Most middle schoolers probably have other things on their minds besides building houses.
But Luke Thill, a 13-year-old from Dubuque, Iowa, is unlike any other middle schooler you’ve seen before.
This talented and proactive boy has crafted his very own little house — in his parent’s backyard.
The project cost him roughly $1,500 USD — and now Luke is living his dream in his little cottage.
Come on in and have a look at what it looks like inside.
I think it’s safe to say that Luke is not like many of his 13-year-old peers. In a time of iPads, smartphones, gadgets, and X-Boxes, this young man decided to keep himself busy in a different and more ‘old-fashioned’ way. As he explains on his YouTube channel, his desire to build a small house grew out of feeling bored last summer.
After some thorough research, Luke had a pretty good idea of how he was going to put his plan into action.
The Process
It took him about a year to get the money and materials he needed to build the house. Luke mowed lawns, started a fund-raiser online, and ran errands for anyone who needed help in the neighborhood to make money.
An electrician Luke was friends with helped him install the electricity in exchange for Luke cleaning his garage out, for instance.
Luke used about 75 percent recycled material, many of which were things left over from his grandma’s house. The front door of the house was a gift from an uncle’s friend.
The 89-square-foot house is 10 feet long and 5 1/2 feet wide, with electricity but no plumbing, so no water or bathroom… yet.
“I liked the minimalism,” he told The Des Moines Register. “And I wanted to have a house without a huge mortgage.”
Luke has made several video clips and posted them online, where he talks about his project as many have grown curious about the little house.
As you can imagine, Luke also received some help from his parents, both financially and with the building itself.
But dad Greg made sure that it would be Luke himself who would pay for most of his project and also build most of it himself.
“It was a chance for a kid to do something more than play video games or sports,” Greg told The Des Moines Register. “It teaches life lessons.”
Teenager’s Dream
The house is in many ways a teenager’s dream, an oasis where you can chill and hang out in. It has a microwave, a TV, and a loft with a bed.
There’s even a barbecue and flowers at the back.
Luke usually does his homework after school at his new house and some nights during the week he gets to sleep there.
Luke already has aspirations to build another house — one that’s a little bigger for when he starts college. He also hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams:
“I want to show kids it’s possible to build at this age,” he says in one of his videos.
You can really see how proud he is about his project below.
Luke’s story is a great example of what a child can achieve with a clear goal, a strong worth ethic, and support from home.
Brad Pitt Finds New Love After Heartbreaking Divorce At 60, And You Might Recognize Her
Brad Pitt was arguably the most eligible bachelor on the planet at one point in time. But not any longer.
His relationship with Ines de Ramon has long been known to fans; the two are rumored to have arranged a low-key week to commemorate his milestone 60th birthday.
After ringing in his sixth decade on Monday, Pitt wasn’t inclined to go crazy with the festivities, according to PEOPLE. The fact that he desired to spend time with De Ramon speaks volumes about his dedication to her.
Actor Paul Wesley’s ex-wife De Ramon is reportedly described as “Brad’s first proper relationship since the divorce” from Angelina Jolie by a source who talked with PEOPLE last month.
In fact, it’s reported that the Troy actor began referring to the thirty-two-year-old as his girlfriend.
According to a PEOPLE insider, “He introduces [Ines] as his girlfriend.””Seeing him in a happy place is wonderful. Ines brings him much joy.
Pitt’s journey back to happiness hasn’t been easy; his turbulent divorce from Angelina Jolie left scars that don’t seem to be completely healed.
“You show no regard or compassion for your four youngest children, who shudder in terror when they are around you.
“Because you are incapable of understanding the harm you have caused to my family, you will never be able to comprehend it.
“You have turned those closest to me into a never-ending hell,” the teenager went on.”You can tell the world and yourself anything you want, but eventually the truth will surface.”
Please tell your family and friends about this article!
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