I’m going to paint the interior all one color (expect for the bathrooms and the laundry room, those will remain untouched.) We discovered an issue with electric that must be resolved to sell the house. Don’t get me started on how that happened.
Showings continue to be steady and I feel like I’m in the right pricing bracket now at $195,000. There are few other 3/2s in that price bracket.
After the paint and electric is complete, it will be listed with an agent.
I’m going to sit tight here in Georgia until the end of May. Focus on enjoying Princess college graduation. Then relocate to Texas with a plan to remain there the bulk of the summer and help with my mom.
While I was there this month, we all got the flu. My dad, me, one of my brothers who was also staying with my parents, and then my mom. It was rough. And reiterated the need for me to be there, rather for someone to be able to stay with my parents full time. (I am still recovering. It is slow going.)
Work is steady and growing weekly which I am very grateful for. I am only paying minimums on everything and hoarding cash. Once I get through these house expenditures, I am going to focus on building an emergency fund again before I turn back to debt.
The plan is to use the bulk of the proceeds from the house to pay off all my consumer debt. Based on my math that should be achievable even at this lower price point.
Then I will be starting fresh. With a focus on saving and paying off my remaining student loan.
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.
At the time of this post, I’ve just returned from my 2 weeks in Georgia. And will have a busy couple of weeks with doctors appointments, annual vet visit for Addie, and wedding dress shopping with Beauty and her bridesmaides…fun times!
I wrote previously about my plan to travel and car camp in between extended visits to my parents in Texas (to help with my mom’s ongoing care) when and if the house sells. Many BAD readers had a lot to say about it. So I wanted to share kind of how I’ve been planning and preparing.
First, I started with created a long list of “needs”. And I shared that with some friends who know my plan along with my sister and dad. For now, I am not planning to 1) purchase anything and 2) do any permanent build out in my car. For the time being, I will be using what I’ve got to set things up.
The Original List
This is set up as a checklist in my Notes app so I am literally checking things off as they are packed specifically for the car (more on that later).
Personal
Shower shoes – crocs or slides?
Sunscreen
1 suitcase of ‘dressy’ clothes
1 ball cap
1 sweatshirt
1 nightgown
4 tank tops
3 bras
3 workout outfits
3 shorts
3 work shirts (2 sets – one for each season)
6 daily shirts (2 sets – one for each season)
3 pants/leggings
15 underwear
Swim bag – swimsuit, swimshoes, swim towel, sunscreen
1 sandals
2 tennis shoes
2 sleep pants
1 sports bra
7 socks
Daily bag – for showering/changing in facilities
Laundry bag
1 daily towel
Daily hygiene
Travel size – shampoo, deodorant, soap/bodywash
Medicine bucket
Pads
2 wash clothes
Pack of hygiene wipes
Kitchen/Food
Zero water dispenser – 55 cup
3 metal water bottles
2 plastic cups (cost $1)
2 plastic bowls (cost $1)
1 insulated bowl holder
2 plastic plates (cost $1)
2 forks
2 spoons
2 knives
2 sharp knives
Dish soap
Wash bowl/bucket
2 wash cloths
3 storage containers
Small cast iron skillet
Egg skillet
Sauce pan
Tongs
Spatula
Smoothie blender
Chia seeds
Granola
Veggie powder
Protein powder
Jerky
Shaker bottle?
Spices?
Salt & pepper
FUTURE – Single burner?
FUTURE – Fridge/cooler?
Laundry detergent
Lighters
Work Stuff
2 pairs glasses
Books – will begin to eliminate and move to digital only for most
Computer – charger
Phone – charger
iPad – charger
2 notebooks
1 journal
3 pens
5 highlighters
FUTURE – Big monitor, keyboard, mouse?
FUTURE – Charging station? Battery? Eco flow?
Scrap supplies?
Backpack for daily use
Formal work bag
Dog Stuff
Food container
Treats
Waste bags
Food bowl
Water bowl/dispenser
Mat
Tie out
General Comfort
Fan – charger
Hearing aids – charger
3 pillows
12 pillow cases – I double case all my pillows, always have so this is just two sets
4 flat sheets – I use two at a time, so this is 2 sets
1 comforter
2 extra blankets
FUTURE – Bed rest pillow?
Camping chair
FUTURE – table top?
Car tent
Tools
Umbrella
Flashlights
Pocket knives/box cutter
Basic tool box?
Jump rope
Zip ties
Duct tape
Sharpies
2 scissors
Battery charger – jumps car and fills tires
Battery packs for electronics
Car charger for laptop etc.
Car Facilities and access to consider
Place to hang wet to dry while driving – towels/washcloths – like a clothesline, but where to hang?
Desktop for crafting/writing and for big monitor/keyboard
Charging station – existing batteries for now then consider eco flow? FUTURE What do I need for blender and big monitor? Are current batteries able to handle that? Not a now but a soon if I stay out for more than a couple of weeks
FUTURE Cooktop for burner/blender
Water dispenser – easy access and fill up’s – take a pitcher/gallon jug?
Dog tie out access
Dog supply storage with daily access
My dad then added:
Black out “screens” for windows
Mosquito nettings or screens for partially opened windows
Portable (10’x10’) awning.
Extra 8’x10’ tarp for emergency
Small propane burner
5’x7’ or 8’x10’ rug to use under your awning and expand your outside use area
Small portable, adjustable height table for outside work/cooking/eating with corresponding comfortable size chair
Spray bottle of ?vinegar/water? for cleaning dishes, etc. w/o water
Comfortable, cozy socks/slippers
“Welcome” mat to use to wipe your shoes off before entering car.
Flashlights – small & large
Hooks for hanging clothes, etc.
Spray bottle & wipes to use to “freshen up” on non bath/shower days
Machete for intruders, clearing limbs, security on hikes, etc.
Bear spray, security alarm, “tear gas”, gun?
Small packs of Kleenex
Emergency tire inflator
1 or two quarts of oil for car
1 or 2 gallon plastic container for extra gas
Extra sets of car keys w/at least one set available outside your car using a hide a key or something like this
For this past trip to Texas, I just set up the basics. I have bedding, emergency supplies, dog supplies, and clothes and hygiene items. Once it’s confirmed that the house will sell, I will be working on the build out to make room for water storage and kitchen supplies.
Sidenote: I went to lunch with one of my neighbors in Georgia the week I left for Texas this time, a goodbye lunch perse after 8 years of living next to each other. She gifted me a 2 burner Coleman camping stove. Woot, woot! Free, on my wishlist for the future, and now I’ve got one. So excited.
I am so grateful for all the support people in my life have given me during this “crazy” time of life. I’m so excited to see what is next.
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.
