Help with my trip, tips, couchsurfing, etc

[Marty McFly]

I need your help cutting costs on my trip...I'm also talking this out so I know exactly what's happening...

I booked a long trip and then got laid off because of the recession, I got another job that pays better but is on call now, so there's no guarantee for work. My flights are non refundable and worth around $3,300. So I'm sucking it up and going to live like a poor cunt.

I will have, give or take, around $13,000AUD to last me from August 2nd till June next year. Yeah, tall order I know.

First stop is New Zealand skydiving school. It's going to really fucking hurt my pockets, but I'm doing it no matter what. So that'll be around $2,000, + $1,000 for a ski pass + bus pass. Now I can eliminate $500 for the bus pass if I can a) get a job on the mountain or b) bum lifts/hitch hike. What are some small tricks you know to save money in a westernized country?

Next stop is south east Asia. I'm there for two months, and I'm thinking I'm going to just see Laos, Cambodia and Thailand since I cant afford the $100USD visa to Vietnam. I'll go to Vang Vieng and do the new years eve full moon party in Ko Samui. Other than that, can any of you guys suggest some good, cheap things to do? What do you think about just being a beach bum, chilling and getting to know the locals instead of just being pushed onto shitty over crowded buses trying to see as much as I can in a short time?

Obviously in SE Asia there is HEAPS of bargaining to be done? What else can save money? I heard alcohol is still quite expensive ($1usd for a 550ml bottle), and I know you can buy amphetamines 100% legally from a chemist...so I'm probably just going to be off my head if I ever want to go out. Although the better option is stop drinking so much?

Nepal we have covered, less than $2,000USD for 3 months, guaranteed.

Then comes Europe. I went onto hostelbookers.com and saw that the cheapest hostel I could find in Paris was 20euro ($33aud), well that's way too much. So I looked into couchsurfing.com and that definitely seems like a better thing to do!

Now with couch surfing, have many of you done it (I have 'done' it, but never through the website). When I did it, I'd do chores for my host, clean their house, chop their firewood, and make them food when I could. Other than this, will they expect more from me?

From Paris I will travel Europe getting any job I can, until I am pretty much broke and can't go any more...after that I still have a bit up my sleeve.

Now I'm asking you for those tiny tips to save money and make things easier along the way? I wont eat out much (but there are times when I will just want to taste some well cooked local cuisine). I'm easily entertained, cards, talking, hiking, a few drinks at a pub, etc will do fine.

Thanks in advance guys, 7 weeks left....and so much to do!

Also, has any one ever made an insurance claim on stolen possessions (laptops, ipods, cameras, etc) that paid out? How easy was it?

[Euda]

What are some small tricks you know to save money in a westernized country?

Pick up a part-time banquet job at a hotel and eat in the staff cafeteria. Bakery jobs provide a good chance for food as well. Advertising yourself for day labour might help too.

Other than that, can any of you guys suggest some good, cheap things to do? What do you think about just being a beach bum, chilling and getting to know the locals instead of just being pushed onto shitty over crowded buses trying to see as much as I can in a short time?

Hanging out and living the local life sounds like a lot of fun. I'm sure they'd be willing to include you in all kinds of different things. From what I've heard, Khao Sok sounds pretty great.

Now with couch surfing, have many of you done it?Other than this, will they expect more from me?

They might expect to hang out and they may put a curfew on you, but they're small constraints for a place to stay. A few friends have been couch surfing through the Caribbean and their only complaints are the curfews.

Now I'm asking you for those tiny tips to save money and make things easier along the way?

You already mentioned playing cards. If you smoke, quit; if you've got any addictions running, detox. Keep short hair and remember to stay fairly clean cut. Talk to some people in resorts and see if they can snag you some food from staff cafeterias. Remember your clothing needs. Before you go to a second hand shop, talk to a church. They're pillars of the community and like to help out where they can. They often have very strong connections that can help you; hallelujah.

Also, has any one ever made an insurance claim on stolen possessions (laptops, ipods, cameras, etc) that paid out? How easy was it?

http://www.kevincoffee.com/travel/travel_insurance_for_your_luggage.htm

It sounds like it could be rather difficult.

[dirtyangelswithfaces]

If you're desperate and in the vicinity of Antwerp, Belgium, I'll cook you a free meal at my apartment, it's pretty close to the central station.
Beggars are tolerated here in Belgium so if you're really skinned you could always resort to that and not worry about being brutally arrested.
I have no experience in any of the countries you've listed so can't help there. Good luck and have fun on your adventure :)

[Clue]

Easiest way to save money is not spending it on booze, drugs, cigs. etc.

The way I found places to stay while in las vegas was I went to the day labor joints everyday and went to work.

Met some guy who took me in while on the job and fed me everyday as much as I wanted.

Oh, and bigger the city, the more expesive it is to buy food, rent, etc.