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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.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will once again host the American Indigenous Arts Celebration, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 7-8, 2025, on the museum’s festival grounds in Big Cypress.  The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Taking place during Native American Heritage Month, and will feature an …

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Delray Beach offers a robust arts and entertainment vibe, including the popular First Friday Art Walk, which not only offers public art displays, murals, installations and open galleries, but also a variety of free music and pop-up performances. You can stop for refreshments or visit the working artist studios in the downtown area to peruse, …

Read More about Free: First Friday ArtWalk, Delray Beach

Making the arts more accessible and affordable to full-time students is now a reality, thanks to the ArshtPass student discount program, which provides $25 tickets to select shows. To get the deal, you need to sign up in advance and join the program.  Here’s what you need to know: It is free to sign up …

Read More about ArshtPass offers $25 tickets for full-time college students

There are plenty of activities at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S.-1, Juno Beach. Admission is free, however some of the programs do have participation fees. Here are some popular ones, especially for fall that are free for all ages. Free Friday Hikes Fridays at 10:30 a.m.; free for all ages. Juno Dunes Natural Area Hike: …

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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. Click HERE to see who’s performing and what else is happening this week and next! The amphitheater at Wellington Town Center has a capacity of 1,500 people. Plan to take portable seats …

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The folks in Boca Raton take October seriously! Here’s a sample list of some of the planned activities and fall events you’ll want to check out. Booca Boo Days! Events include a bunch of seasonal activities for kids of all ages, at various venues, including libraries and parks, etc. Click on the links below for …

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Veterans Day celebrates active duty and retired men and women who chose to serve their country with pride. Here is a list of some of the festivities we found and they include breakfasts, parades, ceremonies, marketplace vendors, car shows, music and entertainment. We urge everyone to show their appreciation for the members of our armed …

Read More about Palm Beach County Veterans Day events

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter invites the public to celebrate its 2nd birthday at its forever home and to party with feathers, fangs and fur at a Halloween bash on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.   Admission is by donation and everyone is welcome. Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is at 17855 Rocky Pines Road, Jupiter Farms. Trick-or-treat …

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If you haven’t heard the U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus before, you’re in for a treat. The U.S. Army Field Band was founded in 1946 and the Soldiers’ Chorus 1957. They have performed in all 50 states and in 30 countries before hundreds of millions of people. The 60-member concert band and 29-member …

Read More about Free: Army Field Band & Chorus concerts in Miami and West Palm Beach

The Spookyville attraction at the South Florida Fairgrounds features safe trick or treating, a train and other rides for kids age 10 and under, vendors, food for purchase, activities and live entertainment. There will be a costume parade on each Sunday. Spookyville: Halloween fun for youngsters, weekends Oct. 11-31, West Palm Beach Halloween fun for little …

Read More about Spookyville Halloween, West Palm Beach, Oct. 11-31

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

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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