Chicago on the Cheap

Deals, discounts and free events in Chicago

Volunteering & Charity

Volunteer for Beach Clean up with Shedd Aquarium

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Volunteer for Beach Clean up with Shedd Aquarium on Great Lakes Action Days and give back to the wild places in our backyard. Volunteer to restore and protect nearby beaches, waterways, and forest preserves. You’ll support animals from frogs to fish while having fun and learning along the way.  … [Read more...] about Volunteer for Beach Clean up with Shedd Aquarium

Volunteer at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park

Volunteer at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park. Where: East side of the Sanctuary (Addison Ave. and Lake Shore Drive, east of the totem pole) at the small garage near the viewing platform. Parking is north of the Sanctuary in the Waveland Golf Course lot. Contact site steward … [Read more...] about Volunteer at Bill Jarvis Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Lincoln Park

Free Neighborhood Improvement Tree Grant

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Neighborhood Improvement Tree Grant. If you've always felt that an area of your neighborhood could use some trees this may be a great solution to improve your neighborhood for free, to spend time with your neighbors and be the neighborhood hero. Openlands Openlands is one of the oldest … [Read more...] about Free Neighborhood Improvement Tree Grant

Attend Grant Park Advisory Council Meeting

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Attend Grant Park Advisory Council Meeting When:  Wednesday, March 17, 2021 , 6:00-8:00PM  Future meetings in 2021 will normally be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm on zoom only and on zoom and at the Maggie Daley Field House, when allowed by the Park District. To … [Read more...] about Attend Grant Park Advisory Council Meeting

Free Chicago Volunteer Expo

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free Chicago Volunteer Expo. When:  Sunday, February 21, 2021  10AM-4pm Where: Virtual   Admission is free.Register to attend.  Free Chicago Volunteer Expo Virtually connect with over 75 nonprofit organizations from all over the city during the 9th annual Chicago … [Read more...] about Free Chicago Volunteer Expo

Send a free Valentine to Lurie Children’s patient

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Send a free Valentine to Lurie Children's patient. Help brighten Valentine's Day for a child in the hospital. Send a specially designed card and personalized note of encouragement to a patient at Lurie Children's. Their goal is to hand deliver 15,000 cards to kids this Valentine's Day. Send a … [Read more...] about Send a free Valentine to Lurie Children’s patient

Free events West Ridge Nature Preserve

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Free events West Ridge Nature Preserve. Where: West Ridge Nature Preserve (Park No. 568),5801 N. Western Ave.adjacent to Rosehill Cemetery (walk-in entrance on Ardmore; hours: sunrise to sunset). Age Range: Any Bird Walks  Meet at Front Gate Sunday, March 22, 2020 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Saturday, … [Read more...] about Free events West Ridge Nature Preserve

Volunteer with The Saints for free theater tickets

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Volunteer with The Saints for Free theater tickets. The Saints is a volunteer organization for the performing arts.  There are presently 2000+ members serving over a hundred Chicago and suburban theater, dance and music organizations. The Saints members provide help to these groups for a … [Read more...] about Volunteer with The Saints for free theater tickets

Donate to Newberry Library Book Fair

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Donate to Newberry Library Book Fair. If you've been thinking about getting rid of some good quality books why not donate them to the Newberry Library.   Used books are worth almost nothing these days and aren't worth the time to sell online. All donations are sold at the annual Book Fair and … [Read more...] about Donate to Newberry Library Book Fair

Volunteer for CHIditarod Chicago

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Volunteer for CHIditarod Chicago. This is an annual shopping cart race around Wicker Park and Ukrainian Village that collects food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the CHIditarod Foundation.   Looking for something free to do? Volunteer. When: Saturday, March 7, 2020, Starting horn … [Read more...] about Volunteer for CHIditarod Chicago

Volunteer at Montrose Beach Dunes in Lincoln Park

Chicago on the Cheap participates in affiliate programs. That's how the bills get paid! Though the site earns some revenue if you buy a deal through one of our affiliate links, Chicago on the Cheap retains full editorial control over the deals posted. It limits the use of affiliate links to the types of deals routinely posted on the site. Thank you! Read full disclosure here.

Volunteer at Montrose Beach Dunes in Lincoln Park Where: 4400 N Simonds Ave. contact us at stewardship@chicagoparkdistrict.com for additional information. When: March 30, April 27, May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 14, October 12, 2019 - Joint dunes/point workday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 … [Read more...] about Volunteer at Montrose Beach Dunes in Lincoln Park

Member of the Living on the Cheap Network

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 Living on the Cheap.

Living on the Cheap in the media