Blogging Away Debt Our Journeys to a Debt-Free Life

by Hope

I posted my forecasted spend for August back in July here.

And now that we are at the end of the month, this is my report on actual spend.

Notes

I will explain the large difference in the kids’ contributions in a future post. But I anticipate receiving several hundred more dollars of that in the next week. Beauty’s car purchase came with some unplanned expenses so she needed to delay her payment.

Unplanned Expenses

There were a couple unplanned items like Princess school costs. She received far less in financial aid grants due to my increased income in 2022. So rather than have her take a loan for that, I just covered it. I am so grateful that I was in a position to do so.

We did visit a oral surgeon with the goal of getting Princess’ wisdom teeth out this fall. We’ve known this was needed for some years, but she’s not prioritized taking the time to get it done. It is now made itself a priority with the pain caused by their growth. All 4 are impacted, coming in sideways and none have broken through the gums. All of my kids have had this done except for History Buff.

Varying Utilities + Heat

My electric bill was WAY HIGHER than expected. But then again, the heat has been merciless. We are on month two of $350+ electric bill. Praying that it drop considerably in September. It’s definitely been a little bit cooler here lately.

Lower Part Time Income

You will see that my part time income was even lower than expected. The manager has been struggling with controlling labor costs so she specifically asked me to have regularly scheduled staff handle many of my typical in store duties. That was fine with me, but did result in less income.

But I was able to sell an old iPad for $300 so that helped offset that drop. I continue to identify things to sell and have a list of things that I plan to list in the next couple of weeks. It’s just taking the time to get photos and do the research on what price to list them at.

I have plans to sell my inherited collection of antique cameras and some furniture next. (The kids have all had ample opportunities to express their interest in having or inheriting anything, but other than that, I am still very much in purge, minimalist mode.)

I don’t think there was anything else unexpected here. I already wrote about how I decided to pull my savings and pay off the credit card instead.

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.