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Free accommodation. Staying in amazing homes. Free entry tickets to local attractions. Getting to know local people and their culture. Meet like-minded people. Care for adorable animals. Explore the world and learn countless things and lessons for life.
Sounds amazing? Then start house sitting now!
I´ve been house sitting for over two years now. Thereof one and a half years full-time house sitting in the US. Since 2017 I´ve done over 30 house sits together with my husband. We´ve cared for all kinds of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, horses, a domestic pig and even some squirrels and hedgehogs. So I know what I am talking about. And I know what home owners are looking for. 😉
Let´s get you your first house sitting gig!
first things first. You can always try to find sits on your own, but house sitting platforms make things so much easier! There are many house sitting platforms out there. However, trustedhousesitters.com is by far the best one!
Yes, they are among the most expensive, but if you want to travel the world, go with trustedhousesitters.com. They are the largest house sitting community worldwide. They also have the best house sitting website (still not perfect but so much better than all the others), a 24-hour vet-line and so much more! They even have an app since 2018, which makes life as a house sitter so much easier!
Signing up with TrustedHousesitters is no big deal. You create an account and pay your annual fee. Last time I checked it was 119$/year. It may sounds like a lot. But it really isn´t.
Even if you only do one house sitting gig a year. Let´s say a short one. Over a long weekend for three nights. Normally, you pay like 50$ and up per night. So even with only one short house sit a year, you already save money. So don´t miss this huge opportunity of travelling more and mostly for free just because of 119$ a year.
Nice extra with TrustedHousesitters? You can house sit solo, with your partner or even with your family. And you only need one account! So 119$ for one year for a family of four? That sounds like a favorable holiday to me.
House sitting is all about trust! So when writing your profile keep that in mind. After all, you will be living in other peoples´ homes and will care for their beloved pets.
On trustedhousesitters.com there is a 5-step verification process. You don´t need to do all of them. But the more verifications, the better. And you can do all verifications online.
We have completed 4 out of the 5 steps. That means our Email and phone number have been verified. We have at least one external reference (see “Get external references”) and got our Identity as well as IDs checked (e.g. Passport). The 5th step would be a criminal record check, which costs about 40$. But we did just fine with the first 4 steps. Plus, we wrote in our profile that we are Green Card holder. So they can be assured our background got checked intensely. J Other sitters for example mention their global entry (USA specific) in their profile.
Next, upload photos of you with pets and animals and write about yourself. Some do it in first-person perspective. Others use third-person. Whatever you like more. Have a look into profiles of other sitters to get a feeling about what/how to write.
Write why you want to house sit. Write about your experience taking care of pets and homes, pools or gardens.
Also, mention your work and hobbies. Again, people trust you with their home and pets. They want to know you. And even though you can write this stuff in your applications as well, you sometimes may forget to do it. Also, if you are open for sits, some owners might contact you based on your profile. J
Write where you come from, what languages you speak. Where did you travel so far? Where you would like to go? What kind of travel do you like? How you came to house sitting?
It´s about the little things. I think we got like four house sits in the US, because I am from Germany. Another one, because of the industry I was in (market research). The home owners felt some connection to us and that´s all they needed to trust and choose us.
When starting out, you don´t have house sit reviews. But you can and should get external references to make up for it. It increases your chances of getting this first sit.
External references can come from your work, family or friends. You might did some sort of house- or baby sitting before. Or you took care of someone’s plants while they were on holiday. Or you are an Airbnb host or regular guest. You can also ask for character references.
Many people are concerned how you will treat their home. They want clean, tidy, quiet, responsible and respectful people. So a character reference might help with that. Also pointing them to your Airbnb profile with reviews, if you have one.
Of course you can always apply for a dream sit in a dream house in a dream location for three weeks or longer. But keep in mind, these sits are popular. Plus there will be people applying for these sits with actual reviews and more experience than you .
So when you are getting started, why not start house sitting in your home country? Especially, if you are a bit nervous about your first house sit. Use your home-advantage. The cultural differences are not as big. No language barrier. And you can set up a meeting with the owner before the sit. Maybe even see the house and animals. For many home owners having someone local plays in their hands as well.
So how do you find these sits in your home country before everyone else does? You can save searches in the TrustedHousesitters app. For example you can save a search for your home country, for June 2019, for a period of 3 days, with only cats. As you can see you can go quite specific. Whatever you like. You can save up to 10 searches.
In general your chances are higher when applying for fresh listed sits (you get these with the saved searches) and sits with up to 12 applicants. Applying for very popular sits (30+ applicants), where you don´t even get an answer, can be really frustrating. Believe me! I´ve been there.
So which sits should you apply for besides the ones in your home country? I suggest applying for shorter sits (for a weekend) and last-minute sits (two weeks before the sits start). You can also look for sits, where there are no or not so good photos in the listing. Most people get scared away by that. But you shouldn´t. You can always video chat before accepting a sit. This way you can ask to see the home. Also, sits in a countries not so popular season (Spain in August – hot, hotter, hottest) could be worth a try. Just save a search for Spain in August.
However, to find last- minute sits and sits with not so good photos, you need to look/search regularly on the website. And if you find something you like, apply right away. Some sits come up one day and are gone two days later. You never know. I had once written an application for a new sit and the time I pressed send, the sit was already filled. Crazy! Also, getting a sit is often on a first-come-basis.
BONUS TIP: Christmas time!!! There are so many people looking for sitters for the holidays! In the long-term and kind of last minute. It´s crazy! And so many sits are not getting filled. So why not start house sitting on Christmas/ New Year?!
You can apply for as many sits as you want. However, you won´t get any sits when you olny hit that “Apply button”. Your application should be detailed and customized. No three-line notes. No generalized application. But also no 5-pages long story of your life.
Do include the names and breeds of the pets you will be sitting. Maybe you always wanted to have a Poodle and that´s why you apply for this sit. Great! Let the owners know. They will be thrilled, because it´s most likely you will take extra good care for their poodle.
Make references to their listing. Maybe compliment them on their beautiful home. For example, in the US many people are proud of their home. So show them you appreciate the possibility of staying their home.
Mention the tasks they want you to do. Write in a way that shows them you are up for this task.Include your experience, in specific with pets. Did you grew up with pets? Did you or do you have pets on your own? Do you have experience with sick pets?
Write about your personality. Most homeowners are most interested in: Are you responsible? Are you/ do you like clean and tidy? Are you a non-smoker? Are you flexible (e.g. regarding the dates)?
Write about your travel plans. Why you would like to sit for them in this area? Do you do a road trip, world trip or just this one sit? It helps them to understand your commitment, flexibility, etc. Offer to video chat (or meet). Offer to come a day earlier, so they get to know you a bit. And you get to know the pets and their routine. (Also you see how the owners interact with the pets.)
If you have experience with taking care for properties (e.g. you owned homes) or e.g. are an Airbnb host, include that. It builds trust and shows that you can care for homes as well (and gardens).
If you do need to care for plants, write about your experience with that as well.
Also, do ask questions, e.g. about getting there or when they would like you to arrive. It shows you think this sit through and plan ahead.
So getting your first sit can take some time. But keep applying and you will get it. I applied for 20 sits for our first house sitting trip to Scotland. And sit number 21 was the one. Our first sit! Four days long. Last minute (two weeks til the sit). Taking care of rescued hennes and feed some wild hedgehogs at night and birds in the morning.
So keep applying. Create a trust worthy profile including photos. Write customized applications and apply for the right sits. I recommend short and last-minute sits as well as sits in your home country and during Holiday season.
I hope this post answered your questions on getting your first sit. If you have any other questions on house sitting, please feel free to contact me. Either on Social Media or via Email ([email protected]).
If you like to do house sitting, I highly recommend TrustedHousesitters. They are the best platform and house sitting community worldwide.
Sign up here now and become a house sitter today!
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family! The more, the merrier! Let´s change the way of travelling together!
The secret to get your first sit:
The right sit. At the right moment.
nanesworld.com
House sitting for over two years now, I must love it. Otherwise I wouldn´t do it. And I do. Of course I have my ups and downs with house sitting as with every relationship. But I am glad I can say that the perks definitely outweigh the downs.
And I honestly think, that everyone should at least house sit one time in their life!
For me, house sitting often feels like visiting distant relatives you just haven´t met yet. You know, as the one great grandfather who emigrate to the other side of the world to found a family there. Never had contact with your family again, but you are now visiting his descendants.
But even if it isn´t a distant relative. You will meet people who love animals, travelling and meeting people like you. So you already have a lot in common! And animal lover have always a good heart!
So let me tell you all the other perks of house sitting that will convince you, if you are not already, that house sitting is an experience you need to have!
The main reason why I started house sitting and probably most of you did, or want to, is saving money on accommodation.
Besides transportation and food, accommodation is the highest expense when travelling. So house sitting is even more attractive when travelling on a budget.
You only have to pay the yearly membership, which with under $100 is really nothing compared to what you get.
However, besides saving on accommodation, you also save on food, entry fees and sometimes even transportation. And often you have Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu or some other streaming service free to use. So since we are house sitting full-time, we don´t have any subscription on our own, except Spotify. But you are probably more interested in free tickets and such. So let me share some of the freebies we got so far.
During our house sit in Manhattan (Upper East Side 🙂 ) we were lucky enough to get the owner´s Museum membership card. So we´ve visited the American Museum for natural History for free, saving us $30 per Person!
