Blogging Away Debt Blogging Away Debt follows real people on their journey to debt freedom — with tips on the debt snowball, budgeting, cutting expenses, and staying motivated.

by Hope

Facebook reminded me that this month is 10 years since we became a family of 5. So I thought I would take a minute and re-introduce myself. I have been writing here for 5ish years (is it really that long?) and I’m sure there are people who don’t know who I/we are…so here goes.

From 3 to 5

Ten years ago, I was a single mom of two kids. We were living in a home owned by my dad after 3 years of housing instability since splitting from my husband. I started a consulting company when my youngest (Gymnast was 1 year old) and it was my sole income source supporting out family. I had student loans, a car payment and no other debt…

And I had just completed becoming certified as a foster parent the year before after dreaming of being a foster parent since 8th grade. We had had 4 foster kids through our home by this time, but none for a very long time. Then I got the call..

“Emergency removal of twin boys, can you take them?”

That was literally all I was told. Then the twins showed up carting about 1/2 dozen black trash bags full of their possessions…

Life is like a roller coaster

There have been lots of first times since they arrived. First birthday party, first home cooked meal and first trips. And we even had a few other foster kids here through out the years. But the twins stuck and here were are, party of 5 now 10 years later.

To be frank, I didn’t plan at that time, that they would still be here. Adoption was not in my life plan. But alas, God’s plans are much grander than our own.

We’ve lived through multiple moves, job loss and almost homelessness, physical challenges and so many more unexpected adventures. It has been hard, really hard. There were times when I really, really wanted to quit. But I have been blessed with an amazing support system and chosen family. (My biologic family is great, but we aren’t super close.)

I have made terrible financial decisions along the way…too many to list them all. But long term readers would agree that some of the highlights include: purchasing and selling way to0 many cars, taking on more debt for all the wrong reasons, spending too much on kids – activities, experiences and such, failing to prioritize my debt payments and on and on.

Now we are here

The twins will turn 23 this year. I am back in the corporate world after 15 years as a consultant. We have 1 more child in the family – Beauty joined us just over a year ago so now we are 3 boys and 3 girls (and 4 dogs.) I bought the home we have rented for the last 4 years since summer, the first home I have owned since my marriage ended 14 years ago. Life is good. And I am getting out of debt.

Writing here keeps me accountable. I am notorious for making terrible decisions. But right now, in this moment and time, things are good.  And I am definitely on the road to getting out of debt!!!

I would love to learn more about you…what’s your story? Where are you in your debt payoff journey?

Hope

Hope is a resourceful, solutions-driven online business manager with over two decades of experience helping clients streamline operations, manage projects, and grow their businesses through digital marketing and technology.

But life has a way of rewriting your plans.

A year ago, Hope made the decision to move in with her aging parents full time – a season she wouldn’t trade, even as it came with its own financial and emotional weight. Earlier this year, she lost her mother, and is now walking the tender, disorienting path of grief while learning what “forward” looks like from here.

Hope came to the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015 as a single mom raising five foster and adoptive children. She’s written through job changes, financial setbacks, and the bittersweet transition to an empty nest. Her kids are finding their footing in the world now – and so is she.

Rooted in faith and fueled by the same perseverance she’s brought to every hard season, Hope is ready to face her finances with fresh eyes and an honest pen. She believes that clarity, courage, and community can change the trajectory of anyone’s story including her own.

She lives in Austin, TX with her dad, loves adventures with her dog Addie, and is figuring out, one step at a time, what this next chapter is meant to be.