
We saw this one coming. The travel industry has been hit by the economy — people are traveling less because their expenses up and jobs aren't as secure as they used to be, and gas prices have caused airlines to barely stay in business. Hotels are a main component of the travel formula, and they're beginning to express their hardships
in the form of fees and fine print.

Travel
websites that allow us to compare fares from across the board and suggest when is the best time to buy are a budget traveler's best friend. Cost is on everyone's mind when it comes to travel, and there is more to getting the most bang for your buck than getting the cheapest possible air fare. Here are three websites to help you feel more satisfied with your travel experience.

House swapping was never something that crossed my mind until I watched Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet merrily swap abodes in
The Holiday. Cameron's character (Amanda) got to stay in a cozy English home while Kate's character (Iris) spent a week in a decked-out Los Angeles pad, and in the end everyone got exactly what they wanted. I made a mental note to peruse Craigslist to see what was out there the next time I traveled, but the fact is the idea hadn't come up again until I read
an interesting article from Budget Travel.