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Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

Free concerts featuring local performers are featured at Lunch with Art: The LIVE Music Edition events at 12:15 p.m. the third Thursday of every month. Upcoming events in 2025 include: Jan. 16: Bianca Rosarrio, jazz, blues and standards. Feb. 20: Ulysses Pinkney, R&B and Gospel. March 20: Alex Dean, saxophonist and vocalist. April 17: Nikki …

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Groove to the sounds of live bands in Davie. The outdoor music events feature regional bands, food vendors and entry is free. Sounds of The Town events in 2025 include: January 17: Big Rock Band February 21: Southern Blood March 14: Clean Slate  April 11: Shane Duncan May 16: Greatest Decades of Rock Events are …

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For a fun free outdoor activity, embark on a walking tour in downtown Hollywood.  The downtown district features vibrant  murals on the exteriors of structures in a quaint downtown setting. The display features about 30 original works of art showcasing artists from South Florida & other parts of the world.  Murals are on Harrison Street, …

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For a free family excursion, Sunrise Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free drive-in animated film. Drive-ins and other free family films in Sunrise in 2025 include:  6:30 p.m. Friday, January 3, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The movie is “Inside Out 2.” Watch the movie from inside your vehicle with sound from …

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For a fun Florida approach to holiday lights, embark on an excursion on the Water Taxi in Fort Lauderdale.  This is a fairly pricey and popular holiday activity. Water Taxi  holiday lights tours in 2024 are December 5 – January 4, with decorated vessels navigating The Intracoastal Waterway. The tour is a peek at the decorated …

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If you appreciate taking your own interesting holiday photos, South Florida offers some wonderful, whimsical, and festive displays. Adorable selfies. Pose with pals. Broward, Dade and greater Palm Beach offer lots of opportunities in 2024 for impressive Instagramable pictures. Plenty of places and events with holiday decor are free. Snow in Dania Dania Pointe shopping …

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For a visual treat, festive light displays are delightful.  A free walk-up display in North Broward offers lovely photo ops and a tree with lights that twinkle to holiday tunes. The displays in 2024 are 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. in December on the lawn at Coral Springs city hall, 9500 West Sample Road, Coral …

Read More about Dancing lights & festive displays & dress up Coral Springs for the holidays

     IKEA put this event on hold temporarily      If you like Bingo, Ikea stores in Broward and Dade are offering an opportunity to play and win prizes. Winners receive a $20 voucher toward purchasing items from the As Is department. As Is items include discontinued items, former showroom display pieces and gently …

Read More about Event is paused —— Ikea in Broward & Dade offers free indoor Bingo for prizes

Popular and festive, the  Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade features elaborately decorated boats floating in formation on The New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The event in 2024 is 6:30 p.m. to about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 14,  featuring a prime outdoor watch area in Fort Lauderdale with live entertainment, food vendors …

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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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