How to Make Money at the Beach this Summer

Need to make money this summer, but don't want to miss the beach? You can do both!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Sell Bottled Water ~ Sun and fun make for thirsty customers! You can easily turn a nice profit with a sign and a case of bottled water. Make money by purchasing the water cheap in bulk ($ 5.95 per case at my local warehouse store) and selling each bottle for a dollar or more. You'll have to check with the city for beach and seller rules. Just sit back and enjoy the sun while thirsty beach lovers flock to you.
2. Sell Sun Block ~ It's a necessity for every beach-goer. Why do we always forget it? No one wants to leave the beach to find a store that sells sun block. Often, you've already paid for parking before you realize what you've forgotten. You can save them time and money by bringing a stock of trial sized sunscreen. Sell it reasonably, but above what you paid. Make a sign and set it up where people can see.
3. Bottle Collecting ~ You don't have to take a trash bag and walk around looking for bottles and cans. Instead, bring a large box, lined with a trash bag. Put a sign on your box that says "Please Recycle!" Set your beach party up in a convenient location with the box in prominent display. A lot of people WANT to recycle, but they don't want to carry their empties around all day. You'll be doing a good thing for the environment and making money without any work.
4. Gather Shells ~ You can gather shells along the beach and in the water. These shells can be cleaned easily and sold online for craft supplies. You don't need a website. Etsy and eBay both make it possible for you to connect with customers without having your own store. Look for pretty shells or stones. Make sure they are intact. Bring them home, rinse them off, list them for auction. It's easy and you can make money every day.
5. Play Music ~ Got talent? If you can play an instrument, you can make money at the beach. Simply sit down with your instrument case open and start playing. You might even want to make a little sign that says "Tips". Tourists and beach-goers are eager to support anyone contributing to the ambiance.
6. Drawing ~ If you have an artistic side, you can set up an area with a couple of chairs and your sketching materials. Display examples of your work. Make a sign offering your service. It's a wonderful and unique memento for people on vacation.
7. Sand Sculpture ~ If you love building sand castles, you should know you can make money at it. Just like with music, you simply set a tip jar out and go to work. The more interesting your sculpture, the more likely people will be to donate. You can make faces, castles, animals, or anything you can imagine.
8. Photography ~ You can make money at the beach by taking pictures. Travel agencies are always looking for new and inspiring images of beach destinations. Cash in! You can also take pictures of nature. All you need to do is register with an online stock photo website (free), and list your digital images. The more you click and list, the more money you can make.
9. Metal Detector ~ If you're an adventurer, the metal detector may be the best way for you to make money at the beach. Sand has a way of sucking up valuables like watches, change and jewelry. You never know what you'll find.

Tips & Warnings

• Never waste a trip to the beach!
• Get a partner in on the action, if you're selling, so you can both have fun without shutting business down.
• Always check local rules before selling at the beach.