Most of your investing life you and your adviser (if you have one) are focused on wealth accumulation. But, we tend to forget, eventually the whole idea of this long process of delayed gratification is to actually spend this money! That’s decumulation as opposed to wealth accumulation. This stage may also involve downsizing from larger homes to smaller ones or condos, moving to the country or otherwise simplifying your life and jettisoning possessions that may tie you down.
My latest MoneySense Retired Money column looks at the Iran conflict that erupted suddenly late in February: you can find the full column here: How Retirees should respond to the Iran Crisis.
On Tuesday, the day after Trump TACO’d over his threat to attack Iran’s oil infrastructure (a 5-day reprieve that calmed stock markets at least for the week ending March 27th) Findependence Hub ran a blog that collected input from 14 financial advisors and business owners based largely in the United States. Those sources were collected via a partnership with long-time contributor Featured.com, which works with Linked In to select input. You can find the resulting column here: Financial Experts and Business Owners on what if any moves Retirees should consider if Iran War drags on.
You can get the gist of the messages those experts sent by quickly scrolling down through an admittedly long blog and reading the subheadings highlighted in Blue in the original post. Below I append my favourites, some of which I flagged on social media. If you find the headline summaries intriguing, you’ll find the accompanying observations useful, if not actionable:
Avoid Knee-jerk Liquidation
This is more of a rebalance-and-defend moment than a reason to overhaul the portfolio
Put Capital Preservation over Aggressive Growth
Seek Robust diversification across asset classes and sectors
Rebalance toward defense, yes. Blow up your entire strategy? No.
Make sure existing Allocation is suitably Defensive and Liquid
Don’t over-rotate into a single ‘safe’ bet that can whipsaw when the narrative changes
Remain diversified enough to absorb uncertainty
Reduce volatile individual Growth Names but maintain Diversified Index Funds
Move from Sector Rotation to Structural Resilience
Canadian perspective, with CUSMA renewal looming
The MoneySense column focuses more on the Canadian situation, with input from Toronto-based advisors like John De Goey, Matthew Ardrey and Steve Lowrie, all of which should be familiar to readers of this site and the Retired Money column.
See also a recent blog on Stagflation penned by Dale Roberts of the Retirement Club and cutthecrap investing. Among his many suggestions, the most valuable may be his emphasis on maintaining an “All-Weather Portfolio” catering to all four possible economic quadrants: Inflationary Growth, Disinflationary Growth, Stagflation and Deflation/Recession. Continue Reading…
Since we last polled financial experts and business owners about the prospects for investing throughout 2026, the surprise war in Iran late in February has decidedly upset the apple cart.
These experts were gathered with the assistance of Featured.com, which has been supplying Findependence Hub with quality content for several years. It has changed its procedure so editors like myself can request input on particular topics we think will interest our readership. The sources are all on LinkedIn, as you can see by clicking on their profiles below.
Here’s how we posed the question about how retired or almost-retired clients might approach their portfolios in light of the Iran conflict:
What defensive strategies do you suggest for retirement-age clients concerned that the Iran war will drag on long enough to impact their nest eggs? Defensive ETFs, gold, utilities or what? Any major shift in Asset Allocation?
Below are the 14 responses that caught my attention, but so many were coming in that I wanted to publish this blog before events overtook the observations and recommendations. I am also doing a followup Retired Money column for MoneySense.ca that will likely run in the next week, which focuses more on Canadian input from domestic experts. This site will run a “throw” to that column once it appears.
The events of the past weekend (March 21 – March 22nd) are typical of the chaos and uncertainty that abound under a rogue American president. Typically, the weekend began with a threat to bomb Iran’s power plants if they didn’t re-open the Strait of Hormuz in 48 hours.
That likely ruined the weekend for many investors but also typical, just hours before U.S. markets opened Monday, Trump provided a 5-day reprieve, causing stocks to surge and oil to fall back to more acceptable prices. As this was everywhere online and in broadcast media yesterday, and will be the main topic in Tuesday’s papers, I won’t recap further, beyond this observation:
This is of course another instance of the so-called TACO Trade: for Trump Always Chickens Out. Unless of course the next time he doesn’t.
So on with our perspective from U.S. business owners and financial experts, keeping in mind that these were submitted before this weekend.
