by Hope
The plan was set. Leave Friday morning, lunch with Princess before she had to go to work. Dinner with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while. Leave early Saturday morning with Addie and Jake in tow to head to Texas. Get to my parents Sunday.
Then she called…
An old high school friend, whom I have visited with a couple of times during my extended trips to Texas, called. Due to some complications with a job, she was essentially stranded, or going to be in Atlanta.
Her: Are you going to Texas anytime soon?
Me: I’m leaving Saturday.
Logistics = Headaches
Due to the nature of the work she does, she wasn’t sure when she would be able to leave. I won’t bore you with the details, but after multiple mis-fires, we finally got away Saturday around 4:30pm.
I embraced the challenge knowing that this would be what life would be like for the next while as I’m transient. And in the end it all went great.
And I dropped her at her home at Texas at 5am. Yes, we drove all night. (I did this last summer with Princess to get her to a internship and said I’d never do it again.)
It wasn’t too bad though, with the car set up for car camping, we each turn a turn sleeping comfortably. As comfortably as you can with an 80lb who thinks he’s a lap dog.
I spent the night with another high school friend. (I didn’t stay with this friend as her daughter is afraid of dogs.) And finished the drive to my parents the next day.
Shared Costs
We filled up for gas 3 times. She paid twice and I paid once. We got dinner at a fast food drive thru, she paid.
Outside of my kids, I don’t know when I’ve had an adult road trip partner. It was a lot of fun to have someone to talk too. We did a lot of catching up on where people are at now, mourning those gone too soon, and just sharing life stories and goals.
She is also a single mom with two kids. It was just a great time. And saved me a bit of money. Score! I truly can’t wait for more chances to adventure with and to friends over the next couple of years.
And I believe she may have gotten bit by the roadtrip bug as well. Her first turn driving, she exclaimed, “Now I could get used to this!” It is addictive.
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.
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