The Miami area is notoriously expensive but you can have fun here without busting your budget. Consider these suggestions:

•  Go to the beach.  This is Florida, it’s required. The county oversees some beaches. Others are at state parks.  Some municipalities operate beaches.  With hundreds of miles of coastline in Miami-Dade County, there’s sure to be a spot on the sand that suits you.
• Live jazz at MOCA.  At 8 p.m. on the last Friday of every month, music lovers gather on the plaza outside the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami. Concerts are free and the museum is open by donation.
• Farmers markets.  Even when you don’t need locally grown organic vegetables, these markets are great places to people-watch or pick up non-food items, such as jewelry and accessories. Some offer extras including live music, exercise classes, and more.
• Viernes Culturales and Big Night in Little Haiti.  These monthly street festivals showcase some of what gives this area its fascinating multicultural identity. Big Night in Little Haiti happens on third Fridays. The following week, head across town to Little Havana for Viernes Culturales or Cultural Fridays. Both offer live music, vendors, arts and crafts, food, children’s activities and more.
• Free museum visits.  The Miami-Dade Public Library offers free passes to local museums. The passes, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis, allow up to a family of four to check out the Miami Children’s Museum, Zoo Miami and others. Click here for details.

And one more for good measure:

• Free movies at Soundscape.  Some technical problems caused an interruption in the series but beginning again in October, you can enjoy movies outdoors without charge. They’re shown on the Soundscape screen at the ExoStage, corner of 17th Street and Washington Avenue in Miami Beach. Click here for the schedule.