by Hope
This is part 3 in my July series: How I spent the house proceeds. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here.
I paid the 6 month premium on my (and Princess’) auto insurance and the next quarterly payment of my life insurance policy.
Auto insurance for 2 cars, 2 drivers, full coverage: $1,730
Level Term life insurance policy (quarterly): $159
Total spent: $1,889
Doesn’t Cost More
First, I know that paying off my auto insurance policy in one lump sum doesn’t really make financial sense. It doesn’t cost me any extra to make monthly payments nor does it same me any money to pay it in one lump sum.
But the mental load off was definitely worth it to me. And now I can just save monthly to do it again in September. Which is when Princess will take over her own auto insurance policy. (Yes, I give each of my kids “help” for 6 months after their schooling ends. They have all gotten this same 6 months.)
Life Insurance Debacle
My life insurance has been a question for a couple of years now. And while I’ve made a couple of phone calls over the years. I’ve never actually done anything about it. I had a 20 year policy that I took at when I was pregnant with Princess. I had a chance to convert it, but the cost and coverage just didn’t make sense.
So I’ve just been letting it ride since the original term expired last December. The cost was $24 per month. And is now more than double that with the coverage declining steadily.
After I arrived in Texas, I started calling and reviewing options. A term life policy for $75K would run me $175+ monthly. Yikes! So I’ve decided to move forward with another 20 year policy. My application is in review now. And I completed the medical exam a couple of weeks ago.
If all goes well, it will run me $55 per month and provide $100K coverage. ($100K was the lowest coverage they would do, not the amount I was looking for.)
We will see what happens…
After 3 parts of how I spent the house proceeds, I’ve now detailed how I spent $7,428. 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.