A retired couple from Derbyshire have unlocked the secret to travelling the world without spending a penny on accommodation, proving that early retirement doesn't have to mean sacrificing adventure.
From Health Scares to a Life of Adventure
Deb, 50, and Simon Booth, 66, from Mansfield, decided to take early retirement at 42 and 57 respectively after facing personal health challenges. This pivotal moment prompted them to reassess their priorities, leading to a move from London to Derbyshire and the discovery of a life-changing travel method.
"I just Googled house-sits one day," Deb exclusively told the Mirror. "I must have seen an ad or something when it was raining in England." This simple online search in August led them to House Sit Match, an online house-sitting community where they found their first opportunity just weeks later.
The Win-Win Setup for Free Stays
The couple's inaugural house-sitting assignment took them to Buckinghamshire, where they cared for a home and an "absolute dream" of a corgi named Dillon for three weeks. They settled in immediately, treating the property with the utmost respect while enjoying the local community.
"All we had to pay for was our own food," Deb explained. "They said we could eat what we wanted, but we replenished the cupboards with the food we had eaten from theirs. So, we only paid for food and petrol."
Simon added: "The driving force was the fact that, although we're well-travelled, we haven't seen an awful lot of the UK. And it was a way of thinking about how we could see more. We're not having to pay accommodation costs, and for the homeowner, they're not having to pay extra costs for kennels."
Expanding Their Horizons Across the Globe
Following their successful first experience, the Booths were invited back to care for Dillon and the same property the following June. They've since secured another house-sitting arrangement in High Wycombe for February and are exploring options near the New Forest for Easter.
Their ambitions extend far beyond UK borders, with plans to expand their free travel to European destinations like Portugal and Spain, and potentially further afield to sought-after locations such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
"If we can make it work, we'll start to venture out more," Simon said. Deb added: "We never say never to anything, so if the opportunity came up further afield, we'd definitely consider it."
The couple emphasises that house-sitting isn't exclusively for retirees and encourages anyone looking to travel differently to consider this alternative. Lamia Walker, founder of House Sit Match, noted a significant rise in mature couples turning to house-sitting to save on holiday and living costs while enjoying slow travel in comfortable homes.
Those interested should be aware that pet and house-sitting are considered jobs in some countries, requiring specific visas to avoid potential legal issues.
