Clicky Skip to Content

Teresa

Teresa Mears is a publisher, writer and editor who was raised to be frugal. She became a website entrepreneur after 30 years as an editor at newspapers ranging in size from the Portland (Tenn.) Leader to The Los Angeles Times and The Miami Herald, where she worked most recently. She moved to Florida in 1980 because it was the only place she could get a job during that recession and has lived in South Florida since 1985, in Miami, Hollywood, Tamarac, Wilton Manors and Fort Pierce. She is co-owner and CEO of the parent network, Living on the Cheap.

Santa’s Wonderland is back at Bass Pro Shops, and you’re invited to enjoy this Christmas village. Santa arrives on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 at 5 p.m. and the festivities will include a tree lighting, seasonal treats and a free kids’ giveaway of a Bass Christmas plush toy. From November 2 to December 24, 2025, get …

Read More about Free photo with Santa at Bass Pro Shops

Bank of America customers can visit museums free of charge on the first full weekend of the month through the Museums On Us program. Just show your Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and a photo ID on Saturday or Sunday, and you will get free admission to more than 225 …

Read More about Free museum entry for Bank of America card holders this weekend

South Florida has many excellent theater productions, but tickets are sometimes expensive. We’ve found a number of ways to get discount theater tickets in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. You can find theater ticket deals from a number of sources, including Groupon, Ticketmaster, Culture Shock, Cultural Connection, Golden Ticket and the theaters themselves. If …

Read More about South Florida theater deals and discounts

You can enjoy festive holiday tunes played on tubas and euphoniums at three Tuba Christmas concerts in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Tuba and euphonium players are invited to participate in all three events. Registration for performers is $15. Admission is free for spectators. Florida Atlantic University’s Tuba Christmas free concert is at 5 p.m. …

Read More about Free Tuba Christmas concerts in Jupiter, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale

Regardless of the weather in the Sunshine State, South Florida embraces autumn with fall festivals, pumpkin patches and other seasonal events. Fall festivals often feature pumpkins, hayrides & scarecrows. Pull out your plaid shirt and roll up the sleeves. Lots of events in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are free.  Fall is also the …

Read More about Fall and harvest festivals in South Florida 2025

The Adrienne Arsht Center offers a free tour every Monday and Saturday at noon. The tour lasts approximately one hour. No reservations are required.  Tours depart from the lobby of the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House. You might even see some production happenings if the timing is right. Highlights of the tour include: …

Read More about Free tours of the Adrienne Arsht Center

We are lucky in South Florida to have many talented musicians, performing as solo act, duos, trios or bands. They play music from Afro-Cuban funk to classical to country to folk to rock to heavy metal. And don’t forget all the tribute bands, which recreate the music of our youth. We are even luckier to …

Read More about Free outdoor (and indoor) concerts this week in South Florida

Jungle Island’s Luminosa attraction will be open November 14, 2025, through March 7, 2026/ Luminosa includes giant lantern exhibits, featuring mythical jungle wildlife, submerged Atlantis, ancient Asian dynasties and legendary Latin culture. Luminosa takes guests on a journey through 13 acres, using light to explore mythical kingdoms. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday …

Read More about Jungle Island Luminosa

Broward County has many fall festivals, from Coral Springs to Hallandale Beach, from Pompano Beach to Pembroke Pines, and everywhere in between, including Tamarac, Plantation, Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale. At Broward’s fall festivals, you can buy pumpkins for carving, listen to live music, play games, go on hayrides and celebrate the change of seasons, as …

Read More about Fall festivals in Broward 2025

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.

Living on the Cheap in the Media