Money Saving Hack #54 – Meal Planning

Meal Planing, save money Planning for your meals while on house and pet sits will help you save money. Sounds simple, right? While most of us can appreciate that meal planning is a great way to ensure we don’t waste the food we buy, few of us go that extra step to physically writing down our meal plans – and sticking to them!

Meal planning is particularly useful when you have back to back house and pet sits. It will help you manage the fresh food you need for a particular period and, as time goes by, you will get better at estimating how much you will need for any meal for any period.

Fresh fruit such as bananas, can ripen very quickly, so only buy enough to last you for your house and pet sit period.

Meal planning not only helps you plan for meals on the go, it saves you money because you only buy items that you’ll be cooking with, and it will encourage more healthy meal choices.

Here are a few ways to make meal planning work for you.

Start with a Weekly Calendar

Create a calendar for every day of the week. On this calendar, include the days that you will be transitioning from and to different house and pet sits and the times you’re expected to arrive and depart. Based on your movements, write down the meals you plan to make, take out or eating out options and the days and times you’re going to be able to shop for groceries and other items.

Make a Shopping List

Once you’ve created your meal plan, write down the ingredients you need to make your meals. By having a list, you will know exactly what you need so you only have to make one trip to the shops and can enjoy living like a local as a house and pet sitter the rest of the time.

Don’t Impulse Buy

You have a list for a reason. Don’t stray from your list and you won’t overindulge in unhealthy snacks and foods. Being in almost holiday-like mode for a house and pet sit, you may be tempted to indulge every now and again but having a list and sticking to it is a great way to stay healthy during your travels.

House and pet sitting is an adventure. Book your next position anywhere across the UK.

3 Life Lessons Your Pet Will Teach You

mindahome.co.uk Feb 19

Sometimes, it almost feels as if the months and years go by in the blink of an eye. We all know the old adage ‘stop and smell the roses’, but with work, family and life in general getting busier and busier, the idea of ‘stopping’ doesn’t seem to resonate in modern times.

Our pet pals, though, have this magic ability. They offer us unconditional love, affection and attention and whenever we spend time with them, we do take time to appreciate the best things in life.

Often, life lessons come packaged up in a ball of fluff and fur and give us perspective about what’s important and how best to make the most of every day.

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Whether your pet has fur, feathers, scales or skin, the depth of their companionship is second to none. Pets can sense our mood and are great at transforming a tired and grumpy human into an excited and laugh-out-loud friend.

Our pets make a house a home and they are comfortable with their familiar surrounds, smells and sounds. For the times when pet-parents have to travel without their treasured pet, live-in pet sitters are the key to bringing in the warmth and love of the pet-parent so that their new pet-pal continues to have personalised attention in their home.

Keep Your Mind and Body Happy

Research suggests that people who engage with pets are more active, social and healthy. Your pet is your daily exercise reminder when they come to tell you it’s time for a walk. They can be your rough and tumble partner in the backyard. They can be your down-time and stress reliever. Most Mindahome house and pet sitter members aren’t able to own a pet of their own, so pet sitting gives them the chance to enjoy animal companionship and an active lifestyle.

Our pets have an amazing ability to know what we need, when we need it and keep us happy throughout life’s challenges and triumphs.

Life is Better With Friends

Meeting new animal pals is one of the top reasons why sitters choose the house and pet sitting lifestyle. There are always new people to meet, new fur-friends to play with and new communities to explore. Living life in someone else’s shoes often gives us perspective about what we want out of life and gives us renewed energy to pursue our dreams. Human or animal friends bring joy and fullness to our lives and life’s always better with friends.

For more information about exploring new life opportunities as a house and pet sitter, visit mindahome.co.uk.

5 Cool Ways to Spoil Your Pet

We all love to be spoiled now and again and our pets are no different. They give us so much love and affection that sometimes we may not always truly show how much we care.

But, there are really cool things you can do to spoil your pet that will truly make their day. So whether you’re celebrating your fur-friend’s birthday, their adoption day, or just because… we’ve got some simple ideas for your pet – and they don’t have to cost a fortune.

Gifts and Treats

A new collar, bed or bowl would be a lovely surprise for your pet – especially if the ones they have are getting a little worn! There are loads of businesses out there that now offer personalisation for pet products – with everything to suit the smallest of creatures to the largest of hounds. So scout out the one that suits your needs and budget and create a special surprise. But… gifts and treats don’t need to be expensive.

A Day at the Dog Park

Who doesn’t love a run and rumble at the dog park? Make it a play date with some of your furry friend’s buddies and instant fun can be had! Not only is it a great chance for your pet to expend some energy, but a great way to exercise and show your dogs that you enjoy the same energetic fun that they do.

Personalised Care

Giving your pet the best care when you have to travel is always a pet-parent’s top priority. Engage a house and pet sitter for free and your pet will be treated to personalised attention and care and an almost pet-parent love that can’t be beaten by any other pet care facility. It helps sitters out there looking for a place to stay and saves pet and home owners loads of money on pet care.

Pamper

If money isn’t an option, then a pampering session at your local pet spa is a must. Treat your pet to a luxurious bath and grooming session, and, go on, get their nails painted while they’re there. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, call in your local pet wash service and give them a good grooming by those with loads of experience managing animals.

Special Time Together

Of course, you can’t go past treating your pet to some regular old ‘me and you’ time. We’re all very busy these days, but schedule some time in your diary to just sit and cuddle with your pet watching TV, reading a book together or just enjoying the day in the backyard. Sometimes the simple pleasures are the ones that count the most.

5 Hacks For Living Big For Less

You don’t have to miss out on life’s little luxuries to save money. Try these 5 hacks to enjoy some of your fancy desires, without spending a fortune.