When house sitting in Chicago we had free access to the Chicago Architecture Center, which was great. Learned a ton and I highly recommend it.
And a couple who we were house sitting for in Hendersonville, NC, even had free tickets ready to use for us for the Biltmore Estate! This is the main attraction in the area and you pay like $70 per person for a basic entry ticket. We were so thankful. Because we´ve been to the area before and wanted to visit the Estate. But were not willing to pay that much. So it was a nice surprise upon arrival!
With house sitting you may also save on transportation. Often, the owner picks you up from the airport if needed (and not too far). Which already saves you money, right?
Some people let you use their car, especially in an area where it is needed. Or as a thank you because their pets need a bit more attention and time. Or they want you to take the dogs to parks and such. Whatever the reason is, if you don´t have a car it´s really nice to have one for exploring and basic stuff like grocery shopping.
Others let you use their public transportation card, for example the Oyster card in London or the Charlie card in Boston. Even if you need to put money on the card, you save the cost for getting one on your own and you save on every journey.
And if you are really in for a treat, home owners cook for you upon your arrival and some might even stock up the fridge an such for your stay. So saving on accommodation AND food! Great!
Pets give you joy. Cheer you up. Comfort you. Make you laugh. Make you exercise. Make you not feeling alone. Make you socialize. Overall, they are just awesome.
Today I was a bit unmotivated, soo tired and down. So I was very grateful today having Jessie (a Golden Retriever) at my current house sit. She follows me everywhere, even lies besides me when I do my Yoga. And petting and cuddling her is the best feeling. Working on my blog all day I feel often stressed with everything else going on. But a 5 min break to cuddle her or walking her and Mika (also a Golden Retriever) after lunch relaxes me more than anything else.
I could share so many more stories. But I keep that for another time. 😉
Honestly, after house sitting full-time for over 2 years now, I don´t think I can ever travel for a longer period of time in a different way.
When we have a couple of days or a week between house sits and staying in Airbnbs, Motels, or Hotels I am always looking forward to the next sit!
No Check-In or Check-out times!
Sure you will have a time window when to arrive or when to leave. But that´s in 95% flexible. Often you arrive a day earlier at a time that works for you. And many owners offer you to stay a day or two longer. Or that you can leave at any time the day they come back.
Whatever works best for you. So no travel stress. And also perfect for flying. Because this way you can book the cheapest flight or most convenient flight available.
Having more than one single room, so I can be for myself in one room and my husband in another if we want to (and spending 24/7 together you want to at some point).
Being able to do laundry, for free, (I know not important to many people but for me it is), receiving mail and packages, work in my yoga pants, maybe even outside in a garden surrounded by nature and animals. Doing some garden work to relax and connect with mother earth. I can´t think of any other more enjoyable way to travel. And for me the major advantage is having a full-equipped kitchen (most times) to cook!
For one cooking is my time together with my husband. As you may know we do Intermittent fasting and only eat twice a day. But therefore we take our time to prepare our two meals and eat together. I am very thankful for that knowing not many people have that.
But having a kitchen to cook is also about eating healthy. I don´t know if I could go out eating every single day. Also saving lots of money on food!
Whether you travel on occasion, more frequently, full-time for a while or live a nomadic life. Meeting people is always part of an experience and has a big influence on how you feel about a place.
When you travel as a tourist you most likely meet other tourists, people working in the tourist sector and maybe some locals. But your main desire is to see the country rather than making friends.
As a nomad it is a bit different I would say. You have more time in one place (preferably) to meet locals and get to know their lifestyle and culture. But at the same time constantly changing places and working at the same time can complicate socializing and making friends.
Especially as a couple I find it hard to connect with people when travelling. Of course it´s always about if you want to. And I don´t say it´s impossible. But as a bit introverted person it can be difficult. Co-working spaces and online-communities help to feel connected to other people. But for me, so far, house sitting is on top of the list.
In over 30 house sits we met so many people of all ages, backgrounds and interests. I can honestly say I wouldn´t have met these people without house sitting. We are still in contact with some of them and a few even became our friends to this day.
Always a great experience is meeting the hosts the day you arrive. Sometimes they cook or invite you for dinner. And you are talking about god and the world. You can ask all questions you have about the place, the neighborhood, how things work in this part of the world. They are happy to share all their insights and want to make your experience as pleasant as possible. And it´s so interesting what kind of life they live and all the places they´ve been already. Because most people travel as well when you are house sitting for them.
Besides, the owners often introduce you to neighbors, friends and family members. So they know you and you know who to call if there should be any problems during the sit you can´t fix on your own.
Also, neighbors often know the dogs and like to pet them. But also love to chat with you, the house-sitter. Most of them find the idea of house sitting very exciting and want to know all about it.
In Cyprus neighbors invited us for an Easter dinner/gathering with all kind of traditional Cyprus food, dancing and drinking. A fun night!
But the most people you will meet when sitting dogs. People on the street wanting to pet the dog. Other dog owners in dog parks or dog friendly cafes or restaurants. I´ve honestly had more conversations with strangers in the two years house sitting that all the years before that. As a bit shy/ introverted person it takes some time to get used to. But I can honestly say, I am much better in small talk now. 🙂
The other day in New Orleans 5 girls (12 years and younger I would say) stopped me to pet the two dogs I was sitting (a Golden Retriever and a Husky). The Golden Retriever loved it so much, that he sat down on the sidewalk while the girls pet him and were talking about their dogs, dead and alive, and what makes or made them special. I realized once again what big part animals play in humans´ life. (And how a death of a beloved animal can help a child understanding life, sickness and death.)
Doing the touristic stuff can be fun for a while. But when travelling full-time and living nomadic it can be exhausting. Plus most live this way to explore the real life. The country, culture, people, how life is lived. And house sitting allows you exactly that.
Our really first house sit was in Scotland – off the beaten path, for real! The house was an old stone house in the north of Scotland. Several centuries old, located on a dirt road in nowhere. If we hadn´t had this house sit, we would have never have ended up in this part of Scotland. There was no touristic sight. Not even close. But the landscape was amazing. The walks in the Highlands were breathtaking. When wandering around and to the Glens we wouldn´t see another soul! We felt like in “The Outlander”!
As this first one many of our house sits led us to places we´ve otherwise wouldn´t have visited. Our main house sit, which we use as a base in the US now because we do this sit several times a year, is located in Tampa, Florida. We´ve been to Florida before but never really heard of Tampa and never had it on our “to-do”/”to-see” list. But I am so happy Peter applied us for this first sit in Tampa.
The whole Bay Area area (Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg) is so beautiful and has so much to offer. There is so much to do and to see. And while you have tourists, it´s by far not as touristic as Miami, Key West or Orlando. Instead you have a really diverse area. Families, snow-birds, many younger people from all over the US seeking the sun and working there. Co-working spaces, many cute coffee shops, plenty of bars and restaurants including many healthy, vegan and international options, organic farmers markets, local Art Galleries, Boutiques, tons of Breweries and so many different events to choose from. Plus all the Parks, white sandy beaches, National Parks and Islands.
So sometimes it´w worth applying for a sit where the pets and owners are great, the house lovely and in all in a place you´ve never heard of before. It can the beginning of an experience you will talk about for years.
And even if you house sit in a popular touristic city. House sitting allows you to explore it as a local.
House sitting is more than taking care of the pets and the house in exchange for free accommodation. It´s about exploring a place as a local resident and understanding how and why things work (or don´t).
The longer a house sit, the more responsibilities you have, but also the more you get to know about the way of living.
Where/how do people shop groceries? What to do on weekends? What are locals proud of? What not so much? Where is this cute coffee place where locals go to meet up? Overall, what are the hidden gemes only locals know about? And believe me, til now everyone recommended us at least one place or activity we´ve otherwise wouldn´t have seen or done.
But living local is also about getting to know the simple stuff about a day-to-day life. Costs of living, getting around, what people do (and don´t). What to be careful about/ what to watch out for. Weather conditions. Climate induced specifics.
House sitting in the US for over two years now, I can tell you all kind of stuff I´ve learned. And I will probably write a whole blog post about it. Storage units are a thing. So are coupons. Having a business is a thing. Organic is big. Credit cards are precious. And having a car is necessary.
I do understand now why Tesla is so determined to introduce the self-driving car. Growing up in Europe it wasn´t clear to me, that outside of New York City and Chicago, driving a car is pretty much your only option to get around in the US. Thanks to General Motors. And when all people drive, traffic is a nightmare, but also distances are quite far. So many are on their phones while driving to pass the time or to use the time “efficient”. I am still shocked seeing people driving on the Highway, mostly in the middle lane, texting, facebooking or watching TV shows on their phones. But I do know now where it´s coming from.
And while living in Florida, where you can wear shorts all year long, is a dream. Having to keep everything clean and dry inside to keep cockroaches and bucks away can be annoying. Not mentioning sitting outside in the garden for an hour is for me only possible in a Florida cage or bitten by 10 mosquitoes. My consumption of tiger balm tripled since house sitting in Florida.
But I don´t want to complain. I am glad that I experienced all these things. Because it makes me understand the culture and way of living much better! As a tourist you only see the shiny stuff you are supposed to see. As a house sitter you see much more, helping you to understand. Not only the local culture but also your own. Things you take for given are often a result of the way you grew up, the way you learned how to do things. Open yourself up and you will see a whole other world!
