Homesitting provides a welcome boost to the finances for a lady with itchy feet

Posted on 10 October, 2023

Image by Susanne from Pixabay

Essex based Margaret Mackleworth is 81-years-old and has been homesitting for twenty years since a friend saw an advert in The Lady and sent it to her knowing that she sometimes looked after a friend’s dog.

When Margaret started homesitting she was working part-time in the catering industry and did homesits on the weekends or in her holidays. Now she volunteers for Age Concern in their kitchen doing around two days a week, and fits homesitting around this and family commitments.

To date she has done over 200 homesits and absolutely loves the role. She takes on as many assignments as she can fit in as she likes to keep busy.

With the cost of living continuing to impact people it also provides an income as well as savings on her energy bills when she is on assignment. Homesitters receive a modest remuneration, plus a food allowance and mileage paid by the client. Now she’s not doing paid work anymore this is a great supplement to her pension.

Margaret says, “I absolutely love homesitting which is why I’ve done it for so many years. It slots in nicely around my voluntary work and commitments and I do as many assignments as I can. I really notice the energy savings, especially in the winter months and the money I earn is a welcome boost to my pension.

“I usually take food with me for the start of the assignment, but then can just top it up with the food allowance I get on the assignment, meaning I can save a little here each time, plus the mileage is handy. It all adds up!”

For Margaret who previously owned a Border collie and loves animals, particularly dogs it’s the ideal flexible role. Where she lives currently doesn’t allow a pet so home sitting gives her the opportunity to spend time with animals, offering what she says is the next best thing.

Most homesits have involved looking after dogs or cats, although she’s looked after hamsters too. Some people use Homesitters to look after their home while they’re away for security reasons but Margaret prefers it when there are also pets to keep her occupied.

Margaret says, “Home sitting is the perfect job for me, I love to visit new places and meet new people and I find that dog walking is very sociable! One of my favourite things is to go for long walks in the countryside so I enjoy rural homesits with dogs that I can take for a walk.

“I’m a fit and healthy 81-year-old and I’ve got itchy feet, so like to be out and about exploring new places. I enjoy the variation, meeting new people and all the different pets I’ve looked after. I’m very lucky in that I many regular clients, including one family I’ve known for over 10 years based in Hertfordshire.

“They have an older Border collie, and have recently just got a puppy. I usually homesit every year for a month for them and I’ve got to know the family and dog really well. Next month I’m going to see a family in Rochester who have three dachshunds for the preliminary meeting, which I’m looking forward to meeting. I usually drive or travel by train if I go up to London.

“I’ve met some lovely people and pets over the years, and stayed in some great properties. I have every intention continuing homesitting for as long as I can, and highly recommend it as a role for retirees. If you like animals and travelling, and want to earn a bit of money it’s fantastic.

“I’d thoroughly recommend joining Homesitters – I can’t speak highly enough of them and they are the only company I have worked through. They are lovely people and I find it very reassuring that there is 24 hour support – although I’ve never had to use it – and I like the security of having to check in with them every morning, especially as I’m on my own.”

Some clients prefer to use the same Homesitter every time they book if possible so that their pets can be cared for by a familiar person. As well as the client she has homesit for for over 10 years, Margaret has one lady client who has moved house four times in recent years and used Margaret at each of those houses to look after her cats.

With over a two hundred homesits under her belt, she has a tip for others considering the role which is to have a hobby to keep them occupied in the evenings. For Margaret this is doing jigsaw puzzles and she always takes one with her wherever she is located.

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