Title: House Sitting: A Cool Extra Job for Students
A little while ago, I met up with one of my financially savvy friends in Vermont who shared some fun stories about the various side jobs or “hustles” she used to do. One of her stories in particular grabbed my attention – she earned extra money during college by house sitting.
So what’s the deal with house sitting? Simply put, you stay in someone else’s house when they can’t be there, and in return, you get paid. My friend loved it because she could escape her dorm, use a proper kitchen, take care of pets, and enjoy a comfortable bed. Plus, she got to use the laundry facilities for free, free from any dorm room awkwardness.
Curious to know more? Here’s an interview with one of the most conscientious house sitters I know, Iris.
So how did Iris get into house sitting? It started pretty naturally, actually. A family from her church needed a house sitter who was comfortable around their horses, and since she was familiar with large animals, she was a perfect fit. Soon, word got around, and she became the go-to person for house sitting.
The tasks involved in house sitting were relatively simple. For some houses, it would be checking in and feeding the pets, ensuring that the house was in order and seeing if there were any noticeable problems. In general, though, she would usually stay at the houses, which paid between $20-$30 a day, depending on factors like the distance to her school/work and the number of pets at the house.
Does Iris have a fail story? Sure does. Like the time she didn’t discuss the payment terms upfront with a friend of her mother’s, who then gave her $20 for four days of work and called every day to check on the pets. This taught Iris that it’s crucial to agree on payment terms and communication expectations right from the get-go.
Don’t think house sitting is only beneficial for friends and family. Iris currently takes care of a friend’s dog at her own home, earning an easy $25 a day. Plus, you can check out websites like www.rover.com, where people are paid to look after pets. In some areas, you can earn about $35 a night.
Have you tried house sitting or pet sitting before? How did you build your contacts? Do you have any funny fail stories? Share them with us!