“Protect purchasing power and smooth volatility while still allowing the portfolio to grow over time.”
For retirement age clients worried that a prolonged conflict could affect markets, most advisors focus less on drastic changes and more on defensive diversification and income stability. The goal is protecting capital and reducing volatility rather than chasing returns.
Here are a few commonly recommended strategies:
1. Increase exposure to defensive sectors
Sectors that provide essential services tend to hold up better during geopolitical or economic stress. These include utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples because people still need electricity, medicine, and basic goods regardless of the economy. ETFs tracking these sectors are often used as defensive holdings since they tend to have lower volatility and consistent dividends.
2. Add a modest allocation to gold
Gold has historically acted as a “safe haven” during geopolitical crises and financial instability. Many retirement portfolio strategies suggest holding around 5 per cent to 15 per cent in gold or gold ETFs as a hedge against market stress, inflation, or currency risk.
3. Maintain or increase high-quality bonds
Government bonds and investment grade bonds often act as a buffer when equities become volatile. Defensive retirement strategies typically include high quality bonds and dividend paying assets to stabilize portfolio income and reduce drawdowns.
4. Use defensive ETFs rather than individual stocks
Broad ETFs that track utilities, healthcare, real estate, and gold are often used to diversify risk. For example, defensive portfolios sometimes include sector ETFs tied to utilities or healthcare alongside treasury and gold exposure to hedge against market shocks.
5. Avoid major asset allocation shifts driven by headlines
Even during geopolitical tension, most advisors caution against dramatic portfolio changes. The focus is usually on gradual rebalancing, ensuring the portfolio is aligned with the investor’s risk tolerance and time horizon rather than reacting to short term events.
Bottom line: For retirees concerned about geopolitical risk, the typical approach is not a complete overhaul but a defensive tilt:
Maintain diversified equity exposure
Add defensive sectors
Keep a strong bond allocation
Consider a modest gold position
Focus on income-producing assets
This kind of structure helps protect purchasing power and smooth volatility while still allowing the portfolio to grow over time. — Omer Malik, CEO, ORM Systems
“Avoid Knee-jerk Liquidation.”
As an attorney who has guided clients through Desert Storm, 9/11, and the Great Recession, I move immediately to suppress the urge to panic. War is tragic for humanity, but historically, the stock market treats it as a temporary injunction rather than a permanent dismissal. The worst financial crime you can commit right now is a “knee-jerk liquidation.”
Selling your entire portfolio because of a headline is how you turn a temporary paper loss into a permanent reduction in your standard of living. History shows that while markets jitter at the sound of cannons, they often rally once the uncertainty resolves. Therefore, we do not make major shifts in Asset Allocation based on fear; we make minor tactical adjustments based on risk management.
For defensive strategies, I advise a pivot toward the “Boring Sector.” This means Utilities (XLU) and Consumer Staples (XLP). Regardless of what happens in the Strait of Hormuz, people still need to turn on the lights, brush their teeth, and wash their clothes. These sectors are the “tenured professors” of the market: they aren’t exciting, but they have reliable cash flow and pay dividends that can cushion the blow of a downturn. They act as a legal defense against volatility.
Regarding Gold, view it not as an investment, but as a “geo-political insurance policy.” Allocating 5% to 10% to a gold ETF (like GLD) or physical bullion is prudent. It creates a “hedge” because gold often moves inversely to the dollar and panic. However, do not go “all in.” Gold generates no cash flow; it just sits there looking pretty. It is the airbag, not the engine.
Finally, consider the specific nature of this conflict: Energy. Iran is a major energy player. If the conflict drags on, oil prices will likely spike. Holding a diversified Energy ETF (XLE) acts as a natural hedge for your personal budget. If you are paying more at the gas pump, you might as well be earning dividends from the oil companies to offset the pain. Combine this with short-term US Treasuries (SGOV or SHV), which are currently paying around 5% risk-free. This is your “dry powder.” It keeps your capital safe and liquid, allowing you to sleep at night while the world argues. The verdict? Stay diversified, embrace the boring, and turn off the news. — Lyle Solomon, Principal Attorney, Oak View Law Group
If you are worried a prolonged Iran war could affect your nest egg, I recommend focusing on securing retirement income and preserving short-term assets rather than chasing tactical bets like gold or sector ETFs.