There is so much more I want to share . I could write on and on. But it´s late and I already wrote more than I intended to (as always). But I promise there will be more on this blog. These are only the big Perks of house sitting.
If you are house sitting, please feel free to comment your positive experiences and why you house sit. I´d love to hear it!
And if you are not already house sitting. You can sign up here for Trustedhousesitters.
As always. Sharing is caring! So go ahead and share with friends, families and/or on social media. Let´s make house sitting the future!
House sitting – the responsible and fun way to travel
nanesworld.com
Why not start some easy habits that facilitate your nomad life, while making you healthier and happier?
Looking back at 2019 I realized I changed my habits completely. One habit at a time.
Now, I am happy again! Feel great. Balanced. Inspired. More productive and in peace with myself. And less stressed when travelling.
So I thought I share these habits with you. And maybe you can integrate one or two into your nomadic life to be fit, productive, happy and healthy. Let me know what you think. What habits work great for you in your nomad life?
No worries. It doesn´t include getting up at 5 am (even though I heard it can be a game changer).
Getting a morning routine is not so much about when and what but more about having a routine at all.
Travelling constantly makes it hard to have a routine. Believe me I know.
Different time and climate zones, travel days vs. working days.
When house sitting having the pets´routine can make it even more complicated. But can also help you to stick to a routine.
Most of us live nomadic to escape routines and be free. But we are humans. And we need some routine to be happy. Habits automate our life, make us feel safe and free up our time and minds for the important stuff in life.
More time to plan travels, more time to be creative, more brain power for work projects, more productive! Having a morning routine frees up your mind for the day. So get a morning routine! And why not include some healthy habbits while you are on it?
My new morning routine starts with having a glass of water to rehydrate my body, also helps with digestion. After, I brush my teeth with my left hand to get my brain working. Teaching your brain a new skill first thing in the morning is firing it up! If we housesit, I walk the dogs. After I make myself Green Tea, shower (to keep the energy after yoga) and do yoga (just started 6days ago, so the yoga is not a routine YET but I am working on it). Full of energy I work til 1pm, which is when I usually have my “breakfast”. Why one 1pm? Because I do Intermittent Fasting. 🙂
Intermittent Fasting is perfect for any nomad.
Doesn´t tell you what but rather when to eat respectively when not to eat.
Only thinking about two meals a day makes travelling a whole lot easier!
And saves you so much time (and money).
We did a 24hours to 46hours fast on our roadtrips (skipping all the fast food on the road and saving money while cleaning our bodies). But usually I do the daily 16/8 up to 18/6 version (not eating for 16/18hours) fast.
With Intermittent fasting I actually only think about one meal a day, which is dinner. Because for “breakfast” (“breaking the fasting period”) around 1pm I always have oatmeal. So don´t have to think a lot about what to buy etc.
Oatmeal is maybe not ideal for everyone. But for me it´s the easiest option. For one I have acne and other health issues, so I put everything my body/skin needs in my oatmeal (blueberries, cinnamon, nuts, honey, apple, banana…).
Also, oatmeal for breakfast is a food you can get nearly in any country. You can have it cold or warm (complies with Chinese Traditional rules, warm and no dairy etc.). It´s also cheap (depending on what you put in). You can mix it with whatever you like, keeping it varied. And it doesn´t require a whole kitchen to prepare it. When on the road you can get it in restaurants serving breakfast, in many coffee shops and in the US even at gas stations.
In your 6-8 hours window you are free to snack whatever you like. The important thing is to have a no-food window of ideally 16 to 18hours where your body can heal, detox and boosting your productivity.
So my second meal is usually in the early evening depending on where we are, if we travel, if we just had a time difference, etc. Others do a 9 or 10 am breakfast and a late lunch at 4pm. Whatever works best for you!
After dinner I sometimes snack but only til 8/9pm so I keep the 17hours window til breakfast next day. Of course I am sometimes off an hour or two but that´s good. Listen to your body. Especially for us women our cyclus has a big influence on how long we can fast each day.
Btw, Intermittent fasting is also supposed to be great for loosing weight, especially around the belly. So yeah!! Making life easier and getting rid of the Holiday´s extra weight. Plus it helps to focus and boost productivity! Everyone can us that, right?
Hyped a lot but for a reason!
Green tea has so many health benefits and is one of the few things allowed in your fasting period. It´s amazing!
Green Tea contains caffeine, helping you stay awake without being so jittery.
Green Tea is also allowed in the fasting period (no sugar or other add-ons).
Green tea even lowers your appetite and increasing the fasting effect. So win-win-win!
Besides being rich in antioxidants (protecting your cells, making your skin look young and such), green tea can help loosing weight. But for travellers and nomads most importantly green tea is alkaline. So drinking green tea (instead of coffee) helps balancing out all the acidic food and drinks we take in every day. Especially when travelling a lot (and on a budget) eating healthy can be a challenge (especially in the US).
Reducing inflammation in your body, fighting headaches, migraine, shoulder pain, acne, you name it. Green tea is an allrounder. Three cups a day is good. Drinking enough water (and limit alcohol) also helps. 😉
I always have some green tea bags with me. Where ever I go. Most coffee shops already offer green tea. But even if they don´t. I take my reusable cup and my green tea and ask for hot water (sometimes you need to pay, sometimes you don´t). At gas stations, welcome centers, some supermarkets, Airbnbs, on flights, in Hotels/Motels.
Much easier when staying in one place for longer and when housesitting. Because sitting dogs includes walking them daily, usually two times a day. So it makes you to stay active.
However, exercising daily is also possible and necessary when travelling. No matter what way you travel. Habit of exercising or walking daily seems so basic but with all going on, we often forget it.
You don´t need to run or go to the gym. Walking 30min, ideal 60min, a day is already health beneficial. Helps you to focus and increases your mental and emotional well-being. Releasing endorphins, energy and thus increasing productivity and creativity. Both so important as a nomad.
If you are feeling down sometimes, overwhelmed or stressed out taking the time to just walk 30min can do wonder. It can be difficult to start and sometimes we forget, so remind yourself with an alarm, a habbit tracker or whatever you like.
Usually on traveldays, and most often the day before, I don´t have or don´t take the time to exercise (working on that this year). So I try to at least stretch. I get up on the air plane or on the train and do my stretches. Commonly for me travel days are typically the days when my whole upper body is tight and when I get a headache or even migraine.
Classic example. Last month I flew to New Orleans for a housesitting gig very early. Had to get up at 4am, took the flight at 7am from Orlando and arrived at New Orleans at 8am. 3pm in the afternoon. Boom. Migraine. So bad I couldn´t even attend dinner with the host family.
So stretching is solution for the days you can´t do 30min walking or exercising. Also good and necessary on roadtrips.
Roadrips can be triggy as well. You sit a lot and don´t move as much. So stretch when stopping for gas or food. Plan some longer breaks for walking a bit. At a rest area, walking around in a small town on the way or stop for a little hike in the woods, by the beach… You can also do stretches for the upper body in the car. So no excuses. Don´t forget you do it for yourself. To be able to enjoy your travels.
If you read some of my others stuff, you know how I feel about Journals. I love them! They changed my (nomad) life!
A journal is your best friend on the road. Always listening! Always understanding! Making you not feeling so alone along your (nomadic) journey.
My first journal was a travel journal for my backpacking journeys in New Zealand and Australia. My second one also a travel journey (for Thailand). Keeping all the memories I´d otherwise have forgotten. And now I finally have a personal journal! Where I put in everything. Writing things down help me to reflect and to understand the world and myself. Where I am and where I wanna go.
So to all of you who struggle in life, nomad or not, buy a book with empty pages and fill them!
With your adventures, anxieties, learnings, thoughts, ideas, struggles, to-do or to-see lists, whatever you like. That´s the beauty of a journal. You decide what to put in.
Don´t forget why you chose a nomad life. For freedom. Freedom to disconnect. To have time to enjoy the moment and be present.
When travelling (and housesitting) full-time, building a business (on the road), networking, exploring, doing all the things that come with a nomadic lifestyle we sometimes forget to breath. To appreciate.
But we shouldn´t just passing through. But rather acknowledging where we are. And taking in all the little details a new place has to offer and its people. So take 5 minutes a day to do exactly that. Appreciating. Being present. It´s one important step to be happy. And works well as an evening ritual.
Maybe even start meditating. It has so many health benefits for body, mind and soul. Clearing up your mind.
On the road, when travelling or when having a lot going on (which is always in a nomadic life, right?), a good night sleep can be a challenge, but is so important. Even more in a nomadic life.
As a housesitter I sleep on average every two weeks in a different bed. In a different home. Sometimes having cats or dogs sleeping in the bedroom or even in the bed with me. At some places it´s cold, at others way too hot. Sometimes I can´t open the window (yes I like to sleep with my window open, even in a real winter), other times I don´t want to (too loud or hot). And don´t get me started on mattresses and pillows, motels, hotels, Airbnbs, Airplanes, Airports (yes did that once in Moscow), night trains, buses, night ferries (one of a lifetime experience sleeping with a stomach bug and seasickness on the floor of a night ferry somewhere in Thailand).
My point, a sleeping experience will be different where ever you travel. Add climates and time-zones, etc. and having a good-night sleep or sleeping at all can become a nightmare.
