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Like many kids his age, Luke once found himself with long summer days and not much to do. But unlike most, he looked for a project that would challenge him. After watching videos about tiny homes, he became fascinated by the idea of minimalist living. The more he learned, the more determined he became.
But ideas are easy. Turning them into reality takes grit.
So he got to work.
Earning Every Dollar and Every Board
The tiny home cost about $1,500 to build, but instead of waiting for someone else to pay for it, Luke took responsibility for most of the cost himself. He mowed lawns in the summer heat, ran errands for neighbors, cleaned out garages, and even started a small online fundraiser.
Piece by piece, he gathered what he needed.
Much of the wood and fixtures came from recycled material—scraps from his grandma’s house, leftover supplies from family members, and reclaimed odds and ends from neighbors who believed in his project. An uncle’s friend donated a front door. A local electrician, impressed by Luke’s determination, installed the wiring in exchange for help cleaning out his garage.
Nearly 75 percent of the tiny house was made with reused materials, proving that determination can stretch a budget farther than most people expect.
