Housesitting: An Affordable Solution For Extended Honeymoons

Hotel accommodations are one of the largest expenses for couples planning a honeymoon. Unless you don’t mind a sub-par motel, you’ll have to pay several hundred dollars a night to enjoy your time away. Of course, there are other options like vacation rentals, but they too can be pricey and hard to find. Fortunately, housesitting provides a practical solution.

There are property owners that will pay couples to watch their home for several weeks. Housesitting is ideal because it’s a free place to stay and puts a little extra cash in your pocket to spend on your honeymoon. The idea of remaining in one spot as you immerse yourself in the culture sounds terrific. It provides you with the opportunity to live like a local and explore the area.


Before you get lost in the idea of wedding sparklers for send off and your airport departure, there are some things you should know to ensure your experience is a good one. Continue reading to learn more.

Required Documentation

Depending on your honeymoon destination (and where you reside), you may need additional documentation to take on a long-term housesitting project. For example, if you’re traveling internationally, you will need a travel visa for your extended-stay.


Consider getting an international driver’s license unless you plan on using other means of transportation. Lastly, you’ll need updated medical paperwork and shot/vaccination records. As it can take several weeks to obtain these essential documents, you should start well in advance.

Local Culture

Housesitting during your honeymoon means you’ll be spending more time in local neighbourhoods and communities. If you’re going to adjust properly, you must learn about the culture. What is the native language? Are there certain religious or cultural beliefs about what you wear or how you should interact with others? The last thing you want to do is offend anyone while you’re in a foreign place. Also, find out the local laws, so you don’t end up in legal trouble far away from home.

Everyday Needs

While bringing things like lingerie, beach gear, fancy attire, cosmetics, and a few mood-setters like flowers, candles, and 36 inch sparklers are common, you’ll need more things to enjoy your extended honeymoon. If you want to further save on your honeymoon, you’ll need access to everyday products and services. Whether it’s the grocery store or the local gym, you want to ensure that you can access everything you need. Fortunately, you can use applications to help you search for everything from haircuts and weaves in San Diego to nearby gas stations and doctor’s offices in the UK. Knowing all of this in advance will ensure that you don’t get lost once you arrive.

Your Budget

The house sitting gig will provide you with some income, but is it enough to live on for the next few weeks or months? Though you don’t have to pay for hotel accommodations, there are other expenses you’ll have to keep in mind. For starters, you’ll need to pay for food and transportation. You should also have room in the budget to participate in activities while you’re away.

If you have financial obligations back home, you’ll need to factor those expenses into your budget as well. If your budget is tight, research ways to save on long-term trips. Whether you use coupons, cook all your meals at home, or find affordable places to shop, every penny saved can make your honeymoon more affordable.

Income Streams

If it turns out that your house sitting gig won’t cover the costs of your extended honeymoon, you’ll need to think about other income sources. There are lots of companies that hire people temporarily that are worth looking into. Remember, you’ll need to have the right paperwork.

If you don’t plan on working retail or a traditional 9 to 5, you can always make money at home. You can start a travel blog, become a freelance writer, design websites, answer surveys, manage social media accounts, sell your photographs, and so much more. Research in advance to figure out what you’ll need to get started and how much you can expect to make to ensure your needs are covered.

Who wouldn’t love to say that they stayed in Southeast Asia, London, or even San Diego for a few weeks or months? While traditionally, this would be an expensive feat, taking on long-term house sitting gigs can make your dreams a reality. You can honeymoon wherever you’d like, explore different cultures, live like a local, meet new people, and try new things while earning a living. Before heading off on your long-term excursion, ensure that you’ve researched the above factors to ensure your experience is worthwhile.