Yesterday I decided to try going to CVS instead of Walmart. I rode on the sidewalks all the way to the Walmart parking lot. I rode on same side as the Villa, which was also on the side of Fircrest closest to the Walmart so I didn't have to walk my trike across the intersection of Fircrest and Alcosta.
There wasn't anyone on the sidewalks going but there were some pedestrians on the sidewalks coming back. I pulled over to get out of their way, but there was room for both of us in most places.
Even though I was going to the CVS I parked my trike at the bike rack next to Walmart so I could lock it up. I figured if I didn't find everything I needed in the CVS I could pick up whatever was left on my list from Walmart when I went back to get my trike.
To my surprise I found everything on my list in the CVS, which I didn't think would all be there in what is essentially a big drug store. The ambiance in the CVS is so much nicer than the Walmart. The store is laid out very well and the aisles are well marked to make it easy to find what I was looking for.
The staff is also much friendlier and helpful. One staff member asked if I needed any help finding things and gave me directions to the aisle and shelf. The woman at the checkout was upbeat in contrast to the "I just work here and go home" checker at Walmart. Now I know stores train their workers to be courteous to customers, but the positive attitude of the CVS employees seemed real and not forced or phony.
I wheeled my cart back to my trike and fit everything I bought into the large basket on the back of my trike. It wasn't heavy and the trike wasn't harder to pedal. I got back to the Villa in about ten minutes. The ride back is on a slight down slope, which makes it a little faster.
When I got back to my apartment I looked over the receipt. The most expensive item was a three pound bag of Fancy Feast Cat Food. It was the only item that cost over $10. Even the utility knife, which I was surprised to find at the CVS, was less than $7.
The cat food I bought in Walmart, which was Purina Beyond, was also the most expensive item I bought there. I feed my cats premium cat food, but it worries me that it costs more to feed my cats than myself. My cats are very healthy now with shiny coats and eyes. At least I can afford to feed them high quality food, but it's sad that the cost of keeping pets has gotten too high for most seniors on fixed incomes.
