Marenda emailed in the following tip:
As many of you know, lodging is often one of the most expensive parts of any vacation. However, thanks to HouseSittersAmerica.com, my husband and I have been able to enjoy very frugal getaways!
If you’ve never heard of House Sitters America, it’s basically a website that connects travelers with homeowners across the country looking for reliable and responsible house sitters and pet sitters. There is a $30 membership fee, but we recouped that cost after one free night of lodging.
My husband and I just got back from a week of housesitting in North Carolina (we’re from Indiana). The homeowner enjoyed a week of vacation while we took care of her two sweet kitties and brought the mail and home deliveries inside the house.
We cooked and ate our breakfast and dinner in our new “adopted home” and chose to eat our noon meal out while we were sightseeing.
We did our laundry and tried to leave the house cleaner than we found it, including washing our sheets and putting them back on the bed.
While it was a little additional work on our part, we figured it saved us at least $700 on lodging for the week!
Bella says
What I read without logging in does not indicate that one has to be a home owner to be a home sitter???
Katie says
I don’t know. Please see where I am coming from on this one: I really love all the different ideas that readers put out on how to save money, but I will have to say that this one kinda creeps me out. To have someone living in my house while I’m away……. What if they decide to go through my financial records or other personal items? What if they decide that for $30 they can take all they want from the house or install cameras……
barb@livingrichlyinretirement says
I would nsuggest that it’s very easy to accomodate for those things. It sounds like the op just house sits but I. Know many many retirees for example who trade homes. I would lock up the jewelry and personal stuff and then not worry about it. Obviously I would also go through an agency.
Theresa says
I see your point Katie. This also seems like a lot of work during a vacation, essentially just changing locations. I work 40 hours outside the home and have a 2-year old. When we take vacations (which isn’t often), I like to have a complete vacation which means no housework.
Rachel says
I tend to agree. I wouldn’t mind being the one doing the house sitting, but to have total strangers in my house? No thanks!
Christine says
I just looked up this type of “work” very recently. Thank you.
jen keith says
great idea! thanks so much!
Lana says
This sounds great! I am going to check it out!