As families grapples with an escalating rental crisis, one couple has found an unconventional, yet surprisingly effective, way to beat the system – by ditching traditional renting for a hotel room.
Their radical move has not only saved them a staggering $17,516 (US$12,000) a year but offers a fascinating parallel to the beloved TV series Schitt’s Creek.
While the Rose family in the hit comedy Schitt’s Creek found themselves reluctantly living in a motel after losing their fortune, Maranda, 47, and John Bowers, 40, made a deliberate choice to embrace hotel life, not out of destitution, but as a savvy financial strategy.
Their story from Pensacola, Florida, provides a compelling case study for Australians seeking innovative solutions to housing affordability.
The couple’s journey into hotel living began in 2023 after John suffered a debilitating work accident, crushing his right hand with a steel beam, rendering him unable to work.
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Maranda and John Bowers have moved into a hotel for $448 a week. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
The outside of the hotel. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
The hotel room is akin to a one-bedroom apartment. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
Maranda, who operates a cleaning company, found herself struggling to cover their previous rent of $3357 (US$2300) a month for a two-storey, three-bedroom home.
“By the time John’s compensation kicked in, we could not afford the inconsistency to see whether or not we have money to pay the rent,” Maranda told The Post.
“It was too hard with what I was making to pay the rent on my own.”
After a brief stay with family, the Bowers moved into a hotel in November 2023.
They now pay just $448 (US$307) a week for a one-bedroom hotel room.
Crucially, this weekly payment is all-inclusive, covering power, water, internet, and even free parking.
“The biggest positive about hotel life is you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on rent,” Maranda stated.
“You don’t need to put together a security deposit or pay a month’s rent in advance. When I book a six-month stay in this hotel, I know the maximum my bill will be is $307 a week. Getting $307 a week together is a lot easier than coming up with rent and utility bills every month.”
The couple’s bathroom. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
The couple save well over $17,000 a year by living in a hotel. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
The couple’s shared wardrobe. Source: @the_hotel_lady123
This streamlined approach to living expenses has allowed the couple to save an impressive $1460 (US$1000) a month on average, totalling $17,516 (US$12,000) annually.
Their long-term goal? To use these substantial savings to purchase a plot of land and a tiny home, fulfilling their dream of simple living.
Maranda highlights the practicalities of their arrangement.
Their hotel room is equipped with a kitchenette, featuring a two-burner stove and a full-sized fridge, enabling them to cook all their meals.
“I cooked thanksgiving and Christmas for half the hotel,” she quipped, dispelling the myth that hotel living necessitates expensive dining out.
The couple’s story is reminiscent of the hit TV show Schitt’s Creek.
The hotel also offers biweekly room cleaning and daily fresh bed linen, adding to the convenience.
“I like the convenience of it, it is one bill a week. I don’t have to worry about running the water or turning on the airconditioning,” Maranda said.
While acknowledging it’s not a luxurious lifestyle, Maranda describes their hotel room as a “mini apartment,” where she has even installed dividers to create a private workspace.
With their children grown, the concept of communal living doesn’t bother them.
“We no longer want a big house – we like the simplicity of living simply.”
English (US) · 