Travelers like John can afford to lay over an extra day or two to catch that $99 flight across the ocean. He's also traveling with a single bag, which is essential for these flights because you give up your luggage allowance to the company for which you act as a courier agent. It's all legal and extremely inexpensive.

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There are companies out there who will sell you New York City - Paris - Bombay - Bangkok - Hong Kong - New York City for $1250 USD. In other words, for twice what you'd pay just to fly from North America to Europe in the summer, you can circle the globe. Arrangements can be customized to allow for overland travel segments.

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It's now possible to map out a lengthy trip and have a hostel lined up for each location on the itinerary. Hostel directories include bulletin boards where travelers critique the operations, but don't attach too much importance to a good or bad review. Backpackers still spend as little as $5 USD/night for safe, clean accommodations.

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It's not as difficult as you might think...many countries are begging for people who will teach English. It is not necessary to speak the local language, but a friendly and helpful disposition is required. In highly-developed nations like Japan, there are actually Web sites advertising jobs for which English speakers are prefered. Most of them are temporary gigs--something employer and employee agree upon at the outset.

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Two often travel more cheaply than one. John says his father might join him for parts of the itinerary. Those segments probably will be cheaper for both of them. Other travelers like to meet people along the way and share parts of their trips. This can be risky, but for those who have done it successfully it is a major money-saving tool. Web sites exist that will match traveler, disposition and itinerary.

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Would you stay in a convent? If the answer is "no," you're crossing off a clean, cheap place to stay in many Italian cities. What about an authentic castle? A few are actually very affordable. So are stays on farms, where you learn about the local culture and milk the cows to earn your keep.

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John and his friends have done this research and are making it work for them. How about letting their experiences and resulting travelogues work for you?