A WOMAN moved into her friend’s 77ft square cupboard after her rent doubled – and says she’s already saved £1,130 in just one month.
Sarah Hendrickson, 32, from Alabama, US, made the unusual move after the cost of an apartment in her area became unaffordable.
Sarah Hendrickson moved into her friend’s cupboard after her rent doubled Credit: SWNS
Sarah, 32, earns up to £2,259 a month, and says lowering her housing costs has transformed her finances Credit: SWNS
The wildlife management business owner and waitress said her monthly rent increased from $600 (£450) to $1,200 (£900) after the Covid , while the cheapest high-quality apartments she could find were around $1,500 (£1,129) a month.
Rather than work extra hours simply to cover housing costs, Sarah accepted an offer to stay with a friend – but instead of taking a bedroom, she suggested living in his cupboard.
Sarah said: “This isn’t the first time I’ve done this. I’ve been living in small spaces for about 10 years. I’ve always liked small spaces and I’ve always liked a good deal.
“I’m just one person. If I had someone to split the rent with, it would be different, but I didn’t want to work two jobs just to pay rent.”
To make the move possible, Sarah sold or donated most of her possessions Credit: SWNS
Sarah has also been documenting her cupboard life on social media Credit: SWNS
A friend initially offered Sarah his spare bedroom before changing his mind, prompting her to come up with another solution.
She said: “I told him, ‘I know you don’t want me to live with you, but I can live in your closet.'”
The cupboard is in a two-storey home in downtown Birmingham, just a short bike ride from her serving job and within walking distance of a grocery store.
Sarah said: “I walk out and I’m only a few steps from the bathroom and the kitchen, so it almost feels like I have my own floor.”
To make the move possible, Sarah sold or donated most of her possessions, including what she describes as her “amazing” purple mattress.
She kept only the essentials, fitting a wardrobe, clothing rack, extendable hanging rail, small desk with drawers and her collection of into the compact space.
Sarah earns between $2,000 (£1,500) and $3,000 (£2,259) a month through her wildlife management business, waitressing and graphic design work.
She says lowering her housing costs has transformed her finances.
Sarah explained: “Already in this small amount of time in the closet I’ve been able to secure a new job for my company because I don’t have the pressure of needing to make a certain amount every month.
“I’ve only been here a week but I’ve already put $1,000 (£753) into my saving investment account and another $500 (£376) into my savings this month.”
Sarah has also been documenting her cupboard life on social media, where she has gained around 600 followers within a week.
She said: “I just wanted it to be a diary, but the response has been really welcoming and positive.
“Some people say it’s messy or stupid, and it seems to make some people really angry, but I don’t know why.”
She believes many of her followers relate to her desire for a simpler, more adventurous lifestyle.
Sarah said: “About 96 per cent of my followers are women.
“I think a lot of women want a bit of adventure without having to move across the country or go in the woods.
“You’re saving while doing something different.
“A lot of women are told to get a job, find a man and have a baby, but they’re not always taught how to manage money.”
Sarah plans to remain in the cupboard for as long as it suits her, although she hopes to eventually move in with her partner.
If not, she already has another unconventional housing plan in mind.
She said: “Whenever I leave here, I’d love to rent a houseboat. I’ve always wanted to do it.
“Rent has skyrocketed but wages haven’t kept up. I even lived in my car in 2022 and 2023 because of housing prices.
“I really want to show people that you don’t have to work your whole life just to pay the . There are other ways to live.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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