Airbnb

More and more people are using Airbnb, not just to stay in rooms when vacationing, but also to host visitors and earn some extra cash. If you're considering renting out a room in your house or even your whole abode, here are some things you'll need to keep in mind before taking the jump. Follow these tips, and it will hopefully be a smooth process for everyone involved.

• Make sure it's legal: Always check your lease or local regulations to see if you can sublet the space to other people. Some rules say you can't rent at all, and some prohibit renting for a certain period of time — it all depends on your setup. Make sure you're aware of these restrictions and have also read Airbnb's terms and conditions.
• Get in the know: Be sure you've covered every aspect that comes with hosting. Did you know that you're protected by the $1,000,000 Airbnb host guarantee? Or that you might need to pay income taxes on your earnings from the rental? The more you know, the less surprised you'll be if anything comes up.
• Store your valuables: Don't leave out anything of significance that you can't bear to part with. Having strangers in your house always poses a risk, no matter how friendly they are. Your grandmother's vase could be broken or damaged, so it's better that you put it in a safe place.
• Prep like family is visiting: If close friends or family were visiting from out of town, then you'd make sure your place were impeccably clean, right? Do the same for out-of-town visitors, and go the extra mile by providing small toiletries, towels, and clean sheets. Not only will they appreciate it, but it will lead to good reviews for you as a host.
• Be hospitable: What makes a great host is someone who goes out of their way to make a guest feel welcome. Be that person by offering a small and inexpensive welcome gift (like a bottle of wine), leaving a guide to the area, or suggesting your favorite restaurants down the street. Who knows? You might even make friends out of the whole experience.
• Communicate, communicate, communicate: We can't stress it more: it's essential to communicate with your guest about what your expectations are or what might incur charges. You can't blame someone for making noise in the living room at 10 p.m. if you don't speak up about your early wake-up call.
• Inform your neighbors: As a courtesy, let your neighbors know that you'll be renting out your room to guests; you would want to know why there were strangers suddenly hanging around your building or front lawn, wouldn't you?

As dog owners know, the hardest part of traveling is the stress of leaving a beloved pooch at a kennel filled with strange dogs and confined spaces. To save the day is Dog Vacay, an Airbnb for the four-legged set. With a design interface strikingly similar to the human vacation site, seasoned travelers will feel like they've used the site before.

Believing that home dog boarding is the best experience for canines, Dog Vacay matches your pup with a "qualified host" based on the dog's needs and your target price. The hosts are often professional sitters or plain dog enthusiasts and are vetted in an interview process and background check before being listed on the site.

Like Airbnb, your credit card is only charged once you book a reservation and your host accepts. Understandably, meeting who will take care of your favorite friend ahead of time is a concern, so Dog Vacay allows hosts and travelers to arrange an in-person meeting to check out where the dog will vacation before the big day.

Dog Vacay is currently only available in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with over 300 hosts total in the two cities. Insurance, emergency support, and a 24-hour customer line are at customers' disposals for feeling confident their pets are safe and sound.

Would you use Dog Vacay if the service was in your city?

Just cause Fall is quickly approaching doesn't mean your vacation plans have to come to a halt. If you've got the travel bug but are sick and tired of staying in cookie-cutter hotels and battling the crowds at the most popular tourist attractions (cause your hotel concierge sent you there), try something new. Check out these five online tools that will help you plan an affordable and unique vacation like you've never had before.

• Airbnb — This website allows "hosts" to rent out their apartments, bedrooms, living rooms, or entire houses to guests on the cheap. Not just a place to rest your head at night, Airbnb hosts are known for having a knack for hospitality: tea, coffee, muffins, and even sometimes a home-cooked meal await you in the morning, while other hosts act as tour guides for their guests. It's a great way to see a new place from a local's perspective, and save some money on lodging.
• Glamping Hub — Want to dip your toes in the outdoors but don't want to feel like you're roughing it? Glamping Hub lets you browse through and book some amazing outdoor accommodations so you can still feel in touch with nature, but get high class amenities like an actual bed, 600-thread count sheets, beachfront views, and even shopping and laundry services so you can stay fresh while you relax, all at extremely affordable prices.

See the rest of the list after the break!