By 
Recent press releases highlighting the travels of retired housekeepers show that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees around the world are discovering that housekeeping is the key that unlocks the door to unique, authentic and free trips to destinations they have only dreamed of before.
Unfortunately, many retirees do not have the freedom to spend their retirement savings on leisure items or excursions, such as travel. Many individuals and couples living on a fixed income have found that their funds usually only cover the basics of living. After a lifetime of raising families, running businesses, and being everything to everyone, retirees are discovering that there is a way to travel and experience the world on their own terms. House sitting allows them to connect with homeowners in need of house sitters. In exchange for a valuable service, retirees can enter new worlds, which would otherwise be closed to them.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming are retired from New Zealand. This retired couple has only been house-sitting for a year. They report that they could not travel to all the places they dreamed of, if it were not for becoming house sitters. The McSkimmings have discovered that taking care of the house is the key that allows them to experience different cultures on a new level.
Jim and Thelma McSkimming report that they do not want to travel as “tourists” and that quick visits to some popular areas do not satisfy them. The McSkimmings really enjoy immersing themselves in new areas and they enjoy being home. Housekeeping allows them to become fictional citizens in various countries and gives them an authentic experience.
The McSkimmings had five months to occupy homes in the UK and were thrilled when they were able to find five homes. “We stayed in a beautiful 200-year-old stone cottage, formerly a flour mill, in South Wales. We looked after pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable Border Collies,” reports McSkimmings. They also recently had a stay at a rectory in County Cork, Ireland, where they made friends with an African parrot they were looking after. Many household chores involve pet care. The McSkimmings report that this is one of the highlights of their stays and it fulfills their love of animals.
Brenda Marie Batty echoes the wonderful experience of taking care of the house. Ms. Batty is retired from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Batty has been a house sitter since 1999. She has visited seven different countries and reports that her favorite houses are in Greece, France and Italy. “Housekeeping gives me the opportunity to travel further afield for a longer period of time, to places I couldn’t otherwise afford to stay on my retirement budget.”
Like the McSkimmings, Ms. Batty really enjoys immersing herself in the culture and lifestyle of the various areas she visits. She has discovered that every country has welcomed her with open arms. At a recent residency in Greece, she really became one with her neighbors. “I even got to whitewash steps and walls in Greece… I joined the people on the island who were preparing for the arrival of Easter. I really felt like a local then! It was also a lot of fun. I enjoy traveling on this level, meeting new people and becoming part of their communities.
House sitters are in high demand all over the world. Retirees who register as house sitters are among the first sitters observed by homeowners. Homeowners know that the life experience cannot be replicated. Homeowners trust seniors and rely on them to watch over and care for their home, possessions, and pets.
Senior home sitters are often asked to return for return stays. Mrs. Batty has had numerous repeat visits. The McSkimmings will most likely be asked for a repeat stay as well, as this is their first year and they are only now getting their feet wet and meeting the homeowners. Both the McSkimmings and Mrs. Batty report that the homeowners are warm and welcoming. Friendships are easily forged, and many homeowners keep up with “their” housekeepers throughout the year.
Both the McSkimmings and Mrs. Batty report that maturity, flexibility, and a love of animals are essential to being a good housekeeper. However, it’s key to make the right connection with potential homeowners who sign up with a reputable hosting site. HouseCarers ranks at the top as “the” place to make safe connections. Ms. Batty makes no secret of her enthusiasm or appreciation for Ian White and HouseCarers.com. “Two thumbs up for HouseCarers!”
Becoming a house keeper is a fairly easy process. You can visit HouseCarers.com online and for less than dinner, you can sign up as a house sitter for an entire year. You will be given a full 30 lines to describe yourself. You can list multiple locations where you are available to house sit, along with the dates you are available. You can even use the sample banner that appears on the site to guide you as you enter your personal information.
The information you enter is instantly available to potential homeowners looking for a home sitter. At any time you can enter and update your profile, change your destination zones or dates, and all this for free. When house seats become available in your chosen areas, you will receive an email notification. You will also be notified when you have messages from prospective owners in your chosen areas. Your identity and personal information are kept confidential and only disclosed to a homeowner when you feel comfortable.
Becoming a house sitter will save you thousands of dollars in travel and lodging. By making yourself available to a homeowner as a house sitter, you are providing them with an invaluable service. Homeowners can leave their residence knowing that they are leaving it in good hands. House sitters may be asked to perform routine tasks such as pet sitting, gardening, or even scheduling a home repair if the need arises. You may be asked to forward mail, relay phone messages, or take a pet for a scheduled vet visit. The house sits on a range length. Some may be for a week, while others may be for a month or more. The requirements are minimal if you compare it with what you receive.
Housekeeping opens the door to experiences you couldn’t afford, even if you had the funds to do so. Housekeeping allows people to live in seaside beach houses, English country houses or castles, snow-capped mountain ski lodges, and even country ranches or farms. Can you think of any other service you could provide to someone that would allow you to sample grapes from a working vineyard, pick Dutch tulips, or eat authentic cuisine straight from their home countries without any monetary investment on your part? All this can be yours, and more, as a house sitter.
You simply cannot put a price on the services a house sitter provides. Homeowners are not comfortable leaving their homes empty when they have to travel for an extended period of time. House sitters are the number one crime finders. Criminals can bypass most alarm systems with ease. However, criminals and potential burglars will avoid a home if someone is in the residence.
In addition to providing much-needed security for a homeowner, home sitters can also save you a lot of worry about the “physical” security of your homes. If a pipe burst, most homeowners wouldn’t know it until they returned to a deluge of water and tens of thousands of dollars in repair work. If a fire starts, a homeowner could return to find his home a smoking pile of rubble and ash. By having a house sitter on site, the homeowner can leave knowing that if an emergency arises, there is a sitter on site who can tackle a burst pipe, call the fire department, or handle a weather emergency.
If you’re interested in traveling the world like Jim and Thelma McSkimming or Brenda Marie Batty, you should sign up at HouseCarers.com. These homemakers have discovered that retirement doesn’t mean the end of an exciting life. In any case, their later years are providing them with unique and satisfying experiences. McSkimming and Ms. Batty have found a way to seize their dreams and do all the things they’ve longed to do. With the support of their family, they are traveling the world without putting a dent in their retirement funds, and they are enjoying every minute.
Copyright © 2005, Ian White