And as a nomad you need your sleep. You need and want to be fit the next day. Be it to get work done or to go out and explore. Which is why having bedtime ritual is crucial. It prepares you and your body for sleep wherever you are.
Clean your face. Brush your teeth. Listen to music, a podcast or an audiobook. Have a cup of tea (make sure its decaffeinated). Meditate. Do yoga. Journal.
Do whatever you like or need. Just make sure it develops into a routine and that you put all devices away at least an hour before going to sleep. Happy sleeping!
It may seems a lot. But these are seven habits that helped me become happy again. They also helped me to focus on my goals and this blog again!
Check out my blogpost “How to achieve your goals and become happy” for tips to achieve your goals!
And as you can see these habits are not difficult. But they take time, devotion and work.
Take one habit at a time and make it work. So you can enjoy your nomadic life to the fullest, while being healthy, productive and creative!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post and maybe even integrate some of the habits in your life.
As always, sharing is caring! So go ahead and share away to help others be the best version of themselves and live a healthier and happier nomad life.
Thank you for reading! I am always curious how you liked it. So let me know! 🙂
Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Rohn
Goals – no matter how big or small – pave the way to the life of your dreams. That´s why everyone is talking about goals and how to achieve them.
730 Mio. search results on google for “achieve goals”. That says it all right?
But in order to achieve your goals, you must have a dream, a direction to where you want to go, so you set your goals.
And setting your goals is only the first step of many. Otherwise you would have achieved all your goals by now, right?
Se let me share with you how I tackle my goals and how many successful people do as well.
If you only do one resolution this year. Make it keeping a journal.
Journaling makes you happier, more forgiving to yourself, more successful in whatever you do and so self-aware.
Personally, I started keeping a journal only three months ago. It changed my life!
I am more balanced and happier. More forgiving to myself (and my husband). Have my skin picking under control. Exercise nearly daily. And finally signed up for an online community for female digital nomads (which I intended to do for so long). And continued this blog. 🙂
Find out what kind of journaling works best for you. Have one for all or multiple journals. Write daily or weekly. Have a gratitude or career journal. Most importantly, start writing!
Before starting to change your life, take some time to reflect on your past and be thankful how far you have come.
Be thankful for your successes AND your failures. Failure always teaches us something. And only with learning we can develop.
Write it all down. You will see patterns in your life. What works for YOU and what seems always come between you and your goals?
Last year, I started reflecting very general. Places I´ve visited. House- and petsits I´ve done. People I met. This year I went a bit deeper and realized I needed this year to get to know myself, my values, my priorities.
Embrace the struggle is the best advice a book could give me this year. And now I am ready to start thankful and full of motivation and inspiration!
If you need some help to get started. There are many freebies out there to help you reflect. I used a guide by Digital Nomad Girls. They also have one to review this decade. It takes some time. But it´s so worth it. To think about where you´ve been 10years ago.
(Me in New Zealand, right between finishing school and studying Medicine. How plans can change…)
Knowing your WHY helps you to commit. It keeps you motivated and focused when you get distracted and want to bail on your goals.
This year I quit dairy, which was hard for me. I love cheese. And coming from Germany nearly all dishes I used to cook contained some sort of dairy. So basically I had to change my whole diet. But knowing that I did it to treat my acne and to heal my thyroid helped me to go through.
Your why has a lot to do with your values. Once you know your values you see why you are where you are. Why you are happy or maybe not (yet).
Making decision gets so much easier when knowing your WHY. And it helps creating and concentrating on the bigger picture. Especially for business goals/career goals.
So you know your WHY. Now it´s time to define HOW you want to achieve your goals.
Knowing your how is about dividing your goal into little steps. Steps you need to take to get there. It´s about creating new habits. And changing existing habits.
For every goal, there is at least one habit you need to change, leave behind or create. And that isn´t easy. So understand what habits are and how they work. To make them work for you.
Habits help to reach the steps along the way to success. But habits take time. Which is why having too many goals at once can be counterproductive.
It´s the new year. You have all these New Year resolutions and goals and are highly motivated. But after the first month it´s hard to keep up all the changes. To work on all your goals you want to achieve.
So prioritize! Make a plan! And change your life one habit at a time.
One resolution for me in 2019 was to read more. Which I did. Not as much as I wanted. And not as frequently as I planned. But I read about a book a month. And that is an improvement. One book I started and definitely will continue in 2020 is “52 small changes for the Mind” by Brett Blumenthal.
The book is great to implement healthy habits without having to make all the research what you should do for a healthier, happier you. It also is about taking the time to implement a new habit. The book suggest one new habit each week, making it a perfect good night reading on a Sunday night.
Nowadays we want it all at once. But changing/creating habits takes time. We need time to change.
And when you read your new habit for the week. Why not track your habits/ goals from last week.
Because sometimes we forget our goals. Or forget how far we´ve already come. So tracking your goals in your journal, a goal planner, an app, whatever you like, helps to focus, to stay on track and to stay motivated, to keep going.
The best way and frequency to track your goals and habits depends on the goal and on you.
For my blog I use the monthly meetings at my online community. For everything else my journal and my Clever Fox Planner (an undated daily planner for 6 months).
Just try and find out what best works for YOU.
If you are more into apps I highly recommend “Repeat Habit tracker”. Its simple, intuitive, free, has a reminder and is perfect if you travel a lot. Just create a habit you want to implement and set a reminder. It also lets you divide your habits into groups and writing down your WHYs. It takes a while to put everything in it. But it is so satisfying to mark it all as “done”!
For a very, very long time, actually til this year, I thought all I need is the right motivation.
I thought that motivation will strike one day and I will finally start and achieve all the things I always wanted.
Have a successful blog. Be fit and do all the things I always wanted to do.
Last year I finally realized motivation is not magically going to strike. Motivation comes AFTER you start doing things. And it´s been a game changer. Read “The motivation myth” by Jeff Haden and you will understand.
Don´t wait for motivation. Don´t wait for the right time. Don´t wait for life to happen! Skip the excuses! JUST START!
Once you actually start. Things will happen. Good and bad. Successes and failures. Make sure to take the time to reflect on your goals to keep you on track and to be proud how far you came.
Yes, life can be so busy that we often don´t have the time to reflect on our goals. But it´s important to reflect. And at least once a month you should reflect. Set up a meeting with yourself to celebrate all successes AND failures. Put it in your journal.
If you succeed, be proud. Enjoy the moment. Treat yourself. Look back on how you achieved your goal and apply what worked into your other areas of life.
When you fail (and you will, it´s part of success), take the time to embrace it. And get to the reason. Was the goal too big? Did something change in your life? Any unforeseen circumstances? Lack of commitment? Lack of motivation? Go back to your why and how. Adapt your plan, adapt your goal and continue.
Commitment and grit is what makes you succeed. Read “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth and you will see your life and other peoples successes in a total different way.
Accountability is about taking responsibility for your actions. Giving you control over your goals. Leaving you in charge. In charge of your life.
The best way to keep yourself accountable is writing. Write down your goal, the steps towards it, a deadline and your reward when you reach your goal.
Let me know in the comments what goals you have and how you plan to achieve them. Maybe you have some tips for me?! I´d love to hear them!
And as always sharing is caring. So share this blog post with your friends, family and social media to help them achieve their goals.
Just start. Reflect. Adapt. Keep doing the work.
nanesworld.com
Christmas is in a few days and you still need some gifts?
You don´t know what to buy or to give?
It should be sustainable but shouldn´t cost much?
Don´t worry. I have you covered. There are actually many presents you can buy/make last minute AND are sustainable and kind of for everyone in your life.
But important is not the gift itself but the thought behind it!
I know. It sounds a bit old fashion. But it´s actually perfect for everyone. Sustainable and ideal as last minute gifts.
You can buy tickets or giftcards, do it off- and online or even do some self-made gift cards (always gives it a personal touch). Only advise: make it specific. Don´t just buy a money coupon.
Think about what the person likes, enjoys doing or always wanted to do. Maybe something they wouldn´t buy/ do on their own. I know it can be very difficult. Especially if its the day before Christmas and you need an idea. So here are some tips.
Concert/Show tickets, e.g. singer, comedians, theater, musical, TV or podcast shows, festivals, maybe for a talk of an expert, a coach or a motivational speaker.
Spending a day together. Going for a hike. Going brunching. Visiting a local attraction. Why not try Woofing together? Just set a date and have fun together while doing something with your hands.
Cooking, dancing, yoga, language classes, anything where you learn/do something together. Look for places where you can do it and sign up for it. If it´s not next week, the person will find or make time. And it shows you care, really want to spend time together and put thoughts into it.
Books are perfect to give away.
You can buy them last minute, online or in a local book shop (perfect to support small businesses) or as an ebook (ideal for tech persons and people who travel or commute a lot).
And books are not just for bookworms, but for everyone to escape, think, laugh, learn, grow and maybe even change their life. Cooking, self-care, gardening, travels, health, financial and business advise, biographies and of course novels, thrillers, etc. something for everyone.
Books can be an opportunity to inspire or motivate someone. After all Christmas is only a week away from the New Year, where everyone wants to starts fresh with a New Years Resolution. So why not give them something as a motivation for Christmas?!
Books also work well if you don´t know a person. Just go to local book shop and look for their bestsellers (love “Thalia” in German speaking countries!). Another great source is the New York bestseller list (Sunday edition), Pinterest, Bookbub and amazon.com.
I know. Another classic gift for/from old people, right?
