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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.

Public transportation can be a challenge to navigate for those who are unfamiliar with the interconnected systems, but it can also be an essential mode of travel to the savvy, frugal-minded transit rider. In South Florida’s sprawling urban-suburban landscape, there are various levels of how a person can get from point-A to point-B and back, …

Read More about Getting around Palm Beach by bus, trains, trolleys, shuttles

Marco-Polo — Spish-Splash, come on in, the water’s fine. Grab your swimsuits, it’s time for some aquatic fun under sunny South Florida skies. While some pools, like those at the YMCAs, are usually open year-round, others, such as water parks with slides and many municipal or community pools, tend to be seasonal. The good news …

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If you don’t like driving around trying to find a parking spot, consider this: There’s an eco-friendly way to get around Boynton Beach. Coastal Cruiser park-and-ride Can’t find beach parking at Ocean Front Beach Park? Park for free and request a ride on the Coastal Cruiser from one of the following public parking lots: 115 …

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On the third weekend of each month, Manatee Lagoon hosts Sensory Saturdays for family members who prefer an inclusive experience with softer lighting, less noise, and still a lot of fun from 8 to 9 a.m. Admission and parking are free; advance registration required. Fun fact: Did you know the manatee’s closest living mammal is …

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Join the Sea Turtle Conservation and Gumbo Limbo staff during organized Turtle Hatchling Releases and watch while rescued hatchlings scurry back to the ocean under the cover of darkness. Registrations to open at Gumbo Limbo in spring of 2025: Tuesday, May 13: Hatchling Release registration opens for residents only (until sold out). Tuesday, May 20: …

Read More about Turtle Hatchling Releases at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Boca Raton

The Cornell Art Museum in Delray Beach has no admission fee, however donations are appreciated. The Museum is housed in the restored 1913 Delray Elementary School building on the Old School Square campus.  While entry to the Museum is free, there may be fees for special events to help defray costs paid to performers or …

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Have you ever fed a shark or a stingray? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a place you could take the kids that would be educational and fun for an entire afternoon for only $10? Well, there is. Sandoway Discovery Center in Delray Beach offers the following activities all for the cost of admission: …

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It’s not your grandma or grandpa’s library! Did you know: The Palm Beach County Library System’s first Seed Library opened in February, 2023, at the Jupiter Branch; or that you can discover the Wonders of the Night Sky in a Telescope Viewing Session presented by the Astronomical Society at the Acreage Branch? The seed library at …

Read More about Libraries in Palm Beach ‘seed’ knowledge

Saving precious pieces of history is a passion for many people, especially the staff and members of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County who make the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum possible. General admission to the History Museum is free; donations are appreciated ($5 suggested). Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., …

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Yesteryear Village in West Palm offers an interactive historical park with an Old Florida vibe. Original and replicated structures at the attraction include a school, post office, shops, and a farm. The historical attraction also includes houses and representatives playing the part of local residents from the era.  Yesteryear Village usually is open 10 a.m. …

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Here’s something you can do any time of year, but while the weather is pleasant, why not put on your walking shoes, grab your phone and maybe a friend and head out on a self-guided tour to discover the roots of Black culture hiding in plain site. This local sightseeing tour is something you can …

Read More about New: Discover Palm Beach’s Black Cultural Heritage Trail

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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