I don't want you to feel sorry for it at all - I thought it was hilarious! But hell yes, the advent of continental European low cost supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl has been a boon for me. I've had a complete bike tool kit which was retailing online for around £50, at £15. I've had briefcase panniers for £5, throwover 3 part panniers for £5, long sleeved jerseys for £6, tights for £10, underwear (with pad) for £2, winter gloves for £2, wedge bags with an inexpensive multi tool, a chain tool, tyre levers etc for £2:50, a heart rate monitor for £10 - it's fan-bleeding-tastic. They have offers of the week, changing on a Monday and a Thursday, and the trick is to keep an eye open online, because about twice a year, it's bike things. Twice a year times 2 stores, you do rather well......