Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

And the border, just another example of how badly drawn the border is, they should have followed the Skagit River from the 49th Parallel, then the border would end opposite the southern tip of Vancouver Island and Point Roberts would be in BC. The map they used didn't show the Skagit River apparently.

There's nothing of any real value on that land, other than the value of the land itself.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Nothing then?:p

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Well one thing is for sure, I bet the bridge over the Skagit River wouldn't have collapsed recently if it was an international bridge.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Perhaps we can send the Squamish in to claim it back :D

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Going back to the subject (lol), I was just perusing the wiki and came across this handy bit:

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Frugality-Canada

It has links to freecycle and other websites with free or 2nd hand items.

:focus:

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Great site - thanks! :thumbsup:

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I was in a Wal-Mart in the US yesterday and they had a one gallon jug of Tropicana for $6.58 :ohmy:, the cheapest I've ever seen it for here is $7.99 at Loblaw's. Plus hot pockets were $2 for a pack of two, here they're called Stouffer's Crustini or something stupid (made in the same plant though, just different packaging). I seem to recall at Loblaw's they're about $3.50 here. Although of course I'm not sure as I never eat crap like that. :o

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

I trust you are now in a bath of bleach.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

That's odd.

I've never seen them but I wondered if Hot Pockets were actually Hot Stuffs. Googling does suggest Hot Pockets are the same as Crustinis, but I really do doubt that.

Upon looking at google images, I have to say the pockets do look like stuffs and not Crustinis.

Hot Pocket
http://secondratesnacks.com/images/hotpocket.jpg

Hot Stuff
http://www.yourgrocerystore.ca/shopp...ops-2-256g.jpg

I quite like Crustinis - the outer part is quite light and it's flaky (backed up by the Stouffers website) whereas Hot Stuffs are chewy.

Crustini
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages...bac_2pk_3d.jpg

Note the flakiness of the crustini compared to the absence in the others.

You're right though, they are about $3.50, but I never paid that. I don't see why anyone ever would.

Every other week, one of the supermarkets here will have them for $2 or $2.50 tops. They're even regularly available for that at Shoppers DrugMart; an under appreciated place for good value.

Anyway, they are good for kids school lunches (with added nutrition) and if you ever want to nibble on something hot, you can have one ready in two minutes. :)

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Shoppers deals are awesome, 3.99 ice cream, 3.99 cheese, etc. Every week they have something on sale, cheerios for 1.99 a lot of times as well.

Its a good place to buy certain things and save money.

Hot Pockets and Stoufer's Crustini's are a bit different from one another, I agree, both are owned by Nestle however.

Hot Stuff's are very close to Hot Pockets, but they are produced by Schneider's which is owned by Maple Leaf Foods.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

We visited Point Roberts years ago and went through the ludicrous customs process to enter this tiny peninsula of the USA clinging to Canada's underbelly:
Where are you going? (Duh!)
What is your purpose in visiting the USA? (Duh!Duh!)
How long are you staying?

and on the return 30 minutes later having driven around the entire land mass...
What is your citizenship?
Where have you been? (triple Duh!)
How long have you been in the USA? 30 minutes!
What did you buy? Nothing...we couldn't find any stores!

Our two countries probably spend millions of dollars maintaining these border stations and staffing them with bored (punishment detail?) staff.


Incidentally, the children from the peninsula have to be bused through the border crossing daily and transported through the city to the Peace Crossing into Bellingham schools and then bused home. Also, I am told that many of the homes/cottages are owned by Canadians as holiday places.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

The Armstrong extra old cheese is good. Eggs routinely two-thirds that of the supermarkets. Bog paper, household stuff.
They do several things that are cheaper than the supermarkets even without deals.

Really under appreciated store. And useful reward points for getting meds there too.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Bananas. $0.95 /lb in Loblaws/Sobeys. $0.79 /lb in Irving Gas Stations.
Buy your bananas when you fill up. Oh yes, and milk is cheapest at Irving on a 2fer deal.

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

So about the cost of 2nd hand stuff.. I wouldn't want to eat 2nd hand bananas, personally.

I found a few website that might be of use:

Re-use, recycle - lists:

Edmonton: http://www.edmonton.ca/for_residents..._Directory.pdf

Habitat for Humanity: http://www.habitat.ca/findarestorep4235.php#findrestore (building supplies)

Vancouver: http://www.vancouver.reuses.com/?con...opedia_id=2874

Halton: http://www.halton.ca/cms/one.aspx?po...0&pageId=12217

General: http://iwastenotsystems.com/

Smithers, BC: http://www.smithers.ca/news/detail/reduce-reuse-recycle

A google search will bring up dozens of similar websites - a cheap way to get 2nd hand goods.

:D

Re: Why is second-hand stuff here so expensive?
 

Some pricey Bananas.