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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

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 …

Read More about Get park-and-ride service on the Boynton Beach on-demand Coastal Cruiser

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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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

Enjoy wildlife viewing, bay vistas, self- and staff-guided access to museums, plus other activities. Deering Estate is part of the Biscayne Bay IBA (Important Bird Area) and Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a 2,000-mile, self-guided trail traversing 500 sites located throughout Florida and selected for their excellent bird watching, wildlife viewing and educational opportunities. …

Read More about Nature hikes, guided tours at Deering Estate in South Dade

Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre has teamed up with Coral Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez to introduce a new generation to some classic, legendary flicks. Tickets are free; order online. See special ticketing procedures for city and county residents below. These films are only free for local residents. Upcoming screenings: Feb. 16, 2025, at 6:30 …

Read More about Free movies for local residents, Coral Gables

Walking in nature has been shown to have a wide range of health benefits, both physical and mental. Experts say it can not only help reduce stress, but it also may improve one’s mood, boost creativity, and even improve cognitive function. So, grab the sunscreen and bug repellant, your comfy walking shoes, and if you …

Read More about Guided nature walks & other activities, Riverbend Park

Lincoln Road on Miami Beach has often been thought of as a public playground to many; a place to hang out, with restaurants, boutiques and myriad cultural activities within walking distance. Best of all, many outdoor events on the pedestrian mall are free and open to the public; vendor prices vary. And music has long …

Read More about Play new musical instruments on Lincoln Road in Miami 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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