Live Rent Free

Paying rent is like watching your money burn. It doesn’t help you work towards home ownership and it isn’t the most successful savings strategy. Want to live rent free? Try house and pet sitting around the UK. Whether you’re looking to live near work, near family or wanting to try out different places before you decide to settle down in a particular town, house and pet sitting can allow you to live in other people’s homes, while caring for their pets, without paying for things like utilities and internet. House and pet sitters have saved thousands of pounds every year by choosing this nomadic lifestyle.

Buy, Save and Give Back Too

Gone are the days when charity shops smelt musty and like your grandma’s well worn cardigans. Today, charity shops offer savvy shoppers the chance to grab a bargain of some impressive high-end brands that will make you look and feel like you should be on a Fashion Week runway. There are a variety of charity shops across the UK in all towns and cities such as Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Shropshire and Weymouth, where you can save money on some of the latest fashions, and you’re also giving back to support worthy charities. Win/win! Continue reading “5 Hacks For Living Big For Less”

Your Monthly Make-Over Checklist

The most popular house and pet sitters actively engage through their house and pet sitting service. Details are kept up to date and recent references and experience are listed.

If you want to be a successful house and pet sitter, follow these tips for a monthly review of your profile to make your listing more attractive to potential home and pet owners.

1. Be Professional
Get into the mindset of potential home and pet owners searching for sitters. First impressions count and your profile photo is the first thing they see about what you have to offer. They are entrusting their beloved pets and home with you and want to find someone who will respect their most valued possessions. Your profile and supporting photos should show you enjoying the company of animals and professional- style photos with your full face in focus. Continue reading “Your Monthly Make-Over Checklist”

A Pet Sitter’s Guide to a Healthy Goodbye

There are loads of bonuses to caring for or owning a pet, and of course, many responsibilities as well. Pets should enjoy a safe, loving environment, a good diet, and be given regular health checks.

They should also be suitably cared for when their owners are away on holiday. While a reputable kennel or cattery can provide a solution, many owners prefer to have their pets cared for in their own home environment where they are familiar with their own smells, toys and sounds.

Another awesome option is to engage a live-in pet sitter through a service such as Mindahome, one of the UK’s most trusted house and pet sitting websites. Knowing that pets are receiving loving care in their own environment is an obvious win-win for both pet and owner. But how about you, the pet sitter? Continue reading “A Pet Sitter’s Guide to a Healthy Goodbye”

Discover Bristol – A City the River Built

If your house sitting assignment or holiday is in Bristol, you are staying in England’s sixth largest city which is built around the River Avon. This connection to the sea has propelled the progress of Bristol through the years, making it South West England’s centre of education, employment and culture today. In the 14^th century, the city was a centre of shipbuilding and manufacturing, making it the second most important port in the country and the jump off point for expeditions to the east, west, across the Atlantic and to North America.

The ships turned Bristol into a focal point of smuggling and the slave trade, and at one time more than half a million people were carried from Africa on 2,000 ships fitted out at Bristol to live as slaves in the Americas. With the advent of air travel Bristol became a natural base for aircraft manufacturers who set up their factories in the city. The aerospace industry together with electronics and creative media industries continue to be a dominant factor in the economy of Bristol. It also welcomes almost 10 million foreign tourists every year making it the UK’s seventh most popular destination. Continue reading “Discover Bristol – A City the River Built”

House Sitters can give Special Care for your Ageing Pet

The special relationship that the British have with their pets has long been recognised. 43% of our homes have a pet of one kind or another. Of the 27 million pets, dogs and cats are the most common and the pet population is growing steadily. Other countries that rank highly in the number of pets are Australia, India, South Africa and Thailand rounding out the Top 5.

The love and attention owners give their pets can pose challenges as pets age and owners still have a need to travel. Who can care for an ageing pet the way a loving pet owner does? Well, many owners have found that using the services of a pet sitter, experienced in caring and medicating older animals, has been the perfect solution. A pet carer can have a wealth of knowledge when it comes to problems associated with older pets. Continue reading “House Sitters can give Special Care for your Ageing Pet”

Peace and tranquillity for a House Sitter in The Lake District, Cumbria

Nestled among fells, hills and the most beautiful scenery you can ever imagine, is the Lake District in Cumbria. Comprising 885 square miles and containing 2 of the deepest and longest lakes in all of England, Cumbria is a county of great beauty that attracts many writers, artists and visitors each year. It is the perfect place for house sitting for those seeking tranquillity and a break from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Scafell Pike, which is at 978 metres, the highest mountain in England lies in what is now known as the Lake District National Park.

The Lake District is one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country but is the home to the towns of Keswick, Windermere and Ambleside, in which all modern amenities can be found. Many visitors to the area come for the sheer beauty, peace and relaxation that can be found in abundance. Walking, climbing, watersports and many other activities are available during the warmer months, however the Lake district is known to be the Dampest part of the country and the weather be somewhat changeable. Continue reading “Peace and tranquillity for a House Sitter in The Lake District, Cumbria”

Why be a House Sitter

Why be a house sitter is not a question many people ask themselves. House sitting is an emerging trend and still not a very common one. Nevertheless, it offers unique opportunities for many groups of people whose life styles fit the requirements of the job. House sitting means accepting a contract to take care of someone else’s house for a specified period of time. Sometimes you are paid for your services dependant on the work required to be performed. There are very few prerequisites for a house sitter. There are no gender, age, educational or nationality restrictions. As long as the client is satisfied that you can do the job required, you can be a house sitter. This makes house sitting ideal for persons like retirees, self-employed people or even those with disabilities. Continue reading “Why be a House Sitter”

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