Chicago on the Cheap offline June 4 12AM. Please be advised that we will be conducting a system wide reboot of the the … [Read More...]
Featured Events
How to listen to free Chicago Police Scanner app
How to listen to free Chicago Police Scanner app As crime increases in the downtown area I recommend the use of a … [Read More...]
Chicago events status
Chicago events status. What a mess! Following is the current status of all events we cover. Many events are canceled, … [Read More...]
Chicago Stores with Senior hours Updated
Chicago Stores with Senior hours Updated Several retailers have created dedicated shopping hours for seniors to shop … [Read More...]
Latest Deals and Events
Things to do with vegetables Part 4
Things to do with vegetables Part 4. More cooking ideas for what to do with vegetables to make them last and how to … [Read More...]
How to freeze bacon and other food
How to freeze bacon and other food. One of the best ways to avoid food waste (and wasting money) is to properly … [Read More...]
Chicago on the Cheap offline June 4 12AM
Chicago on the Cheap offline June 4 12AM. Please be advised that we will be conducting a system wide reboot of the the … [Read More...]
Save money with Imperfect Foods Get $10 off
Save money with Imperfect Foods. Imperfect Foods is a subscription service that sells perfectly good produce that just … [Read More...]
Millennium Park At Home
Millennium Park At Home. The new online Millennium Park at Home series on YouTube and Facebook will bring some of … [Read More...]
Watch Mayor Lightfoot tour local museums
Watch Mayor Lightfoot tour local museums. Mayor Lightfoot has done a series of local museum tour programs called Stay … [Read More...]
How to listen to free Chicago Police Scanner app
How to listen to free Chicago Police Scanner app As crime increases in the downtown area I recommend the use of a … [Read More...]
Northside Chicago Farmers Markets
Northside Chicago Farmer's Markets. These markets are now offering different options. Some are closed and may reopen … [Read More...]
Downtown Chicago farmers markets
Downtown Chicago farmers markets. These markets are mostly closed but may reopen later in the season. The SOuth Loop … [Read More...]
Southside Chicago Farmer’s Markets
Southside Chicago Farmer's Markets on Wednesday, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are now offering different … [Read More...]
Chicago events status
Chicago events status. What a mess! Following is the current status of all events we cover. Many events are canceled, … [Read More...]
Free Consumer Action Handbook
Free Consumer Action Handbook. The Federal Government is offering a 152-page FREE Consumer Action Handbook that is a … [Read More...]
$10 All-day Metra Pass available June 1
$10 All-day Metra Pass available June 1. Metra is launching a new $10 All-Day Pass on June 1 and strongly encouraging … [Read More...]
Things to do with nuts
Things to do with nuts. Nuts are a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals. Eat them plain, add them to things … [Read More...]
BACP Business Education webinars
BACP Business Education webinars Friday, May 29th at 9:30 AM Webinar: Marketing Strategy and Tactic Are you … [Read More...]
15% off at Spice House
15% off at Spice House Spice House is a spice shop on Wells Street just south of North Ave. in Chicago. You can get … [Read More...]
Things to do with fruit
Things to do with fruit. Do you have fruit in your freezer, particularly bananas, and you're looking for something to … [Read More...]
Best Online Sales Right Now Updated
Best Online Sales Right Now. Updated 5/13/20: With all retailers essentially closed there are some extraordinary sales … [Read More...]
Free kids at-home outdoor activities
Free kids at-home outdoor activities. Celebrate Parks to Kids Day, May 16, 2020, with free at-home activities and … [Read More...]
Watch free Rick Bayless cooking classes
Watch free Rick Bayless cooking classes. Rick Bayless is hosting a cooking class, now every few days, from their test … [Read More...]
Where to buy masks 10% off on paper masks through May 18
Where to buy masks. Since it looks like we will all be wearing masks for a long time we're all going to need a supply … [Read More...]
20% off on Wilton Bakeware
20% off on Wilton Bakeware. If you're baking up a storm and need more bakeware consider this sale. I would mention … [Read More...]
Chicago Stores with Senior hours Updated
Chicago Stores with Senior hours Updated Several retailers have created dedicated shopping hours for seniors to shop … [Read More...]
Cookie Monster hosting weekly cooking program
Cookie Monster hosting weekly cooking program Cookie Monster Snack Chat. Cookie Monster is teaching kids simple … [Read More...]
