by Hope
As I looked at the next couple of months, I realized that this will be our last quiet month for a while. April will bring spring break and the younger two kids are planning to spend some time with their dad. And May will bring graduation and family visits. All this followed by a summer that’s completely up in the air…
For March my goal is to keep it quiet – stay home, do not eat out, no travel and no extra expenses other than what is already listed in my budget.
To this end, I have done several things:
- Created a meal plan and weekly grocery list
- Planned out the month calendar wise – track meets, kid’s have a single day off school, etc.
- Been very clear with the kids that there will be no “extra” this month
- Given myself a to do list with lots of “housekeeping” type chores to keep me busy when I’m itching to do something
I anticipate coming to the end of the month with a couple thousand dollars extra (between my W2 and 1099 jobs) and will decide them how much extra to put toward my car debt this month.
Oh, and I have to begin the process of filing my taxes. I gathered everything together that I could in January, but noted recently that I am still missing some documents. Reaching out to clients and following up on those documents will be a high priority this month.
Has anyone filed their taxes already? Are the changes significant?
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.
Good luck on your month. Have you considered posting a retrospective on how it goes at the month’s end? Was your last challenge month was November? I don’t remember hearing much about it other than that one post.
I also would love to see some posts with a month end what you budgeted vs. what you spent.