DISCOVERED: THE FREE LUNCH

Home exchange is the closest thing I have ever found to the proverbial free lunch.


Right now I am looking for a Memorial Day weekend swap in the Mystic, Connecticut region and I'd love a week in Montreal this August.


From my home base in Manhattan I can access these destinations for less than a tank of gas. A week or long weekend's vacation for my family of four could set me back no more than $5 a day per person over the cost of just staying home.


Of course home exchange is more work than just calling a hotel and reserving a room. That is, if you think of getting to know someone over email to be work.


That small investment in time and cross-cultural understanding is well worth the delicious free lunch of saving a few thousand dollars on lodging and meals each time I go on vacation.


Yes, home exchange is as close as I will ever come to a real free lunch. Why don't you join me for lunch? My treat!