by Hope
This is part 6 of where the house proceeds were spent and accounts for the bulk of the money.
This is the BIG SPEND – my credit card debt! I was pretty close to spot on when I made the plan. Although I didn’t realize that even if you pay off the debt prior to the due date, they do charge you interest the next month even if you spend no money on the credit card. And not all credit cards do that.
Total Paid in Credit Card Debt: $24,582
So yes, more than 1/2 of the house proceeds went to debt. And it feels, so, so good. And I’ve written recently about starting to close credit cards. I’ve not rushed into it. As I do want to see what happens to my credit score as I close them. Right now my credit score is sitting at 718. Closing my Amazon Credit Card only dropped my score by 1 point. I was surprised by that. I thought it would drop more dramatically especially since it was one of my older cards.
NEVER AGAIN!
I do mean it when I say I’m breaking the cycle I’ve been in for far too many years.
In fact, as I visited Beauty and her fiance at the end of June after their 4 wheeler wreck, I did determine that I am going to need to do some work on this side of me. Not sure how. But I do need to do the work.
I recognized as I enjoyed their beautiful home and country lot and then a friend’s apartment in Atlanta, that the temptation to have my own place again can and probably will hit unexpectedly. And knowing me, I would make bad financial decisions getting there. (No, I’m not saying that I am facing that temptation now. Living with my parents and helping them is my #1 priority now.)
But I do recognize that I have a really, really bad track record. And I’ve put things in place to keep me accountable especially on the savings front. But I really feel I do need to eliminate the easy access to credit card more than I had planned. And deal with my decision making issues.
More things to bring up with my counselor, who can only talk to me when I’m physically in the state of Georgia due to insurance regulations. So next appointment is in August. I’ll explain that another time.
Total house proceeds spent explained in this series through part 6: $34,325. More to come…
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.
