Couch Surfing
 

I'll be going on vacation in a few weeks, and I'm still trying to find a place to stay that won't put a huge dent in my wallet. One of my friends suggested <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/">CouchSurfing</a> to find a place to stay. Basically, people offer their couches for you to stay on while you are traveling. Having never done something like this, I'm a little tentative to try it when I can stay with people I know at a hotel although it will be pretty expensive. I was wondering if anyone who has done this before has any insights or experiences to share. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated too.

Sounds creepy. Is there some sort of certification that these couch owners go through? Or is it just Hannibal Lacter and Charles Manson?

That's exactly why I'd like to hear from some people who have firsthand experience with doing this before I give it a go myself.

I've met a few people from there, the site recently crashed in June and got a good amount of press.

I only met the person and did some activities with them, I did not have them stay on my couch as my wife wasn't all that keen to it initially.

Personally I'm above that point in my life to sleep on someone's couch unless they are a long time friend.