Note that most of these answers only apply to the experience of renting a room in a home that you also live in.

FORBES: What It's Really Like To Be An Airbnb Host

What about taking on a roommate or renting out a room?

FORBES: Want To Save Serious Cash? Focus On The Big Stuff First

You might also be able to earn extra income with a part-time job or even by renting out a room to a tenant.

FORBES: How to Avoid Foreclosure Before It's Too Late

Airbnb, founded in August 2008, is dedicated to the promise that lots of people are willing to earn money by renting out a room in their home and that lots of people are willing to save money by crashing in strangers' abodes rather than in motels or hotels.

WSJ: Renting Prosperity

In Amsterdam, the government has used Airbnb listings to track down "illegal hotels" and shut them down - although they are typically targeting absent owners renting out whole apartments rather than individuals subletting a room.

BBC: Airbnb battles: Would you stay with strangers?