how to cut off the accommodation expense during my trip?

Question

when travelling, accommodation will cost a big sum of money. how to find a place cheap and convenient?

Answer 1

There are sites that put you into contact with locals, mostly you will sleep in your own sleeping bag on the ground or in a spare bed, and mostly you will pay a small amount or bring a gift.
And sites like this expect you to return the favor when you are home again.
Sorry, I do not have links for those sites, I have never used them, nor am I going to.

One class up are the hostels.
There are those working together in Hosteling International, and those that are working together in other combinations, and some that are completely independend.
You find them in good guidebooks, like Lonely Planet (or not as good, Lets go.)
Or on internet as most hostels and all hostel organizations have sites. And most tourist information offices will give info on them, but not everywhere.

Next one up again are the small hotels, Bed and Breakfast and guesthouses.
Again Lonely Planet will list them, but the tourist offices can also help you there.
In some occations the cheapest hotels are cheaper and worse than a hostel.

An other way to safe of travel cost is to travel where it is cheaper.
If you have not yet decided on your destination, look at the alternatives.
Often there are cheaper countries and states that have like towns and resorts.
Or go to the countryside.
You will not find as many dirt cheap places as in town, but the average cost is lower as is the cost of living.

If you ask a good travel agent, they sometimes can get you a cheaper alternative, but if you search yourself you can almost always find a cheaper option.
That is because you are not restricted to the places you can book through agencies.
There are many sites with names like 'cheap hotels' and 'rooms for less' they will mostly book you hotelrooms that are in the priceclass you select, often cheaper than the travel agent does, but not always the cheapest, so go to several of these sites and compare.

Added:
Do not let travel agents like the answerer below me make you scared of cheap hotels. Unless you stay in the absolute dregs they are safe enough. If the hotel is listed in the guidebooks and / or at the tourist office you can trust it. (Just lock the door as you would in any hotel.)
Here are some links to home-stay sites:
http://www.couchsurfing.com/
http://www.hospitalityclub.org/
I have not used them, but I follow the blog of a Dutch guy that has often stayed with them. If you are attracted to this kind of travel, check out the requirements.

Answer 2

Well it all depends upon the place or country u visiting.But if u are seaching for really cheap hotel then i advise u never to go for them as they are not safe.Money is not much important then ur life.Ya u can get good accommadation at reasonable price if ur approach is right.Thinking that u will find a accommdation by reaching that specific place is not right option 'coz as u will be new 2 that place & moreover not familer with peoples & area.

So do make arrange for ur accommodation & other things porior to ur travel.U can tell a travel agent that this is my budget & he will make the arrangment accordingly