Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

Other than rent or housing, our largest regular bill is food. I imagine this is the same for many families. Over the years, we have really honed cutting down on our food costs. We do a great deal of meal planning, food prep and most importantly cut down on eating out.

But one thing that has continued to be an issue for me, for us is how quickly fresh food spoils. Well, any food really, especially when you have any number of teenagers in the house and they notoriously open things and don’t close them back properly. Please tell me I’m not the only one who finds bags of chips half eaten, cheese packages not sealed, cereal boxes left open and on and on.

I’ve finally come to the point where I am chopping all my fresh veggies as soon as they enter the house, parceling them out in plastic ware for the different meals I have planned and then freezing them. This is saving me lots of money in spoiled veggies.

We’ve been chopping and freezing:

• Bell Peppers
• Squash
• Zuccini
• Tomatoes
• Onions (some, but I’m not a big fan of the results)

I’ve also begun freezing bananas and berries when they get to a certain point. Then at least we can use them in smoothies. (We occasionally have other fruit, but mostly stick to berries since it’s low carb for this diabetic conscious mom.)

I’d love any tips you have for making fresh produce last.

School Lunches

With school starting this week, we decided on bento box type meals. I prepped three days of meals for the kids, and they were just able to grab what they wanted and head out the door. We had bags of grapes, granola bars, bottles of water (although I encourage each of them to take a refillable bottle,) cheese, meat and crackers, veggies and dip and apples. I might have snuck a few pieces of candy in each of their backpacks on their way out the door.

I absolutely refused to buy lunch boxes. Notoriously, the kids would start off all excited about them and then within weeks, would not want to carry any more than they have too. We have some old ones around (from years ago) but I doubt they will use them. (Gymnast was the one most upset about not getting a new one.)

But we are off to school with two seniors and one sophomore! And a solid plan for a crazy food needs.

Oh, one more thing, we’ve decided to eat dinner at 3pm every school day. I’ll have a meal ready by the time they get home. Therefore, the girls can grab food and change clothes and be at work by 4pm on the days they have to work.

Hope

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.