Travel the Home Exchange Way blog

'Big Mac' Currency Conversions? Home Exchange - the Best Value for Money!

Q: 'Hi guys, you seem to have lots of good home exchange listings on your site. But it's very expensive to join. From your side, it's just 29 pounds. That's just over 14 Big Macs I think. But the current currency conversion is: 29 British Pounds = 70.37893 Australian Dollars. That's just under 25 Big Macs down here. My question is ... do you offer any discounts to people who happen to live in a country with a real crappy currency (Great for Brits to visit here, but real bad for Aussies visiting Britain)? Thanks,' - Pete, Australia

A: That's the first time I've seen a currency conversion done in Big Macs (as a vegetarian I'll take your word for the exchange rates!) Home Base Holidays' subscription rates haven't increased for well over six years and, in fact, are now much lower in real terms than 20 years ago when all members received print directories. The internet only option has done away with the need to cover expensive printing and postal costs.

I do understand that variations in currency values will mean that rates that are extremely modest in one country can seem less so in others. However, with home exchange, you are investing a little by paying a small subscription to join, knowing that everyone else has paid the same fee. Because of this, you can be confident that all members listed are genuinely interested in arranging home exchanges (rather than find, if members were charged little or nothing, that many would list their homes on a whim without any real committment to arranging exchanges).

You should have a very good chance of finding a suitable swap, especially in the UK where we have a large number of members. You are also not restricted to arranging one exchange but are free to arrange as many exchanges, or other options, as you want during your membership period; many members arrange one or two longer international exchanges but have shorter breaks closer to home too.

Once you have arranged an exchange, you will only have your air fares and spending money to consider - your accommodation (usually a major expense when travelling) will be free (car too if you decide to swap cars). Maybe best of all, you can decide when you want to eat in (as you will be in a home with all the facilities to cater for yourself) and when you want to splurge and eat out - you should find much better and cheaper options at local cafes and pubs so you won't be limited to eating Big Macs!

Travelling to Meet New People and Experience Different Cultures: an Ideal Home Exchanger!

Polly, an independent traveller, recently joined Home Base Holidays, listing her lovely 100 year old farmhouse near Bath, England. Polly's attitude to travelling makes her an ideal home swapper. She comments:

'I never travel just to go visiting a new place, I travel to meet new people and experience different lifestyles. Any affection for the place then grows out of that. California is my mission for the present. I've never been there but it's been coming up in conversations with friends a little too often recently. I took that as a sign to go and explore, then I can answer back you see! Open to all home exchange or rental etc suggestions so do get in touch. Singles, couples and families, you are all welcome and I'll look forward to meeting some of you.'

Read Polly's full home exchange offer and see photos of her home and views, HE18033

TimeTravel-Britain.com: Article - 'Beat Hotel Costs with a Home Exchange!'

'"Traditional, beamed cottage dating from 1750 in quiet village location on the edge of town." Does this sound like a good spot for an idyllic English vacation? You can stay at places like this, or in a London flat, by exchanging homes with an English family. Home exchanges can be for just a week, or much longer. A home exchange is a great way to save some money, and experience England in a more personal way.'

This is the beginning of an excellent article on swapping homes published in the current issue of TimeTravel-Britain.com. The article, written by Kate Stout, an American writer and experienced home exchanger, gives an example of the cost savings that can be made on a home exchange, especially in London:

'A simple bed and breakfast in London can be £80 per night, or over $150. For a two-week vacation, that's over $2000. By home-exchanging, that cost is zero.'

And that's without the extra savings that can be made by, for example, eating some meals 'at home' and swapping cars!

The article provides useful information under the headings:

• Home Exchange Basics
• Finding a Home
• Assessing an Exchange
• Finalize Details
• Ready, Set, Swap More Information

Read the full article on the website.

TimeTravel-Britain.com offers an extensive selection of travel articles focusing on historic UK destinations, as well as columns, various travel databases (events, accommodations, museums, historic sites), and links.

Travel and Transitions: Travel Story Contest

Readers of this blog are invited to enter a new travel story contest recently announced by Travel and Transitions:

'Home exchangers: Submit your travel stories and have a chance to win a fabulous expedition cruise on the Amazon River or some other great travel prizes. Travel and Transitions, a popular web portal for unconventional travel, is looking for your stories of how travel opened your mind. Travel and Transitions has just launched its first Travel Story Contest. Submit your own stories of between 500 and 2000 words and have a chance to win some great prizes.'

I hope you will try your luck at winning a prize in this competition. If you are a Home Base Holidays member and enter the contest, especially if your story is about a home exchange you've had, please do copy your entry to us. Many of you have already sent us some great stories or have your own blogs recording home swaps. Even if you aren't one of the lucky winners, you could still gain extra publicity for your next home exchange offer as your story, or extracts from it, will be published on this blog or in Home Swappers Newsletter, along with a (visitors) link to your exchange listing.

Read further information on the Travel Story Contest.

Home Exchange Ezine: Home Swappers Newsletter (Apr/May 2006)

The new issue of Home Swappers Newsletter was sent out today and is now published on the website. Some of the topics covered:

• Questions People Ask About Home Exchange: What Did You Do with Your "Good Stuff"
• Flights Booked Already? Arranging a Home Swap for Fixed Dates
• Last Minute Offers: Adding Your Listing and Checking for Exchange Offers
• Feedback: Differences in Housekeeping Standards
• A Little Thoughtfulness Makes a Big Difference
• Travel and Transitions: Invitation to Submit to the Travel Story Contest