Advise for a Seriously Cheap Person, please

Unexpected expenses in New Zealand (hospital visit! no health care! tragic tale) have decimated my Cook Islands budget. If you have advise for the seriously thrifty traveler ($20 a day, room and board, tops), I'm looking for:

1. a safe place to stay (is is possible to sleep on the beach? work for a bed/bed discount?)
2. how much it's folly to stay on Rarotonga and forgo Aitutaki because airfare is pricey
3. if I should just stuff it and switch flights to Samoa

I just want to read a book in the sunshine for five days. Anyone been to the Cooks in similar straits and have something to say?

Right, I was also wondering if anyone had details on luggage storage at the airport. If I'd like to ditch my backpack (with it's NZ sweaters) at the airport for five days, how pricey/safe is that? Again, many thanks.

3. if I should just stuff it and switch flights to Samoa

Yup!
No sleeping on the beach there though, if the dogs don't get you the police will!

If you can't afford a place to stay in the Cooks, how could you afford a place in Samoa?

I heard Samoa was more affordable. This trip is a layover bonus; I don't normally plan to go places totally broke :) If anyone has good advise, please post. The other comments aren't as helpful! Thanks!

i wouldn't sleep on the beach in the Cooks - the dogs will get you there too. if all you want to do is read a book in the sunshine Raro is fine. Aitutaki lagoon is georgeous - off the charts - but Raro is great if you don't know any better! Id suggest you stay in a backpackers dorm room (eg pay for a bed!!) live off 2-min noodles (which you can cook using the backpacker kitchen) coconuts etc. But if you're travelling with only $20 a day you'd better have travel insurance - there's no way you could afford to lose your passport/pay your hospital bill if get attached by a stray dog... otherwise.

Rarotonga is not a cheap place to visit. Sleeping on the beach is not really an option (plus it's been raining for the last few days!). If you are genuine about having a $20 day budget, I'd suggest going elsewhere. It may be (barely) doable on that budget, but it would be hard work. Try emailing all hostels - Varas, Aquarius, Rarotongan Backpackers, International Backpackers and see if anyone has a work for bed option going at the moment. It may be a possibility.

Good luck.