But it´s because they already know materialistic stuff doesn´t make you happy.
Sharing delicious food together and trying something new is memory. And memories are forever.
It doesn´t matter if its self-made or bought. It can be something the person really likes (Even better. Loves it but wouldn´t buy it on their own.) or be something they´ve never tried (if the person is open to it). Food is a gift that at least gets shared if not liked.
Regional food from local small businesses makes a great gift. People often don´t have time to check out local stores and often don´t know it even exists. Plus it´s a bit more expensive. So it´s a real treat and in 99% extra delicious. Also makes a great souvenir if you travel.
The tricky part, especially today, are dietary restrictions. So you should know a bit about the person. You wouldn´t like to give an alcoholic a fancy bottle of Irish Whiskey, a vegan some French Cheese or a person allergic to nuts some chocolate with traces of nuts. Well, unless you want to make Christmas extra special with a ride to the hospital.
There are sooo many things that make life easier and more enjoyable. And one of them are definitely subscriptions!
So why not give them as a christmas present this year?
Many people don´t know about these services or can´t afford to spend their money on such things.
Others are certain they don´t need it. But you know better. You know they will love it. So why not give them the opportunity to try it and to have more joy in their live?
Why not give the gift of not having to worry about grocery shopping and what to cook? Buy them a hellofresh box abo. Or an organic box for the eco conscious person in your life. Farmdrop is quite popular in the US. In Europe, especially German speaking countries, there are a ton. Flotte Karotte, etepetete-bio and “Die grüne Kiste” are just some German suppliers. Just google and you will find plenty!
And why not do some more good for our planet on Christmas? Eco-friendly subscription boxes are all over social media. For personal and home care. Beauty and wellness products. Mom products. Plants. Zero waste products. There are a ton out there.
Does someone you know love fashion and you don´t have a present yet? Perfect. Why not show them clothing rentals? This way they can wear designer clothes and the latest trends all the time. AND change their wardrobe without having to worry about money or space!
And for all the people in your life who love music, books, podcasts. So kind of everyone. Why not buy them Spotify premium, Audible or Blinklist. There are so many out there. And of course it´s winter and therefore time to stay in and watch TV. So subscriptions for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney and co might be a possibility as well. (But make sure you know what a person already has.)
Mugs and cups are perfect for Secret Santa at work but also great for friends and family. Everyone drinks tea, coffee, water. And it´s so easy to personalize them with colors and quotes. Inspire, motivate, make them laugh or just remind them how awesome they are.
Easiest way to buy and perfect for last minute shopping, are supermarkets and gift shops. In the US Target and Walmart have some great cups with motivational quotes, but also reusable water bottles and cups. In Europe gift shops (Nanu Nana), souvenir shops, book shops and supermarkets are the place to go. And of course online. Amazon.com and co have a tremendous selection, which gets sized down when you only have a couple of days till Christmas.
For travelers, athletes and everyone else, a stainless steal water bottle, maybe with a sports cap or lid, is a go to present. I got mine last year for my birthday and just love it. It has a big mouth (easier to clean and fill ice in it) and additional one sport lid . My favorite brands are Hydroflask, Triple tree and Nature Pioneor. For travelers up to 32oz might be perfect. For people who hike, go camping or to the beach or have games on the weekend, more than 32oz might be better depending on your budget.
For commuters who love tea or their own coffee in the morning, a reusable stainless steel travel mug that holds the tea warm and the iced coffee cold. Just make sure it´s really leakproof. And for your friend who is obsessed with Starbucks and christmas a reusable Starbuckscup Christmasedition, ecofriendly, and saves your friend 10cent on each beverage.
You had at least one person in mind when reading the headline, right?
There always is at least one person in your life who is stressed and doesn´t take the time for him/herself.
So why not help them this Christmas to relax and take that time?
Buy gift cards for massages and other beauty and wellness products where they can relax and gain energy. Find a (good rated) salon close to their home or work and get a gift card for a specific treatment. If you know the person has a really stressful life and won´t take the time, make already an appointment for them. And remind them.
If you have a person who cares about their health and well-being and who may already started self-care, why not buy a book to support them? There are many out there to help them grow their knowledge. “Little book of mindfulness”, “52 small challenges. One year to a happier, healthier You.” or “A year of self love” are only a few examples.
And my favorite gift. A journal. Ideal for travelers, writers, goal-achievers and anyone who likes to increase creativity, boosting memories or self-awareness, relieving stress, is in need for inspiration, or just needs to organize their thoughts.
Journals come in all sizes and shapes, designs and colors. So go to the next bookshop or whatever shop you can think of and find something special to help someone grow.
Not many people have the time to cook, bake or even handcraft. And especially around Christmas (being the busiest time of the year and all).
So baking some cookies or gingerbread or handcraft a little something will be highly appreciated by your loved ones.
And if you have the time, why not create a photo book? Nowadays everyone has their photos on their phones, laptops or in the cloud. But once taken, they don´t look at them. So make them remember the great time you had together this year.
With not even a week til Christmas, it may be too late for creating a photo book online. But aren´t the old school photo books better anyways? Feeling the photos in your hand? Finding the right words for each photo? Just put some photos on your phone or drive and had over to a photo shop, supermarket or drug store. Print right away and buy a photo book with it. Go home and put it together. It doesn´t even take an hour for all that.
And if you have the problem, that you have an idea or even multiple ideas for what to give a person for Christmas, but can´t decide or it´s too late to order. Why not make a gift box with all the things you could have bought? Especially if its for your partner. It can be quite fun and shows how much you know him/her.
Just get a present box (or cookie box) and some (colored) paper and a pen. Start writing and put each gift idea on a different sheet of paper. Fold them and put it in a box. Add some sweets or confetti to the box, so it´s more fun to unpack it. Voilá! Perfect gift showing you care and love!
And last but not least. Spending money for a good cause.
The present for all the people who already have everything, love to give or are hard to please.
Think about a cause the person might like. If you can´t think of anything just pick what you like.
Preferably a local charity. For homeless people. Kids in need. Or maybe an animal shelter. Whatever you like.
But make sure you know what the charity does to avoid an awkward moment when being asked what it´s about. (Orghunter.org has an interactive map with all local charities in the US.)
So by now you have hopefully an idea for every one you would like to give a present to this christmas.
A gift you can buy last minute within your budget and eco- friendly.
I hope you found some inspiration and are a bit less stressed about getting all the gifts til Christmas.
As always sharing is caring. So share away and have a great Christmas! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
All Photos are from canva.com. Thank you to jill111, silviarita, Alina, Pineaple Supply co., Tirachard Kumtanom, Alizee Marchand and many more
Within Europe and the US you can get plane tickets for low as 20€/$20 if you travel during the week.
Being familiar with budget price systems can save you even more money.
But you need to know where you can save money, and where you should pay the extra five Euros or Dollars to travel on budget and stress-free.
Plus, having the right mind set, some patience and being prepared for some things helps as well.
As a budget traveller I am not loyal to any brand. I always research the best deal regardless. Why? Because it´s my nature.
Even if Ryan Air offers the cheapest flights from Vienna to Cyprus, Easy Jet might has the best prices from Berlin to London. And when travelling on a budget, it´s almost always the case that prices are priority number one.
Besides routes, airport preferences, travel times and the need for luggage affect the end price as well. So for different routes, times and travel types, different budget airlines offer the best price/ deal.
That´s why airline membership programs often don´t pay off.
In 10 years of travelling I only signed up for one membership program. And only because my savings on the first two flights were larger than the membership fee.
I am talking about the Frontier membership program. For 50$ a year, you get discounts on flights and extra (luggage) fees, not only for you but also for your travel partner.
We joined the Frontier membership last year because we already saved more than $50 (so more than the membership fee of $50) on our first booking. Otherwise we wouldn´t have. Why? Because the next time we booked flights, United Airlines and American Airlines offered better prices and were more convenient (time and luggage wise). So yes, standard airlines offer flights for the small budget as well.
Btw, budget airlines have no loyalty programs as standard Airlines. They know their customers are price sensitive. So you already save money with every booking and not just on bookings in the future.
With budget airlines you don´t have entertainment, food or drinks included. With a 20€ or 25$ plane ticket that should be obvious. And let´s be honest you don´t really need it on a one- or two-hour flight. If so, just bring your own and you will be fine! Or buy on board. The prices are mostly similar to Airport prices.
However, one a bit more controversial is the seating fee, where you need to pay if you want to sit next to your partner, friend or family (e.g. Ryan Air, Laudamotion, Frontier). Travelling alone, with friends or your partner, tis isn´t a big of a deal. I suggest saving the 4€ or $5 for each seat reservation (16€/ 20$ for a round-trip for two persons). However, for families especially with younger children, it´s maybe worth to pay to sit together (or book with an airline, where this is already included).
On our flight from Cyprus to Berlin, a family of six was seated all over the plane. First, with a fully booked plane, the overhead lockers were quite full and the dad had to help every family member with storing their luggage. Next, the dad orders drinks and food for the whole family (because not included and all). Once bought, he needed to distribute it to everyone, seated all over the whole aircraft. Having some overweight himself and only one aisle where also flight attendents served food and drinks to all other passagiers, it became quite funny to watch. 🙂 (Having the right mindset and all).
