Does anyone have suggestions for cheap (i know everything is cheap in bali, but im on a strict budget) day trips or activities for Bali?

for about $40 you can hire a car and driver for as much as 10 hours...he will drive you all around the island to see many of the sites that would be difficult to see otherwise....i think it is a fantastic bargain....

many of us use putu for this...

Food is cheap in Bali outside the hotels.

For transport I believe you can rent a bike or something to go around sightseeing.

Alternatively you might be interested in chilling out at the beautiful beaches there. Won't cost much.

Walk on the beach from Kuta to Seminyak ( or the reverse )in the late afternoon pre sunset and observe the world of the locals as they come down to play football ,chat , bathe etc.Catch a taxi back or then have dinner before the ride home .

Lovely.Occasionally you may also witness a religious ceremony .You can stop off along the way for a beer or something to eat at one of the beachside cafes or Warungs .

Investigate white water rafting in the hills .I have never done it but those who have love it and it is not expensive .

When I was in Ubud, i did a cycling tour through the countryside for about $35 with Bike Baik -- www.balibike.com. Visited a coffee plantation, rode through villages and then had a great meal in the business owner's compound.