On Walden Pond (was CHEAP!)

When Henry David Thoreau wrote "Walden," he built his own cabin. All by himself. With his bare hands (although, I'm sure some tools were involved). Since he decided to write about his life in the wilderness, inside the first section of "Walden" titled "On Economy" he posted a list of materials and what he paid for them. He did his own work building the small house which only measured 10 x 15 feet (just enough room to move around if he had a Wii). The total cost of all the materials? $28.12.

I know I'm not the first to say this, but wouldn't it be nice if houses still cost that? As a teacher, though, I'd only be making $2 a year in comparison. Luckily, with my $2, I would be able to afford chalk since it cost merely a penny. But was it $.01/piece? GAH!