by Hope
I mentioned a month or so ago that I loaned Beauty the money to purchase her car, well, part of it. I am pleased to tell you that while we had a couple of bumps along the way, she has paid back the loan in its entirety as of this week.
She is 18 years old. Has had a volatile childhood to say the least. Has not had good financial decisions modeled up to this point. But she has CHOSEN to be responsible, seek good counsel and now owns a pretty decent car outright, in her own name that she paid for 100% by herself.
I could not be more proud of her! I want to shout that from the rooftop.
The girls and I during a recent visit to the ‘World’s Longest Slip n Slide’ with my brother when we visited Texas.
What’s Next for this Beauty
She has registered for full time college next month at the local community college and right now she will either stay here or live in the dorms. (I love that our local community college has dorms and I’m hoping she takes that step.) Between the Georgia HOPE grant and her need based Pell Grant money, almost 100% of her tuition, supplies and housing will be covered.
She is pursuing an Associates Degree in Cosmetology, a program she started while in high school. We are not sure how long it will take as she still has to take a “placement” test and get her projects/hours documented from her high school program.
I wanted to write this, not just because I am very proud of her, but also as an example, that fostering older kids…well, it really can make a big difference in their lives. Even when it’s just the last year of their high school career.
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.
Congrats to Beauty!