Heading down to the shore can be a great family vacation. But like any attractive summer vacation spot, things can be pricey.
We are vacationing down at the shore this week, and we are having an amazing time. The weather is wonderful, and the water is warm. Having never been to the beach together as a complete family, we are so incredibly lucky that we have the opportunity to build sand castles and play in the waves.
Of course, we are trying to do everything as frugally as possible. Here are some of the things I’ve learned this week. Hopefully, you can use these tips to help you make your trip to the shore as inexpensive as possible.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate for a rental. It is the end of the season, and I’ve seen more than one property that is available for rent. Some income is better than none, so name your price and shop around for a great deal. After Labor Day is the best time for the best deal. The weather may still be warm, but summer is unofficially over, so lots of properties are vacant. As an extra benefit, the beaches won’t be as crowded as they are in peak season.
Plan to bring as much of your own food as possible. Restaurants can be pricey and so can many local grocery stores in a shore town. Most shore rentals contain full kitchen facilities, and many hotels provide you with a microwave and small refrigerator. You can ask if you can bring a crock pot or slow cooker. In our case, we made a few meals ahead of time and brought them in a cooler, along with some cheese, eggs, etc. I also added a box of dry goods and non refrigerated items such as cereal, graham crackers, english muffins, bread, fruit, cookies and peanut butter. This gave us a wide variety of meals and snacks. Eating out could be a carefully selected treat or experience instead of a constant money drainer.
There are more tips for saving at the shore coming up tomorrow. Meanwhile, we are off to the beach!
Click here for more articles by Mary Ann Romans.
Related Articles
Planning Your Frugal Summer Travel