Thanks to a handful of increasingly popular hospitality exchange websites there’s now a new way to make friends and backpack for less - in fact, it could be a whole new way to travel. Increase your couch karma and get with the program!

Want to visit Las Vegas but are afraid it’ll crucify the budget? If this is so, a post highlighting the cheaper side of ‘Lost Wages’ should come as welcome news. With info and links highlighting cheap accomodation, cheap eats and cheap thrills in Las Vegas, backpackers can now love it (or hate it), too!

This week, the spotlight is on great giveaways for backpackers in Europe: Inyourpocket.com are offering European city guides - they’re top notch and free to download!. It’s super news for backpackers on a tight budget (read: too cheap to buy a Europe travel guidebook!) and a great way to both lighten the backpack and experience life after Lonely Planet.

With the weekend almost upon us it must be time for another Cheapskate Friday celebration. In this week’s festival of frugality we offer a useful guide to air consolidators and share an inspirational Travelogue.