For those feeling crushed by soaring rents and relentless household bills, one woman has discovered a radical solution that has transformed her finances and lifestyle. Emma Truscott, 38, now lives as a full-time house sitter, a move she estimates saves her a staggering £12,000 every year on accommodation and utility costs.
From London Visit to a New Lifestyle
Emma's journey began in 2022 when she was searching for affordable lodgings ahead of a trip to London. She stumbled upon an app advertising free places to stay. Intrigued by the concept of looking after people's homes and pets while they travelled, she decided to give it a try. The experience was a revelation, sparking a passion for the house sitting life.
Since committing to it year-round, the freelance writer and virtual assistant has been able to explore destinations across the UK and Europe. She has enjoyed stays everywhere from Vienna and Paris to Malta and Finland, all without ever paying for a hotel. The financial liberation has been profound, allowing her to redirect money that would have been swallowed by rent, mortgages, and bills towards more fulfilling pursuits.
The Numbers: A Breakdown of a Nomadic Budget
Looking at her 2025 outgoings, Emma's figures tell a compelling story of low fixed costs. Her accommodation averaged just £86 per month, a sum covering occasional gaps between house sits. Bills, including her mobile phone and iCloud storage, came to a mere £22 monthly.
Her highest expenses were food and travel, reflecting her prioritisation of experience over overheads. She spent an average of £195 a month on restaurants and £188 on groceries. Travel costs included £148 monthly on flights and £14 on local transport. Discretionary spending covered fun activities like festival tickets (£63), non-essentials (£78), essentials (£54), and gifts (£58).
"The majority of my expenses are spent on fun rather than overheads," says Emma, who is originally from Cornwall. "I can eat out more often, shop in the pricier supermarkets and go to concerts or activities that a lot of people can only afford as an occasional treat."
Living Like a Local, Without the Cost
Beyond the savings, Emma cherishes the immersive nature of her lifestyle. "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," she explains.
While she acknowledges the setup isn't for everyone—some may dislike the lack of permanent roots or feel uneasy in others' spaces—her own experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. She contrasts it with exhausting backpacking trips, noting the comfort of having a proper home base where she can unpack and cook.
"To me, there are no cons… I understand it won’t be for everyone, but I love living like this," Emma states. "Sure, there’s usually a day or two of travel every month, but that’s a small sacrifice to pay."
Currently on a house sitting assignment in London, Emma has no intention of returning to a conventional life of leases and direct debits. She sees no benefit in "staying in one place and spending most of my money on bills."
"I feel like I’m really living; seeing things, meeting people, and having incredible experiences that will stay with me forever," she says with enthusiasm, even speculating she might still be house sitting at 70. For 2026, she plans to use some of her savings for trips where she isn't in a stranger's home, with ambitions to visit Sri Lanka and finally take a postponed South American adventure.
