Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

Over the years, I’ve tried and written about lots of ways to at least attempt to save money.

• Controlling our utility bills
• Automatic deductions
• Frugal college tip
• Side hustles
• New entertainment
• Savings on the side
• and so on.

And I’m still doing that. But frankly, with no more kids to really “care” for, my life is so different. There’s no more big meal preps, no more crazy full freezer and fridge. Food is something else I’ve written about a great deal:

• Alternative easy meals
• Meal planning and summertime
• Best way to not spend money
• and more.

Now I eat a lot of sandwiches, cereal, raw veggies and smoothies. I make batches of potato salad and chicken salad, buy fruit and cut it. Then I can just grab and eat for my lunches during work. Feeding one is very different then feeding 6 + an assortment of visitors at any given time.

But I am still finding and trying ways to save money. Here’s my current regime of saving measures:

1. Homemade laundry detergent. The key to making this a savings is forcing “portion” control as my kiddos are still prone to using way to much per load.
2. Homemade dog food. Once we converted from fostering to adopted dogs and added an assortment of dogs (they range from 3 lbs to 80 lbs and everything in between), the cost of dog food became a concern. I’m currently trying out a variety of homemade dog food options for both nutritional value and cost-effectiveness. (I’ve done this before, but kind of fell out of it. Now I have the time and inclination again.)

We continue to become more and more minimalist, especially with both girls moving out. Both Gymnast and I seem to be in sync with balancing how we spend our money in relation to needs and wants.

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.