Some people hear the call of the open road deep in their bones. Others hear the call of their own couch and answer it with a blanket, a snack, and no apologies. We are all different that way, and honestly, the couch people may be onto something.

For those of us who do like to get out and about, travel does not have to require a trust fund, a private jet, or a suitcase full of tiny shampoo bottles. Some people travel for work and manage to see more of the world that way, assuming their schedule leaves room for more than hotel coffee and conference-room visiting. Others collect miles, points, discount codes, and third-party booking deals like they are preparing for an Olympic event.

Me? I am a state park kind of traveler. Give me scenery at a discount, a pretty overlook, a walking trail, and a place to sit quietly for a minute. Camping is certainly economical, but I am not a throw-the-tent-in-the-car-and-go person. I am more of a rent-a-hotel-room-and-enjoy-indoor-plumbing person. Know thyself, and pack accordingly. I take after my Mama that way…

Day trips are my favorite budget trick. One-night stays are a close second when the good stuff is just a little farther away. Sometimes my sister and I travel together and split the cost, which makes the trip cheaper and the stories better. Friends who open their homes for a night or two are also a blessing, especially the ones with comfortable guest rooms and good coffee.

The truth is, there are plenty of ways to travel on a dime. Use points if you have them. Look for discounts. Go in groups. Drive somewhere close. Pack snacks. Visit parks. Split expenses. Save little by little for the bigger trip that keeps tugging at your imagination. I am saving for one in the spring, and for me, the anticipation is part of the adventure.

But maybe the most overlooked travel bargain is learning to notice what is already around us. Every town has something tourists come to see that the locals drive past without a second glance. Sometimes traveling on a dime means crossing state lines. Sometimes it means taking the long way home, slowing down, and remembering that wonder does not always require a boarding pass… Sometimes the adventure is in your own backyard.