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If you're the kind of person that plans ahead, you've probably already got your summer holidays booked months ahead of time.
Nevertheless, holidays are always pricey, with Europeans spending an average budget of €1600 over the last three years, according to Statista.
For those of us who are lucky enough to be able to travel, let's not take it for granted.
It's a privilege which some people unfortunately can't afford.
However, there are alternatives for those on a shoestring budget.
If I'm broke, I can't go anywhere, can I?
Well, with a home exchange you can reduce your accommodation costs significantly and that's a start.
The concept is simple.
For the duration of your holidays, whether it be one week, two weeks or even a month, you swap flat or house with another person or family.
It's all free of charge, whether you're a homeowner or not.
Home exchanges have been popular in the United States since the 1950s and have been gaining traction in Europe in recent years.
Perhaps the most obvious example in popular culture was Nancy Meyer's rom-com The Holiday, which came out in 2006.
To escape their respective heartbreaks, two women from opposite sides of the Atlantic use a website to set up a two-week home exchange.
Amanda, played by Cameron Diaz, lives in LA, while Iris, played by Kate Winslet, lives in a cottage in Surrey.
It must take a lot of organisation, mustn't it?
Beyond simply the financial benefits, home exchanges create a social link.
As there's no money in play, trust and hospitality are important.
After all, you wouldn't let just anyone stay at your home.
You're not subletting it, so there's no contract, but travellers must provide certain details on their listings.
These include the number of rooms and beds, whether there's a parking space and so on.
You have to communicate via messaging and speak on the phone to agree on dates, iron out the details and possibly set up a relevant insurance plan.
There are also other benefits.
If someone is staying at your place while you're away, that means there'll always be someone to water the plants, watch the pets and check the letterbox.
How can I organise my first home exchange?
Dedicated sites are springing up, helping prospective home exchangers get in touch.
These social network-like platforms generally require an annual subscription.
The most well-known is HomeExchange.com.
It charges 175 per year for membership and has a choice of 400000 accommodation options in 187 countries.
The site claims that its home exchanges allow people to save an average of 500 euros on their holiday budget.
There are several benefits of using such a site, like a verification process which will dispel any security worries you may have.
Furthermore, the exchange options are flexible, meaning you're not limited to reciprocal exchanges.
You can give your host guest points in return for staying at their place, even if they don't stay at yours.
Are there any other similar low-cost holiday alternatives?
For some years now the trend of home camping has also been growing.
It consists of renting one's garden to campers.
It can be a small garden with space for a single tent, or a larger space where camping cars can park during their holiday.
It's not necessarily a mutual exchange.
It will cost you but still generally be cheaper than staying at a real campsite.
There you have it.
Now you know what a home exchange is.
In under three minutes, we answer your questions.
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