5 Tips To Enjoy A Budget-Friendly Beach Day
So you’re one of the lucky ones heading to the beach this summer? That doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on a little leisure time. Summer’s all about relaxing and enjoying the free (or nearly free!) perks Mother Nature has to offer. We’ve put together 5 tips to enjoy a great day at the beach on a budget. From packing your own picnic to catching up on your favorite beach reads, your beach day promises to be sun-and-fun filled. First things first: We recommend hitting the beach early to snag a good spot before the noon crowd arrives.
1. Pack a Cooler
Rather than spend your hard earned cash on overpriced snacks from the beach bodega, why not pack a picnic? To keep your food sand-friendly, wrap sandwiches in saran wrap and use a clip to keep the chip bag closed. And don’t forget to bring plenty of water.
2. Get Comfortable
Set yourself in gear for an entire afternoon of relaxation. Recline on a beach chair if you’ve got one. Otherwise, avoid becoming a sand-monster and lay out on your biggest and beachy-est towels. If you've got some grub, we recommend also bringing a large tablecloth from home to sit on while you eat!
3. Sun Soaked Sports
Get a group together for a game of beach soccer or Frisbee. Snag a ball or disc for cheap at your local pharmacy or dollar store. If you’re water-bound, simply master the art of body surfing and ride the waves for free!
4. Become an Architect
Practically everyone can build your basic sandcastle, so why not aim a little higher and create something a little fancier? One great way is to use household Tupperware to build your fortress. Maybe challenge the family to see who can make the coolest sandcastle (Hint: always decorate your masterpiece with seashells and sand dollars!)
5. Ride the Literary Wave
Tired of hearing the soft sound of the surf crashing against the shore day after day? We didn’t think so! Instead of zoning out with your iPod, why not pick up a fun beach novel or read your favorite trashy magazine instead! Even better, save a ton and paying nothing by checking out a book at the local library or swap magazines with friends to keep it wallet-friendly!