Are you avoiding a vacation because you can't afford a hotel? If so, try house swapping.
You start by joining a home exchange service. Once you've registered, you will find other families in cities you might want to travel to. Then, you can arrange your own home vacation.
Dennis Chobater, owner of 4homex.com (Global Home Exchange) lives in British Columbia. He's been operating his home swap site for about 10 years. "It's easy," Chobater said. "You register ($25 for six months or $49 for one year) and immediately start sending out your vacation inquiries to those looking for availability." Chobater said one of the perks is that you meet people from around the world.
About four years ago, Chobater and his family planned a trip to St. Louis. They wanted a week filled with taking in St. Louis sites such as the Gateway Arch, a steamboat ride on the Mississippi, a visit to some caves and time to visit friends in Columbia, Mo. He was lucky and found a family near the Central West End who participated in his exchange service. They were looking for a trip to British Columbia.
"Everything worked out perfectly," Chobater said. Both families sent e-mails, letters and photos. We got to know them, and they got to know us. Soon we became e-mail friends and everyone felt comfortable and safe when we did our home swap."
Over 10 years, the only complaint Dennis has gotten about a house they found on the site was a messy refrigerator.
In your voice|
Read reactions to this story