by Hope
My only remaining debt is my Student Loan. I had hoped to have it paid off this year. But as I mentioned in my last post, my continued goal with the lower income and ultimate goal of being self sufficient again when the need arises is driving me to focus on savings instead of paying off this final debt.
Below you can see a screenshot of the status as of 10/3/2026.
The interest rate is 2.875% so it just makes sense to pay the minimum right now and continue to feed my high interest savings account which will eventually be my land/housing. And my ROTH IRA which will be my retirement.
Increasing Income
I’m continuing to grow my side hustle of watching dogs which has become a pretty steady income source. I keep my service area small and my rates on the lower end to keep myself booked. And I thoroughly enjoy it which is the best part.
In fact, I’m almost completely booked for the month of November when I return from this next roadtrip with my dad. Have I mentioned that here? I can’t remember. And some weeks I’m actually triple booked. Woot!!
Still praying for new recent interviews to turn into jobs. And if I get both of those, I will consider myself fully book for the time being. I’m quite excited about the prospect and more importantly thoroughly enjoying the work.
When I hit $6,000 in monthly income, I plan to increase the rate that I am paying off my debt.
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, what do you think ?