Cheapest places to stay for a few weeks?

[MrsGubbins]

I'm looking for suggestions for cheap as chips (but safe) place to stay, I live abroad and usually stay with a family member for the summer to escape the summer here (where it's 40+ and unbearable). Sadly can't stay with family this year.
It would be me alone with 2 small children... and a 9 week school holiday to fill.
Any fab ideas?!

[mummymeister]

Cheapest is camping but you might not want to do this long term. if you are talking school summer hols then a week could well be £500+. For 9 weeks in a touristy area, I think you need to budget at least £5 - £6K for the accommodation which in no way could be described as cheap as chips. Cheap school summer holidays just aren't there any more due to the Gove changes and everyone needing to be away at the same time. tbh this late in the day you might struggle to find anything. Your best bet is to look at non tourist destinations and see what there is. the further inland away from the sea the cheaper it usually is.

also a bit off the wall but you could look into perhaps house sitting or pet sitting as a way of finding somewhere cheap to stay. what about a house swop? is that practical?

again, another off the wall suggestion. buy a camper van. use it for the 9 weeks you are here then sell it on again. it is a hassle and you will lose a bit in the deal plus you will have hook up costs wherever you take it but would probably still be cheaper.

[DailyMailEthicalFail]

I'll pm you, OP.