There is all sorts of things you can do that are cheap for instance in Brighton you can eat out really cheap if you know where. Its the same with accommodation, search around and it can be within your budget even when things around are rather expensive.
You need imagination for days out, trips to the local countryside is always a good one especially using the bus. Eating in pubs will save you money, choose the bar, never the restaurant area as that is always more expensive than the bar. Guided walks and tours are normally a waste of time if you are on a budget though occasionally they can take you places that you would otherwise have missed. Get yourselves some information from elsewhere such as on the internet and walk around on your own, you will see more and have the chance to actually meet an interact with the locals.
Traveling alone is the best way to meet people, if you are in a couple then you are in a bit of a bubble so find a third wheel :)
Brighton is a lovely place to visit cos it has so much going on although it is a bit pricey, try to do it on the cheap if you can. It is hard when the price of a beer is over three pounds, bah humbug and all that. It is cheaper in London than Brighton for most things although people don't believe you when you mention it.
If you do go to Brighton, don't forget about Hove, its a lot calmer and full of wine bars but has a good range of food and a whole lot less drunken chavs. Then again Kemptown has its own unique ding dong. Being the gay quarter ads a certain ping to the air but I would say the bail hostels add more to the ragged edges than anything. It feels a lot more real, and affordable but don't be fooled. Portslade is cheap but that is all there is to say about that! Shoreham is up and comming area but I wouldn't like to live there, its miles from Brighton centre and that is where I would want to live.
Thanks for my stream of consciousness, not really suitable for public reading! did you read it? really? are you sure? I havent, I just typed this rubbish out unedited.
