Housing costs are through the roof. Many young and not-so-young adults are priced out of owning a home. Renting isn’t much better. You can work a full-time job and still not meet the income requirements for even a modest studio or one-bedroom. What can you do to make housing more affordable? Here are steps you can take to get a handle on your expenses.

Get Roomies

The notion that people need hundreds of square feet just for themselves is very new and very Western. Communal living is the norm all over the world. Get a roommate and you can save half on your housing costs. Get two and pay only a third.

The key is to communicate and set ground rules. This ensures a respectful environment where everybody does and pays their share. There are apps to help you find a roomie and Facebook groups for people who want to share their living space.

If you choose this option, you’ll want to give yourself a break from time to time and get out of the house. Keep an active social life to ensure your roomies don’t drive you nuts. You can even use the money you save to enjoy a better dating life when you find your partner on Taimi.

Rent Your Space in Other Ways

What if you don’t have enough space for roommates? You can rent your space in other ways! Do you have an extra spot in your driveway or room to store some items in your basement? People will pay money to store their stuff at your house. Use apps and websites like Neighbor or Parking For Me to get started.

Try Van Life or Other Alternatives

Some people are ditching traditional homes and apartments altogether. Instead, they are joining a growing movement of folks who are embracing other living solutions. These are the folks who are converting vans into living spaces, building tiny homes, or embracing RV life at a young age.

This can be a fabulous alternative, but don’t go into it without doing your research. There will be upfront costs. Also, you want to be sure that you can make this choice work with your job, family obligations, and zoning laws.

Stay at Home

No law says you have to move out the moment you become an adult, and never return. Talk to your parents about staying at home if you are being crushed by housing costs. Who knows, they may be struggling too! If you come home, pay some rent, and help out around the house, all of you can enjoy a better lifestyle with less financial stress.

Get a Job That Covers Housing

Consider getting a job that pays for or subsidizes your housing costs. Yes, these jobs exist!

Check out the CoolWorks.com website. It’s full of job opportunities at campgrounds, resorts, ski lodges, and tourist areas. Many of these jobs don’t require experience, and housing is included.

If you own your own camper or RV, consider working as a camp host. These are people who live at private or state campgrounds in exchange for cleaning, helping campers check-in, and other small tasks. You may even earn a small monthly stipend.

Consider a career in the hospitality industry. Many hotels prefer to have a few staff members staying onsight. You’ll be respected to respond to emergencies, but that’s worth living rent-free on top of making a salary.

Do you have any experience in construction or maintenance? Leverage these skills for a free or discounted place to live. Get a job as a live-in maintenance person or super at an apartment complex or trailer park.

Keep an Open Mind

The housing market is terrible. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to change in the near future. There’s no perfect solution to this problem, but if you consider some alternative solutions, you might find something that works for you.