While many of us dreamed big for the future, few had the passion and determination of 11-year-old Lauren Nelson, who turned her vision into reality.
Lauren’s dream was to create her own tiny home from a camper. Her inspiration struck when she saw a $650 VW toy van in an American Girl doll magazine. When she shared her plan to buy the toy with her mother, Aimee, her father remarked, “That’s ridiculous, you could buy your own camper for that price.”
Amused but undeterred, Lauren decided to do just that.
She diligently saved her allowance and other small earnings, setting her sights on finding the perfect camper.
“Lauren really does have an envelope where she saves money. It’s just a little bit here and there from things like $5 at Easter or Tooth Fairy money. It just added up,” Aimee said.
Lauren’s determination paid off when a neighbor put a “For Sale” sign on a 20-foot long camper. Although it looked worn out, Lauren was captivated and knew she had to have it. Despite the $500 asking price being over her budget, she confidently negotiated it down to $400, which was all she had saved.
“He said $500 and I said $400 because that was the money I had in my bank account and he said sold,” Lauren recounted.
With the camper now hers, Lauren faced the daunting task of renovating it with minimal manual experience. Unfazed, she saved additional money for the necessary furnishings and accessories, eventually spending another $400.
The camper’s interior features a sleek and simple design with blacks, whites, and greys. It includes a cozy living area, a four-bed bedroom, a compact bathroom, and a kitchen. Ample storage space is cleverly integrated into the main room, living room, and kitchen.
Lauren’s journey has inspired many to pursue their dreams with persistence and creativity.
Her parents played a crucial role by encouraging and supporting her project, seeing it as a valuable learning experience. They were right; Lauren learned a great deal from renovating her camper and created a beautiful space to call her own.
