October is a great month for free things to do in Middle Tennessee.

With the cooler weather finally here, it is time to plan some fall walks and hikes with family and friends.

Fall shoe alert!

Nashville has so many attractions that warrant multiple visits in a year’s time.

Centennial Park will be bustling throughout September with music-loving crowds enjoying the “September Sundown” series of free Musicians Corner concerts.

When the Martin ArtQuest area first opened at the Frist Art Museum 20 years ago, I was thrilled to hear of a place where children could go make art with knowledgeable and patient art educators and not make a big mess at home.

The arrival of fall brings out the coupon books and cards that students and their families sell as fundraisers for everything from band and playground equipment to computers and student trips and other extras for their schools.

The back-to-school season always brings out a flurry of pop-up children’s consignment sales that feature gently used clothing, toys, books and equipment for infants through teens at prices well below their original retail price.

Volunteer: This does not have to be a big preplanned organized project but could be a last minute neighborhood cleanup that you do on your own or with a group. Or maybe you could spearhead a book drive or food drive, where you pass out flyers to neighbors asking them to put out books or non perishable food for you to pick up and donate to a food pantry or literacy program. And if you want an organized project, Hands on Nashville has a full calendar of volunteer opportunities. HON.org

Dollar General’s new $5-and-under pOpshelf stores are popping up all over Middle Tennessee.

This year the Tennessee tax-free offerings have tripled — not only including the usual back-to-school weekend exemption on clothing, school supplies and computers, but expanding to offer a full week of taxless shopping on food and a whole year of tax-free shopping for gun safes and other gun safety features.

Safari Fridays are back at the Nashville Zoo!

If you are looking for an easy and fun day trip, this Friday’s Cottage Tour and Bazaar at the Monteagle Assembly Grounds is a good bet.

I do love Christmas and was thrilled to hear about the Christmas in July sales at our area Goodwill stores this weekend.

When our mother died after a lengthy illness, my brother donated her leftover medical equipment to the United Cerebral Palsy Equipment Exchange.

When our mother died after a lengthy illness, my brother donated her leftover medical equipment to the United Cerebral Palsy Equipment Exchange.

Some people go to yard sales with a list of things they are looking for. And some go with an open mind, just enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

The Ms. Cheap T-shirt drive for the homeless is back.

When I first started my Ms. Cheap column, I relished highlighting independent eateries where we could enjoy a good lunch for $5 or less.

I’ve always heard that the key to a retail business’s success is location, location, location.

With the 80th annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival coming up this weekend in Portland, you know it must be time, or almost time, for picking your own strawberries at area farms.

I love thrift stores, and sadly, some of my favorite ones have not stood the test of time.

One of my favorite things to write about over the years has been free festivals, where families could get out and learn something new, enjoy some live music, sample some food and experience a day in the park.

With graduations, weddings and Mother’s Day on the spring calendar, this is a good time to check out the American Pearl Co.’s Friends and Family Sale, where you can purchase pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets and more at half the suggested retail price.

I am not a camper.

Mary Hance, aka Ms. Cheap, writes about good sales and free and affordable things to do in Middle Tennessee, plus creative ways to be good stewards of our hard-earned money.

Mary Hance, better known to Middle Tennesseans as Ms. Cheap, has joined Main Street Media of Tennessee to write a weekly column for its 13 newspapers. Hance retired in January after a 45-year career with The Tennessean and the Nashville Banner. For 27 of those years, she shared her dollar-stretching savvy to the delight of readers. In her new column, Hance will highlight Ms. Cheap’s weekly pick, as well as share her money-saving strategies.