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Hey Princeton, hope your week’s off to a good start! In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Oktoberfest highlights, Texas stock exchange debut, and free open play mahjong + lots of fun things to do for free.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Bavarian fun returns: McKinney Oktoberfest will take over Historic Downtown McKinney September 25–27 with free admission, live polka, folk dancers, stein-holding contests, weenie dog races, and a 6 p.m. keg tapping kickoff -- see the festival highlights.
Longhorns add major talent: Texas landed five-star running back Landen Williams-Callis on Saturday over Texas A&M. Ranked No. 3 in Texas, he boosts UT’s 2027 class to 22 commits, No. 5 nationally -- track Texas’s latest commit.
A new market challenger: Dallas-based Texas Stock Exchange officially launched operations, giving Texas its own national exchange. More than $700 million traded Friday as it takes aim at Nasdaq and NYSE -- see Texas exchange debut.
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's $150 off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Pretty, playful essentials: When you need a quick closet pick-me-up that works for football practice and date night, Eden Lifestyle Boutique mixes easy-cute from Z Supply and Queen of Sparkles with giftable jewelry by Julie Vos, Susan Shaw, and enewton, cozy candles, Jellycat cuteness for kids, and even Mahjong finds.
Sweeten your week: When birthdays, team parties, or random Tuesdays need a win, Cupcake Cutie Co. turns your theme and colors into gourmet cupcakes with a clean, consistent finish. Pick from 15+ flavors, share your vibe, then show up with boxes that look intentional and taste like you actually planned ahead.
Find your groove: If your week needs a mood lift, Dance Vision Studios McKinney has private lessons, fun group classes, and relaxed practice parties that cover everything from Country Western 2-Step to Salsa. No partner needed, just show up and let a great local team get you moving.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
Stiff necks start on flat pillows: You've slept on both arms, both sides, stacked two pillows, thrown one on the floor, and the stiffness keeps finding you, because every position ends on the same pillow that can't hold your neck. This one can: shaped to keep your neck in line however you sleep, with gentle traction through the night. If it doesn't earn its spot in 30 nights, it goes back free. *Take the 30-night test, 50% off →
Home insurance premiums jumped 12% last year alone: That's on top of years of increases that have outpaced inflation. Before you blindly renew with your current insurer, a free comparison tool matches your home with top-rated insurers so you can see quotes side by side, in about two minutes. Some homeowners find hundreds in savings, and if you don't find a better policy, you stay put knowing you checked. *See your options →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here: You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in one place, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Free events worth checking outFree things to do in the coming days and weeks. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎵 Video Music Bingo @ Lion & Crown (McKinney) | Tuesday (8/4) at 7:00 PM – Skip the spreadsheets and head to The Lion & Crown in McKinney for weekly video music bingo, free to play, prizes included. They roll music videos while you mark your card, so those years of MTV, mixtapes, and questionable dance moves finally pay dividends.
❓ Trivia @ The Common Table (McKinney) | Wednesday (8/5) at 7:00 PM – Midweek brain flex at The Common Table, trivia is free, teams of one to six, prizes for the top three. Fresh questions, patio vibes, one device per team, and a chance to finally use those Jeopardy reruns, because fastest correct answers win.
🀄 Free Open Play Mahjong @ The Shoppes on Main (Farmersville) | Thursday (8/6) at 1:00 PM – Bring that 2026 card you swore you’d use, or borrow a tile set and jump in for free, open-play mahjong. No lessons, just friendly guided intro, quality table banter, and the sweet clack of craks, bams, and dots; everyone’s welcome, and seating is limited.
🎸 TCR Rockin Hub 121 @ HUB 121 (McKinney) | Friday (8/7) at 7:30 PM – Nothing beats belting Creedence Clearwater Revival under the open sky, neighbor, camp chair, and nostalgia in tow. Free show at the amphitheater, the hits are nonstop, and yes, bring that camp chair, but keep the cooler at home because no outside food or drinks.
🥕 Saturday McKinney Farmers Market @ Chestnut Square Historic Village | Saturday (8/8) at 8:00 AM – Do Saturday right at Chestnut Square’s McKinney Farmers Market, a year-round habit worth keeping. Stock up on local produce, grass-fed beef, tamales, fresh bread, and handmade goods, then linger for live music, yard games, and knife sharpening, because your heirloom tomatoes deserve respect.
🏋 Free Strength Training & Yoga Class @ City Hall Plaza Park (Melissa) | Saturday (8/8) at 9:00 AM – If your joints creak louder than your porch swing, this free outdoor strength-and-yoga combo is your gentle fix. At City Hall Plaza Park each Saturday, it is a lift then a stretch, all levels welcome, all ages invited, weather permitting, smug post-workout coffee encouraged.
🧩 Fairview Autism Resource Fair & Family Activity Day @ Life Skills Autism Academy | Saturday (8/8) at 10:00 AM – Fairview is rolling out a free Autism Resource Fair and Family Activity Day, with answers, local resources, and sensory-friendly fun that keeps things calm. Bring the kids, chat with pros, and if you are early, the first 50 families snag a swag bag.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — Princeton report Weather forecastToday — High: 100°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 104. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear. Low around 77, with temperatures rising to around 79 overnight. Heat index values as high as 101. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 99°F — Low: 78°F — Precip: 2%
Sunny, with a high near 99. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 78. South wind around 10 mph. This house is wildThis Beazer Home brings serious energy-smart credentials with DOE Zero Energy Ready certification, 2x6 exterior walls, and spray foam insulation. The Summerfield floor plan adds 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a loft, and a study, along with an upgraded kitchen, fireplace, and stylish flooring. A large covered back patio rounds out the extras.
Take a peek inside → |
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