By Irene S. Levine, Next Avenue Contributor <\/p>\n
When boomers want to escape the 9-to-5 workplace grind and the demands of caregiving for parents and\/or kids wane, many dream of traveling. A recent survey found that 59% of retirees look forward to exploring new places during the second part of their lives. <\/p>\n
But people soon realize the cost of traveling for extended periods can be daunting, especially when living on a reduced income. Thats why housesitting has become an increasingly popular way to live away from home without the steep pricetag. <\/p>\n
(MORE: Boomer Travel Trend: Couchsurfing for Grown-Ups) <\/p>\n
What is Housesitting? <\/p>\n
Housesitting entails taking care of someone elses property (and possibly their pets) in exchange for your stay. <\/p>\n
In the past, it typically took the form of informal arrangements between people who knew each other. Less commonly, individuals or couples were hired by professional agencies that employ housesitters at a salary, usually for long periods of time. <\/p>\n
Over the past decade, though, technology has spawned a new model of unpaid housesitting, with websites connecting homeowners and potential sitters for jobs lasting weeks or months at a time. <\/p>\n
(MORE: Home-Swapping: Slash Your Travel Costs and Live Like a Local) <\/p>\n
This peer-to-peer model is part of the same sharing economy that laid the foundation for successful businesses such as Uber and Airbnb. <\/p>\n
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Housesitting: A Fun Way To Travel The World On A Dime<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Irene S. Levine, Next Avenue Contributor When boomers want to escape the 9-to-5 workplace grind and the demands of caregiving for parents and\/or kids wane, many dream of traveling. Continue reading