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Mary Lou Cruz

Mary Lou worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel for 21 years. She was a special sections writer in the advertising department for 7 years and worked in the newsroom for 14 years. Before her newspaper career, she worked in the airline and travel industry and has lived in Brazil, Puerto Rico and vacationed in more than 25 countries. Motto: "Learning to live a frugal lifestyle is both an art and a science." She can be reached at marylou@miamionthecheap.com.

Take advantage of this ongoing series of free concerts under the stars, with food trucks and vendors, plus pop-up family events scheduled in 2025. The amphitheater at Wellington Town Center has a capacity of 1,500 people. Plan to take portable seats or blankets to enjoy festivities under the stars. Food Truck & Music Series Weekly on …

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Celebrating Independence Day means picnics, outdoor concerts, beach parties, and fireworks. Here’s a sample of what some municipalities are planning for the 2025 holiday. You can use this list to find the best places to see fireworks in Palm Beach County.  Boca Raton Start the celebration early with fun and games for kids in the …

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There’s music in the air, so get ready to gather and groove to weekly and monthly entertainment. It’s free music and more on The Lawn at CityPlace in the heart of West Palm Beach. For a complete listing of performers and more details, visit cityplace.com/cityplace-live-music or visit this page for a list of recurring weekly events. …

Read More about Free: Weekend music & more on The Lawn at CityPlace

No need to buy a home chemistry set. Now, you take the kiddos to an interactive event with hands-on demonstrations emphasizing science technology, engineering, and mathematics. For the next few months, CityPlace will be hosting STEM for kids, presented by the Cox Science Center & Aquarium. Science and Sunshine When: 2nd Friday of each month, …

Read More about Free monthly STEM for kids: Science & Sunshine this summer, CityPlace

This Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival features professional actors who will delight audiences of all ages with the spectacle that only the Bard’s repartee can deliver. Performances are outdoors: Shakespeare in the Park in the winter, in Royal Palm Beach; and Shakespeare by the Sea in summer, in Jupiter. Experience William Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” Thursday-Sunday, …

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You may not want to think about everything you need to do to get ready for when the kids return to the classroom quite yet, but if you want to get a jump on the back-to-school bandwagon, put this on your calendar. Goldlaw Back to School Bash When: Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. …

Read More about Free: Back-to-school bash July 19, West Palm Beach

If you’re looking for things to do with your kids in South Florida this summer, consider taking them to a movie. It’s a way to beat the heat, and a number of theaters are offering cheap movies for kids. Prices vary, ranging from $1 to $3 plus tax. AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp: $3 Promo …

Read More about Updated: Cheap movies for kids this summer in South Florida

Communing with nature has never been more fun and the Daggerwing Nature Center has so many opportunities for kids and their families to take advantage of the great outdoors. Admission is free; access to trails and boardwalk are free; most programs have fees usually from $5 to $10. Daggerwing features a 3,000-square-foot exhibit hall with …

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Whether you’re heading to the beach, to catch a concert or just taking a stroll on the mall, you know you have to figure in the price of parking in your budget when you head over to Miami Beach. This summer, from Tuesday, July 1, through Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, the city is giving everyone …

Read More about Summer parking on Miami Beach $1 per hour (up to 3), July-August with app

Living on the CheapSouth Florida on the Cheap is a member of Living on the Cheap, a network of websites published by frugalistas, journalists and consumer advocates. Find practical advice on saving money on groceries, travel and shopping, plus tips from our experts on how to live the good life for less at Living on the Cheap.

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