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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.

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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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 …

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     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 …

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Occasionally, Broward parks provide a delightful venue for live entertainment. Often the e Music events at Broward parks include 2024 events 2 p.m. November 24 Bach ‘n’ Roll  with free entry and free parking Where: Nature Center, 751 Sheridan St., Hollywood Organizer: Music Club of Hollywood   4 p.m. November 30 Jazz featuring Broward College …

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If you’re out and about, some parks, natural areas, restaurants, attractions, lights displays and shopping plazas are open for fun, entertainment and food on Thanksgiving Day in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County. Maybe you want to take your relatives on a day trip to the next county. You will find lots of sights to …

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Free books, a fantasy forest and performances are featured at the Broward Library StoryBook festival in Pembroke Pines.  StoryBook Festival in 2025 is 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, November 15, and entry is free. Reserve a ticket online. The  event is at  Southwest Regional Library, 954-357-6580, 16835 Sheridan Street, Pembroke Pines 33331. The event …

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Delight in plant-based dishes from participating restaurants and food vendors at  Vegan Block Party  events in Fort Lauderdale.  Vegan Block Party in  2025 is 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Saturday, July 5, at Esplanade Park, 400 S.W.  Second Street, Fort Lauderdale 33312. Esplanade Park is on the lovely Riverwalk promenade. Vegan Block Party events typically …

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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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