I live in Oak Island. A quite beach town of roughly 9000 people tucked away on the shores of the North Carolina coast. Not everyone has the privilege of living at the beach, nor does everyone want to live at the beach. But if you are one of the lucky ones, like me, you will want to enjoy your stay and save a bit of money. Regardless of where you live, saving money is on the top of everyone’s list. With your bags packed, I will give you the top 5 tips to saving money while enjoying beach living.
*Car vs. Walking When you live at the beach, the majority of your destinations will be within walking distance, so walk. Save the money you would spend on gas and invest in a cart to haul beach supplies. On average I have saved $100-$200 a month just by walking to the beach rather than driving. You will also get your small bit of exercise for the day.
*Eating Out vs. Eating In No matter where you live, eating out is expensive. Beach restaurants are geared for tourists and tourists rarely care about price. For the price of a medium range restaurant you can buy fresh fish, fresh vegetables, and a starch. A healthy option for half the price.
*Dryer vs. Line Dry Most beaches have on average over 200 days per year of sunshine. Even the most energy efficient dryer cannot match the savings generated from line drying. I have saved over $200 on my monthly electric bill by line drying verses electric drying. For larger item such as blankets, I suggest a local laundry mat. I spend at most $1 for item which will add more money to my monthly bill.
*Single Purchase vs. Bulk Buying I have a large family and bulk buying items is essential. I recommend such as sun screen, bug spray, paper plates, cutlery, and charcoal. I saved about $50 on my shopping bill by purchasing frequently used items once instead of multiple times per month.
*Chain Stores vs. Local Shops You will always hear the argument of shopping locally and supporting your community verses spending your hard earned money elsewhere. The hidden secret is to shop locally after the tourists leave. You will find deep discounts on everyday items such as t-shirts and shorts. At chain stores, discounts are seasonal.
As stated above, not everyone has the privilege of living at the beach, but I do. If you get the opportunity to live at the beach, use these five tips to save money.
Source: Personal Experience
