Mom of two struggles to make ends meet with high rent: 'Hope and joy is not enough to cover my expenses'

Due to high rent and living expenses, a Connecticut mother of two has relocated her family from an apartment to a hotel, joining the growing number of America's working class who have been forced to adopt unconventional living arrangements in order to survive.

As VP Kamala Harris prepares for the 2024 nomination, Democrats, including party Chair Jaime Harrison, promote a message of "hope and joy," according to "Fox & Friends First" host Todd Piro.

Suzanne Hayes informed Piro that the DNC's message to voters was not bringing her hope and joy, as she was still struggling to pay her bills.

She stated, "Although I refrained from delving into politics, I emphasized that I am primarily concerned with my own well-being and that of my family. I hope the elected leader can bring about significant changes in the economy and address the housing crisis affecting individuals like me."

Hayes relies on prayer, gratitude, and faith, and is fortunate to have a supportive family to lean on.

Despite it all, she said "the struggle is real."

She was in for a shock when she had to look for a new place to live with only 30 days to move out of her old apartment, which cost $1,700 a month.

"I searched extensively for a suitable living space for me and my kids, but despite my efforts, I couldn't find one that was convenient. It was frustrating," she stated.

She realized that rents had increased significantly since her last search, and the two-bedroom homes she was considering were $1,000 more expensive than what she was used to paying.

Families, including Hayes' family, have been negatively impacted by inflation in recent years. While rent expenses are a significant challenge, Hayes notes that expenses like groceries and clothing can be managed more effectively by stretching money a bit further.

She stated that when housing costs an additional $1,000 per month, there are no solutions.

She weighed her options and eventually found a more affordable solution to her problem, which she considers a "blessing."

"I went all out and emailed local hotels to find this amazing place that turned out to be a huge blessing for my family and me."

High rent costs and limited financial resources have led many Americans, particularly young people, to choose alternative living arrangements.

Some young people, including TikTok star Michael Alberse, have opted to live in vans for a period to amass funds for their dream of owning a home.

According to Orlando-based realtor and TikToker Freddie Smith, the reason for the wild popularity of this is that it allows people to get rid of the $2,000 rent burden and use that money to save for a down payment. The bigger the down payment, the less income is needed to qualify.

The "Boommate" trend has also affected the elderly, with some of them having to open their homes to non-relatives in search of affordable living options.