Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

Thank goodness I plan and prepare in advance. This coming month I will be taking two trips to Texas. This has been the plan for months before the financial crunch.

Quick Turn Trip to Houston

The first is a quick turn trip. Princess has 24 hours to go from her New York internship to her Houston internship. She will land one Saturday night in Atlanta; I will pick her up and then we will jump in her car and ride to Houston.

I was hesitant to let her take that drive herself. It’s over 13 hours of drive time and she’s never driven more than a couple of hours alone. Not to mention the quick turn will put a lot of pressure on that drive. She and I are going to team drive it. She’ll get there a bit more refreshed and ready to start on Monday.

I was able to book a one-way flight with points, paid just $5.60. As long as I don’t have bags, it will be the cheapest trip I’ve ever taken. She is being reimbursed for her travel expenses so I won’t have to worry about gas, food, or anything else. We got her car serviced last week before she left for New York City so everything is all set.

Her return trip doesn’t have the time crunch pressure, and she feels like she will be comfortable making the drive back alone.

Permanent Move to Austin

Two weeks after I return from getting Princess to her internship, Gymnast and I will load up our cars with all his belongings for his move to Austin. This will be a roundtrip road-trip for me. And I will have to cover the gas and food for the trip. I have already taken the week off work, but will still receive my salary. (Grateful for that!)

We are planning to car camp on the trip there. And I will most likely do the same on the trip back.

Gymnast and I sat down recently to plan out final things that need to be done here before this move. And he let me know that I could probably stay home and not go. I could bring a load when he gets ready to move into his own place.

And I so appreciated that, because the financial pressure is immense these days. But with my mom still alive and my dad’s recent battle with cancer, I’m going to make the trip. I will deal with the financial consequences. I thought I was saying good bye to my mom when I went down last fall. To have another chance to see her…priceless.

Gymnast and Princess on their last weekend together before they take on the world as adults!

Read More from Hope

We are Going to Texas – June, 2018

The Cost of Death – September, 2022

Growing Old isn’t for Sissies – June, 2021

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.