Making the $$$ last
 

I'm aware that Europe in general is very expensive, are there any helpful tips on ways to make the money last as long as possible yet still enjoying all the possibilities that Europe has to offer. Specifically in the areas of museams, food, lodging...etc.

One way to conserve a little bit is to have picnics for lunch whenever possible. Buy some wine, cheese and maybe a little ham or proscutto and find a nice grassy spot, or hill, or meadow, or whatever.

Stopping to smell the roses (literally) offers you not only a discount, but lets you soak in the ambiance of wherever you happen to be at the time.
((H))

I agree with Tom about picnics. Remember, in France and Italy, it generally costs more to sit outside than in or to sit period. Getting a drink standing at the bar is going to cost you less since they expect people to sit for a long period of time if they are sitting. Also, look into musuem passes for the cities you are traveling too. Well worth it for Paris, but we passed on it in Rome since the included museums were generally very small and we were only hitting the big ones with our time constraints.

In France, you can stay very inexpensively - and eat very well - at fermes auberges or tables d'hôtes. Any tourist office will have a list of these which you can get in advance by e-mailing or calling, or can pick up whenever you arrive in a town that has a tourist office.
I haven't done this myself, but in Italy, the agriturismo places seem to be equally inexpensive.

In Ireland you can visit many places such as the National Museum
and National Gallery free.Most of the beautiful countyside is free.Accomodation in hostels (www.hostelireland.com) can cost as little as $40 per night for 2.

We've also found that staying in apartments, vs. hotels, saves us money. We are able to go to the market and get items for breakfast, snacks, as well as cook some simple dinners in.

Apartments also enable us to pack light since we usually have a washing machine.

Otherwise the above responses are also great ideas. Don't plan to eat out at a restaurant for every meal and that alone will save you bunches. You can also check into days that museums have free entrance or lower entrance fees.

Ideas from previous thread on saving $ in Paris & London
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34416995

General money saving tips
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34401625

Money saving tips for Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34408441

Saving money in Switzerland
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34398560