## Two Wives, One Pup, and a Tiny Home on Wheels: The Real Cost of Living Small
The #tinyhomes hashtag has exploded on TikTok, captivating internet users with its promise of minimalist living and financial freedom. As housing costs soar, younger generations are increasingly seeking alternative ways to save money, from refurbishing canal boats to converting old vans into mobile homes. Destiny and Brianna DeJesus, a married couple, have joined the movement, documenting their life in a tiny home on wheels and gaining a devoted following on Instagram.
Branding themselves as ‘2 wives 1 pup in a Tiny Home’ on their @lezgo_tiny account, Destiny and Brianna offer a glimpse into their everyday adventures. But their journey began in 2016, when the couple moved into an apartment in Texas after two years of dating. Their rent quickly escalated, rising from $740 to $1,400 in just four years. This financial strain sparked their interest in home ownership, but traditional options seemed too restrictive and expensive. They craved the flexibility to travel and weren’t interested in investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into a fixed location.
Their solution? A 399-square-foot tiny home on wheels, purchased for $90,000. However, the initial cost is just the beginning. The couple took out a loan, meaning they’ll ultimately pay close to $100,000 with interest. And that figure doesn’t include the ongoing expenses of renting land, utilities, and maintenance. Moving their tiny home from Los Angeles to Portland cost over $2,000, with their next move to Texas estimated at over $8,000.
Living small doesn’t always equate to living cheaply. Destiny and Brianna have faced unexpected costs like replacing a shattered shower door with a curtain, highlighting the fragility of tiny home fixtures. The couple has also had to deal with door damage due to rain, leading to the purchase of an awning. Despite these challenges, they’re passionate about their lifestyle and committed to sharing the reality of tiny home living with their followers.
‘We wouldn’t trade it for any other lifestyle,’ they write. ‘It’s been one of the most challenging things either one of us has done. Things break and need to be repaired, money has to be spent. But we chose this life, so we’ve dedicated our page to teaching people about the real deal when it comes to going tiny. At the end of the day, we need to see more people of color in this movement.’
Destiny and Brianna’s story offers a realistic portrayal of the tiny home lifestyle, highlighting both its benefits and drawbacks. Their open and honest approach provides valuable insights for anyone considering this alternative way of living. It also reminds us that even small spaces can hold big dreams, and the journey to achieving them is rarely without its bumps along the way.
