Community Blog

One of the coolest things to me is how we can all gather together for tailgating during football season.  Some people bring a box of KFC with them, and others go all out with their gas grills attached to the back of their truck with a mini fridge and ice maker.  Whether you make it to a game this Saturday or stay at home, we hope you will be serving up some good football gameday grub.  After checking Twitter out for tailgate ideas, I couldn’t help but notice all of the cool things people will be eating this Saturday before their team plays.  I read about full pig roasts, fried alligator tail, and the usual foods like hamburgers and hot-dogs.  What will you be cooking up this Saturday?

Do you ever feel as if the week will never end?  You have a million things to do, and you can barely keep track of what day it is?  It’s about time we took a little time off, don’t you think?  That’s why…

Tomorrow I’m takin’ me fishin’
Hang a sign on the door of my life
Tell the world that I’ve gone missin’…
An’ I won’t be back for a while
I’m so tired of only wishin’
I could leave my troubles behind
I wanna be front porch rockin’
With a big sun droppin’ in a blue sky.

Eric Church, author and singer of those lyrics, sends out a reminder of how important it is to just take time to breathe a little.  Too often are we caught up with our work while ignoring the really important things in life like friends and family.  I’m looking forward to 5 o’clock because my roommate and I are grabbing our rods and reels and heading out to Lewisville Lake for some after work fishing.  It’s a great way to get away and relax for a little while with a good friend.  Plus, the lake is so close to Lakeside at 121 that it’s just too hard to pass up a little time outdoors.  Don’t forget to take a little rest and relaxation for yourself this weekend.

Image via Wikipedia

Whether you are a current student, or a parent of a college student, budgeting for school can be a major challenge.  Take it from a guy who did it the wrong way.  Mint.com, one of my favorite financial budgeting services online has some amazing tips specifically for students.  Since student loan debt is higher than credit card debt in the USA right now, it’s important for student to learn how to live on a budget.  Taking advice like the ones below will help your son or daughter exit college and enter the “real world” with minimal to no debt.  Check out Mint for other tips other than budgeting for college students.  It’s a great place for planning everyday expenses and future financial plans.

I’m young and I’m pretty thrifty.  Saving money is my middle name so I’m always looking for a great deal.  My habits were formed in college when my parents let me go out on my own.  It was there, that I had a rude awakening about the necessity of budgeting, and finding deals.  There’s no shame in saving. The fact is, most of the millionaires that have mentored me in my finances are still the opportunity, deal seeking consumers that they were back when they were knee deep in debt.

The big question is, how do you balance a social life and save money?  Well, if you were where I was a couple of years ago, you would look for signs that read “FREE” or have friends over for movie night.  Now that I can actually afford a few nights out a month, I use LivingSocial and Groupon to find great local deals.  The idea is that a bunch of people buy coupons.  These coupons are usually worth 50-90% off.  It was just yesterday that I bought $50 worth of GAP merchandise for $25.  Sounds like a great deal, right?  Well, they do these deals for retail and the food industry.  I have even bought baseball tickets for next to nothing using Groupon.  All you need to do is be a little assertive.  When you get that email from your friends on Wednesday saying, “What do you guys want to do this weekend”, don’t respond with “I don’t know.  Whatever.”  The ball is in your court now to suggest going to the place that you have a Groupon for, but they don’t have to know, unless you want to surprise them by picking up the first round.

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“No sauce needed” is their motto, and that’s exactly how good barbecue should be.  Known for their brisket and ribs, Dat’s Good Que in Lewisville, Texas, is the picture perfect spot for good BBQ.  It’s not quite refined dining, but honestly, I

wouldn’t trust a BBQ restaurant that didn’t look like some good ole folks weren’t behind the scene.  Their dry rub has the perfect amount of kick to it, and their sauce only compliments the “Que” even more.  Check out Dat’s Good Que and enjoy a rack of ribs along with the great staff and service.

Image by Another Pint Please… via Flickr

Up until about 40 years ago, the world had no clue what running shoes were.  Since then, running related injuries have jumped while billions of dollars are pumped into the development and marketing of running shoes that promote a heel to strike stride.  You might have seen your neighbors at Lakeside at 121, or maybe a weirdo at work running around with what appear to be socks on their feet.  Those are indeed, not socks at all, but a minimalist shoe by Vibram.  TheVibram Five Fingers are made in response to the natural running movement that continues to gain strength. As research continues to prove that the shoes we run in now are actually causing more harm than good, more and more people are ditching the foams, gels, and arch supports for next to nothing foot gloves.

While you might not be ready to just go all the way natural, especially while running on the streets, Vibram offers a great alternative to keep your feet free from cuts and other things that you might not want your barefoot touching.  Looking for more information about barefoot running or Vibram Five Fingers? You can use the Five Fingers for a lot more than running, so check out what I have found for you.   Below, I have listed a few resources and even stores around Lewisville where you can go check out the minimalist shoes for yourself.

Retail Around town:

• Sole Footwear – The Stonebriar Mall
• Sun & Ski Sports – 2934 Preston Road, Frisco, TX
• Luke’s Locker – 517 Legacy Road, Plano, TX
• REI – 2424 Preston Road, Plano, TX

Check out the links below as well:

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Image by A Princess via Flickr

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It’s officially 8 days until preseason NFL games begin, so until then, my weekends are free.  That’s why I am pretty excited about The Other Guys, which just came out today.  Will Ferrell makes his big return to comedy that fights his goofy, slap-stick style more.  Writer and director Adam McKay (Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and Step Brothers) teams up with Ferrell to bring back the star’s famous comedic style.  Not only am I excited about this reuniting of comedic geniuses, but I am also thrilled to see how Mark Wahlberg fairs in his first full-on comedy role.

Check out the times around Lakeside at 121 here.

Will you be seeing The Other Guys this weekend?

Just another perk that comes with living at Lakeside at 121 Luxury Apartments in Lewisville, Texas.

I’m not sure if I have ever met a cheesecake that I didn’t like.  My mom used to make all sorts of different kinds almost every week.  It was crazy, and I was pretty chubby as a kid.  Since she stopped making cheesecakes, I usually save my favorite dessert for extra special occasions.  Well ladies and gentlemen, that special occasion is here.  It is National Cheesecake Day today.  Guess who has two thumbs and will be making a cheesecake this afternoon after work!  Unfortunately, I never watched my mom make the cheesecakes.  Therefore, I am completely lost and will depending on the video below to walk me through.  (crossing fingers for some beginners luck!)

Just thirty minutes down the road from Lakeside at 121, you can visit the Dallas Zoo with your family or friends for less.  Knowing that everyone is trying their best to cut down on cost right now, the Dallas Zoo is making sure that they are one of the most cost friendly spots around for families and friends around the city.  Whether you decide to play hooky from work one day this week, or you are looking for something to do this weekend, there’s no doubt that the zoo is one of the best ways to go wild in Dallas.  Check out their new exhibits and enjoy the beautiful conservation from our zoo so close to home.

For more info about the zoo, click here.

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