However, the highest fees are still the luggage fees. Not just for checked luggage, but also for hand luggage (Ryan Air, Frontier, Spirit). Or for having a personal item in addition to hand luggage (easy Jet). Also, the weight of hand luggage is often limited as well. And it can become expensive to have hand luggage with overweight.
In the past, most budget airlines included hand luggage in their standard prices. However, after many years of very full overhead cabins and many unsatisfied customers (because of checking in hand luggage before entering the plane and having to wait for the luggage after the flight), most budget airlines let you pay extra for hand luggage (Of course also to increase the amount of checked luggage and the profit).
Yes it sucks. But it also has its ups. There is much more space in the cabins. And with the new policies it’s often much cheaper to add checked luggage (as cheap as 15€ for 20kg with Ryan Air). Especially for us as a couple, having one big checked luggage piece instead of two hand luggage pieces is much more convenient. We don’t need to worry about all the liquids and other restrictions for hand luggage. Only the weight. And since every suitcase has its own weight, you can usually take more clothes with you when having one big one instead of two hand luggage pieces.
But not only in the booking process, also at the airport before the flight, luggage is a stress factor and can become expensive, when not knowing the luggage policies.
Nothing is more stressful than having to repack your whole luggage at the airport, because you have too much weight. And unfortunately ignorance is no excuse.
Most budget airlines have a 20kg limit for checked luggage. But for example Easy Jet lets you choose (and pay) between 15kg and 23kg. In general, the restrictions for checked bags are set (and not as strict as with hand luggage), whereas the policies for hand luggage change constantly.
You would think after so many flights, we know to check the policies for each flight/airline before travelling. Usually we do. But for our Norwegian flight from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona we just assumed the policies didn´t change since our last flight a year ago. BIG MISTAKE! We ended up repacking our luggage, putting every cloth on we had in our hand luggage. And even hid some stuff in the restroom. Only because this time, hand luggage and personal item TOGETHER had to be under 10kg …Yes we could have just paid the overweight. But $65 is quite a lot. And we like to save money where ever we can. Who doesn´t?
So always check the airline´s luggage policies before each flight. Even when you fly frequently. It saves you time, nerves and money.
Planning ahead is often necessary to stay in budget. And as mentioned earlier, planning your travel luggage should be on your mind from the very beginning of travel plans. Besides for better price comparison, adding luggage after booking a flight is much more expensive (up to double).
However, another factor to consider is getting to and from the airport. Budget airline’s offer really cheap flights, but often to airports outside a city. And to times where public transport is limited. Therefore, plan and calculate costs for that.
With Ryan Air we had some really cheap but also really early flights this spring. So we needed to get to the Vienna Airport at 4:40AM. Only options to get to the airport were taking a Uber for 22€ or a Taxi for 25€. Five times as much as taking the public transport during the day.
With easy Jet we sometimes had the last flight of a day. Once with a delay of 3 hours. So we arrived at the Airport in Berlin at 2am. Getting a Taxi from the Airport to our accomodation would have been quite expensive. Luckily some drive now cars were not far. So we took a Taxi, but only to the next Drive now car (about 5 min drive) and drove the rest with the drive now car. Leaving us with 15€ instead of 35€+.
So cheap flights are not everything. And even if there is good public transport during the day. Early in the morning or late at night, Airport Shuttles, Express, Uber or Taxi are often the only options. And they usually cost more. So check how you get to the Airport at the time of your flight (don´t forget the 2 hour time window before a flight).
Third, consider check-in and check-out times of your accomodation. Early flights are good, since you have a full-day for sightseeing without paying an extra night. However, many Hotels and Airbnbs have check-in times in the afternoon. So what do you do with your luggage in-between? (Same goes for late flights back.) Luggage storage? But where? And much is it?
Luggage storage is not as common as we would like. In Miami we ended up taking our luggage to the beach. We just had a layover of 8 hours. So no hotel or anything to store our stuff. The luggage storage at the Airport was only open til 5:30pm. Our flight was at 10pm. Driving into the city was not an option (price, time, stress). Since 8 hours at the airport is exhausting and the beach was only 10min from the airport, we took our luggage and got a Uber to the beach.
By the way. The best experience of luggage storage so far was in Berlin. Self-Luggage storage only a 5min walk from the airport (security reasons) as well as in the city at major train stations (e.g. Alexanderplatz). With only 4€ for 12 hours it´s perfect for every budget traveller.
Depending on the airline and your destination you need to check in online or you will need to pay (e.g. Ryan Air). Especially for flights within Europe and the US (Exception: Long-distance flights as from the US to Europe (and vice versa). There you cannot check in online.). Depending on the Airline (and the tariff you booked) you can check-in online (or in an app) to specific times (a month, week or day before departure). If you don´t pay for seat reservations it´s sometimes wise to check-in online as early as possible to get a seat in the front/middle. However, sometimes the opposite is true. Especially, if the plane is not fully booked. You never know. 🙂
In General, online Check-in has only advantages. You save a lot of time at the airport. If you don´t have luggage to drop-off, you can go straight to security check. And if you do have luggage, the drop-off is often much faster, especially with the self-service machines at some airports.
Also, you can choose to have the tickets on your smartphone. So loosing a ticket becomes impossible. 😉 Just make sure you have the tickets on your smartphones in an offline version. (Not every airport has Wifi.) For example with Ryan Air you can save your ticket in Google Pay. This way you don´t need internet to access it. Other options are screenshot or pdf.
Budget airlines also have budget gates. Meaning they have the gate at the far far end of a Terminal (also they often have the shitty terminals). So wear your walking shoes and pack your hand luggage in a way you can carry it for longer. If you have difficulty walking, I highly recommend getting to the airport early. Maybe also book assistance.
At the gate, be prepared to stand while waiting to board. Seats are often limited. In Berlin Schönefeld you should also visit the restrooms and fill up your water bottle before going to the gate. The budget gates often only have one vending machine, if any, and no toilets.
Also, don’t be surprised to get on a bus instead of a plane when boarding. Especially Easy Jet and Ryan Air have often parking positions on the roll field only accessible by bus. So you will board a bus first, which takes you to the aircraft. Same goes when arriving.
After the walking, comes the waiting. Small delays on departure are common. It seems budget airlines are last in line for everything. Including take-off on the rollfield and getting staircases and buses upon arrival. So waiting in the aircraft is common as well.
When waiting at the gate, you can fill up your water bottle (being sustainable and all). Make use of the Airport Wifi (if available). Download some playlists, podcasts or audiobooks on Spotify for the flight. Make sure your devices have enough battery. Read. Write. Whatever you like. But definitely visit the toilet before getting on a plane. Especially on flights in the morning, the toilet can get quite busy on board (all having had their morning coffee and such). Also, toilets on board don’t always work (had this already twice this year). Which hasn´t to be a bad thing. This way people can´t smoke in the toilet. Yes people still think it´s ok to do so. Keep reading.
Drunk people, loud people, stoned people, all flying budget. So be prepared and have your headphones and tolerance on board. Here some stories just from the last year.
On our flight from Denver to Miami one guy smoked weed in the aircraft toilet.
On our flight from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona the woman sitting right next to me smoked her e-cigarette even next to me in the main cabin.
And on a late-night flight from Vienna to Berlin some guys got drunk right before the flight and continued on the plane.
I think some people choose budget airlines because they think they can abandon the rules easier. Or that the rules are not enforced as strict. However, just be prepared and relaxed. The good thing is, you always have a story to tell. 🙂
I hope this post helps you to save you some more money and to stay in budget when travelling with budget airlines!
As I like to say “The struggle is real”. And that is definitely true for flying budget.
Whereas I love to travel and encourage you to travel I also like to appeal to you to minimize flights as much as possible and go for slow travel.
Taking a road trip or the train has its benefits and is better for our beautiful planet.
Travelling within one continent can be so rewarding.
Please think about it the next time you plan a trip. Thank you!
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family! The more, the merrier! Let´s travel on a budget together!
Flying budget – you will always have a story to tell.
nanesworld.com
House sitting is perfect for living a nomad life on a budget. Living rent free and travelling the world.
Also, you get to live in so many different homes. From New York city apartments to isolated houses in a forest. From huge fancy homes, to cozy homes, to small and minimalist homes. Often you also get to care for pets. How awesome?!
For me House sitting is all about exploring. Exploring different life styles, cultures and preferences. Exploring what I like. You need to explore to find what you love.
Also, House sitting gives me inspiration for what I want to do in my life.
With house sitting I am leaving my comfort zone every single time and learn new things constantly. Things I never knew they were to learn.
Sometimes, it can feel like everyone has figured out life except you. Especially when you are not choosing the “normal” life.
I am struggling with getting settled. Finding connection. Being satisfied with where I am (always feeling the wanderlust). Finding a hobby I love. Finding my purpose in life.
House sitting helps to see you are not alone with your struggle.
House sitting allowed me to look a bit closer into others life. My takeaway? Everyone is struggling with life. Earning money, managing day-to-day life, having health problems, feeling stuck, finding connection, etc.
During our house sits some just lost their jobs and needed to figure out another source of income for their family. Others were so busy working, they didn´t have time for anything else. Neither to say even less time for themselves. Some just realized (with 60 years) that they need to work a couple of years more, to have enough money for retirement.
There are so many more struggles I could mention. But the big takeaway is, that everyone is struggling with something. Some are just better in dealing with it or hiding it.
