3 Ways to Stay for Free While Traveling
Recently I was asked to give a talk to the Squarespace Germany Circle Team Meetup. I could have talked about anything related to web design or content marketing but lately, my favorite topic to talk about is how to exit the matrix and live a life on YOUR terms. Yep - I have spent the last decade navigating myself away from society’s expectations and now I am stoked about sharing my tips with anyone who will listen.
In the following blog post, I’ll share referral codes and links to sites that have helped me stay for free while traveling, which I’ll share below. I’ll try to update it frequently so make sure to check back often!
Here Are 3 Websites Where You Can Stay for Free While Traveling
1/ TrustedHousesitters.com - As a trusted housesitter you’ll usually be required to watch people’s animals in exchange for free accommodation. I’ve even stayed at places where I can use their vehicle as well. You can read my blog post about the site here. And if you want to sign up, you can do so with this link and receive a 25% discount on your membership (and I’ll get 2 free months.)
2/ Workaway.info - According to the site, a Workawayer is a traveler who wants to give back to the communities and places they visit. Open to helping hosts and using the experience to learn and immerse in the local culture. For every friend who joins with this link, you’ll get one month free and I’ll earn 3 months.
3/ Wwoof - World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or World Wide Organization of Organic Farms, is a network of national organizations that facilitate homestays on organic farms. Though I’ve never used the site myself, I know others who have good experiences. I don’t have a signup code, but here’s the site so you can browse yourself.
Some other tips I have for cheap accommodation are to 1. travel during the off-season. I am in Costa Rica right now and it’s rainy season so I am only paying $650 a month for a tiny house in the jungle and it’s GLORIOUS. I have iguanas walking around outside my window and macaws perched in the trees. 2. Contact your Airbnb host and ask for a discount. It never hurts to ask. 3. Stay with friends or family. The more of a traveler lifestyle you adopt, the more friends you’ll accumulate all over the world, and the more couch-surfing invites you’ll receive. 4. Host a Sister group on Facebook - if you are female-identifying, you can try to find a couch to crash on there.
Speaking of CouchSurfing, I would avoid the site CouchSurfing.com site, especially if you are female. I’ve had a few female friends who matched with creepy dudes trying to take advantage of them. No bueno.
That’s all I have for now - if I think of others I’ll make sure to add them to the list. Safe travels frens!
Do you have any other resources to share?
How This Desert Witch Stays Places for Free When Traveling
I am currently typing this from a table facing a large window with a view of desert landscape and the Catalina mountains in the distance. There is a babbling dipping pool outside beckoning me to dip my feet despite the colder temperatures, and well the sun is shining. I don’t have much on the agenda today except go on a hike nearby and finish up some work things. Sounds like a dream? Well, it certainly feels that way!!
An Oro Valley dream, that is. Oro Valley is a suburb in the north of Tucson. And I’m staying in a large three-bedroom adobe-like house in a peaceful neighborhood at the foot of the mountains. This house is backed up to protected land so no nosy neighbors lurking in (unless you consider a bobcat carrying his prey a nosy neighbor).
What if I told you that I was staying here, alone, for the low price of nothing? What if I told you I also got to use the Subaru parked in the garage? And eat and drink anything in the cupboard?
You might think, “well that’s nice of your parents.”
Guess again.
My parents are lovely and will come to visit me while I’m here, but have nothing to do with this arrangement.
Nope.
The reason I can call this magical place home for three weeks is that I am a trusted house sitter. That’s right. People entrust me with their house while they are on holiday. That means I also have to take care of plants, bring in the mail, and snuggle their pets (a bonus if you ask me!!)
This time I am in charge of snuggling a 14-year-old Chihuahua mix who is wrinkled and gray and has stairs to get up the couch and the bed. His breath stinks but he is awfully stinking cute so I don’t mind.
Not all house sits are for this long or include the use of a car. But if you are looking for an affordable way to travel the world, you might also consider joining the site, especially if you are a digital nomad who has flexibility with moving around.
There are different plans you can buy but the cheapest is around 100 per year, a great deal even if only use it for one night.
And the best part — is the friends (furry and otherwise) you’ll make along the way. You are staying in someone’s home, so it’s much cozier than a hotel. You get exposed to different foods, ways of life, and books, I LOVE to scan people’s bookshelves :)
So, if you are ever wondering how I am able to afford to travel the world, here’s one of my little not-so-secrets.
Happy housesitting!!