Changes in the Albertsons' programs....

So I was in picking up the masses tonight at Albertsons'. (BTW--it was amazing and had me doing Gene Kelly's to the truck afterwards). The PIC (person in charge) informed me that as of tomorrow Albertsons' is kicking off a new rewards/incentive program that will replace the existing card/phone number that they take at the register. Guess what? They are going Fred Meyer-ish...with cash kick-backs for designated monies spent...following me? So, for example, Kroger (ie. Fred Meyer in the NW, Smiths' in the Mountain west, etc) accumulates dollars spent in a quarter and then sends you redeemable dollar amounts with added coupons. It comes in the mail and you have so long to use them. It's like free cash towards your next purchases. Well Albertsons' is getting on a similar bandwagon, except that they won't be mailing the coupons or cash incentives--they will just print them at the register as the totals are met. I haven't got the specifics in writing yet as to what the totals will be, but of course, those totals accrue prior to the coupons decreasing the out of pocket expenditure.

I asked the PIC if they were just going to convert over the existing phone numbers and people to this new program and he said NO. He said that as of tomorrow all people who shop at Albertsons' will have to re-register with the store and get new forms filled out. FYI--fuel points will transfer. (Good thing or I could get a little hostile about losing my 50 cents off a gallon...just sayin'). So, don't forget to salute the theory of "hope and change"--at least at Albertsons', so that you can start getting kick-backs at the register. Who knows--you might get lucky every now and again with your power purchases accruing major bonus points.

Going back to my Gene Kelly's tonight--this is what I got...28 cans Hunt's Spaghetti sauce, 16 cans Chef Boyardee Raviolis, 10 boxes Orville Redenbacher's popcorn, 8 jars Peter Pan Peanut Butter, 6 cans of Pam cooking spray, 8 packages Hunt's pudding-assorted flavors...all for $29. AND I still have $10 to spend from the Catalina print-outs on my next purchase and added 30 cents off per gallon (up to 20 gallons)on my Albertsons' card. Brilliant. Serotonin is flowin'.

Next weeks' deals for Albertsons' includes the Procter and Gamble incentives...buy $20 in assorted products and get $5 back PLUS 5 movie rentals out of Redbox. Not the most stellar of deals, but not bad. The cereal deals are truly what shines this week in the major ads. Make a combination that works...and don't forget to add the coupons. The cheaper it is--the better it tastes, right?