Living a nomad life seems to be a new trend in the Western world. However, once upon a time, most people were nomads. And many cultures still live a nomadic life, just not so much in industrialized countries.
So many older people in the US (“snowbirds”) and Australia spend the winter in sub tropics and the summers in moderate climate zones. Not just for vacation. But as a way of life. Having second homes, mobile homes or a RV. Why not start such a life right away?
I´ve always been a fan of every season. But lately I recognize, I only enjoy a real Fall or winter for a couple of weeks. And even though I don´t like the hot summers in Florida or Andalucia, I love to spend September through April in these regions. Why? Because it helps me with my winter depression.
In addition, in the US people seem to move much more often than for example in Europe. And not just from rental to rental apartment. But from one bought home to another. The right home for the right life situation. I love this concept! Its so different in Europe.
You change, your life situation changes. Everything changes constantly. So why not changing your home as well? I guess this mindset is what drags me to the US.
Living in so many homes (20 housesits so far) and sitting for so many people let us see a wide variety of interpretations of “clean”. Some good, some bad. And I think with every experience we adapted our definition of clean
Some clean the whole house, but don´t care for the fridge (which is for me very important). Others are cleaning constantly and the house is really spotless (can be tricky when cleaning the house for the owners arrival). Some clean superficial, meaning it´s clean when you arrive. But when you live in a home for longer, you see where people clean and where they don´t. We had beautiful clean houses but also dirty homes, where we started cleaning the moment we arrived.
For many people cleanliness is very important. For some the biggest holiday nightmare is a dirty accommodation. So cleanliness has a high priority. We spoke with many other sitters and home owners about cleanliness and everyone had a different perception. Which is why it can and often is an issue when housesitting.
Different cultures, different values. Different generations, different values. Different backgrounds, different mindsets, different values. You get the picture. There are so many factors influencing values and therefore also the perception of cleanliness. And when housesitting all these come together.
Thanks to house sitting I learned so many tricks, hacks and different ways to do things. It´s amazing. And it confirms that exploring is necessary to learn and create.
Living in other peoples´ homes. Spending time with people of different cultures, backgrounds and ages. You learn so much you didn´t even know it was to learn. That´s why leaving your comfort zone is so important.
How do you know, you know everything you need to know? How do you know that the way you do things is the best way? As long as you stay in one place you never know, you can only assume.
For example, did you know carrots stay fresh twice as long when kept in a container (preferable glass) with water in the fridge? Well, I didn’t.
I also didn´t know you can regrow celery. Just by putting the root into a glass of water. The same goes for Basil, green onions, roman lettuce and many other veggies.
Another thing we´ve learned is how to dissect a chicken with only one large knife and two cuts.
Also, did you know you can make yogurt with a slow cooker? It´s so easy. You only need one yogurt culture and as much milk (sterilize) as you like.
Some other household tips we learned include keeping an opened baking powder box in the fridge to neutralize the smell.
And making sure dishes are really dry before putting them in the cupboards in Florida. Why? Because cockroaches are not only attracted by food, but also by mist.
We´ve also learned how to plant and harvest pineapples and sweet potatoes. How to water orchards the right way. And that lemon grass as well as Mosquito magnets keep mosquitos out of your garden.
I could go on and on. And of course we also learned a lot about the cultures and day-to-day life. Especially in the US, where we are now sitting full-time since one year. But this I spare you for another blog post. 🙂
So this might be different insights than you expected. ButI hope this post showed you one more time how special house sitting is and how much you can learn about the world and yourself.
Houses sitting can enrich your travels and your (nomad) life. But it can also be challenging, which is why an open mind is much needed.
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family! The more, the merrier! Let´s change the way of travelling together!
If you like to do house sitting, I highly recommend TrustedHousesitters. They are the best platform and biggest house sitting community worldwide.
House sitting full-time is the best way to get to know the world and yourself
nanesworld.com
Living with acne is a pain in the ass. You are desperate to get rid of it. So you spend a small fortune on products and treatments, which are pure chemistry. Most don´t even work. Some make it even worse than before. Thereby, it could be so much simpler and cheaper.
I have acne since I was 12 years old. My hormonal acne got the worst when I moved to the US. After 8 months of misery, my skin is finally in recovery. Thanks to natural products and some simple changes in my life. It took about four weeks til I saw results. So be patient.
Even if dermatologist and skin care professional say they know, they only guess. They try what works for most people. But that doesn´t mean it will work for you. So to fight your acne, its crucial to know when your acne get worse and when its getting better.
Is it a monthly up and down? Or a seasonal thing? Does it get worse when you travel? When you are stressed? The best way to keep track and identify what triggers your acne, is to keep a journal. Doesn´t matter if you use an old school book, your laptop or a smartphone app. Just do it.
For us women, it´s most often our Zyklus, our hormonal imbalance and our diet. So keep an eye on that. For me, its also worse when I am travelling. Since I am living a nomadic life, that´s really a challenge.
I know it´s hard. But if you want to get rid of your acne once and for all, changing your diet is key. The following list seems long. Don´t get frustrated. If you quit processed food and dairy, the other stuff comes naturally with it.
QUIT DAIRY! I think that had the most positive effect on treating my hormonal acne. And I always can tell looking at my skin, when I cheat. So be persistent with that one. But please don´t substitute milk with soy milk. Use almond milk instead.
No processed food! The longer the ingredient list and the more cryptic, chemical items in it, the worse for your body and skin. The same goes for your skin care products. So hands off!
Reduce Sugar to a minimum! Best, if you quit sugar, but for me that´s too hard. So I allow myself a little treat here and there. But keep it to a minimum.
Avoid gluten and soy! It´s easy, if you avoid processed foods. It´s also not as bad as sugar and dairy, at least that´s true for me. And some gluten food is actually good for your skin. Best example, oat meal! But I do recommend
Avoid pork!
Avoid alcohol!
So enough with all the things you shouldn’t eat. Let´s see what is good for your skin.
Eat antioxidant rich! Eat veggies, especially green veggies like broccoli. Also, eat apples, bananas, berries, grapefruit and lemon. Buy what is in season and not too expensive for you. Also, have a coffee. Ideal black or with almond milk. And have some dark chocolate.
Drink your skin rich! Staying hydrated is key for healthy skin. So drink a lot of water. Mix lemon, mint, cucumber or berries for some taste and additional health benefits. Also, drink at least one cup of Green Tea and one cup of Camille Tea.
Eat the right nuts! Some say, all nuts are good. But some are too fatty. Especially for cystic acne. So stick with walnuts, almonds and cashews.
Eat more sea food! I suggest eating twice a week some sort of fish. Please buy sustainable. If you don´t like fish at all or don’t have access to good, sustainable fish, take omega capsules. They are not that expensive and do the job. You can also buy fish oil and put it in your food.
You may think it´s going to cost a lot to buy these groceries. But it actually doesn´t. Especially, if you buy seasonal veggies and fruits. Also, if you combine it with the Fasten Diet. I will post my whole diet plan soon.
Most people who have acne pick at their skin. Until recently I didn´t know that I am a skin picker. Once I knew, I started realizing how often I pick on my skin. No wonder my acne stayed. Every time you touch your skin you bring dirt, bacteria, etc. on it. If you have acne, this nurtures it. So stop skin picking. Keep your hands busy. Read my post on how to stop skin picking.
It´s important to keep your skin clean, hydrated and free from chemicals. Over the counter (or amazon) products for treating acne often consists of some kind of chemical ingredient. That often worsens acne. So use real natural products. Not the products “free of …”. They still have a lot of bad ingredients. Use products where you actually know all ingredients.
So let´s start with your daily routine. Clean your skin in the morning and evening, but do it naturally. Get a mist or tonic to spray on your clean skin. If you have the money, get a hydrating serum. But most importantly, wear sunscreen!
The best all natural products for little money I found and use is from Earthley. They really proof that natural skin care works and doesn´t have to be expensive. You get the starter set for not even $28. You can read all the products I use later this month.
Additionally, if you have the money, get a Jade roller. It works miracles. And is so relaxing and cooling. Plus you can use it for your back and headaches as well.
There are many fake Jade roller out there. After a lot of research I found one on amazon. It´s only 25$ and resisted all my jade tests. Most importantly, it seems to work.
Next step, showering. Don´t shower too warm. It dries out your skin and worsens black heads and acne in general. Also wash your hair first (also use conditioner before shampoo if you need any). Than your body. Wash your face last.
Additionally, use only 100% natural body wash. For the environment and your skin, natural soap bars are best. The one from Earthley is great and cheap.
Also, only wash your body where you sweat. This way the skin´s natural barrier stays intact. This is important especially if you have back acne like me. For that I only use a natural back scraper, no soap. It stimulates blood circulation and gets off dead skin.
Life can be stressful. And stress is toxic for your body, mind and your skin. So even when you are too busy, schedule at least one day a week (I recommend two days), where you treat yourself and your skin. For me, that is Sunday and Wednesday evening.
On your skin-care days, get a shower or a bath. Get a Camille steam bath (ideally do that one twice or three times a week). It opens up your pores, cleans and calms your skin. Clean out your skin afterwards if you like. But use sterile instrument. (I use this set from amazon. It´s only 8$.)
If your acne is declining, you can also try Microneedeling to treat your acne scars. You can go to a professionell (and leave 150$ per session) or do it at home. When doing it at home, make sure you have clean hands and sterilize everything you use. Also, make sure to buy a Microneedle Roller that has real needles. I use the Titanium Derma Roller on amazon.com. It has reel needles, has no plastic and only costs $19.99.
