College is a fun time where we learn, grow, make friends, and do a lot more. But it can be tough too, especially when it comes to finding a place to live.
Apartments are getting pricier and harder to find each year.
Many students, already short on cash from paying for books, photocopies, tuition, and other costs, struggle with high rent.
Joel Weber, a student in Texas, found rent too high.
So, he got a great idea. Instead of paying a lot for a tiny apartment, Joel decided to build his own small wooden house.
He learned about building from books in the library, used all his savings, and finished his house in a year. The total cost? $15,000.
Joel knew it was risky but went for it anyway.
Weber used income he’d saved from minimum-wage jobs to design and build the home, which cost him under $15,000 (the price of one year of housing in some student dorms). Now, Joel lives in his own house, free from rent.
From the outside, the house looks small, but it’s bigger inside than you might think. Even though it’s just 14 square meters, Joel’s house uses space wisely.
For example, the stairs also serve as storage.
Weber used wood scraps — given by families who sheltered him during construction — to create a seating area. “That’s how their homes live on with me,” he says.
This resourcefulness allowed him to make some splurges, like the rain shower head and stainless-steel light-switch covers.
He also made the sink by carving a mango-wood bowl and epoxying it.
The loft provides a calm little oasis above the kitchen.
It fits a queen- or twin-size bed.
He plans to live in his tiny house for as long as he can, despite multiple offers to buy it. Weber may eventually list it on Airbnb as a vacation rental.
“I wanted to make a house in a place that felt like home. My tiny house is cozy and inviting, and it just feels like home! Additionally, environmental sustainability is a focus of mine, and a tiny house encourages me to consume and waste less.”
When Weber started his project, he didn’t expect it to get so much attention.
But soon, big news outlets like Business Insider, The Today Show, Cosmopolitan, and The Huffington Post were all talking about him. After hearing Weber talk about his project, it’s easy to understand why everyone was so interested.
“My tiny house is built on a trailer bed, so I can move my home whenever I feel the need. This also allows me to park my home in someone’s backyard fairly easily and become a part of the neighborhood.”
