by sgrace

15 days of Couponing

Day 1: We all have to shop! Why not save money while doing it?
Day 2: The Language of Couponers – Translated!
Day 3: Where Art Thou Coupons?
Day 4: Know Thy Coupon (What does that fine print mean?)
Day 5: When to Use Your Coupons
Day 6: Buy Groceries, Pay for College with Upromise eCoupons
Day 7: eCoupons the Alternate to Clipping
Day 8: Don’t Get Mad, Get a Rain Check
Day 9: Advance Your Couponing Skills with Rebates
Day 10: Stockpiling
Day 11: Organize Your Coupon Stash
Day 12: Surviving the Checkout Lane

B1G1 w/$1/1 q (3-1SS) & ES, earn RR, submit MIR (YMMV)

Look like a foreign language to you?  It made my head spin when I first started couponing. You won’t find many abbreviations on here because I try to spell things out clearly so the average coupon user understands. Hopefully, you find that helpful.

In case you run into any of this “code”, here’s a translation list to help you out:

BLINKIES = In-Store Smart Source Coupons. They are called “blinkies” because their little box blinks to get your attention and are near products. Kids are great spotters for these coupons! Note: These coupons usually say “do not double” on them and can be used anywhere manufacturer coupons are accepted. So if you find a blinkie coupon at one store you can take one and use it at another store.

BOGO/B1G1 = Buy One Get One

BTFE – Box Tops for Education (School reward program)

CATALINA = Coupon printed at register after purchased qualifying items. You can use these on another transaction usually at that particular store only. I like to use these ASAP if I’m at a store I don’t normally shop at so I don’t forget about them.

CLFE = Campbell’s Labels for Education (School reward program)

CNP = Coupon Near Product (similar to BLINKIES)

CPN = Coupon

CRT = Customer Receipt Tape. CVS receipt coupons to be used at CVS/pharmacy stores only.

DND = Do not Double (Some coupons have this language)

DOUBLE COUPON = Coupon that a store doubles in value

EB/ECB = ExtraCare Bucks you can use at CVS/pharmacy only.

ES = Easy Saver Rebate program from Walgreens.

FAR = Free After Rebate

FIC = Fresh Idea Card (Marsh)

GC= Gift Card

GM = General Mills (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers. These seem to come out every month or so.)

IP or IPQ = Internet Printable coupons

IVC = Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens Store coupon found in monthly Easy Saver Booklet)

K = Kellogg’s (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers. These are rare but usually 1-2x a year you will find these.)

MFR = Manufacturer

MIR = Mail in Rebate

OOP = Out of Pocket

OOS = Out of Stock

P&G = Proctor & Gamble (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers at least once a month.)

Peelie = Coupon you peel off package. Ethical couponing tip: Please don’t peel off a coupon to use at another store. These are meant for that product only unlike blinkies or tear pads!

PSA = Prices Starting At

Q = coupon

RC = Rain Check

RP= Red Plum (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers which you may or may not get depending on your area.)

RR = Register Rewards at Walgreens (Similar to Catalinas)

SCR = Single Check Rebate (This seems to be specific to Rite Aid, which I don’t cover on a normal basis.)

SS= Smart Source (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers almost every week.)

STACKING = Using mutiple coupons for one product. Most stores will allow you to stack store coupon and manufacturer coupons. For example, you can stack a CVS/pharmacy CRT with a manufacturer’s coupon. Stacking includes stacking coupons with your MIR to reduce your OOP.

TEAR PAD = A pad of coupons or MIR near a product or on display. These are usually manufacturer’s coupons that you can use at any store which accepts manufacturer’s coupons.

UPC = Universal Product Code

WT = Winetag (Rebate form found on Wine Bottles. Only allowed in certain states. If you have never seen them like me, your state probably doesn’t allow them!)

WYB= When You Buy

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (Depends on certain store policies/factors whether the deal will work.)

Some other things you will see:

$1/1, $2/1, $2/2, etc. = This means you will get $1 off 1 product purchased, $2 off 1, $2 off 2, etc.

2/$1, 3/$4, 4/$5, etc. = This means two items costs $1 or .50/each, 3 items costs $4 or $1.33/each, etc. You can just buy unless the offer specifically states you must buy X amount to get the discounted price.

Any other abbreviations I missed, leave me a comment or share so we can all learn!

The 15 Days of Couponing will guide you through the art of couponing. It is a skill that you can learn and maximize to the full potential to help your family and help others. So if you are interested in cutting your grocery budget in half or more, read yesterday’s edition and stay tuned for tommorrow’s edition where I will tell you where you can find all these precious coupons!