Creative immersion pays dividends. I've found that sketching in situ not only cuts costs but deepens cultural understanding. In Kyoto, I spent an afternoon drawing a temple garden with inexpensive brushes from a local shop, which led to a conversation with a monk who shared stories over tea. That encounter cost nothing but was priceless. Similarly, in Mexico City, painting a market scene attracted vendors who offered samples and discounts, turning my art session into a cultural exchange. This method transforms travel from passive sightseeing to active participation, making memories more vivid and budgets more manageable.