James W.

Always verify on the company's actual website. Scammers spoof real company names. If the job isn't on their career page, it doesn't exist.

Friday Night Lights is not fiction. It is reality. Every Friday in DFW from September to November, 100,000+ people attend high school football games across the metroplex.

Three estimates minimum for any job over $500. The range I've gotten for the same repair in DFW: $400, $800, and $1,400. The knowledge gap is your enemy.

From a fellow Portland transplant: you will miss public transit, rain, and mountains. You will gain incredible food diversity, lower cost of living (even now), and genuinely friendly people. It evens out. Give it 12 months.

Fentanyl test strips being legal in Texas now is a huge deal. They were classified as drug paraphernalia before HB 1846.

Report injuries in WRITING. "Hey boss, I hurt my back" at the water cooler doesn't count if they deny it later. Email or written report with a date.

Klyde Warren Park on Sunday mornings is underrated. Free yoga + food trucks + sunshine = perfect weekend.

Star calls are the price of admission. LeBron, Jordan, Magic, Bird -- every era has had star treatment. The NBA has always been this way. It is a feature, not a bug.

If you're 65+, the school tax FREEZE is incredible. Your school taxes are locked at whatever they were when you turned 65. Doesn't matter if your home value triples.

TCU tailgating is the best-kept secret in Texas. Fort Worth does not get the respect it deserves as a college football town. Amon Carter on a Saturday afternoon is pure joy.

Pulled my free annual reports and found a collections account I didn't owe. Disputed it, removed in 30 days, score jumped 35 points.

The Porch patio on Henderson is one of the best people-watching spots in Dallas. Good burger too.

The challenge system from tennis is the answer. Give teams 2 challenges per half. If you are right, you keep the challenge. If wrong, you lose it. It adds strategy and limits disruption.

DART should be free. Revenue from fares is a tiny fraction of the budget. Making it free would double ridership and reduce traffic. Fund it entirely through the sales tax that already supports it.

The written confirmation step is CRITICAL. My old complex tried to send me to collections for "unpaid rent" 4 months after I terminated with a 2-month penalty. The written agreement saved me.

TDLR complaint against a tow company in Arlington resulted in a $5,000 fine against them. They had 47 prior complaints.

Jones Stadium when it is rocking is underrated. The 2022 Texas game proved that Lubbock can be as hostile as anywhere. And yes, the tortillas are a real thing.

The no state income tax on capital gains is a massive wealth-building advantage. If you're selling stocks or real estate in Texas, you keep more of the gain.

ALERRT training at Texas State is top-tier. They train most of the law enforcement in Texas. Their civilian course is the same quality.

GrapeFest in Grapevine is a blast. Texas wines are better than most people think and the festival is well-organized.

Wire transfers are the red flag. No legitimate landlord insists on a wire transfer for a deposit. Checks or verified property management company portals only.

PACER is technically not free ($0.10/page) but you can search for free. If they filed bankruptcy, you need to file a creditor claim quickly.

Important reminder: harassing registered offenders is illegal and counterproductive. The system exists for awareness, not vigilante action.

Lone Star Legal Aid helped me terminate a lease due to a mold issue in Fort Worth. Free legal help for tenants under income guidelines.

Fort Worth food is more authentic and less pretentious than Dallas food. I said it.