For the past three years, a woman from Cornwall has been exploring the UK and Europe while living almost entirely without the burden of rent or mortgage payments. Emma Truscott, 38, has perfected a lifestyle that saves her a staggering £12,000 annually on accommodation, money she redirects towards unforgettable experiences and luxuries on the road.
The House-Sitting Hack That Changed Everything
Emma's journey into a rent-free life began in July 2022 during a trip to London, where she first tried house-sitting for strangers. She quickly realised that turning this into a full-time arrangement could be the key to funding her travels. As a freelance writer and virtual assistant, her work is fully remote, allowing her to operate from anywhere with an internet connection.
The role is not without responsibilities. In exchange for free lodging, house-sitters like Emma take care of the homeowner's property. Duties typically include putting out the bins, watering plants, and most importantly, looking after pets. "The biggest perks are being able to live like a local in neighbourhoods around the world, see places I didn't know existed, and pay nothing for accommodation," Emma explained.
A Financially Liberating Lifestyle
By eliminating her largest monthly expense, Emma has gained remarkable financial freedom. She detailed her average monthly outgoings for 2025, which highlight how little she spends on essentials:
- Utilities & mobile: Roughly £22
- Work-related costs: £195
- Temporary lodging between sits: £86
- High-end groceries: £188
- Experiences and festivals: £63
- Non-essential shopping: £78
Her most significant necessary costs are travel, with flights averaging £148 per month and daily transport around £14. She also enjoys dining out, spending nearly £200 a month in restaurants.
Looking to the Future Without Settling Down
Emma has no plans to abandon her nomadic, house-sitting life. She feels she is "really living" and sees no advantage in settling in one location while spending the bulk of her earnings on household bills. "Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to make it to 70 years old and still be house sitting – what a life I would have had!" she mused.
The substantial savings she banks each year are earmarked for holidays without duties. She hopes to use the £12,000 saved from last year to fund a month in Sri Lanka and potentially reschedule a South American adventure originally planned for 2020, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Emma relies on a dedicated application to find house-sitting opportunities and describes her lifestyle as far from exhausting. "It's not exhausting like backpacking – you're in a comfortable home, you can do a big grocery shop and unpack," she said. With the pressure of big bills removed, she can pursue work she genuinely enjoys and take more risks in her freelance business. For Emma Truscott, house-sitting is more than a travel hack; it's the foundation of a liberated and fulfilling life.
