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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.

Art & Jazz on The Avenue, is the signature art and music event produced four times a year in different areas of downtown Delray Beach. It’s like a community block party and admission is free. These events not only feature live jazz and art vendors displaying their work, but also, you’ll get the opportunity to …

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Tickle me pint but color me blue! Paramount Pictures presents a PG “Smurfs” movie featuring singer Rihanna that will be released in movie theaters on July 18, 2025. We are offering you a chance to get an advance screening pass for free! “Smurfs” movie with Rihanna as Smurfette When: Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 11 a.m. …

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Public parks, schools and libraries in South Florida are among the places  featured in a federal program that offers free food for kids and teens during summer. The free meals are for kids 18 and younger. The Summer BreakSpot program is presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Agriculture and other …

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Whenever school is out, luckily, families in South Florida, and especially Palm Beach County, have plenty of free and cheap activities for kids during summer, both inside and outside. There are, of course beaches, most of them free to visit. Some beaches even have free parking. There also are parks, pools and splash pads, many …

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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, …

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The City of Boynton Beach continues to offer a free concert series on the First Friday at 5 p.m., monthly in 2025. Friday, June 6, features the Library Summer Reading Kickoff, from 4 to 9 p.m. Event Timeline: 4-4:20 p.m.: DJ kicks off the event 4-4:30 p.m.: Welcome by the Children’s Library. 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Enjoy …

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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, …

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Taking an entire family to a museum can run into the three figures. But military families can get a big break thanks to Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. The program offers FREE admission to more than 2,000 museums across America …

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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 …

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Active duty military, veterans and West Palm Beach City residents enjoy free admission to The Norton Museum of Art every Saturday with ID, every week, all year round. Palm Beach County residents get in free every Saturday during the summer, May 24, 2025, through Aug. 30. Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West …

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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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