Eat FREE Sam’s Club Weekend Food Samples

September 28, 2025

Sam’s Club is a great place to stock up on large quantities of the stuff you use every day. Most of us know that Sam’s Club is also a great source of FREE FOOD! What? You didn’t know about the free samples at Sam’s?

Sam’s Club regularly offers free samples of promotional grocery items which are being sold in the stores. The hope is that you will like what you taste enough to buy some product. Usually, the items being displayed by vendors are being sold at a special sale price. Free food samples can be found most anytime at Sam’s. However, they are most numerous on Saturday and Sunday mornings. These are peak shopping times, so it makes sense this is where we would find the best offerings.

What kind of free eats can be found at Sam’s? Last time I was there, I enjoyed all of the following: pulled pork, pot stickers, turkey bacon, watermelon, blueberries, raspberries, soup & crackers, sushi, cinnamon rolls, Hershey kisses, hot dogs, popcorn, cheese corn, and caramel corn! Yes, these are only sample sizes. But if you take some time and sample everything, you can easily make a lunch out of it. Truth be told, I come for this practically every weekend. Why? Because I’m a cheapskate! The only thing better than cheap food deals is FREE food!

Items to be sampled change daily, so you never know for sure what you’re going to find. But that’s what makes it interesting. If you’re not doing anything for lunch this weekend, head to Sam’s Club and check out the free food samples!

Tijuana Flats Thursday Burrito Chips Drink $7.99

September 25, 2025

INFLATION ALERT: The price of this Tijuana Flats Thursday promotion has recently increased from $6.99 to $7.99 at most locations.

Come in to Tijuana Flats every Thursday and enjoy a Tijuana Burrito or Bowl, chips, and drink for less than $8.00! It’s Throwback Thursdaze and it’s available all day Thursday at Tijuana Flats. Choose your burrito or bowl, choose your drink, get chips, save money on lunch or dinner! Cheap, simple, and delicious. Don’t miss Throwback Thursdaze!

Offer valid Thursdays only for a limited time at participating locations. Throwback Thursdaze price may vary by location. Excludes specialty burritos. $1 extra for steak or carnitas. Not valid in conjunction with any other coupon or special promotional discount. Most Tijuana Flats Mexican restaurants will be open holiday hours on Columbus Day (Monday, October 13.)

Columbus Day Weekend Cell Phone Sales & Deals

September 24, 2025

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone or cell phone, Columbus Day weekend is typically one of the best times of the year for wireless phone sales. 2025 is no exception. Your local Verizon Wireless, AT&T, T-Mobile/Sprint, and U.S. Cellular stores or authorized agents will be well-stocked and ready to deal. There are many phones available FREE, even through prepaid carriers with no contract required.

Watch for special clearance offers on prepaid phones and service from Boost Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless, NET 10, TracFone, Straight Talk, Family Mobile, Total Wireless, and Mint Mobile.

Because of the “challenging” economy this past year, most of us have kept our cell phones and smartphones longer than in years past. Columbus Day weekend will be a good time to shop for a new phone. We should see some good iPad and tablet sales, too. Many people are in a difficult financial situation today, so wireless phone dealers are rolling out the discounts and rebates. Shop all holiday wireless phone sales in your local area to locate the best prices and promotions.

Ruby Tuesday Wednesday $7.99 Endless Salad Bar

September 24, 2025

INFLATION ALERT: The price of this Ruby Tuesday promotion has recently increased from $6.99 to $7.99 at most locations.

Watching your weight? Trying to get healthy this year? Ruby Tuesday has a deal too good to resist. Get their Endless Garden Bar for just $7.99! If you’ve priced vegetables lately, you know you probably can’t even make your own salad for $8. The takeout salad bar at my local grocery stores costs over $10 per pound. Every Wednesday, Ruby Tuesday is giving you as much salad goodness as you can handle for only seven dollars and ninety-nine cents. No coupon necessary to take advantage of this deal.

Offer valid Wednesdays until 4:00PM at participating locations. You must mention this promotion to your server since it won’t be on the menu. Not valid in Hawaii, Guam, at airport locations, or in conjunction with any other coupon or special promotional discount. Available for dine-in or call-in TueGo orders. Most Ruby Tuesday restaurants will be open holiday hours on Columbus Day (Monday, October 13.)

Is The Mall of America Tax Free?

September 24, 2025

UPDATE: AS OF OCTOBER 1, 2023, SALES TAX RATE HAS INCREASED 1% AT MALL OF AMERICA. TOTAL COMBINED TAX RATE IS NOW 8.525%!

I get asked this question all the time. Many people believe the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota (suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul) offers tax-free shopping at stores and restaurants. The short answer is “no.”

Sales at the Mall of America are subject to a sales tax rate of 8.525%. This breaks down as follows: 6.875% Minnesota state sales tax, 1.00% metro transit sales tax (up from .25%), new .25% “affordable housing” tax, and .40% Hennepin County sales tax which funds the Minnesota Twins stadium and Target Field. In addition, alcoholic beverages are subject to an additional 5.5% tax: 2.5% additional Minnesota state sales tax on liquor, plus a 3% “drink tax” which is levied by the City of Bloomington.

The myth about the Mall of America being tax-free likely stems from the fact that sales of clothing and footwear are exempt from all state and local sales taxes. This is true everywhere in Minnesota, not just at MOA. There is no dollar limit on this exemption: a $2 pair of socks and a $1,000 custom tailored suit are both free of tax. Since all surrounding states and Canadian provinces tax both clothes and shoes, the Mall of America becomes an attractive regional shopping destination. This is especially true during July and August for back to school shopping, then again in November and December for Christmas and holiday shopping.

Groceries are also exempt from sales tax in Minnesota. This can get tricky, however. Candy and soda pop are taxed, as are all restaurant meals. Legally, the tax applies to “prepared” foods. So, if you buy a frozen burrito from a convenience store, it is not taxed. But if you heat it up in the microwave before leaving the store, it is then “prepared” and thus subject to sales tax. Candy is taxed while cookies are not. Here’s my favorite: if you buy vegetables in a grocery store, they are not taxed. But if you purchase those same vegetables from the store’s salad bar and use them to make yourself a salad, it is then considered “prepared food” and subject to sales tax. Confused? Me too!

Back to tax free shopping at the Mall of America: the general rule to remember is that clothes and shoes are not taxed. Everything else is. Have a great time and enjoy your Twin Cities shopping vacation!