Creating a Demo On a Budget

Concerning creating a demo on a budget, here are a few suggestions:

• Where I live (Cary, NC) there used to be a performance venue called Six String Cafe that had an open mic night every week. They had a great sound setup and offered to record your performance for $10. Unfortunately, the venue is no longer around, but there might be something like that near you. You might want to check it out at least. You wouldn't have any production, but at least you could get some very inexpensive quality recordings.
• Another option is to check around at different studios and see if they have any deals on recording demos. Just make sure that you and any other musicians have the material perfected before going into the studio. You are usually charged on an hourly rate (usually between $50 and $75) and it can get very expensive if you don't have it together.
• Sometimes studios have workshops where they teach people how to use the equipment. When they do this, they usually need a band to record. The quality won't be as professional since it is more of a learning process, but you will still be recording through the studio equipment.
• If you are comfortable with computers and know how to play the keyboard, you can consider a home studio setup. That's getting a little more expensive, but if you're planning on recording a lot of songs, it's the way to go. At my house I have a digital studio setup (Kurzweil PC2X keyboard, Digital Performer recording software, an Apple computer and a microphone), which I've used to record all of the songs on my second album.
• Check around at some local colleges that have music recording programs. Sometimes the students there need bands to record.

Does anyone have any other suggestions? Please comment if you do!