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 \u2013 a surprising and ingenious way to save money.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"