Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
![Head shot of Andrew Feinberg](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/andrew-feinberg.png)
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
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.
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.
![The living room (via Joel Weber)](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/07/03/08/weber3.jpg)
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 staircase - with a study below it - leading up to the bedroom (via Joel Weber)](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/07/03/08/weber4.jpg)
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.
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.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments