As spurts of warm weather tantalize us with promises of summer fun in the sun, right about now is when we start daydreaming of Caribbean vacations, strawberry daiquiri’s (or shall we say several daiquiri’s?) on the beach, and checking out the hot eye candy on the beach. Conspicuously absent from our little jaunts to la-la land?

The often painful ritual of swimsuit shopping and the even more painful prices. $60+ for a teeny weeny string bikini that barely covers your ta-ta’s? Seriously? Seriously? Buying a swimsuit to frolic by the pool shouldn’t cost you a small down payment. Check out our fab swimsuit picks all under $30! And none of that, the top costs $30 and the bottom costs another $50 crap. The TOTAL price of these swimsuits is $30 or under.

More: Low Cost/High Impact Swimsuits for $30

Photo Courtesy of Modcloth

Swimsuit shopping seems to be the bane of every woman’s existence, but throw in the limited number of stylish, plus size o

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We acknowledge that after having read the title of this post, you may still be cringing. For most of us, the last thing we want to even begin thinking about right now is putting on a swimsuit. Maybe you’re still beating a hasty retreat to the gym to work off the last of the holidays. Maybe your skin is so dry it’s flaking off. Or maybe it’s just so darn cold where you live that you have a challenging enough time trying to stay warm while changing out of your jammies in the morning. No matter what the reason, we sympathize. So, consider this a wee seed that we’re offering for future reference. Read it, bookmark it, and read it again in a few months.

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What’s more terrifying than trying on swimsuits surrounded by mirrors in fluorescent lights? Paying a small fortune for a piece of body-baring Spandex. But don’t worry, we got your back (seriously, we do) and have put together this list of the best budget-friendly swimsuit brands that help you look good and save a few bucks.

Here’s a few things to remember when searching for a new swimsuit:
- First, it’s usually a good idea to go up a size.
- When trying on suits, give your cleavage a manual boost in the suit to make sure it’s securely in the proper place.
- If you can’t find the perfect fit, suits can be easily tailored. Straps can be shortened and inserts can be sewn into the lining of the cups.
- Once you found a suit you love, make sure you take care of it by hand-washing it after every use, and never put it in the dryer (the heat melts the Spandex).
Check out our picks for the best swimsuits on a budget.

More: The Best Swimsuit Brands on a Budget