Things to do if you’re on a budget:

Be glad you’re femaleLadies – and possibly very convincing cross-dressers- drink free every Wednesday night at Voodoo Lounge in Fort Lauderdale. With DJs spinning rock, hip-hop and house music, there’s something for everyone. Doors open at 10 p.m. No cover charge for the gals, but guys have to shell out $10 before midnight or $20 after. For more info, call (954) 522-0733 or visit the Voodoo Lounge Web site. 21+ only.

Drink free for an hourIf you’re willing to drive over to Coral Springs, you can hit up the free drinks at the Undertow Beach Bar. The open bar lasts from 10 p.m. till 11 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you get hungry, The Undertow also serves burgers, hot dogs and fries. For more info, call (954) 341-5458 or add them on MySpace.

Get the qing tang wan ziNow’s your chance to find out what you’re really ordering when you get take-out. The Northwest Regional Library in Coral Springs offers free Chinese lessons every Saturday from 2:30 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. Even if you’re not interested, go ahead and take advantage of the building’s free air conditioning. By the way, qing tang wan zi is meatball soup. For more info, call (954)478-6403.

Whack some ballsLearn to hit colored balls through little metal arches with free croquet lessons. The National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach holds a beginners clinic every Saturday at 9:45 a.m. Just stay away from the pro shop: It’s a little pricey. For more info, call 561-478-2300 or visit the National Croquet Center Web site.

Sip fermented grape juice in styleEnjoy some complimentary wines from around the world at Noche, a chic restaurant by day and dance club by night in Palm Beach Gardens. The tasting event is from 7:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and also features live jazz. For more info, call 561-472-7900 or visit the Noche Web site.

Sing loudly and off-keyYou can enjoy 11 hours of karaoke every Thursday night at All Stars Sports Bar and Grill in Fort Lauderdale. Plus, everyone who performs gets a free drink. If you’re afraid you can’t carry a tune, remember: the more you drink, the better you sound. The singing starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 4 a.m. For more info, call(954) 734-2424, or visit their Web site for directions.

Be the center of attentionIf you can’t get enough of the spotlight, Kevro’s Art Bar in Delray Beach is the place to be. Open-mic night is every Tuesday at 8 p.m., with signup beginning at 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re a poet, magician or the next Jimi Hendrix, this is your opportunity to get some fans. For more info, call (561) 278-9657 or visit the Kevro Web site.

Unleash your inner cowpokeTake in the sights, sounds and smells of country livin’ at the Jackpot Rodeo in the Davie Arena. This Wednesday night event features cattle ropin’ and barrel racin’, among other western activities. Just be sure to watch your step, as the animals aren’t housebroken. The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children. For more info, call (954)797-1163.

Get “intoxiskated”Dust off your skates and head on over to Gold Coast Roller Rink for Intoxiskate, an event that combines two great American pastimes: drinking and roller skating. This gay-friendly party happens every Tuesday from 8 p.m. till 2 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale. Admission is $4 and skate rentals are an extra $2. For more info, call (954)547-3419 or visit their MySpace.

Beat the crap out of somethingEmbrace your inner hippie and join the drumming circle in Coconut Creek. The group meets every Saturday from 4 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. at the Fern Forest Nature Center. Bring your own drums or percussion if you can. But please, don’t get naked and play the bongos; it didn’t work out so well for Matthew McConaughey. For more info, call (954) 970-0150.

Party in the streetStart celebrating the weekend on Thursday with Clematis by Night, a weekly party at Centennial Square in downtown West Palm Beach. Sure, it’s not the only place with live music and multicultural cuisine, but where else are you encouraged to play in a fountain? The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. For more information, call (561)659-8007.

Be a pirate for a dayStock up your cooler and lounge on the beaches of Peanut Island, located in the Lake Worth Lagoon and accessible only by boat. On Sundays, you can catch a $5 water taxi at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. from Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach. Although access to the island ends at sunset, campgrounds are available for $16.50 (plus tax) a night for up to six people. For more info, call (561) 683- 8294 or visit the Palm Beach County Web site.

Watch some new flicks

Opening June 13:-The Happening, a sci-fi thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel, directed by M. Night Shyamalan

-The Incred ible Hulk, an action/adventure film starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and Tim Roth

Opening June 20:-Get Smart, a comedy starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway and Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as The Rock)

-The Love Guru, a comedy starring Mike Myers, Jessica Alba, and Justin Timberlake

-Brick Lane, a drama starring Tannishta Chatterjee, Satish Kaushik and Debjani Deb

-Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, a family film starring Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci and Glenne Headly