Use a bucket approach to hold stable, low-volatility assets to cover several years of withdrawals while keeping a growth allocation for longer-term needs. Shift the portion of your portfolio needed soon toward preservation and lower volatility investments as you enter retirement.
Strengthen diversified income sources such as Social Security, pensions, and annuity income to reduce sequence-of-return risk. Pay attention to asset location so taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts are positioned to minimize taxes when you withdraw.
Finally, adopt a flexible withdrawal plan with guardrails so spending can be adjusted if markets or geopolitics worsen, instead of making a major permanent allocation shift based on one event. — Clint Haynes, Financial Planner, NextGen Wealth
Put Capital Preservation over Aggressive Growth
For retirement-age investors, the current conflict in Iran highlights the importance of capital preservation over aggressive growth. A prudent approach involves making modest, 5-20% tactical shifts into defensive assets like gold and short-term Treasuries, which provide a necessary hedge against geopolitical spikes and energy-driven inflation.
By prioritizing liquidity and stability now, retirees can cushion their nest eggs against immediate market shocks without abandoning their long-term recovery potential.
On the equity side, focusing on “all-weather” sectors like Utilities, Healthcare, and Consumer Staples offers a way to maintain steady dividend income even during broader market downturns. While small, satellite positions in energy or defense ETFs can offset rising oil prices, the key is to avoid emotional overreactions to the headlines. Maintaining a diversified, high-quality portfolio ensures that your capital remains protected while you stay positioned to benefit when markets eventually normalize. — James Sahagian, Certified Financial Planner, Ramapo Wealth Advisors
Seek Robust diversification across asset classes and sectors
For retirement-age clients worried that a prolonged geopolitical conflict like the Iran war might impact their nest eggs, a defensive posture typically emphasises diversification and capital preservation over aggressive growth. One core idea is to balance a portfolio so that it can withstand volatility without forcing major asset reallocations in response to headlines. Robust diversification across asset classes and sectors remains a foundational strategy for resilience during geopolitical stress.
1. Safe-haven assets
Many investors look to traditional safe havens such as gold or gold-linked ETFs (e.g., IAU or GLD) because gold has historically served as a store of value and tends to have low correlation with equities during times of uncertainty. Allocating a modest percentage of a portfolio to gold or precious metals can act as an insurance policy against market drawdowns and inflationary pressures that often accompany geopolitical risk.
2. Fixed-income and cash equivalents
Holding high-quality bonds, short-duration Treasuries, or cash/money-market funds can preserve capital and provide liquidity, which is especially important for retirees who may need to draw income over time without selling equities at depressed prices. Treasury securities, particularly short-term ones, can serve as defensive assets when stock markets are volatile.
3. Defensive sectors and ETFs
Allocations to utility, consumer staples, and healthcare sectors — typically included in defensive ETFs — can provide relative stability because these industries supply essential goods and services regardless of economic cycles. These stocks often exhibit lower volatility than growth or cyclical sectors during stress periods.
4. Core & satellite approach
Rather than making a sweeping shift, many advisers recommend a “core-and-satellite” strategy where the core of a retirement portfolio remains broadly diversified in quality equities and bonds for long-term growth, while the satellite portion can include tactical defensive positions like precious metals or short-term fixed income to manage near-term risk. This allows retirees to maintain growth potential while tempering volatility. — Daria Turanska, Legal Manager, FasterDraft
Move from Sector Rotation to Structural Resilience
My perspective: Moving from Sector Rotation to Structural Resilience
From an institutional research perspective, navigating protracted geopolitical conflicts requires a fundamental shift in how we define a “defensive” strategy. For high-net-worth investors managing retirement portfolios exceeding $500,000, simply rotating out of tech and into utility ETFs or defensive equities often leaves the portfolio exposed to broader, systemic market shocks tied to global supply chain disruptions.
The Institutional Approach:
When analyzing how large-scale custody accounts prepare for sustained geopolitical volatility, the focus shifts from standard paper asset allocation to structural preservation: specifically, integrating non-correlated, tangible liquidity.
