Possibly Moving to Minneapolis Area, Seeking Info

[mkaccountant]

Hey guys! Hubby and I are looking into moving to Minneapolis for various reasons and I was wondering if some of you pros can give me an insider look at the shopping/couponing in the area. Looking at working in downtown Minneapolis but living further out, maybe Chaska. What grocery stores do I need to be looking at for deals? Any information would be appreciative.

Thanks a bunch!

[beccarae1]

Okay, you must like snow? 'Cause I see it in your avatar. That's a good start . Your location in your profile shows Virginia. We moved to MN from Virginia when I was 3. My father still likes to tell the story about the day he walked outside during our first winter here wearing "winter" weight wool slacks and had to look down to see if he put his pants on . If you can handle the cold, the summers are wonderful.

I live south of the Cities, so I'm not much help on Chaska specifically, but the stores to watch for are-
Rainbow- doubles up to 5 coupons (up to $1 each) on Wednesdays with a $25 purchase (they occasionally double up to 10 for a special event).
Coborn's- I don't have one locally, but I hear they double coupons on Mondays, but I don't know the terms.
EconoFoods- the Farmington store doubles coupons up to .50 every day, no limits or qualifying purchase, I don't think any of the other Econos double.

I think that's about it for doubles, we just don't see much doubling around here :shrug7:

One other grocery store of note is Cub; most of the stores (about 75% or so) will accept expired coupons; generally up to 90 past expiration. I love that I can still use my "forgotten" high value coupons (I find you can trade for the really good ones really cheap after they expire) .

The high falutin' grocery stores are Byerly's and Lund's. Generally not the greatest for couponing sales, but if you have one locally they have some really nice customer incentives; free birthday cakes for children on their first birthday, free knife sharpening at the meat counter, etc.

The most prolific drug stores are Walgreens, then probably CVS. I think there may be a Rite Aid or two, but I'm not sure and most of the Snyders are closing (bought out by Walgreens for the most part).

Oh, and be sure to drive your commute on a weekday before you decide where to live. (Though depending on where you come from it may be alomst nothing comparatively). We live about 40 miles south of Bloomington (DH works over near the MOA) and his commute is about the same time as coworkers who live as little as 15 miles to the north and east, though the southern metro is getting buillt up, it doesn't seem to be as heavily populated as the north, east and west, though that is changing. I have never used the light rail, but I hear people really love it (as long as you don't want to go to St Paul ).

HTH. LMK if you have any other questions

[wholesalebiker]

Watch ads for cub foods...rainbow foods for grocery..Wags and cvs health care/hygeine stock ups. the also, have a few mackenthun's in waconia area which has time to time great $1 days grocery specials... chaska very nice, as well as chanhassen, victoria areas. Eden prarie also very nice!

[mkaccountant]

Thanks for the info! The grocery stores in MN are foreign to me but I am VERY familiar with WAGS and CVS. I will start checking out the forums to learn some ins and outs for grocery shopping.

Currently I have about a 25 min commute (live 13 miles away). I have had up to 45 min before, not too concerned about it except for in the snow.

I am hoping to land a job first before we move. Not sure if we will try temporary housing while searching for something else or find something before the official move.

Thanks again! I am open to any more suggestions and tips!