Swap house to cut vacation costs

A SMALL WORLD: All one needs is go to home-swapping websites and the entire world opens.

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Mclain (Virginia): Strangers in your house, sleeping in your bed. Would you call the police or stay at their place for a unique vacation?

It's called house swapping, and it's the latest way to cut down on vacation costs.

For 20 years Lauren Kahn has been welcoming total strangers to her home.

She's about to meet Ken and Shirley Bullock for the first time and hand over her house keys.

The Bullocks are trading their home in Australia for Lauren's in Mclean, Virginia for a month.

"It's not everybody's idea of a conventional vacation," says Lauren.

If you want more than a one-night stay, for free, all you have to do is go to some of the home-swapping websites and your entire world is open.

It's already popular in Europe and now it's is picking up steam in the US and elsewhere, as eager swappers showcase their homes.

This will be Lauren's 35th house swap.

"What you do get is a lot of cross-cultural experiences," she says.

The rules are a clean home and some advice for guests.

On Kawana Island in Australia, the Bullocks leave Lauren treats and a welcome meal.

A couple vacationing in the US spends on average $250 a day on meals and hotels but the Bullocks are spending only $75 per day.