“Go Frugal in Dallas” guide

[Fort Collins, CO] – Dallasites are certainly not bashful. In a New York minute, they will tell you that everything is bigger and better in Dallas. Their city is nicknamed the “Big D” for good reason, they proudly boast.

In Dallas – where loyal supporters of the Cowboys had the audacity to call their franchise “America’s Team” - majestic skyscrapers, elegant suburban estates, sprawling ranches and a multitude of mega-malls dot the landscape. Here, larger-than-life characters symbolize what this city is all about. Big business. Big cars. Big hair. Big-time sports. And, most evident, big attitude.

Though the city has become more cosmopolitan in recent years, it’s still easy to travel and reside for less in the Dallas Metroplex. To help tourists and Dallas residents alike, FreeShipping.org’s Go Frugal blog  has introduced “Go Frugal in Dallas,” which is the second installment of the site’s “Go Frugal In….” series. The first part of the series focused on New York City.

The Go Frugal blog was created by FreeShipping.org founders Luke and Maisie Knowles last March. The blog offers valuable tips and money-saving ideas from the web's foremost deal-hunters, savvy shoppers and cost-conscious bloggers. Luke and Maisie introduced FreeShipping.org, which is a one-stop destination for online shoppers to find free shipping deals offered by more than 1,570 online retailers, in December 2007.

“The objective of FreeShipping.org and the Go Frugal blog is to offer consumers forums where they can learn how to save money and enjoy a more frugal lifestyle,” Luke Knowles said. “We started the ‘Go Frugal In….’ series to help readers thoroughly enjoy destinations while spending less money. We plan to post a new guide in the ‘Go Frugal In….’ series every two weeks, and we will cover every major city in the United States.”

As the title suggests, “Go Frugal in Dallas” provides readers with insights and suggestions on how to save money whether you are visiting or living in the city. The guide is divided into helpful sections for visitors and residents, and it also details transportation options, cultural venues and historical attractions along with sports, entertainment, shopping, dining and nightlife choices – all emphasizing the frugal lifestyle.

Here are some examples, as written by the guide’s author Ashley Grimaldo:

Hotels

Check out the Hawthorne Suites Dallas Market Center for great service and close proximity to downtown. North of downtown the Crown Plaza Dallas/Park Central is a short rail ride to the city center and is also a great central location. Check with Trip Advisor to get the best package deals for pricier downtown hotels--my personal favorites are The Adolphus, The W, and (farther away) Gaylord Texan.

If you are traveling with children and can afford to splurge a bit, spend a couple of nights in Grapevine (25 minutes northwest) at the Great Wolf Lodge. With an indoor water park, puppet show, scavenger hunts, and easy access to great shopping, your family will have a blast.

Recommended neighborhoods
Dallas continues to be in the top five major cities for relocation due to low home values. Sprawling across multiple cities, the Metroplex is a huge area to comb for home buying or renting.

 While other cities' home values have crashed and burned, the Dallas area has remained virtually unscathed through the economic crisis. If you'd rather limit your commute to downtown, check out the new townhouse developments east of Central Expressway. Many of these areas are being renovated and early buyers can get in cheap.

 Uptown is a popular, albeit expensive, location just north of downtown for young professionals and singles. Go a bit further north off Lover's Lane for more reasonable options at The Village, a community of multiple apartments with a shared country club and other amenities. Real estate decreases as you move north. Frisco, Plano, Carrollton, and Richardson are popular cities for homebuyers seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle.

ENTERTAINMENT
Keep in mind that Texas weather changes in an instant, but you will always be guaranteed toasty summers. Consider planning outdoor events in the morning to avoid heat exhaustion. Most discount tickets for area attractions are during the week. Wednesday is half price admission to the Fort Worth Zoo, a sprawling sanctuary for 435 species. Skip the Dallas Zoo--it is in a questionable part of town and pales in comparison to its Fort Worth counterpart.

Beginning at the American Airlines Center, the Katy Trail ends just short of Southern Methodist University and offers prime views of the city's best neighborhoods. Active types will also enjoy walking the 9-mile trail around serene White Rock Lake next to the Dallas Arboretum.

Listen to first-rate classical music for free at a number of Dallas Symphony concerts. The orchestra plays in several indoor and outdoor venues.

DINING

Best Cheap Eats
Jake's Old Fashioned Burgers off Skillman serves juicy patties with succulent fries for cheap while Wild About Harry's on Knox Street has the creamiest custard and best hotdogs in the south. In Deep Ellum, Soul's Taco Street stays open late for folks who need to hit the spot with spicy Mexican Fare.

Restaurant Deals
Each spring the Taste of Addison welcomes newbies to the tastiest selections of Addison's Restaurant Row. From prime steak houses to sleek sushi bars, participants can sample the best for a fraction of the cost. Visit Restaurant.com to pay just $10 for $25 at many area restaurants.

Farmer’s Market

Follow the signs downtown to the Dallas Farmer's Market, a huge outdoor produce market open daily from 8a-6p.

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“Go Frugal in Dallas” is the second installment of FreeShipping.org’s “Go Frugal In….” series and is published on the Go Frugal blog (www.freeshipping.org/blog). The Go Frugal blog was created by FreeShipping.org founders Luke and Maisie Knowles last March. The blog offers valuable tips and money-saving ideas from the web's foremost deal-hunters, savvy shoppers and cost-conscious bloggers. Luke and Maisie introduced FreeShipping.org, which is a one-stop destination for online shoppers to find free shipping deals offered by more than 1,570 online retailers, in December 2007.