1. Book early. The budget hotels will fill up quickly.
2. If you want to really budget, you can stay in a cheaper room with a bathroom down the hall.
3. You can negotiate the room rate particularly in the slow times. Inquire about student or senior discounts. Ask for a discount if you stay so many days.
4. Find out if the hotel will serve you breakfast. That will add to the bill.
5. Be sure not to call home from the hotel phone unless you can dial your "home direct" number to get your own operator. You can use a public phone or you call and have the person in the U.S. call you back. Pay phones rarely accept coins. You have to buy télécartes(calling cards) which you can get cheaper from tabacs and newsstands.