In a world where traditional retirement plans are becoming increasingly difficult to secure — especially for single parents — one woman took an unconventional path to financial stability. Michelle “MJ” Boyle, a mother of two, decided to build her own retirement plan by building a tiny house — one small home that could provide security, independence and even a source of income.
Michelle “MJ” Boyle is a single mother who spent years raising her children and navigating the ups and downs of life — including two marriages and two divorces. According to accounts of her story online, she had previously built and lost two houses through divorce. Facing her children leaving for college, MJ realized she didn’t have a retirement plan or any reliable place to live long-term.
The Tiny House Project
MJ chose to build a tiny house as both a living space and a retirement strategy. Because traditional retirement savings were not an option for her, she focused on creating something she would own outright and that would cost far less to maintain than a conventional home.
Design & Build Details
The house is approximately 8.5 feet wide by 24 feet long — small but thoughtfully laid out.
She built the house largely herself with some help from friends and a few contractors.
MJ used creative financing — including cash she managed to save, donations, and small sponsorships for items like fixtures and materials — to keep costs low.
She placed special emphasis on the kitchen design, stating that many tiny homes sacrifice this feature, but she wanted a full, stylish kitchen that felt like home…
Tiny houses have gained popularity globally as a strategy for affordable living, reduced expenses and increased financial freedom — especially for retirees or those planning ahead. Because they can often be built quickly at a fraction of the cost of traditional homes, tiny houses allow builders to pay them off fast, lowering monthly expenses dramatically.
For MJ, the tiny house served multiple functions:
✔️ A home she owns outright, eliminating mortgage debt.
✔️ A retirement living plan — a safe place to live later in life without high bills.
✔️ A potential income stream — she plans to build and rent additional tiny homes on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
After completing the tiny house, MJ reportedly slashed her monthly living expenses drastically — to as little as $75 per month — by living simply and minimizing overhead costs.
She also embraced the Tiny House Movement, a community and architectural trend encouraging people to downsize their living spaces and live more intentionally with less….