I like your article. It says the most essential things for every traveler. I would add a few more tips from my own experience. I work as a flight attendant and when I visit a place as party of my job I stay in 5* hotels and I have the freedom to spend more money. When I travel on my own is a completely different story.
One of the things that really helped me and reduced my expenses is using websites like Couchsurfing. I've met really great people who helped me with accommodation and lots of tips about their hometown. If you avoid doing the most touristic things you can also save money and you will have great experience learning many more new things from local people. I tried hitchhiking a few times (but I would do this only if I travel with somebody else) and it's also a great way to save from transportation. These basic rules helped me to visit around 60 countries until now and I hope they will help you too :)
Great tips, thanks for sharing. Couch surfing is a great idea when you do not mind sharing the place you are staying and I can imagine it becomes quite easy to get to know somebody and learn about their culture when sleeping on their couch ;p
It is easy if you carefully choose your host. I don't know why I sense some irony in your comment. I never stay with people who don't have enough references left by other travelers. Sometimes people are busy, especially during the week but I've received some of the best travel tips where to go and what to see exactly from those kind of people. I also host people back home and I've met amazing people who did amazing things. Sometimes you can travel without even physically moving. It is a truly inspiring project to me.