12 Ways to Live Rent-Free

Do you hate giving up a big chunk of your paycheck every month to pay rent? It doesn't have to be this way.

Whether you decide to live the nomadic life in a van, volunteer on an organic farm, or live with a host family in another country for free in exchange for chores, living a rent-free life doesn't have to be such a castle in the sky.

You can couch-surf from city to city, or even country to country, via couchsurfing.org, and you can house-sit or find work abroad that gives you accommodation in exchange for your labor. If you want to stay in your neck of the woods, you can look for roommate-bartering situations where you can "pay" for your rent through housework and chores instead of your own savings.

And if you're already living a rent-free life with your parents, there is no shame in that: almost one-third of all 25 to 34-year-olds in America share this experience.

Got your own experiences with living a rent-free (or almost rent-free) life? Do you have advice for people who wish to live in a yurt? Share with us by commenting below!