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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.

Reducing water waste is kind to your wallet. And to the planet. As an incentive to replace old toilets with fresher versions that save water, rebates are offered to eligible Broward residents. The Broward Water Partnership offers rebates of $125 per toilet when replacing an older model with a more efficient, low-flow, WaterSense-rated toilet. Eligible …

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For fun, free outdoor excursions, lots of people delight in nature walks in parks.  For extra fun, direct your attention on birds. If you’re interested in bird watching or birding, libraries in Broward and greater Palm Beach loan equipment for free.  Sierra Taliaferro, a parks naturalist in Broward, offers some information on the delightful activity. “All …

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For a holiday treat, the Galleria in Fort Lauderdale features an assortment of performances from regional organizations.  Galleria mall is at 2414 East Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale 33304. Entry and parking are free  In 2025,  entertainment includes   1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, December 6 Broward College Premier Jazz Combo  1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, December …

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Enhance your entertainment repertoire with a free outdoor performance featuring South Florida Symphony Orchestra in Weston. The  show featuring holiday favorites in 2025  is at 5 p.m. Saturday, December 13, at the Amphitheater, 1900 Bell Tower Lane, Weston 33326. Some seats are provided. Feel free to bring your own. Sign up for the South Florida …

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The Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade dazzles the waterways.  The boat parade in 2025 is 7 p.m. Friday, December 12, on the Intracoastal Waterway. The event usually features  more than 50 boats decorated with holiday lights, music and dancing. For boats, the entry fee is $25. If you want to watch online, the parade is featured on …

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Popular and festive, the Winterfest Boat Parade features elaborately decorated boats floating in formation on The New River & Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. The event in 2025 is 6 p.m. Saturday, December 13,  featuring a prime outdoor watch area in Fort Lauderdale with live entertainment, food vendors and a jolly vibe. Fees apply for the …

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For folks who sign up for the free Family rewards program at Ikea, participating restaurants in the home goods stores offer deals. Some deals require the Family rewards ID, others do not.  Ikea restaurant deals include: Kids eat free Kids eat free in December with purchase of an adult entree. Valid for kids 12 and …

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  Deerfield Island is a natural area on the Intracoastal Waterway in north Broward that’s accessible by boat. Free water shuttle excursions to Deerfield Island Natural Area are weather permitting, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  The free boat shuttle service usually runs from a dock at Sullivan Park, 1701 Riverview Road, Deerfield Beach, at 10 a.m., …

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Happy Hanukkah! Broward County organizations have planned a number of public events to celebrate Hanukkah this year. The Jewish holiday in 2025 will be celebrated December 14 – 21. Hanukkah celebrates both a military victory and a miracle. The holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a Jewish army, over the Syrian-Greek army, which enabled …

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Holiday tunes and an array of walk-through lights and displays are featured at Hard Rock the Holidays in Hollywood.  The attraction outdoors at the pool of the guitar hotel is open November 29 through January 3 with tickets at about $10 to $45. For a discount, the Facebook page offers promocode Lights for $10 off …

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Organizations in South Florida offer free food distribution for families needing help. Some sites provide drive-through pickups, while others offer doorstep deliveries for eligible participants. Eligibility requirements vary among different organizations. Some are open to everyone.  Food distributions are in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. Often the organizations accept volunteers and donations. This list is …

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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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