Big savings from just ‘sitting’ around
JOLLY CAUTIOUS: How to cover cost of Christmas
TAMAR Prevett has not paid rent or mortgage payments for three years, saving what she estimates to be at least $45,000; and that’s without counting the electricity bills and home maintenance costs.
All she’s had to do to live for free is look after the odd cat, dog or bird, something she does not mind in the slightest.
“I love pets,” Ms Prevett said. “I’m a cat person in particular, so it’s great.”
The 38-year-old Brisbane HR adviser has been house-sitting since 2015, when a relationship ended and she was assessing her options.
She signed up to Mindahome.com.au, one of several platforms – along with australianhousesitter.com.au and housesitters.com.au – to match house and pet-sitters with owners looking for peace of mind while away on trips.
This week Ms Prevett moved into a house she is sitting over the Christmas break; the third Christmas in a row she has done so for the owners, who enjoy knowing their two cats are looked after. “They save money, their pets are in their own house and not a kennel,” Ms Prevett said. “For me, there are great savings in terms of bills and rent, plus the houses are quite beautiful and nice to stay at.”
Ms Prevett knows people who have saved a stack on accommodation by sitting while travelling both domestically and abroad. “It’s the only way I’d travel around Australia now, knowing how much you can save,” she said.
Mindahome.com.au statistics show 40 per cent of members choose to travel as house-sitters in order to save money and live like a local. Founder Sue Coombs said there are approximately 30 per cent more jobs at this time of year than on average.
“We’ve got between 550 and 600 jobs currently available and that is rolling over all the time,” Ms Coombs said. “Some people are career house-sitters, they make a job out of it and save serious money.”
Anyone interested in sitting can sign on for an annual fee, ranging from $30 to $49, depending on which service you use, while homeowners can join free of charge.
The house-sitters live rent-free, while homeowners save on pet-sitting costs and enjoy peace of mind. The house-sitting websites act as an introductory service, but users are responsible for their own
insurance.