Ever dreamt of globe-trotting without breaking the bank? Well, Madolline Gourley, a 31-year-old Aussie, spills the beans on her secret – catsitting! This adventurous writer has turned her love for felines into a ticket to travel the world practically for free.
Hailing from Brisbane, Madolline has explored the vast terrains of Australia and the United States without burning a hole in her pocket. How, you ask? By offering her top-notch housesitting skills and taking care of people’s furry companions while they jet off on their own adventures.
She spilled the deets, saying, “I’ve saved around A$28,000 (£16,050) in accommodation costs to date by using site TrustedHouseSitters.” This savvy traveler even started a blog called “One Cat at a Time” where she dishes out travel updates, adorable cat pics, and handy tips for fellow wanderlusters.
Madolline’s most ambitious journey? A 75-day escapade across the US, tending to 15 cats in nine different homes across seven cities. Talk about a purr-fect itinerary! She kicked off in Seattle, meandered through Austin, conquered the Big Apple (with sits in Chelsea, South Park Slope, and Prospect Heights), ventured to Salt Lake City, conquered Denver, explored Chicago, and wrapped it up in Portland.
What’s next on her radar? A feline-filled adventure in Canada, where she’s currently on the lookout for catsitting gigs in Toronto and Quebec City.
To fuel her wanderlust, Madolline puts in a 9-5 job in Australia between her globe-trotting escapades. “While house and cat sitting for strangers has saved me thousands of dollars on accommodation-related expenses, I still need money to pay for things like my airfares to and from sits,” she explains.
And if you’re still looking for more money-saving travel tips, take a leaf out of Jen’s book (aka @SmartyPantsFinance). This savvy vlogger has been hotel mystery shopping since 2004, snagging luxury hotel stays and lavish restaurant meals for free. In a TikTok video, she spills the beans on how mystery shoppers get the VIP treatment and report back on their experiences.
So, there you have it – from jet-setting with cats to becoming a hotel mystery shopper, the world of budget-friendly travel is full of surprises!
