Travel Q&A: There are many sources to find budget lodging.(Sun-Sentinel, South Florida)

Q. I am a widow and will soon retire from nursing; my friend is a divorcee and retired. We both love to travel and have been on many trips together.

How can we get information about hostels or other economical living arrangements? We are not really interested in educational tours, just economical, maybe even staying in private homes.

We are also interested in living in Ireland for a year. My friend says she heard that it's possible to exchange houses. How can we get information on that?

When I retire at the end of the year, my funds will be much less, but I still will have the travel bug. Any information you can give us will be much appreciated. _ B.G., Fredericksburg, VA

A. I found a number of places where you can stay at budget prices, and I'm sure I missed some. These opportunities come and go.

Joan Rattner Heilman, who writes a useful guidebook, "Unbelievably Good …