Cutting your lodging expenses

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NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The economy is suffering, but that doesn't mean you need to suffer when traveling this holiday season. Here are some unconventional ways to cut your lodging expenses.

1. Think house swapping

Instead of booking a hotel, some people are house swapping. Basically its where two families agree to swap homes for a vacation. This can save you a lot of cash - thousands of dollars in some cases since you don't have to eat out all the time.

Check out homeexchange.com. Here you can search for potential house swapping buddies all over the world. Keep in mind there's a $100 fee to join. You can also find potential house-swapping mates at craigslist.org.

But house swapping isn't for everybody, especially people who can't stand the idea of someone sleeping in their bed, using their dishes, and touching their stuff.

2. Take precaution

You'll really want to do your homework here. Make sure you've gone through the vetting process. Ask for referrals about prior exchanges; make sure you've had a few conversations over the phone or through e-mail.

You may decide to lock up the jewelry or other precious items. And make sure to ask questions about the home you'll be staying in.

Get photos of the home and find out all the peculiarities of the home you'll be staying in. But this option sounds a lot better than couch surfing.

3. Be wary

Some folks are staying on strangers couches to save a few bucks. There's even a Web site devoted to it called CouchSurfing.com. Most stays last about three days and you can expect a bed, but you really have to take precautions here.

4. Get the discount rate

Hotel rates are slightly lower this year compared to last year, and they're going to fall even more between Thanksgiving and New Years according to Bjorn Hanson at NYU's Tisch Center for Hospitality.

And the good news here is that hotels are doling out more discounts. What you should do is negotiate. First, find out what deals are out there on the web. Then, call the hotel directly and tell them the rate that you found and ask about any packages or discount rates that are available.

A third of the time, the answer will be yes, says Hanson. Keep checking the web to see if the rates drop even more so you can take advantage. This season, by calling around to a few hotels, you have a good chance of finding a good deal.