by Hope
This weekend the “Bride Tribe” will gather to shop for wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. So exciting! This is my first time ever participating in any of these type of activities. Beauty has also given me direction on what I will need to wear to her wedding. But I have time to sort that out.
At the same time, I am working through ideas for a family week/graduation celebration just over a month from now. It’s a busy season.
Wedding
Beauty and her fiancé are covering the costs of their wedding and have not asked for anything from me. But I do want to contribute in some form or fashion. Not sure what that will look like. They are getting married in October.
They’ve chosen the date, venue (my grandmother’s home), she handmade her invitations and sent them out, and she will wear my mom’s wedding veil. At least that is the plan now. I think I will gift her a pearl jewelry set that is mine for her to wear and then for her to keep.
I would love any ideas of sentimental ways I could contribute to her special day? My hope is to have some money to help. But thinking several hundred dollars.
Any ideas for me?
Graduation
In just over a month, all the kids will arrive in Georgia for a family week and graduation celebration for Princess. Extended family from Texas will also be flying in for a few days.
We’ve booked two hotel suites that will sleep 12 total at $114 per night per room. That cost will be split between us so it’s pretty affordable. (My brother’s girlfriend works for this particular hotel chain so we are getting the friends and family discount.)
I’m trying to figure out where/how to celebrate Princess’ accomplishment. My first thought was the hotel, get a meeting room and decorate. But it’s turned out to be cost prohibitive. So now, I’m looking at restaurants with private rooms where we could gather and eat after her graduation ceremony.
She only gets 4 tickets to the actual ceremony. But the celebration will include other family and local friends.
How have you celebrated your kids graduation? Any specific gift ideas?
After the Texas family leaves, the kids and I will all be crashing at Princess’ apartment to save money. Between her bed, her couch and my car camping mattresses, everyone should have somewhere reasonably comfortable to sleep. Lots of togetherness. I’m really looking forward to us all being together for a few days.
Sidenote: Before you ask, we anticipate the house will be sold by this date. But even if it isn’t, it is too far from her school to make it worth using it for the celebration. It will also have no furniture as I am moving completely out by the end of April in preparation for leaving for Texas after Princess graduates.
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.
So, what do you think ?