The first thing we did when we arrived at new destinations was scope out the local food scene. Whether it was local farmers markets, roadside produce stands, or good-ole Trader Joe's, we saved so much money by fixing our own meals. While we ate too many PB&J sandwiches to count, we had more of a budget to spend on experiences, which made this mundane meal quite delicious.
Because most campsites included a firepit, we made the most of our camping stovetop grill and cooked the majority of meals ourselves. From hearty oatmeal in the mornings to crispy quesadillas at night, we became quite the experts on campsite cuisine.
Of course, eating out is a fun way to explore a new city, so we didn't want to skip out on this entirely. Instead, we found ways to hack around the hefty price tag of restaurants. For example, we would order food to-go whenever possible. This way, we could minimize on tipping and eat our food picnic-style in peaceful parks or along glimmering waterfronts.
