Postcard Academy Shownotes

I loved getting to talk with Postcard Academy’s podcast host Sarah – she is a funny, smart, thoughtful badass!

Here are some of the links to the many things referenced in our conversation.

My Weird Self

• Ticket2Blog – the no-bullsh*t podcast about content creation.   And life.
  ^ which is co-hosted by the woman in this hilarious and informative video.
• “My readers” – email subscribers who get to know some secret stuff about my life.
• The packing list that’s been #1 for five years.

House Sitting Info

• How to Become a House Sitter
• The hidden costs of house sitting
• Basic Steps to Get Started:
  • what is your why?
  • what do you want in a sit?
  • which site should you join?

House Sitting Websites

• The Best (and Worst!) House Sitting Websites
• House Carers – one of my favorite sites
• Nomador – an awesome company growing internationally
• House Sitting Academy’s Private Referral Network

Overrated House Sitting Websites

• Trusted House Sitters – if they have a sit I want, I pay the fee.   But it’s the last place I look.
• Housesitter.com – sitters are getting spammed!

House Sitters & Their Personal Websites

• Eden of ReallyTrulyLiving.com who notes that part of being a good sitter is being an animal lover
• Ian and Nicky of Above Us Only Skies who were taking care of a home when a hurricane hit!

My Home-owner’s Departure Checklist

• • Day to day operations
    • Pets
    • Plants
    • Mail
    • Home security
    • Heat/ac
    • Tour (kitchen/living room/closets)
      • I don’t like to dig
    • Quirks — appliances, leaks
    • Cleaning supplies
    • WIFI LIMIT?!
  • How to deal with emergencies
    • Vets
    • Past lost pet experience
    • Utilities shut off/fire ext.
    • 000 111 911?
    • Info about their trip
    • Emergency contacts
    • Authorized contractors

Other Free or Cheap Accommodation

• Work Exchange – my favorite way to travel and live!
• Workaway – my favorite work exchange site.
• HippoHelp – the only free work exchange site I know about.
• Sleep for Free – Worldwide!
• AirBnb – often much cheaper than hotels and a much richer experience.

Travel Tips

• My infamous packing list
• My thoughts on travel insurance – do you need it?
• Insure My Trip – the travel insurance company I use for short trips.
• World Nomads – the travel insurance company I use for longer trips or when I need really quality insurance for things like mountaineering.

My 2018 resolution to “Quit” instead of begin.
Crazy-hippie bathroom toiletries tricks.
The House Sitting Legends podcast