I was in a similar situation, a few months ago. My previously well-behaved pup started tearing up everything. I think it was puppy adolescense mixed with boredom and seperation anxiety. I tried space confining and space unconfining, chew toys, extra exercise, etc, etc. My income is minimal, and the price for a crate for a soon to be 90lb dog is high.

I added up the replacement costs to replace all the stuff destroyed by doggy terror. A comforter cover, cordless phone, kitchen floor, books, blinds, a hat, a portion of wall, and the side of a matress boxspring, among other things, was far more than the $150 it cost me to buy a huge crate. The money spent now, on a crate, will save tons of money in the long run. The best thing is peace of mind. I can come home and be welcomed by happy puppies ready to play. There is no more worrying all day about what is coming under doggy wrath.

My question now is, will my dogs ever be able to be crateless? They were chewing during puppihood. At a year and a half is it possible for me to train them to behave out of the crate while I'm gone? They are angels when I'm home!