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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.

Hispanic Heritage was originally celebrated only on Sept. 15 each year, but it has evolved into a series of monthlong celebrations through Oct. 15, honoring the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx cultures that reflect the growing American diversity. Each community and venue not only gets to choose how they celebrate these diverse cultures through food, …

Read More about Top Hispanic Heritage events in Palm Beach County, Sept.-Oct.

If you enjoy shopping for handcrafted items and homemade treasures, head over to the Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival. You can find all sorts of items, from works of art and jewelry to one-of-a-kind handmade decorations and much more. This event has become a must-stop-by institution, with nearly 100 craft artisans from around the state …

Read More about Free Downtown Delray Beach Craft Festival, Sept. 27-28

The popular and free Southern Cross Observation Deck is open in Miami-Dade at Bill Sadowski Park. The public is invited to visit with amateur astronomers from 7:30 to 10 p.m. each Saturday, weather permitting. A sense of wonder and discovery draws our eyes to the night sky. When you gaze up at the night sky, …

Read More about Free stargazing in the park in Miami-Dade

Each week, the Norton Museum of Art presents a new experience, with an eclectic mix of live performances, film screenings, workshops, tours, and more. So, if it’s Friday, shake off the sand and head down to The Norton as part of the museum’s Art After Dark series that features something new and different each week. …

Read More about Art After Dark celebrates Hispanic Heritage, West Palm Beach, Sept. 19

The colorful carousel with 30 hand-carved horse reproductions inspired by 19th-century designs in this Boca Raton park is celebrating its 20th anniversary with limited edition tokens and FREE Sunday rides all September long. Free carousel rides When: Sundays in September, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Where: Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton, 300 S. …

Read More about Free carousel rides Sundays in September at Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton

The kids are in school, summer is fading and fall is just around the corner. But that doesn’t mean the fun needs to stop. Here’s a sample of some free and cheap happening around the county during the month of September. Click links for details and revisit this page as we continue to add more …

Read More about Top things to do and see in September in Palm Beach County

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: Pixels, Paint & Pop Art at First Friday ArtWalk, Delray 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. Halloween fun for little tricksters and treaters will be on the following dates in 2025: …

Read More about Spookyville: Halloween fun for youngsters, weekends Oct. 11-31, West Palm Beach

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is continuing to waive general admission fees and opening its doors to the public for Free Fun Saturdays on the first weekend of the month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families can peruse the exhibits, but also enjoy a fun craft-based activity from 2 to 3:30 p.m. General …

Read More about Enjoy Free Fun Saturdays at Boca History Museum

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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