Historical data from protracted conflicts indicates that institutional capital heavily prioritizes sovereign wealth strategies, primarily through IRS-compliant physical precious metals. In a self-directed IRA or 401(k) rollover, physical gold doesn’t just act as a hedge; it serves as a structural firewall. It operates outside the traditional banking system and is immune to the counterparty risks that affect even the most “defensive” equities during wartime.
Rather than trying to time the market with sector-specific ETFs, our research framework suggests that true defensive posturing requires verifying liquidity and securing a baseline allocation in physical, universally recognized assets governed by transparent custodial fee structures. — Steve Maitland, Founder & Independent Research Analyst, Maitland Wealth
Flexible Deferred Annuities for Defensive Income Building
For retirement-age clients worried that a prolonged Iran conflict could harm their nest eggs, I suggest considering a Flexible Deferred Annuity as a defensive, income-building option. Many financial institutions offer variations with a chosen performance cap rate and segment buffers, plus timelines tied to segment types such as the S&P or Russell 2000 with defined ceiling and floor features.
Those elements can minimize the percentage risk for a loss in down years while limiting upside in stronger years, which can help stabilize near-term retirement income. This approach is not right for every investor, so review it with your financial advisor to see if it fits your timeline and income needs. — Ashley Kenny, Co-Founder, Heirloom Video Books
Reduce volatile individual Growth Names but maintain Diversified Index Funds
For older retirement-age clients who are concerned about over-extended geopolitical conflict, I propose a more cautiously defensive posture than drastic portfolio changes.
Allocate 5-10% to precious metals ETFs like GLD or IAU as hedge, and increase exposure on defensive sectors via utility ETF (XLU) which usually provide stable dividends during volatile periods. Consumer staples and healthcare exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can also provide stability as those sectors are needed no matter what wars are going on in the world.
Instead of drastic asset allocation changes that jolt long-term retirement strategies, slowly pare off holdings in more volatile growth names while keeping a kernel investment in diversified index funds: this way, you protect your retirement timeline and give yourself some wiggle room from a market that is near term-fuzzy at best. — Scott Brown, Founder, MintWit Continue Reading…
By Dale Roberts, Retirement Club/Cutthecrapinvesting
Special to Financial Independence Hub
It has been more than two weeks since the U.S. attacked Iran. And while the U.S. was quick to knock out much of Iran’s traditional military capability, Iran has turned to asymmetric war and has also weaponized oil, fertilizers and other materials that pass through the Hormuz Strait. With threats and some strategic attacks on shipping, Iran has essentially closed the Hormuz Strait. About 20-25% of the world’s oil and a third of the world’s fertilizer needs flow through the Strait. We now face a potential energy shock and there are rumblings that we might experience a period of stagflation. In the 1970s an energy crisis created the conditions for stagflation. How do we defend against stagflation?
As always, the following is not advice.
First off, and as always, no one knows what will happen. No one knows how this war will proceed and what it will mean for investment assets and the economies of the world. Trump could announce today that he’s packing up and heading home or this could continue for years. That said, history does teach us how assets react. History teaches us how to hedge most any threat.
What is Stagflation?
Stagflation happens when several factors combine to create an especially difficult economic environment. To get stagflation, three things must occur together:
Slow economic growth
High inflation
A high unemployment rate
Stagflation is an economic double-whammy where stagnant growth and high unemployment collide with rising inflation. This rare, painful cycle is difficult to fix because traditional policies to lower inflation often worsen unemployment, and vice versa.
Market strategists have been quick to point out that rarely do conflicts have any long-lasting impact on stock prices. In 20 major episodes since the Second World War compiled by analysts at RBC Wealth Management, the S&P 500 index fell by an average of just 6 per cent.
The outliers in that list, however, involve major oil market disruptions, like the Arab oil embargo in 1973 and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990. We had more significant drawdowns.
It has been the most common message on this blog: get an investment plan and stick to it like glue. Here’s the full graphic that was shared at Retirement Club (and on X (Twitter).
War is something we can ignore like every other risk, when we have our stock-solid investment plan and retirement plan.
The 4 economic scenarios
The economy can shift along two axes:
Economic growth (rising or falling)
Inflation (rising or falling)
Combining them gives four possible economic scenarios:
1. Inflationary Growth
Growth ↑ + Inflation ↑
Economy expanding strongly
Demand pushes prices higher
Often occurs during late expansions
Assets that tend to do well
Commodities
Real estate
Some stocks
Example period: parts of the global economy during the early 2000’s commodity boom.
2. Disinflationary Growth
Growth ↑ + Inflation ↓
Economy grows but inflation stays low or falls
Considered the best environment for stocks
Assets that tend to do well
Stocks
Growth companies
Corporate credit
Bond market
Example: much of the period after the Global Financial Crisis recovery.
3. Stagflation
Growth ↓ + Inflation ↑
Economy slows but prices keep rising
Very difficult for policymakers
Assets that tend to do well
Commodities
Gold
Inflation-protected assets
Oil and gas stocks
Classic example: the 1970’s Oil Crisis.
4. Deflation / Recession
Growth ↓ + Inflation ↓
Demand collapses
Prices and wages fall
Debt burdens become heavier
Assets that tend to do well
Government bonds
Cash
Defensive assets
Example: the Great Depression and recessions
Fortunately we are almost always in scenario 2 and some of scenario 1. High inflation and stagflation is rare. Deflation or a Depression is rare and market recessions shown in scenario 4 is why many will embrace bonds and cash to create a balanced portfolio that is lower risk. Continue Reading…
The Financial Independence, Retire Early [FIRE] movement has gained awareness and popularity. It’s commonly believed that to achieve this highly-sought-after goal, young adults must live an immensely frugal life, guided by constraints and a “suffer now, enjoy later” mentality that results in the restriction of leisure like traveling. However, maintaining Financial Independence while traveling is entirely possible with a proper strategy.
The Perceived Conflict of Financial Independence vs. Travel
Findependence Hub CFO Jon Chevreau and his wife Ruth avoided some of Canada’s harsh winter by living (and doing a little work) in Malta. Here are the island’s famed colourful boats.
People often feel that travelling can drain budgets and delay retirement. This mindset comes from the perception that travel entails expensive hotels, premium flights and fancy dinners. Instead, try viewing travel as an investment in your well-being and growth.
As enjoyable as exploring new locations and sightseeing are, the heart of travelling is much deeper. Stimulating the brain in new ways can release chemicals like serotonin, lower cortisol levels and improve cognitive thinking skills.
Traveling offers opportunities to broaden perspectives and engage in self-discovery, which is far more valuable than a weekend at a 5-star hotel. By aligning your travels with core financial values, it becomes sustainable and a solid return on investment.
Strategies for Reducing Travel Expenses
Cutting down on travel costs starts with budgeting. Before you even board a flight, you should have decided how much you’re willing to spend on your trip, which is something that differs from person to person based on personal goals and circumstances. Establishing a strict daily budget provides the data required to adjust spending patterns in real time.
Jon & Ruth spent February in this AirBnB in Malta. Rates are lower when you commit to a whole month. Save more eating in with a fully equipped kitchen.
Implementing discipline in your travel spending prevents minor costs from eroding an investment portfolio over the long term. Primary strategies for minimizing the three largest travel expenses include:
Alternative accommodations: Choosing alternative lodging accommodations has become a popular way of reducing traveling costs. Notable options are house sitting, pet sitting and hostels. Alternatively, volunteering opportunities often provide free accommodation.
Off-season transit: Booking flights and transit during the off-season is a great way to reduce costs without compromising the quality of the experience. Booking flights months in advance often results in lower
Local logistics: Prioritize local transit systems and walking over private rentals or ride-sharing services.
Generating Income while Travelling
Building capital, whether actively or passively, is another great way to achieve Financial Independence while travelling. An increasingly popular option is through professional mobility or remote work. Individuals in fields like software development, design and consulting can continue to work and maintain consistent earnings regardless of location.
Jon Chevreau doing a little work over lunch in Rome last week, taking advantage of a restaurant’s free wi-fi to promote the site’s latest blog.
In addition to having a location-independent business, finding passive income streams is a great way to earn while traveling. In today’s digital age, people can start an e-commerce business on their phones, enabling them to be anywhere in the world and still maintain a steady flow of capital.
For those who aren’t entrepreneurial, investing to generate passive income is a great alternative. Even if you don’t have a finance degree, there are plenty of resources online regarding simple and safe long-term investing strategies. These could include ETFs, dividends or real estate.
Being a digital nomad has become a highly desirable aim for many professionals in the modern age. The key to this approach succeeding is finding a way to balance fun and productivity while traveling, and setting the right boundaries where necessary.
Achieving Financial Independence while Travelling
Balancing financial freedom with travel is a matter of strategic design rather than sacrifice. The key to achieving longevity is letting go of extremes, finding balance in long-term health planning and collecting life experiences. By prioritizing mindful choices, it is possible to build a life of liberty that begins today, not in a few decades.
Devin Partida is the Editor-in-Chief of ReHack.com, and a personal finance writer. Though she is interested in all kinds of topics, she has steadily increased her knowledge of the intersection of finance and technology. Devin’s work has been featured on Entrepreneur, Due and Nasdaq.
By Billy and Akaisha Kaderli, RetireEarlyLifestyle.com
Special to Financial Independence Hub
Interview with Lori and Randy Grant, Professional House Sitters
Many people would like to know more about house sitting — the ins and outs, what to expect, how to get started, and if it’s really feasible to do house sitting as a lifestyle.
Lori and Randy Grant, professional house sitters, were more than generous with their time in answering our questions, and in providing photos and a couple of house sitting stories at the end of this interview.
If you would like to try house sitting, take advantage of what Randy and Lori know.
Enjoy our interview!
Randy and Lori enjoying a side trip to Santorini, Greece between house sits
Retire Early Lifestyle: Could you tell us a little bit about yourselves and why you decided to do some house sitting in your retirement?
Lori and Randy Grant: Randy and I are former teachers whose careers took us overseas to Japan for sixteen years, where we taught U.S. military dependents at the high school level. After our son, Chase, left Japan to go to college in Florida, we started thinking about making our own exit. At first, it was just daydreaming about being location independent, financially independent, and doing whatever brings us joy every day. Finally, we took the big leap, started selling everything we owned, and accepted an early retirement incentive package from our teaching careers in 2014. It was a slightly terrifying, but mostly exhilarating experience to jettison ourselves to complete freedom.
Our first year in early retirement was spent exploring Thailand’s culture and language. We really took that time to settle into our new lifestyle, and there were a few ups and downs for me. I lost my daily structure that teaching brought me, so I struggled to find a new routine to my days. That’s where house and pet sitting became a good fit for us. We started out by just being asked to watch family and friends’ houses and pets while they went away on vacation. Soon, we found that the word-of-mouth about us was filling our calendar with sits all over the place! We eventually joined an online house and pet sitting site and put a profile online advertising our services, which are free, to a worldwide database of homeowners looking for the perfect sitters.
Retire Early Lifestyle: How long have you and Randy have been house sitting as a way to enhance your retirement and travel?
Lori and Randy Grant: We have been doing this off and on for approximately five years.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Could you tell our readers how you work this to your benefit? Lori and Randy Grant:
Since lodging is one of the biggest expenses as we travel, this is a great way to cut that major cost. House and pet sitting is a free service. We trade out for free rent and utilities in the home where we stay. Another added benefit is that since we are in an area longer than just a few days, we get to explore the area more in depth. We actually feel like part of a neighborhood! We really believe that pet sitting is a win-win situation for all involved because pet owners get to keep their pets in their own environment rather than facing the stress and expense of kenneling them.
Randy enjoying a neighborhood in winter
Retire Early Lifestyle: Would you recommend house sitting as a lifestyle or as a way to reduce housing costs in retirement?
Lori and Randy Grant: Absolutely! The money you save in rent can then be used for something else.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Can a single house sit? How about a single woman? Is it harder for a single to house sit?
Lori and Randy Grant: We don’t think it matters as long as you are a fit for what the homeowners are looking for. Some applications will request either a couple or a single person if they have a specific preference. You might also see a request for non-smokers or people who are willing to spend most of their time at home with the pets, rather than those who are interested more in sightseeing around the area.
Randy brushing Calvin after a walk during a pet sit in Bellingham, WA
Retire Early Lifestyle: What if I want to house sit in a foreign country but don’t speak the language?
Lori and Randy Grant: It could potentially be an issue; however, it usually depends on the owner. We had a house sit that we applied for in Venice, Italy and we weren’t selected for it because the owner wanted someone who spoke Italian. These days, we have no qualms about house sitting in a country where we don’t speak the language. Google Translate Online is our main form of communication in cases where we are not familiar with the language. That, and we always manage to meet up with other English speakers wherever we roam.
Retire Early Lifestyle: What does a House Sitter do?
Lori and Randy Grant: Usually an owner will leave specific instructions on how they want their home and pet cared for and what things need to be taken care of in their absence. Our main priority is the pet’s needs such as their feeding, exercise, and daily routine. After that, we focus on keeping the home tidy and well maintained, the yard or garden spruced up, as well as the trash and recycling disposed of properly. The remainder of the time we do whatever we want such as hiking, yoga, cooking, and exploring the local area.
Besides pet sitting, we are also sometimes responsible for keeping yards and pools maintained
Retire Early Lifestyle: How do I get started? Do I have to join a house sitting organization?
Lori and Randy Grant: We started out with just doing favors for friends and family by watching their home and pets. Then, from that experience we built a house and pet sitting profile online that included recommendations from homeowners whom we’d sat for previously. Finally, as we came to the realization that we really enjoyed house and pet sitting regularly, we joined a house sitting site online to get more worldwide exposure.
Retire Early Lifestyle: How do I interview for a house sit?
Lori and Randy Grant: The first thing to do is apply for the house sit on whatever forum you choose such as a Facebook site, an online house sitting site, or via a community message board. Owners will then look over your profile to determine if you are a good match. If you are on their ‘short list’ (one of their top three applicants), you may be asked to interview over the phone or video chat through Skype. This gives the owners and sitters an opportunity to meet face to face. It also gives you the ability to see the pets and have a look at the house. After your video chat/interview, wait for the owners to contact you that you’ve either been selected or they have chosen other sitters. If you’re selected, you then begin a regular conversation so that you can ask questions, share your travel plans to their home and get more detailed information about their pet’s needs.
Making new four-legged friends on the malecon in Ajijic, Mexico
Retire Early Lifestyle: How much should I charge for house sitting?
Lori and Randy Grant: We do not charge for our services. It is an even exchange of pet sitting for free lodging.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Is house sitting safe?
Lori and Randy Grant: We have always felt safe with our house sits, but remember to always do your research before agreeing to a sit. Look at the area where the sit is located and talk to the owners about the neighborhood, as well as the home’s specific security measures.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Do you require anything from the homeowner when you take a house sitting job?
Lori and Randy Grant: We have a list of questions we ask about the pet’s daily routine and anything we need to know about how things run in the house. We don’t require anything specific, other than good wifi.
Randy and Fawkes having a staring contest during a pet sit in San Francisco, CA
Retire Early Lifestyle: How do you choose one sit over another?
Lori and Randy Grant: We usually look at the area where we most want to travel and if the sit coincides with the dates that we will be in that area. We also prefer sits that are not too isolated or in very remote, rural areas. We tend to choose sits that are more town/city centered so that there are more options for things to do.
Retire Early Lifestyle: What do you look for when you are wanting to find a house sit in a certain location?
Lori and Randy Grant: We look for the length of the sit mostly. We prefer the longer sits (over two weeks long) if we can get them. If we are constantly traveling to lots of different short term sits, then it becomes cost prohibitive for us regarding our transportation expenses.
Lori is a warm lap for a stray kitty in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Retire Early Lifestyle: Do I have to pay my own travel expenses?
Lori and Randy Grant: Yes. It would be extremely rare to find a sit where the homeowners agreed to pay for a sitter’s travel expenses. However, many homeowners have offered to pick us up from the airport or train station when we arrive, which is a very nice gesture.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Can I find popular destinations like Hawaii or Paris?
Lori and Randy Grant: Absolutely, but apply early, as those sits tend to have many applicants vying for them.
Retire Early Lifestyle: Can I travel the world by house sitting?
Lori and Randy Grant: Sure you can. We are doing it!
Randy introducing himself to Flash in Kaiserlautern, Germany
Retire Early Lifestyle: Can house sitting help me avoid paying rent? Can I do this all year round? Where do I go between house sits? Continue Reading…
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