Last, apply a natural face mask (more on natural face masks later this month). Lay down and relax with the mask on. But don´t use avocado, coconut oil or Shea Butter for your skin care, especially not with cystic acne.
Also, use natural healing oils (But not pure). I have a Tea-tree oil, Manuka oil, Propolis and the Healing serum from Earthley.
Finally, spare the make-up. Use it only if you really need to. Also, avoid using make-up when doing exercise, flying or being out in hot weather. If you do need to wear make-up, I recommend using natural powder makeup. I use Lush and Aveda. But there are many more out there. Last and most importantly, always remove makeup! Even when it´s late and you are tired! And if you want to do it eco-friendly, use a reusable facecloth.
Sleep is necessary for our hormone balance. Therefore, sleep at least 7 hours a day.
Also, keep your hair out of your face. Best way, use a hair band. Try to sleep on your back. Change your sheets weekly, your pillow twice a week. I have a neck/travel pillow. It helps keeping your face away from the sheets. It also helps with neck- and shoulder pain.
Have water on your night stand. If you are thirsty at night, you don´t need to get up.
In winter, when you are heating inside, and in dry climate zones (e.g. California), use a cool mist humidifier. It helps your skin stay hydrated.
Additionally, for back acne, change your sleeping shirt at least every other day. Only use natural body lotion. But again avoid Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Avocado in lotions. I use the Whipped Body Butter from Earthley. And it works miracles.
It seems a lot and it is. But take one step at a time and have patience and you will see you won´t need all these fancy, expensive skin products.
Get to know your skin. Identify what triggers your acne. Take care of your diet. Stop picking at your skin. Develop a healthy and natural skin care routine. Avoid makeup. Care for your skin at night as well.
What routine/tips do you have? Which natural products do you use? Let me know! I am always looking for new things to try.
You have friends or family who this post might help? Please go ahead and share it.
Let´s end the struggle with our acne together!
No one know your skin better than you do.
nanesworld.com
So you created your house sitter profile and applied for a couple of sits. After some declines (that´s totally normal), you are now in contact with a potential (first) home owner. Congratulations!
But before accepting the sit, make sure you ask a couple of questions to avoid surprises and stress.
Ideally, ask them in a video chat, via phone or even in person (if you live in the area). You can also ask in an Email or text, but I personally prefer a video chat. You just get a better feeling for the home owner. Also, you can see the home and pets, which is a big plus.
The pets are the main reasons why the home owner looks for a sitter (at least with trustedhousesitters.com). So ask as many questions as you can think of. Having an untrained puppy, who pees everywhere, chews on everything and needs nearly 24hours care, can be quite stressful.
However, your questions can also show the owner that you care! That you know what matters and you can show off your experience. The owner will feel much more comfortable having you as his/her sitter.
Look up the breed online in advance, so you know what to expect and what to ask. You will feel much more confident. You know what to expect and how to handle the pets.
Some examples. What do the pets like and dislike? How do they interact with other pets? Do they need medication? What is allowed and what isn´t (furniture, in/outside, food, off leash)? How long can you leave the pets alone? When do they eat? When do you walk them? Do you need to brush, groom or wash the dog? These are only some examples of what to ask.
Always talk about the date of their arrival and departure as well as your arrival and departure. It´s one of the most important things! Additionally, ask to get their dates in some kind of writing.
It happened to us more than once that the dates were messed up. Luckily, all three times we asked about their arrival a couple of days before the sit ended. Also, we traveled by car and were therefore a bit more flexible.
Believe me, the last thing you want is to change your flight because the home owners come back one day later. And nothing is more stressful, than a home owner coming back earlier. You may haven´t even started cleaning the home and packing your stuff at this point.
So to avoid this stress. Always ask home owners about their travel plans. Where are they going? Which airport or airline do they take? So you can look up flight times online. Offer to take them to the airport/ to pick them up. This way you really know for sure.
This is mainly for your peace of mind. How do you get there? Can they pick you up? What about public transport? Will you need a car? If you have a car/ need a car, what is the parking situation? If you sit a dog, how do you get to dog parks or other places? Do you take him in your own or their car? Does he have a service west? What is in case of an emergency when you need to get dogs, cats or other pets to the vet?
Clear these things up before accepting a sit. If you don´t have a car, but you even need a car to get groceries, it complicates things. You may need to rent a car (extra costs). Also, if you don´t like dogs in your car, say that. You might find a solution together.
Good sleep is important. After all, you are housesitting to travel, explore and relax. The best location, most adorable pets or most beautiful home won´t do you much good if you are too tired or stressed to enjoy it.
I think it´s safe to say we had it all by now. Beautiful, quiet bedrooms with comfy beds where we slept better than in our own bed. We had cute snuggling pets sleeping with us in the bed and didn´t even notice. But we also had very small beds, uncomfortable beds and noisy bedrooms. We also had dogs sleeping with us in the bedroom and waking us up multiple times in the middle of the night.
If you are not big on sleep, you are fine. But if you need your beauty sleep, or pets in the bed are a no-go for you, ask where you will sleep and where the pets will sleep.
Even so the pet is the main concern of/for most owners, you will live in their home. And that is a huge deal for many people. So be respectful and ask some questions about the home as well.
What will be you responsibilities besides the pets? Besides mail and recycling, ask about cleaning, plants and the garden. Some people may show you on your arrival how to clean the home or how to water the plants. Most homes are smoke- and drug-free. So if you are a smoker, ask if/where you can smoke as well.
House specifics and emergencies. Doors and windows might need a little twist to close. Some alarm systems or ACs have their specifics in order to work. And some homes might have a sump pump in the basement that can fail, leaving the basement under water (yes that happened). Other homes are in areas where electricity is unstable or Hurricanes and Tornados can happen. Just ask about such things and what you need to know for such situations.
As you can see there are many questions to ask. And there will be more questions to ask on your arrival. But ask these five questions before accepting a sit and it will take off many concerns and stress on both side.
Also, don´t accept the home owner to be fully organized and prepared. Most are not as familiar with house sitting either. For some it´s maybe the first experience with house sitting. Others are just not organized that well.
So even so the main decision is with the home owner, you should also ask questions and decide for yourself if the sit is for you. It´s totally okay to say no if you don´t feel comfortable. In the end, it´s your holiday and your free time.
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family! The more, the merrier! Let´s change the way of travelling together!
If you like to do house sitting, I highly recommend TrustedHousesitters. They are the best platform and biggest house sitting community worldwide.
Sign up here now and become a house sitter today!
Asking questions before a sit spares you difficult decisions later
nanesworld.com
For great house sitting experiences for both parties, it´s important to have some guidelines in mind. Those should go and come both ways. After all house or pet sitting involves people of different age, life styles and/or cultures.
Appreciate the other party. It starts with answering all applicants, respectively all inquiries. Nothing is more frustrating than not getting an answer on your two pages long sit application. Appreciate the other´s time, nice gestures, provided information, etc. Nothing should be taken for granted. Everything should be seen from both perspectives.
Respect privacy. Respect cultures. Respect life styles. Respect age. Respect wishes and concerns. Respect decisions.
The key to a great experience for both parties, is great communication. Before, during and after a sit. Get all the contact info – Email, phone, whatsapp, skype, etc. It also establishes trust.
Make sure, you understand everything right. Especially language and cultural barriers can result in misunderstandings. So keep in mind different countries, time zones, climates, cultures, generations, life styles and languages.
Trust goes both ways. The home owner trusts the sitter with his/her home and pets. Big Deal! They trust that a sitter is organized, will arrive on time and to be devoted to this sit 100%.
The sitter trusts the owner that all the provided information is correct. It starts with the house details, the safety of the neighborhood and the details about the pets. Especially with trustedhousesitters, it’s the sitters holiday/ free time. And there is no money charged. So to all the homeowners out there, please no hidden cameras! It´s the one of the most invasion of the privacy there is. If you do not trust your sitter, don´t get a house sitter in the first place.
Don´t let the other party guess what you expect. Make it clear. It´s the only way to avoid disappointments. And the best way to have a house sitting experience all enjoy.
For me most important is the expectations regarding cleanliness. That´s maybe a German thing. But the experience taught me, it happens to so many sitters and owners that the definitions of neat and respectful are divided. And it really can cast shadows over a sit.
For most home owners its important a sitter keeps their home tidy and clean. Some even explicitly write in their listing they are neat and want neat sitters. But sitters expect the same when arriving at a sit. Nothing is worse than arriving at a dirty house sit. Where you don´t feel comfortable. And maybe need to clean a whole day before you can enjoy yourself (believe me, we had that more than once, where we even had to clean the vacuum cleaner and washing machine first to can even start cleaning).
So talk about expectations, preferably before confirming a sit. So both parties know if its the right fit.
I hope this post helps all house sitters and home owners to understand each other better.
If you have any other questions on house sitting, please feel free to contact me. Either on Social Media or via Email ([email protected]).
If you like to do house sitting, I highly recommend TrustedHousesitters. They are the best platform and house sitting community worldwide. I checked!
Sign up here now and join us in the biggest house sitting community worldwide!
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends and family! The more, the merrier! Let´s change the way of travelling together!
Trust. Respect. Appreciate. Understand. Communicate.
nanesworld.com
