For me? I would say it has paid for itself. I'm just a weekend camper in a 3500 dollar Travel Trailer. I have the pickup to tow it with anyway. I live in the country and have to drive to a bigger town once a month or so to get supplies anyway. There is a county campground near to that town that cost 20 bucks a night so I stay there. As someone stated I get good exercise and eat healthier at the park so I've lost weight and I'm in better shape at 50 then I was at 40. The camping has caused my stress level to go down so I feel better mentally at 50 then I did at 40.
And,,,, most importantly of all I use my TT as a anti DWI device. If friends want me to stop over to grill out and have a few beers I take the camper and spend the night. So if it saves me a DWI then I'm many dollars ahead.
It has saved me countless dollars and as they say a penny saved is a penny earned.