I've been saving up my Resource credits so I can finally make a post somewhere other than Actifit.
Since shopping for the best deals is something I love doing I thought I would give you a little bit of a photo guide of where to shop for what if you ever come to Abbotsford!
I will start by saying I had big plans to walk to each store. Map my walk on my phone and put a little locator for each store I went to. However, it was raining and grey out so I decided ... nope... I'll drive to each one.
First stop: Bread.
Need to make sandwiches for the week. Where to go for bread? Well, the cheapest bread is at Real Canadian Superstore. But the best deal on the bread I like to eat is actually here:
Dollar Tree. It has the loaf of bread for $1.50. Dollarama is $2.99 and Superstore $3.49 and all the same type of bread. So, I like to pay less where I can.
Unfortunately today wasn't my day :(
They were all sold out. I guess I'll have to get bread elsewhere today.
Next stop was the SKT Market. Why? Because needed apples and they are a good place for fresh produce and always worth checking out. Today I needed apples.
$1.29/lb here vs $2.49/lb at Superstore. However, the real deal here is the 3 for $5 section.
I picked up some beans, beets, and Romaine lettuce. All 3 items for $5 which is a fraction of the cost at the other stores. They also had mushrooms, peppers, carrots, turnips and other stuff in the mix and match bin but didn't need those.
Next up. Time to go get some gas. Now pretty much every station in town is the same price right now at $1.649 per liter. However, I like using the Shell station for three reasons: First: My BCAA membership saves me 3 cents per liter. Second: I can use my AMEX card for about 2% cashback and Third: I can pay with my phone without getting out of the car. Nice bonus on rainy days like today.
Next up my favorite deli in town :
(Image stolen from their website).
This is a German Deli which has lots of different breads, cheeses, meats, candies, and doughnuts. The bread is very expensive. Specialty German imports also expensive. However, they have their discount section which is always worth a good look :
But mostly I was looking for cheese today. Now it isn't the least expensive cheese in town--that goes to Superstore for the Cheddar at $1.10 / 100g, but they have my favorite deli cheeses. Today was Gouda at $1.99/100g which is cheaper than Superstore. I also love the Mild Tilsit cheese when they have it in stock (not today). They also get specialty cheeses in on occassion when they get a good deal. I keep looking for the Port Salut cheese they had once! My favorite cheese (and my dog's as well 😁). Also it doesn't come in often.
And while its surprising but the Windmill Deli is currently the best place to buy chocolate bars.
99 cents for a 100g bar is a really good deal. Plus its a good chocolate 😊😊😊😊 Don't believe its a good deal? Here is the same chocolate bar at Freshco for more than double the price!
Grabbed my cheese and chocolate bars and now its off to the best place in town to buy Onions.
Well, I should say if you need a LOT of onions. $12.49 for a 50lb (23kg) bag of onions! However, they are also a good place to buy bulk beans--
But today I just needed a smaller bag of onions which is still a good deal but not quite as cheap. They also sell spices (especially Indian ones), Rice, fruits and vegetables--all of which can be a good deal but need to price shop on those.
What did I get there? 10lb bag of onions for $3.99 and a few oranges at 99c / lb (couldn't pass up that price because the big stores are way more expensive for oranges).
Of course, sometimes you have to go to the big box stores. Today is no exception. Next up was Real Canadian Superstore.
I forgot to take a picture before I entered the store, silly me, so here is their stock picture from the shopping horizons page:
I wish it was that sunny here today 😑
But inside I went to grab bananas, milk and bread.
They have some of the best quality produce in town but its typically some of the most expensive too. Bananas are the cheapest in town though and their sales can be good.
Big meat and Deli section.
Cheapest oil.
And if I cant get the bread I want to get they have fresh bread from their bakery at 95 cents a loaf which is a fraction of the cost anywhere else in town. Sure its not an excellent loaf but its good enough so that's what I pick up today.
Pretty much any food you want that's available in Canada is found here. From Asian specialty to basic staples. Prices are actually very competitive just able to find better elsewhere if you know where to look.
Getting near the end of my tour through Abbotsford. Only a few more places to mention.
Starting with :
Bulk Barn --
It's actually owned by the same company that owns the Superstore but here everything is pretty much in bulk. Bulk dry goods. Bulk dog treats. Bulk Candies. Bulk spices. I'm sure you get the idea. However, most of the prices aren't that great. IF you just need a small of something pay the extra and just get what you need. However, if it is a staple food and you use a lot then probably better to look elsewhere.
But there are two exceptions that I often buy here...but need to be a smart shopper.
Those two exceptions are : (1) Soy beans and (2) Sesame seeds. Why? Because I can't find large packages of them elsewhere and they are super expensive when purchased in small quantities elsewhere. However, to get the best deal there is a trick 😉
First: Bring your own container on a Sunday to save 15% and
Second: Bring in the coupon from their bi-weekly flyer to save $5 on $20 purchase. Yes they do stack (its even in the fine print).
I didn't need anything today but this is my big stash of soybeans for soy milk
Just make sure to get them to weigh your container first so you don't end up paying more than you should (note the arrow to the weight they marked on the container).
Right beside the Bulk Barn is the Dollarama
But don't be fooled, its not the Dollar Tree! A lot of things in there are $3 or more. Sure there are good deals inside. Birthday Cards and Sim cards for Lucky mobile come to mind but there are many more.
Bought my wife's anniversary card from there but didn't need anything today.
Second to last stop:
Similar in prices to Real Canadian Superstore but typically less selection as its not as large. Their bulk rice and beans section is actually quite good. As is their Indian food selection (Ghee, spices, etc)
Their produce guarantee is also very good too.
If you are looking to buy produce that is out of season and not sure if it will be good quality that's the best time to go to Freshco. If you end up with a freshness dud they give your money back and replace the item. How can you go wrong with that? Other than having to make two trips to the store.
What store is left? Shoppers Drug Mart.
Technically this is a Pharmacy. However I don't usually buy my pharmacy stuff here. I work in a Pharmacy and get a better deal elsewhere at work. However, Shoppers Drug Mart is also owned by the Superstore company (Loblaw) and they have a bunch of grocery items here.
Most of it is more expensive than just buying at Superstore. However, there are a few notable exceptions.
On the weekend they have their 2 day sales. Peanut butter, Coca Cola, and Cookies go on for cheap. This is where I get all my Coca Cola 6x710mL bottles at $2 for $5.49.
I was good on Coca Cola today but my son wanted cookies. and 2 boxes for $5.50 is about as cheap as they get, especially when they took the 25% off haha
However, the hidden gem in Shoppers Drug mart is their electronics section:
That cellphone in the second picture says that the price is $179 for a Samsung A03S BUT if you know how to work the system you can get it for $119 which makes it the cheapest halfway decent phone you can get in Canada....
..... but that's a long enough story to save for another post later.
That's it for my shopping story today.
I will just throw one more image out there.
Save-On-Foods.
I want to love the store but I just can't. The prices are typically higher on just about everything. It is the closest to my house and it is owned by a BC company rather than national corporation (like FreshCo and Superstore) but still... I can't justify paying more.... usually
... the really big bags of oatmeal are the cheapest here and they have a decent floral and wine section so it is worth a check out every now and then.
But not today ...
And that's it.
I know its probably too long but what can I say I'm a sucker for getting the best deal around town
Hope you enjoyed coming along for the trip.
Until next time 😉