Long ago, when I was single, I always had my tripod with me. I kept it in my car, when I had a car. When I didn't have a car, I carried my tripod with my bag; my radio antennas were stored between my tripod legs.
Nowadays, there are very portable tripods that fold up and fit into carry bag. There are also monopods that clamp onto stuff; I saw one photographer use on on a tree branch!