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Student builds his own tiny 145-square-foot home - so he can 'graduate debt-free' Student builds his own tiny 145-square-foot home - so he can 'graduate debt-free'
(6 months later)
Great things are sure to come from a small package for this university student – who has custom-built his own tiny 145-square-foot home in order to graduate debt-free.Great things are sure to come from a small package for this university student – who has custom-built his own tiny 145-square-foot home in order to graduate debt-free.
25-year-old Joel Weber will be starting his third year at the University of Texas in Austin this autumn and wanted to avoid spending upwards of $800-a-month (£515) to live near his school.25-year-old Joel Weber will be starting his third year at the University of Texas in Austin this autumn and wanted to avoid spending upwards of $800-a-month (£515) to live near his school.
Eager to avoid being saddled with debt – unlike many of his peers – the student took it upon himself to spend a year building his own small home at a cost of $20,000 (£12,800).Eager to avoid being saddled with debt – unlike many of his peers – the student took it upon himself to spend a year building his own small home at a cost of $20,000 (£12,800).
Complete with two lofts, full plumbing and electricity, a shower, gas cooker and a sink Mr Weber crafted himself from a mango bowl, the student used his savings – along with materials donated by the local community – to put his own home together.Complete with two lofts, full plumbing and electricity, a shower, gas cooker and a sink Mr Weber crafted himself from a mango bowl, the student used his savings – along with materials donated by the local community – to put his own home together.
The small bathroom - complete with the sink Mr Weber carved himself from a mango bowl (via Joel Weber) Speaking with ABC News, he said he put together the designs himself and received help from a volunteer carpenter and electrician.
The living room (via Joel Weber) Speaking with ABC News, he said he put together the designs himself and received help from a volunteer carpenter and electrician.
The student – who also works doing landscaping, house-sitting and as a nanny – said that, when he has the extra money, he charges less when helping locals out, adding: “It's about being able to give back to these people in my community.”The student – who also works doing landscaping, house-sitting and as a nanny – said that, when he has the extra money, he charges less when helping locals out, adding: “It's about being able to give back to these people in my community.”
The staircase - with a study below it - leading up to the bedroom (via Joel Weber) Though some may find the property a little claustrophobic, Mr Weber sees the positive in its size because he believes it will help to keep him more active. Though some may find the property a little claustrophobic, Mr Weber sees the positive in its size because he believes it will help to keep him more active.
Right now, he’s parked his mobile home in his hometown of Dallas but is looking forward to taking his new home with him on the almost 200-mile trip to university after the summer.Right now, he’s parked his mobile home in his hometown of Dallas but is looking forward to taking his new home with him on the almost 200-mile trip to university after the summer.
Mr Weber, who feels it could be a home forever, said he’s “cool” if his new house doesn’t have a mass appeal: “It’s more about how I can live simple and still be grateful.”Mr Weber, who feels it could be a home forever, said he’s “cool” if his new house doesn’t have a mass appeal: “It’s more about how I can live simple and still be grateful.”