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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.

Ask yourself: Are you interested in a naturalist-led group night hike to search for the superstars of the night like nocturnal animals?  How does a guided walk through a pine flatwood forest to encounter wildlife along with a red-shouldered hawk sound? Are you interested in learning more about and seeing up close an American alligator …

Read More about Many Palm Beach Parks & Rec programs are free or cheap

The City of Boynton Beach continues to offer a free concert series on the First Friday at 5 p.m., monthly through November, 2026. There will be food trucks and beverage vendors and activities for kids, plus an artisan market. First Friday @ 5 When: First Friday of each month, from 5 to 9 p.m. Next: …

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Whether you’re into jazz, live theater, dance, musicals, or perhaps a touring troupe of acrobats, the  Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts has something in store to satisfy even the most discriminating cultural palate. Location: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33132. Check out the roster for upcoming …

Read More about Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, a stunning hub of culture in Miami

The Children’s Science Explorium in Sugar Sand Park is a free hands-on science center designed for children 5-12 years of age and their caregivers. It offers fascinating and interactive exhibits, programs that bring the physical sciences to life. Admission is free, however a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. The  Sugar Sand Park …

Read More about Children’s Science Explorium highlights new aerospace exhibit, Boca Raton

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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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. …

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Fall festivals in Palm Beach County If you know of a free or cheap Halloween event or fall festival we should cover, please email the details to news@southfloridaonthecheap.com. You can also enter your events of any price range at our community calendar. Pumpkin patches, fall festivals, Oktoberfests and Halloween events in South Florida Pumpkin Patches …

Read More about Fall festivals in Palm Beach County 2025

The City of West Palm Beach is once again offering an essential service for downtown visitors who prefer two wheels to four, and never need to worry about where to park their bikes. Bike Valet WHEN: Saturday, October, 2025, through May 30, 2026, (except Feb. 14 and March 28). WHERE: 143 N. Narcissus Avenue, West …

Read More about Free Bike Valet through May, downtown West Palm Beach Saturday mornings

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket returns to the Great Lawn on Saturday mornings, October, 2025, through April, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Features include a mix of unique and diverse offerings in food and art, from seasonal produce, roving entertainment and live music, to popup workshops and competitions.   Visit WPB GreenMarket City …

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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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The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach was founded more than 40 years ago, but the challenges it faces today have not only been compounded by the effects of recent climate change but also by the increase of red tide and toxic blue-green algae on sea creatures and ocean ecology. Situated on one of the …

Read More about Free admission at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

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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