‘I stay anywhere in the world I want for free and anyone can do it’

A woman named Lizzi Seear, 53, has shared her incredible money-saving travel tip that has allowed her to visit destinations around the world without spending a fortune on accommodation costs. Lizzi, who works as a freelance market researcher and currently lives in Singapore, has saved an impressive £50,000 on accommodation by utilising a house-swapping platform called HomeExchange. Through this platform, users can exchange their homes with others, earning points for hosting visitors which can then be used for their own travels.

Lizzi’s passion for house swapping has enabled her to embark on nearly 50 trips to various locations such as Melbourne, Barcelona, Bali, and more. She highlighted the significant cost savings she experienced during her travels, like staying in a private villa in Bali with a housekeeper instead of pricey hotels. In addition to international trips, Lizzi also utilised HomeExchange to explore different parts of the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic when travel restrictions allowed.

Sharing some of her memorable experiences, Lizzi recounted stays in luxurious accommodations with unique features, including a large house in Western Australia and a quaint apartment in Bologna owned by an Italian rugby player. Despite the initial oddness of having strangers stay in her home, Lizzi found comfort in the trust and connections she built with fellow house swappers over the years. She estimates saving between £28,000 and £50,000 through house swapping and highly recommends this travel method to others.

By sharing her story, Lizzi hopes to inspire more people to consider the benefits of house swapping as a cost-effective and enriching way to travel. With her extensive experience and positive outcomes, Lizzi illustrates how exploring the world can be not only affordable but also a rewarding opportunity to connect with diverse communities and create lasting memories.