Special thanks to Albertsons for sponsoring this post about their just for U® savings tool and Gas Rewards program on the Albertsons app. All opinions are my own.

Recently the Albertsons store near me reopened after several years of being closed.  I had to take a trip back to see if it had the hometown feel the old one did. You see this store, and I have a lot of history. It’s the store that twenty-eight years ago I shopped with my 2-month and 2-year old sons on the night we moved into our new home. From that first moment, we felt welcomed and a part of the community.

I spent many late nights at that store, one of the only places open into the wee hours of the morning, with a cranky baby or two shopping for diapers or medicine. In fact, I volunteered to take the kids shopping as often as possible. I worked full-time, and they were in childcare, taking them with me gave us some time just to laugh and talk about the day while we picked out what was for dinner. It was also a perfect time for some casual learning, and I loved the time we spent in the aisles learning colors and letters as toddlers and then math and nutrition during their school years. It was a fun and easy time and one I have missed since they’ve grown up, even though many times they promised they never would.

As the boys got older, our shopping cart started filling up with afterschool snacks, soccer game refreshments, and eventually staples to send them off to college or supply their first apartments. Every holiday was celebrated with food and supplies purchased there. I know, it’s just a grocery store, but it’s one that was part of our family for so very long.

Albertsons New just for U® Savings Tool and Gas Rewards program

Before I made the trip to the store, I checked out the Albertsons new just for U® program and was thrilled to find it’s the same one that I belong to through Safeway! just for U® is a savings program with digital coupons and personalized deals. When you sign up, you provide the necessary information (name, phone number, address, and email address) and your account is ready to use immediately. Just download the Albertsons app or access your account online vat Albertsons.com to check out the weekly shoppers and digital coupons available through just for U®.

By downloading the Albertsons App and creating an account, shoppers are also automatically enrolled in the new Gas Rewards program. Through Gas Rewards, shoppers can redeem up to $1/gallon at Safeway Gas Stations and participating Chevron and Texaco stations.

Albertsons just for u savings program online ads #ad

Since I already had a just for U® account, my personal savings deals were available immediately. That’s because just for U® uses my past purchases to offer coupons and deals on the items I buy. Since I buy mostly organic and vegetarian, my personalized coupons were for items that manufacturer and national coupons are rarely issued for – so I scored! If you’re a new account holder, it can take a little bit before your personalized deals appear.

Start saving now by downloading the just for U® app from the App StoreGoogle Play, or justforu.com. For more information and to access your account online, visit Albertsons.com 

just for U®collects hundreds of digital coupons including manufacturer coupons and store coupons and makes them available in the Albertsons app. There’s also the store’s weekly circulars full of special deals. Adding your selected deals to your digital shopping list is a simple click or use the app’s scanner and your mobile device to scan UPC codes on items in your kitchen to see if there are special deals, discounts, or coupons for them. That lets you stock up when they’re on sale.

Scan it! just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Your shopping cart can be synced over all of your devices so you can start your shopping list on your laptop in bed on Sunday morning and finish it on Friday on your desktop at work. Then print it or access it from your smartphone right at the store. To trigger your coupons and deals, enter the phone number attached to your account into the pay terminal when you check out, and they’ll be automatically be deducted from your total due. Yes, it’s that easy! Better yet, I load coupons for things I know my husband will buy and pay full price for because he hates lists and coupons. Ha! He doesn’t even notice that I’m saving us money, and now we’ll get those savings whether he shops at Safeway or Albertsons. Win/win!

My Trip Back to Albertsons

My Store - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

I couldn’t help but exclaim when we walked in the door that everything was right where they’d left it. I took a deep breath of relief because I’d been worried that when the store was purchased and remodeled by another chain a few years ago, that they’d messed with the floorplan. I was flooded with memories of the many shopping visits I’d made with my kids and the hours we’d spent out front in heat and rain selling goods to raise money for the school. But instead of finding a store I didn’t recognize, it was as if not a day had gone by since the last time I visited, only I’m much older now, and my youngest son has his own child.

Grand Opening -just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Produce & Deli - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

While the layout is the same, I did note with happiness that they have expanded their organic options as well as floral and decor.

Buying Organic Produce - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

It wasn’t long before I was lost looking at all of the holiday decorations. We both found plenty to love here and we had to remind each other that we have more than we need at home. I hate being a responsible adult!

Holiday Decor - just for U: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Holiday Decor just for U®;: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Snowman and Christmas Trees - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Holiday Decor - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Christmas Decor - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Floral Department - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals

As we made our way towards the other side of the store to finish off our shopping list, my mother discovered some exciting new gluten-free options.  We quickly checked the app right there in the store and added coupons for these off-list, add-on items when we found them thanks to the availability of free Wi-fi in the store.

Shopping - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Then there was the slide into the “it’s-not-good-for-you-but-oh-look-there’s-a-new-cookie-out! part of the shopping trip which usually happens near the end when you’re starting to get hungry and everything looks good.

New Christmas Sweets - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Even with our unscheduled browsing, we were able to complete most of our list and check out in about 30-minutes. Not bad when neither of us were focused on the task at hand and were enjoying exploring the store and its wares.

Checking Out - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

Checkout - just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

We saved $9.78 total (14%) with the combination of weekly deals/promotions ($8.76) and just for U® savings ($1.02). I ended up not using many of the coupons I loaded to my shopping list, and I forgot to buy several items that I needed, so guess who’s going back to Albertsons tomorrow!

It's Easy to save with just for U®: Albertsons Savings Program with Personalized Deals #ad

And am I the only one who gets choked up because of memories of everyday things I did with my kids? I plan on taking my granddaughter to Albertsons the next time she comes to visit to follow in her daddy’s footsteps by learning her colors as we chat about the fruits and veggies and we’ll start some new memories!

Do you love or hate grocery shopping? Would saving money help?