Whether your holiday celebration includes menorahs, decorated trees, or kinaras it’s a time when many expats return to their mother-land to be with family. This migratory pattern translates into a huge need for house, pet, garden, and property caregivers! Expats have created a fulfilling life abroad, often including the adoption of one or two furry friends, which require more preparation in order to leave. Not coincidently, the holiday season is also the highest occurrence of thievery. In order for expats to prepare for a worry-free visit to their home country they need to assure that their house is being watched and lived in, their pets fed and adored, and their property maintained.

There exists a huge win-win here. If you are looking for a way to experience living in a certain city on the cheap, poke your head in and ask around to see if anyone is needing a house/pet sitter. You can also search online with paid subscriptions to: www.trustedhousesitters.com or the Caregiver Gazette.

For the house/pet sitter, the bonuses include living in a home rent-free equipped with your basic needs. In return, you must give the attention to the house and pets as the owner requires. This can include anything from sleeping at the house to feeding, walking, giving hourly meds to pets, and so on. Do not use housesitting as a base for tourism if the owner expects you to be home each night and for much of the day. Use it as an opportunity to try on living in the community of choice. Go above and beyond the owner’s expectations and give their home and pets the same love and respect as you would give your own. Conducting house and pet sitting in this manner will yield you no shortage of positive references and referrals!

For more information to find house/pet sitting opportunities, building a resumé, and other ways to live abroad for free read, Becoming an Expat: Costa Rica!