Couple saves £300k living rent-free for 10 years through housesitting

A remarkable couple has revealed how they've saved an impressive £300,000 by living completely rent-free for over a decade through international housesitting across five continents.

The Ultimate Lifestyle Hack

Bianca Rappaport, 34, and her husband Paolo, 45, have transformed their lives through strategic housesitting, allowing them to explore more than 20 countries while building substantial savings. The pair began their unconventional lifestyle in June 2016 after discovering that traditional travel methods didn't provide enough time to properly experience each destination.

"Here's what most people don't realise," Bianca explains, "you don't have to wait until retirement to be free, you can design your life around freedom." The New York native has turned what many would consider a temporary solution into a sustainable long-term strategy.

Global Adventures and Unusual Accommodations

The couple's housesitting journey has taken them to extraordinary properties worldwide. "I have stayed in so many random places," Bianca recalls. "I once even stayed in a former old 18th century winery, where all the rooms were carved into volcanic rock."

Their housesitting assignments typically last at least two months, with Bianca planning their schedule three to nine months in advance. This forward planning has allowed them to care for over 50 different pets, ranging from dogs and cats to more unusual charges including fish, chickens, and even turkeys.

One particularly memorable experience involved looking after the same cat in two different countries. "There was once a time I looked after a cat in Bangkok, and the owner told me she had moved to Rome, so I looked after the same cat in Italy," Bianca shares.

Financial Freedom and Business Growth

The financial benefits have been substantial, with the couple saving approximately £30,000 annually on rent and bills. This consistent saving has put them on track to achieve their goal of retiring by age 45.

Bianca emphasises that their lifestyle isn't about deprivation. "Including all our personal stuff - health insurance, flights, transport, food - between the two we spent around $10,000 in the first six months of 2025, and that's without depriving ourselves in any way."

The freedom from rent payments has also enabled Bianca to develop her business ventures. She now runs 'Wanderwell Club', a company she launched in 2024 that helps others achieve "sustainable travel" and "financial freedom while doing good along the way."

"I worked out that compared to if I stayed in Brooklyn, I am going to retire two decades before I thought I would," she reveals.

Minimalist Living and Local Impact

Embracing a minimalist approach, Bianca travels with only a 40-litre carry-on backpack containing all her possessions. This simplicity allows them to move seamlessly between assignments while enjoying homeowners' amenities including gyms, cars, and pools.

Beyond personal benefits, Bianca sees housesitting as a solution to over-tourism. "It is a way that tourists and locals can work together, a sharing economy," she explains. "They need someone to look after their pet and make sure the house is okay while they're gone, and you have somewhere wonderful to explore."

The couple uses platforms like Trusted House Sitters to find opportunities, and they've developed a system that allows them to immerse themselves in local communities. "People often show you to their best farmers markets and shops in the area, and introduce you to their neighbours, so you have a community and a good idea of the area and inside knowledge."

Bianca concludes: "It really helps you slow down travelling and get to know a place from a local's perspective. I wouldn't ever change the way that I live, and I am grateful for the trust that people put in me."

Countries visited through housesitting: