If you can cope with the risk of strangers rummaging through your drawers, reading your books and playing your CDs, a home swap might be the answer to a cheaper holiday.
The idea of a home-swap holiday, or holiday exchange as they are also known, is simple and cuts holiday costsdramatically.
In short, people agree to swap homes. So a family in one part of the world lives in the home of the other for a few weeks - home swaps can also take place within the same country.
The benefit is that with both families using the other's home, there are no hotel bills and you can choose to cook and eat in instead of paying for restaurant meals. It means you can spend the money you save to fly farther afield and stay longer. You also get to live in a community and experience the day-to-day life of the country you're in.
Many people prefer hotels, but if you like the idea of a cut-price holiday then there are lots of home-swap organisations to help you. Many are internet-based with pictures of the homes available for swap, along with useful information on the region you're thinking of going to.
However, these organisations don't inspect properties and if there are complaints they will be reluctant to get involved.
Unless you get to know prospective swappers you are taking a risk, and you will need to be flexible with dates.
Of course there may be some reciprocal agreements - such as watering each other's house plants and maybe even feeding pets.
Before leaving your home it is best to draw up an inventory.
If possible, give your precious items to someone for safekeeping or put them in a locked room within your home.
Also, make sure everyone is clear about who is paying which bills and it's important to check the terms on your household insurance policy to ensure you are fully covered.
You can find home-swap companies by typing "home exchange" into your internet search engine.
