Retired friends of mine just spent a month in a fabulous five bedroom mansion they had all to themselves in Santa Fe.

They weren’t related to the owners, nor had they ever met them, yet their stay in this modern adobe home complete with swimming pool and stunning desert views didn’t cost them a cent.

How?  A few months ago, we told them about several websites where you can sign up to house-sit other people’s homes.  They duly registered on housesitters.com and listed themselves as available for house-swapping or house-sitting anywhere in the world.

Fairly quickly they were contacted by several folks interested in their services.  The folks in Ireland chose someone else, but a couple in Cabo and a family in Santa Fe chose them.

They picked Santa Fe, excited at the prospect of exploring New Mexico, but a little apprehensive about going into the home of complete strangers.  They exchanged emails with the home owners, and when both parties were satisfied that there were no axe-murderers involved, they agreed to the gig.

They’ve had a marvellous time and their emails have been thrilling to read — especially the last one.  “Hey guess what?”  Sharon emailed us, “we just got an offer to house-sit in Thailand.  We’re going next month!” And not just anywhere in Thailand but to one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world, Koh Samui.  Ah, the life of the retired.

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