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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 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 …

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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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There’s always something happening in Boca, so we’ve compiled a list of some popular free and cheap events to bring to your attention. Many are recurring, so we’ve provided links to calendars you can also search to get more details and the best updated information. We’ve also included a list of some of the main …

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Boynton Beach is a thriving seaside community that is welcoming and active for residents and visitors alike. It offers a variety of cultural and community activities year-round. Many are hosted at the Arts & Cultural Center, the public library, at Oceanfront Park, and at various other sites sponsored by the Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency …

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Wellington is a family town with oodles of activities, festivals and outdoor entertainment. Most notable are the weekly Thursday Food Trucks & Music series at the amphitheater, and the seasonal Lakeside Market along the Town Center Promenade, both of which are free to attend. Visit Saturday & Sunday Concerts for a list of monthly outdoor concerts …

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The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach hosts seasonal special events that feature taiko drumming performances and other activities, including a seasonal sunset stroll. For more details, visit Sunset Stroll – Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The seasonal Sunset Stroll is a rain-or-shine event, April-September.  Check back with us to find out when …

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The Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach is so much more than a mere museum and it also offers opportunities for discounts for many of its programs. Now, it is also offering half-off admission on Sensory Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. on the following days: Sept. 6 Oct. 4 Nov. 1 …

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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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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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