I used to live just a block from Central Park in Manhattan. Good morning! Today, I want to share a story from mochimac, a personal finance blogger at “Save. Spend. Splurge.” She managed to get rid of $60,000 of debt in just 18 months. Now, she lives full-time in hotels and makes a lot more money while working much less as a freelance consultant.

About six months into my first job out of college, I decided I wanted to live in hotels and travel full-time. Initially, I had signed a 12-month lease for an apartment near what I thought would be my permanent office. For the first month, commuting was a breeze – just a 15-minute bus ride, even during rush hour. The apartment itself was fantastic—1200 square feet, four closets filled with clothes and other items, and a beautiful view of a forest from the balcony.

But then I got assigned to a project in a different city, which required me to fly out every Monday and return late on Fridays. I was too exhausted to do anything but collapse in bed by 9 p.m. on Fridays. Saturdays were spent shopping for weekend groceries, and Sundays were dedicated to preparing for my 3 a.m. flight back out Monday morning.

Suddenly, I found myself paying thousands for an empty apartment. I had this dream apartment, but I wasn’t spending any time in it because of my exhausting travel schedule. I was also $60,000 in debt from student loans.

Then it hit me—why not live in hotels in the cities where I worked? I was already living out of a carry-on suitcase most of the time. By staying in hotels, I wouldn’t have to worry about flight delays, and I could be at work early on Mondays without the rush. My basic living expenses would be covered by the per diem, including my shelter and food, and even my cellphone bill.

So, I made the leap and have been living in hotels ever since. Interestingly, I met a few other consultants who did the same thing, even with their families. Giving up 90% of my possessions was easier than I thought. I sold all my furniture and major appliances and put the rest in storage, keeping only what I needed in a full-sized suitcase.

After a year of hotel living, I realized how unnecessary most of my stuff was. I saved 90% of my net income, which allowed me to pay off my debt in 18 months. Eventually, I quit my corporate job, became a freelancer, quadrupled my income, and cleared the remaining $15,000 of my debt in just two weeks.

After my project ended, I didn’t have a permanent place to return to, so I continued living in hotels. It was expensive, but it motivated me to seek new work opportunities quickly. I learned to negotiate lower rates for longer stays and adapted to a minimalist lifestyle.

I considered what it meant to own so many things I never used and decided to embrace minimalism. My new rule was to only keep what I could move in a single car trip. Today, as a freelancer, I still live in popular hotels and travel to where my work takes me. It’s often cheaper and more convenient than renting an apartment and commuting.

Living in hotels has its challenges, like preventing the accumulation of junk, but it saves me from the stress of weekly cross-country commutes. I can reach my work sites in about 15 minutes or less, often by walking.

My life now focuses on understanding what is truly necessary for a fulfilling and happy existence, and I’m constantly learning what brings me joy. The journey continues, but with each step, it becomes clearer.