- When my rent-controlled apartment was being torn down, I had no choice but to move on a tight budget.
- I got rid of everything I didn't need, and I've limited my intake of new things.
- It hasn't always been easy, but it has paid off by making me more thoughtful about how I spend money.
A few years ago, I was forced to move out of my one-bedroom, rent-controlled bungalow in West Los Angeles when developers bought it and planned to tear it down and replace it with a mixed-use building.
With only four months to find a place, I panicked. After doing some apartment hunting in different parts of Los Angeles and asking my local friends if they knew of any rentals that fit my budget, I soon realized that I would have to double my costs, move outside the city, or get a roommate.
I moved to a tiny house
After searching primarily in West Los Angeles, Mid-City, and Highland Park, I settled more east near Pasadena. I stumbled across a tiny cabin in a compound on a Facebook listing.
The home was in a canyon area nestled by a flowing creek. The photos didn't depict the place accurately, and it was much more pleasant when I viewed it in person. That meant fewer people likely applied, which boosted my odds of landing the apartment.
While I would be forking over more money (about 30% more) for a smaller space (going from 500 to 325 square feet), and the new place didn't have rent control, I decided it would be more affordable than paying more for a larger apartment.
I purged my belongings
I didn't want to keep whatever belongings didn't fit into my new place, as I felt I would be dragging out the inevitable — that I would need to get rid of stuff. Plus, I didn't want to pay more for a storage unit.
I took my time decluttering and getting rid of belongings and gave myself a month. Once I signed the lease for my apartment, I got to work.
I gave away larger pieces of furniture, such as a beloved cadenza, to my Buy Nothing group. I painstakingly went through a few hundred books and donated the majority to a library sale. My record player and records went to a close friend and fellow audiophile.
I kept my possessions to a minimum
After spending a solid month purging my belongings, I was committed to keeping a sparse apartment. With such limited space, every trinket and book needed to be accounted for.
I won't lie — it's been far more challenging than anticipated. That said, I have a rule: for every object I take in, I need to get rid of one object.
I've also had to experiment with different arrangements in my living space, including setting up a workspace in lieu of a couch and coffee table. At various points, I had a makeshift greenscreen, lighting setup, and drumkit.
I staved off lifestyle inflation
Besides the increase in my rent, I aimed to keep my lifestyle the same. Since I moved to my cabin six years ago, I have stayed local. I run errands in the small town with an e-bike rental. I have bought a new car, but I saved $15,000 for a down payment and paid off my $8,000 loan within a year.
My living expenses have remained the same, except for the increased cost of goods and health insurance premiums. I shop at discount grocers like Grocery Outlet and buy generic at the supermarket.
By keeping my living expenses as rent as low as possible, I can deal with the income fluctuations that come from being a self-employed freelancer. I also aim to keep my emergency savings account in the flush, save for retirement when possible, and contribute to my HSA.
Should my rent significantly increase, I'll deal with it as it comes. But in the meantime, I'm content living in a smaller space, planning on renting for life, and making adjustments as needed to my budget to stay afloat on my financial goals.
