Stretch Your Dollar: Using home swapping to save money on travel

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A way to save money on your next vacation: home swapping!

We’re stretching your dollar with a unique trend that’s growing in popularity.

This summer it’s the real-world spin on the classic Christmas film “The Holiday.”

Travelers are turning to a home swap to save thousands of dollars on their vacations.

The average monthly rate in a hotel in the United States this summer is $240. For a rental home, it’s $182 per bedroom per night.

Families like single mom of two Marina Wanders are trading homes with strangers- for free.

“You get to stay somewhere for free and it feels like making friends and connections as you do this,” Wanders said.

When she wanted to do a home swap during her kids’ school break, she posted in a Facebook group.

Another woman responded offering up her home for a week, which was complete with a swimming pool.

“It’s almost like this will become our home for the week,” she said.

Social media isn’t the only place to get in on the trend.

Companies like “Home Exchange” and “People Like Us” list homes available to swap and charge an annual membership fee. They say bookings are up double digits this year.

It’s important to set your expectations. There will likely be clothes in the closets as these homes are lived in.

But that may be convenient if you travel with little ones and perhaps swap with other families where there are some of those amenities or accessories you may need.