My most important expense is the lodging. I don’t need fancy, although I will take it if it’s on sale, but I insist on clean and safe. Most of my money goes there.
I try to use public transportation. If it’s not available or inconvenient, my next largest expense is a rental car. I’m a retired airline employee so $0-$little money goes there.
We must eat. I eat modestly. I seldom go to expensive restaurants. If my lodging has a kitchen, or even a microwave and refrigerator, I will cook most meals.
I don’t buy souvenirs for people. It’s a habit that I could not afford when I first started traveling, so I save a lot of money by not doing it now. I usually buy myself a small item to remember the trip by, but that’s all.
The rest of my expense are excursions. I’m there because I want to see the area and experience the culture.