Welcome Joe, thank you for your service.
My best savings come from me waiting for things to come my way. When i bypass that to have it sooner i always pay much more.
Now sometimes i spoil myself in the tool or parts department and buy the good stuff. I never regret buying myself good tools, tires, or machine parts.
And last but not least i dumpster dive. I bet my bus is adorned with 95 percent dumpster and alley find
Good luck, sounds fun!