I vote for a budget forum as well. I adore Arthur Frommer's site, but the message boards there are lacking - even the new one. We always travel on a budget - and in the end, we see the same sights as those who stay at the most expenisve places, but we take twice as many trips as they do.

I agree...not everyone can spend $300/day on room and food. <BR> <BR>Come on Fodor's...how about a place for the working man??? <BR>

Sounds great! Would love to see a Budget Forum. <BR>

I'm in agreement that a budget formum in needed. My husband and I are both retired and we take two to three trips a year. We are interested in saving money on these trips so we can do more travelling.

<BR>I am new to this site, but have come here frequently. I am very interested in the budget forum. I found a great place in New York at 49th and Broadway for $109 a night plus tax. I was lucky it was such a good place, but I would have felt better about booking the hotel if someone had recommended it to me. The savings provided an extra night at a show. I hope to see this budget forum happen.

Great idea Owen!!We allow so much each year for travelling so if I can find some good deals and budget travel we can have more trips.

Really Great Owen -- Fodor could do us all a favor by giving those of us who like to travel but like to look after our resources as well. <BR> <BR>In all honesty, when I was searching Fodor's site on hotels in Montreal, besides the pricey ones, they listed, even recommended, student rooms at McGill University. Also gave info on YMCA and YWCA. <BR> <BR>But a seperate budget forum sounds great!

very good idea - go for it !!

I think it's an excellent idea and I agree that a "budget" forum should be added. Those of us who travel infrequently look forward to spending our money wisely. I'm on a limited income and the one time I get to take a vacation, I find it difficult to find moderately priced accommodatings, restaurants, etc; <BR> <BR>I have found the posters here at Fodor's to be the most helpful of all when it comes to travel ideas. <BR>Let's go for it, Fodor's!!!!

<BR>I just found the Fodor's site - and I'm a regular visitor now! Travel is a great ambition of mine, but I'm of a limited budget after just starting out in a career after college. I'm VERY interested in a budget forum - that would be GREAT!!!

A budget forum sounds great. I found this site the other day, and while the info is good, it would be much better if we could all begin to reply with the actual costs paid for certain things we recommend and where applicable note the methods used to get the deals. With regards to "budget forum" it seems that those with tons of money would most likely not frequent a site like this. Instead they would just pay someone to tell them where to go and what to do. This site should be for the common person that is focused on value and great information. Keep the word "budget" in your title.

Just when you think a thread has died out..... {:-) <BR>Thanks again to everyone for the support. If you're not already aware, please note that Fodor's has declined the suggestion, due to limited resources available for this purpose. The new search function should enable us all to search for the best values and share our experiences without requiring a separate forum. To sum up somne of the excellent suggestions offered by respondents to this post (and throw in a few of my own ideas): <BR>1) Include the word budget in the title of your post <BR>2) Include a specific reference to the geographic location (city, state, region, hotel or restaurant name etc.)in the text. <BR>3) Select the appropriate state location from Fodor's location list if entering a new post. <BR>4) Include information about how the best deal was obtained (or if it was simply the "regular" price)and what the prices were. <BR>5) Include comparative information where appropriate - e.g. I just spent an incredibly romantic weekend in Oxford MD on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. We paid $100 per night for a room and although it was not "cheap" it was, comparatively, a great value. <BR> <BR>If we all make an effort to throw in the occasional post after we make another "budget" excursion, in no time at all we'll have a tremendous searchable resource available to all. <BR> <BR>Anyone who has more suggestions to offer and wants to keep this thread alive, please do so! The more exposure this idea receives, the faster those great bargains will roll in.