Food, Home and Style
Traveling Tight: Swap Your Pad
Money’s tight. So every penny counts when you’re on the road…
Maybe the Recession has given you more time to travel, but less cash. How does a rent-free vacay sound? Swap your pad for another in a destination you want to visit and enjoy potentially unlimited savings. Home swapping allows you to travel further and longer than you ever thought possible: We’re talking Italian villas, mountain retreats, and beach bungalows. Plus, you get more space than a hotel could ever offer. It’s even possible to swap vehicles and pet care. The best part is that you get to live like a local and receive tips on what to do and see from your “host”. For a $100 annual membership fee, HomeExchange.com will guarantee you a swap partner, or you get a year for free. At Digsville.com, which costs $45 per year, members rate each other’s homes after a swap. Feel funny about having strangers in your house? Certain precautions will make you feel more secure. Place valuables in a safe or secure an “owner’s closet” with a lock. Be sure to check your insurance policy regarding liability, as policies vary. Read the FAQs and member forums for the agency you choose for additional tips on cleaning, deposits, etc.
Caveat: Some people out there will roll the dice with Craiglist, but we don’t recommend it. You might have a great experience, but if you don’t, there’s no recourse. If you’re renting your place or living in a co-op (hello, New Yorkers!) then swapping your pad is probably not an option. Read: you could find yourself (and your swappees) out on the street if you try it without getting express permission.
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Very interesting. The whole insurance thing is something that is easy to ignore and then to be surprised when you need it and it is not there. Do not neglect to get good insurance and also make sure you really read the policy for example know the limits and deductibles. The problem is that you really get to use that insurance you buy after long time and in bad circumstances as opposed to any other product you buy. Educate yourself by reading news about insurance like for example on sites like http://www.insurancelog.info and keep your policies fresh go over them eveyr now and then to make sure they are current and nothing has changed that needs to be reflected in the policy for example maybe you get another car or bought some expensive furniture that need to be added to your home insurance.