Single Mother Moves into Parents' Garage to Accelerate Student Loan Repayment

Sarah Eller, a single mother and registered nurse, has relocated with her daughter to a garage apartment on her parents' property in Arizona. This move, which took place in April, is a strategic financial decision intended to accelerate the repayment of her student loans.

Eller, 27, explained that by living in the garage apartment, for which she pays $300 a month, she anticipates being able to clear her student debt within a year. The arrangement also provides her with critical childcare assistance from her parents.

Originally from California, Eller moved to Arizona in 2020 with her parents and then-younger daughter. Her parents had specifically purchased a property with a detached garage, foreseeing it as a potential living space for their children. While Eller initially lived in her parents' mobile home for a period, she decided to utilize the garage apartment as a more permanent solution for herself and her daughter.

In early 2026, Eller and her parents began renovating the detached garage. The approximately 600-square-foot apartment was made ready for occupancy by the end of April. This transition followed a previous attempt by Eller to save a substantial sum for a home, which she found unsustainable due to the aggressive saving rate required while managing student loan payments.

According to Business Insider, Eller views this living arrangement as a sustainable way to achieve her financial goals and remain close to her family.