If you are finding it hard to make ends meet while your friends swan off on fancy holidays, don''t despair... new opportunities could be on their way to you this summer. One thing remains clear, however... when it''s time to tighten those purse strings, it is essential to plan your holidays so you spend as little as possible. The internet now offers a range of cheap and original alternatives allowing you to enjoy your summer holidays in style.

First thing''s first: you have to be realistic about your destination. The website Consumer.es advises you to "weigh up which expenses you can cut down on and which you can cut out altogether". With good planning and a bit of imagination you''re certain to find some corner of the world as yet unexplored by you which allows you to save on travel expenses. Furthermore, the website suggests you "consider and foresee certain outgoings and change some of your consumer habits". But don''t get too anxious; you don''t need to plan your trip down to the last miniscule detail, just make an approximate estimation of what you will end up spending. The following guidelines will all help to make your holidays cheaper:

Planning and imagination

When it comes to picking a destination, it''s definitely worthwhile bucking the trend since the more touristy a place is, the higher the prices. If the beach is your thing, be careful and look for "far flung destinations that are small and less urbanised". Otherwise, though in summer it seems less enticing, you could always opt for somewhere inland, where the range of offers is more varied and, frequently, more economical.

However, just as important as choosing the right place to go is picking out accommodation "which won''t blast the budget". Remember that "the number of stars a hotel has is quantifiably indicative of its cost; that a cheaper option if you''re travelling in a group or with family may be to rent an apartment," many of which still offer the possibility of two-week or month long hires. Failing that, you could always opt for free accommodation. And no, we''re not suggesting a sleeping bag and a doorway, but rather going to stay with friends (or vice versa) or alternatively doing a house-exchange...

Exchange holidays

In recent years, the internet has become a virtual platform for alternative travel. Now that the recession has made things tighter than ever, our need to take stock and recharge our batteries is greater than ever. For this, one really needs the comfort of a home, but also a change of scene.

This is just what the website Spainlink.net (also available in English) proposes. "Once your listing is published, interested members will contact the new member by email, phone or postal mail for more information," the site informs.

However, "there are various ways of doing an exchange," it says. "Most members usually arrange a simultaneous exchange, which is the more traditional arrangement (you and your family stay in their home while they stay in yours)."

Another website which offers a similar exchange scheme is Intervac-homeexchange.com. These days we''re still reluctant to let a stranger into our homes, but you only have to take a look at the properties on offer to feel the temptation of becoming a New Yorker or a Parisian for a few days. What''s more, with thirty years of experience that the company claims, the result is bound to be good.

House-sitting

There are even more ways of visiting those far-off places you''ve always wanted to see while spending a minimal amount of money. Becoming a house-sitter is one way to feel rich for a few days. Websites such as caretaker.org, housecarers.com, housesitworld.com (also with offers in Europe) and sabbaticalhomes.com offer a wide range of offers in which a number of house and even mansion-owners based in a variety of locations around the world hire people to look after their properties for a period of time while they are away.

Once in situ

The Net also means that urban tour guides are now available at the touch of a button. There is now a significant number of people who consult anonymous on-line tourist sites and forums before buying conventional guides.

Once such website, and one of the most successful, is 11870.com, where users recommend their favourite places to go in different cities, from bars and clubs, to art galleries, shops, parks and many more, though from a personal perspective.

Users of these types of websites are all of the same mind in having tired of the conventional guides one buys in the book shops "that aren''t up to date, always send you to the same places and often get the prices wrong".