It’s a weIrd world

„ GLOBETROTTING FOR FREE

SIBu De Benedictis, 33, left her last permanent home after finishing high school and since then she's been touring around the world, and by using a simple trick she manages to get accommodation for free

She has visited several continents and said that people assume she must be rich to afford her lifestyle - but she insists it's possible on a low budget when you know how.

Over the years she has worked out all the tips and tricks to get the trip of a lifetime without the huge price tag and this includes getting the best accommodation for free by house-sitting while owners are away.

The globetrotter said: "There's such misconception that travel is unaffordable.

"But money-wise, my number one priority is travel as much as I can, even on minimum wage - it's just about being smart with it. Twenty-five dollars can buy you five Starbucks coffees, but it could also buy you drinks at a rotating bar in Baku, Azerbaijan, or a day wandering around Mayan ruins in Mexico. There are so many things you can do or get for free too, you just have to do some research and pick your favourite. All my belongings are in storage apart from the suitcase I have with me, so I can go anywhere I want.

"I've been living off jobs that are minimum wage or less for a good amount of

ayears now - I'm living proof you can make it work on a budget.

"The world would be a better place if we could all travel more."

Sibu grew up between the uS and Costa Rica until she finished high school - then she left home to study a degree in China.

Since then, she reckons she has visited up to 70 countries in total, as well as spending some time as a resident in Poland, the uK, Germany, Nicaragua and the uS over the years.

In order to fund her lifestyle she has worked countless jobs including waitressing, pot washing and bartending.

In June 2020, she decided to take the leap - putting all of her possessions in storage in Germany, where she had been based for a while completing a master's qualification.

Since then, she has officially been a digital nomad - a person who is completely location independent - and hasn't looked back.

The travelling expert knows all the tricks in the book for making the most of your experiences and you don't need to spend a fortune to do it.

Incredibly, she has discovered a way to stay at the swankiest and most stunning accommodations - totally rent free.

using an app called Trusted Housesitters, she pays for a membership meaning she is able to stay in some of the most spectacular homes while their owners are away in exchange for keeping everything safe and in order. She said: "House sitting changed my life. Sometimes it involves looking after plants or pets but it allows you to go anywhere. — Mirror.co.uk.