Recommendations and advice for RTW trips

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody can give me some advice on costs and such for a RTW trip.

I would intend on doing things as cheap as possible (splurge once in a while perhaps).

How safe is hitchhiking and is it illegal in certain countries? Things would be safer (I'd think), if I were to travel with another person if I was to do this. If needed, I would still use bus, train, or other transportation.

What would you say is the average cost of such a trip? I know (I think) it's illegal to work in another country, but I know that some people do some sort of labour (farm work, etc.) in order to get a little more cash when they travel.

Buying food from grocery stores or local markets would be cheaper than restaurants, so I would try to do that as often as possible and it also seems like hostels are the cheapest (from my understanding) form of accomadation, but I also would accept sleeping in the outdoors if the weather is nice and I'm sure I'm in a safe area. Are there any other options for accomadation and food?

How long would a RTW trip take? A year or longer? I'd like to see North/South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand. I know the times for different people would be different, but is there a good average length to go by?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Thanks again... good advice!

<< I was wondering if anybody can give me some advice on costs and such for a RTW trip. >>

There's a Yahoo group about this, filled with people who have done or are planning RTW trips.

If you don't have a Yahoo ID, I think you have to get one. Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/ and look for the group called 'RTWers.'