Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

I am working on my debt update. I promise. It’s been months since I really sat down and looked at my finances. It’s terrifying and disheartening. But it’s also one of those situations where I have to think, there’s not much lower I can go. Don’t get me wrong, I know there is, things could be much, much worse. This is a 1st world problem. I am grateful for my privilege. very.

Let’s start with the positive

I needed to take a break from the hard. Let’s start with some positivity on the financial front.

• My car is completely paid for and in good working order.
• My home is in good working order. We have not had any issues with the HVAC or rain or electricity, etc. I am SO GRATEFUL for that, especially the air conditioning!
• As of the date of this post, all bills are paid and in good standing.
• While I have been late on A LOT of bills lately, really almost everything. I have not been more than 30 days late on anything. (I mean, one day shy, yes, but I haven’t hit that 30 day mark.)
• I have discovered donating plasma which has paid for food for the house and the dogs for last couple of months. I absolutely hate it though.
• To date, I have not had to sell my jewelry. But that will most likely happen in the next month if something doesn’t give. I have checked with Princess and Gymnast as these are items their dad gave me when we were married. Neither of them care at all about it. I’m the sentimental one.
• I have lots of solid antique furniture. And I have checked with all the kids to see if there is anything they are dying to inherit someday. While I hope to not have to sell, I know I could get several hundred dollars for some of the pieces. They have mentioned a few items that are meaningful to them. I am very glad I asked.
• Houses are still selling very well here. And I have quite a bit of equity in my home. This again, is a situation where I do not want to sell my home. But if it comes down to it, I could most likely sell it quickly and have $$ in my pocket.

This was my house during COVID times. There have been lots of changes since then. But I am so grateful for my house and my car. Those who have been here for a while will understand just how deeply I feel that gratitude.

That’s all I can think of right now. But I’m going to keep holding on to the glass half full outlook. No matter what. (Now I’m going back to work on my debt update.)

Hope

Hope is a creative, solutions-focused business manager helping clients grow their business and work more efficiently by leveraging expertise in project management, digital marketing, & tech solutions. She’s recently become an empty nester as her 5 foster/adoptive kids have spread their wings. She lives with her 5 dogs in a small town in NE Georgia and prefers the mountains to the beaches any day. She struggles with the travel bug and is doing her best to help each of her kids as their finish schooling and become independent (but it’s hard!) She has run her own consulting company for almost twenty years! Hope began sharing her journey with the BAD community in the Spring of 2015 and feels like she has finally in a place to really focus on making wise financial decisions.