Digital Cookbook Supports Restaurant Workers $5.99
Digital Cookbook Supports Restaurant Workers $5.99 Penguin Random House has published Family Meal: Recipes from Our … [Read More...]
Watch Chicago City Council Meeting
Watch Chicago City Council Meeting. The City Council is holding their meetings now via Zoom. Per Block Club the last … [Read More...]
Where to order artisanal cheese online
Where to order artisanal cheese online. If you enjoy cheese but aren't leaving your house I've found a website, Planet … [Read More...]
Free kids book from Unicef
Free kids book from Unicef. Get a free copy of“My Hero is You” A new fictional book developed by and for children aims … [Read More...]
Limited free masks available for 42nd Ward residents
Limited free masks available for 42nd Ward residents. If you aren't a 42nd Ward resident check with your Alderman. … [Read More...]
JetBlue Jr. teaches kids about aviation
JetBlue Jr. teaches kids about aviation. JetBlue Jr. is an educational video series for kids ages 7-10 that offers … [Read More...]
Hours of fun on the Art Institute of Chicago website
Hours of fun on the Art Institute of Chicago website. The Art Institute has revamped their website and it's fantastic. … [Read More...]
Donating items during Coronavirus
Donating items during Coronavirus. I was speaking to a friend with a large house who is doing a big clear out and was … [Read More...]
Free architecture project from Foster + Partners
Free architecture project from Foster + Partners Foster + Partners has a new free online architecture program for … [Read More...]
Check out Explore.com webcams
Check out Explore.com webcams. What caught my eye on this website was the Aurora Borealis although there are may … [Read More...]
More bean recipes Minestrone and Chili
More bean recipes Minestrone and Chili These prepackaged bean mixes are magic (see bottom). I'm currently using … [Read More...]
Booze beans and eggs
Booze beans and eggs. Super cheap, easy and delicious recipes for the lockdown. I miss brunch! So I decided to … [Read More...]
Help for Chicago area furloughed workers Update
Help for Chicago area furloughed workers Update. The links below mostly go to the Covid-19 page for each company if I … [Read More...]
Hours of fun on the Smithsonian website
Hours of fun on the Smithsonian website. Last month the Smithsonian released 2.8 Million images high-resolution two- … [Read More...]
Free Jimmy Buffett Cabin Fever Spring 2020 tour
Free Jimmy Buffett Cabin Fever Spring 2020 tour I just discovered this. It started March 25, 2020. Live touring may … [Read More...]
Free Chicago Symphony Orchestra broadcasts
Free Chicago Symphony Orchestra broadcasts. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra offers two concert series - their regular … [Read More...]
What to watch on TV: Great Performances
What to watch on TV: Great Performances. GREAT PERFORMANCES is the longest-running performing arts anthology on … [Read More...]
Use gift cards before retailers go bankrupt
Use gift cards before retailers go bankrupt. If you're holding any gift cards from retailers at risk you should use … [Read More...]
Deals for Chicago first responders and healthcare workers Updated
Deals for Chicago first responders and healthcare worker. Thank you and here are some deals for you. ALDI – All … [Read More...]
When will I get my stimulus check and How much? Updated
When will I get my stimulus check and How much? The $2 trillion economic stimulus package Coronavirus Aid, … [Read More...]
Watch Metropolitan Opera streams for free Update
Watch Metropolitan Opera streams for free. The world famous Metropolitan Opera in New York is offering a series of free … [Read More...]
Hallmark giving away two million greeting cards
Hallmark giving away one two million greeting cards The gold standard in greeting card, Hallmark, is giving away one … [Read More...]
Virtual tour of National Museum of Mexican Art
Virtual tour of National Museum of Mexican Art The tour is part of Google Arts & Culture tours. Take a virtual … [Read More...]
Free Museum of Contemporary Photography digital exhibitions
Free Museum of Contemporary Photography digital exhibitions Digital Exhibitions Digital exhibitions showcase … [Read More...]
Half-Price Tickets
Get ticket discounts of up to 50% (sometimes more) on Chicago's hottest musicals, comedies, concerts, talks, and more. See the half-price ticket deals.
This Week
Find out what"s happening in Chicago this week and what you can do that's inexpensive or free. See our list of things that are Free or Cheap this Week.
Day by Day
Our calendar lets you see a month at a glance, or click on a particular date to see events for that day. Check out our free or cheap Chicago events calendar.
Things to Do in Chicago
Things to Do with Kids
Eat, Drink & Save Money
Chicago for Visitors
Chicago 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 