East Bank Coffman Minneapolis Budget Guide
Emergency Numbers: Police:
911| Medical / Fire:911| Local Currency:USD(1 USD ≈1USD)
Map of Budget Spots
Section titled “Map of Budget Spots”Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation
Section titled “Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation”No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.
Cheap Groceries & Free Meals
Section titled “Cheap Groceries & Free Meals”- Supermarket Discount Hours: Not common
- Best Cheap Eats: University dining hall ‘all-you-care-to-eat’ passes or local pizza slices in Dinkytown
Discount Supermarkets
Section titled “Discount Supermarkets”| Supermarket | Best Budget Buys | Address (Google Maps) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Express | Good & Gather brand pasta, canned beans, and rice | 615 SE Huron Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55414 |
Free Meals & Food Banks
Section titled “Free Meals & Food Banks”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Opening Hours & Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritious U Food Pantry | 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Open to UMN students only; requires U-Card. Check website for monthly distribution dates. |
Free Water & Public Restrooms
Section titled “Free Water & Public Restrooms”Free Drinking Water Points
Section titled “Free Drinking Water Points”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Coffman Memorial Union | 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Water bottle refill stations located on every floor near restrooms |
| Walter Library | 117 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Water fountains available in the lobby and near study halls |
Free Public Toilets
Section titled “Free Public Toilets”| Location | Address (Google Maps) | Hours & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coffman Memorial Union | 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Publicly accessible, clean, open during building hours |
Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers
Section titled “Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers”Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets
Section titled “Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets”| Place | Address (Google Maps) | Wi-Fi & Desk Details |
|---|---|---|
| Walter Library | 117 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Eduroam Wi-Fi, numerous power outlets in quiet study halls |
| Coffman Memorial Union | 300 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Guest Wi-Fi available, ample seating with power outlets |
Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.
Cheap Showers & Public Baths
Section titled “Cheap Showers & Public Baths”| Location | Cost | Address (Google Maps) | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Recreation and Wellness Center | 15 USD | 123 SE Harvard St, Minneapolis, MN 55455 | Day pass required for non-members; includes shower access |
Getting Around Cheaply
Section titled “Getting Around Cheaply”- Best Way to Move Around: Walking and METRO Green Line
- Standard Fare:
2.5USD - Transit Scams to Avoid: None
SIM Cards & Internet
Section titled “SIM Cards & Internet”- Best Budget Carrier: Tello / US Mobile / Mint Mobile
- How to Keep Data Costs Low: Tello custom eSIM starting at $5/month (no data, 100 mins) or $6 (1GB) for bare-minimum line keeping.
Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid
Section titled “Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid”Common Local Scams
Section titled “Common Local Scams”| Scam | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Solicitation for cash | Politely decline and keep walking; do not engage |
Areas to Avoid at Night:
Section titled “Areas to Avoid at Night:”None