An American couple, unable to afford their high rent, decided to move into hotels, unexpectedly finding their lives more stable and saving approximately $12,000 annually – a surprising and ingenious way to save money.
According to the New York Post, 47-year-old Maranda Bowers and her 40-year-old husband, John Bowers, originally lived in Florida, renting a two-story, three-bedroom house for $2,300 a month. However, in 2023, John was injured at work, causing a sharp drop in income and leaving the family without their main source of income. Maranda, who runs a cleaning company, couldn’t afford the rent.
The couple initially stayed with relatives, but later decided to move into hotels permanently, beginning their “hotel life.” Currently, they pay $307 a week for a double room, a fee that includes utilities, internet, and parking. This translates to a monthly expense lower than their previous rent, and they don’t even need to pay a security deposit.
Maranda says the best thing about staying in hotels is the “fixed cost and no variables.” She usually books for six months at a time, knowing exactly how much she’ll spend each week. “It’s much easier to prepare weekly expenses than to rack up a huge monthly rent bill.”
The room has a kitchenette with two stove-tops and a full-size refrigerator, allowing them to cook their own meals. The hotel also provides bi-weekly housekeeping and daily linen changes. Since checking into the hotel, Maranda has even prepared Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for other guests.
Although the space is small, Maranda has used partitions to create a work area, making the room feel more like an apartment. She admits that although their lifestyle is simple, “the freedom and savings they’ve gained are well worth it.”
Over the past two years, the couple has saved an average of $1,000 per month. They plan to use this money to buy land and build a small house for a simpler, more comfortable life.
“Our children are all grown up and don’t need a big house,” Maranda says. “Rather than spending all our money on rent, we want to travel and enjoy life.”