The month of February I'll be offering a money-making tip every weekday. Here's the one for today:
Make money by house sitting.
This one could be a double whammy for you. If you can find the right house sitting job, you could not only make some extra money, but you could save on rent or mortgage payments (assuming you haven't yet bought a house) too. This idea works especially well for students or others with flexible schedules/living arrangements.
In this money making example, you move into someone's house (or check it frequently) while they are on vacation, gone for the winter, etc. Tasks can include getting the mail, feeding/walking the pets, cleaning the house, watering plants, etc.
But how do you find these jobs? This piece suggests using flyers and classifieds in your local papers. You could also network with friends and family to find opportunities as well as go door-to-door in your area offering your services.
One last piece of advice: whatever you do, make sure you negotiate a fair arrangement. Otherwise this extra money maker could be a real drag both personally and on your wallet.
Anyone ever made any money this way? If so, please share your thoughts on this suggestion.
I house sat for a whole year during college for a professor who was teaching abroad. Not only did I get to live in a really nice house -- i got to do it for free. The professor picked up all the expenses but didn't pay me anything additional.
Posted by: Krazy Eyes | February 18, 2009 at 02:02 PM
I didn't, but a friend of mine did it years ago. He didn't actually make money, but he saved a lot on rent. He just got his first job after getting a PhD, but the area was super-expensive. In exchange for taking care of a house and one cat, he got to live there for a year for free, 5 minutes away from his job.
Right now I am more curious about the other side of this i.e. hiring someone to house sit. How do people who do it ensure that someone they hire is trustworthy?
Posted by: kitty | February 18, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I have found housesitting assignments at www.caretaker.org for many years now! Jane
Posted by: Jane | February 19, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Jane,
Are you able to find enough work to keep busy or do you need to have your own living arrangements between jobs?
Posted by: Scott | March 17, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Scott,
I only take long term housesitting assignments at www.caretaker.org so that way - I have very little down time between assignments.
Jane
Posted by: Jane | March 27, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Are There Any House Sitting Sites For People Who Want To Be A House Sitter, That Don't Charge The House Sitter A Fee At All To Contact The Home Owner?
Posted by: KC | June 17, 2009 at 02:11 PM