scheduled, and agreed upon as a family. I’m super excited for History Buff to be here.
And when I take house/pet sitting assignments, I will continue to do my daily caretaking for my parents, just have to commute here to do it. That is actually spelled out in my profile so that people know that I won’t just be sitting at their homes.
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.
I do not understand this 3 week road trip other than you going stir crazy for being in one place a few months straight (which sure I get it. Caregiving is HARD). But it sounds like you are making just enough money to pay your bills right now and not much else. So I am not sure how you justify a 3-week trip, covering thousands of miles and 60+ hours of driving (that you could be using to make money or look for contracts), with $4/gallon gas? Just because you had an idea months ago and discussed with Princess, doesn’t mean you can’t cancel because it doesn’t make sense anymore with higher costs and lower income. She would understand.
Dave Ramsey would ask what your budget is for gas, hotels, food, and spending money? Do you have one? Don’t forget to include the extra oil change and tire rotation you will need. And do you have this money saved up in cash, i.e. in your checking account before you leave and not part of your emergency fund savings?
To be clear, this is exactly what everyone was warning you about a few posts back about finding lower cost solutions to hanging out with your kids. Funny that you whole heartedly agreed with the readers that it was a you issue and that you need to make changes. All while knowing in the back of your mind that you were going on this trip. Have her visit you in Austin for FREE for some mother daughter time. That is what normal, middle class people do. Kids go to visit their parents at their residence, not plan a side trip somewhere together where everyone needs to spend money they shouldn’t. FFS you just had a wine-tasting weekend with Princess less than a year ago! If this frequency of trips something you are hoping to continue you need to budget and save for them. Follow your financial peace university!
Isn’t it exhausting doing these big self reflections every few months if you don’t actually make a change? This was posted only 33 days ago… https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2026/02/redefining-the-parent-child-relationship/
Delulu is the solulu, as the kids say.
Can back up Angies post. I just spent 6 days visiting my parents. Things we did: went to a protest, walked in a local park, visited a small animal rehabilitation center ($13 for me, $11 for my dad, he insisted on paying) got smoothies ($22 I paid)played golf on the course they live on, and watched more tv than I usually watch in a year.
I cooked some meals for my parents bc my dad is the primary caretaker right now and knew he could use a break.
So overall my visit cost my folks $24 bucks which almost leveled out with the $22 spent at the smoothie place.
___
As for helping your son move… why exactly does he need your help? More information might help your readers understand.
I’ve moved xc twice and never had my parents drop their responsibilities to help me.
Can you share your budget for this trip?
If you’re committing to caregiving over paying jobs, then you should be paid for caregiving. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, depending on your mom’s situation.
I am sure she still owes her parents from what they have given her over the years.
sure, but one can’t be forced into indentured servitude. It’s just not prudent to choose non-paying work over paying work, especially with the health insurance situation.
Indentured servitude – are you delusional?
Classic.
I used to wonder if readers were being trolled.
At this point, I hope we are.
You say that your increased health insurance premiums are too expensive and have let the coverage lapse. How does that compare to how much will you be spending on this 3 week trip? Or even your original weekend trip plan?
You have been in a number of car accidents. What happens (financially) if you get in an accident that requires healthcare while driving these thousands of miles?