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!
I am very new to couponing and I really am wanting to know if you could help me out on something. I have multiple coupons fo totino’s pizzas. the coupon is for $1 off 4 pizzas. Kroger has these on sale 4 for $5. so the coupons I have are printed coupons. Is there ways of me to get the store sale and use these coupons? Would I have to keep going back to the store or could I just use these as different transactions?
If you want to more 8, you can buy 8 and use two coupons in ONE transaction! :) Hope that helps!
FYI ….RR comes from the catalina ( not similar to a catalina) I work for Wags …RR’s ARE MFG’S some people think they are Walgreen coupon, they ARE NOT. They are treated just like a mfg., with the exception they can be used on anything (excluding..dairy,gift cards,smokes, wines, rx’s ). You still need 1 product per RR in order to use them. I will be willing to answer anyone’s question’s when it comes to RR’s. AND ALWAYS check out in the cosmetics department, it’s just so much easier when you are couponing! Your Walgreens SBA Kathleen
What does it mean when a coupon is offered and you need to use a “zip code”?
My store doesn’t allow me to use more than one coupon for one item is there a way to still stack coupons but shop at my favorite store?
What is H1N1?
h1n1 is a virus. LOL, or maybe I’m missing something out there. Thanks for this Briana, I am new to couponing as well, just had a baby and am a SHM (Stay at home mom). I have a college degree and I am truly feeling worthless right now, besides being a Mommy of course, but with my Student Loans coming due I feel like I’m not utilizing it. Now, I have discovered a new realm of something else I need to educate myself on. I can breastfeed while researching…which is great because I have a very short attention span and this keeps me occupied. Thus far I have gotten three free things from free samples, have my coupon binder almost full from Jan 15 to now and now am trying to figure out how to shop with my baby in tow! Good Luck everyone out there and God Bless!
Blush! Thanks! :)
Brianna – might I be so bold to proposed eQ for eCoupons / electronic coupons / digital coupons? I leave it you and other experts to decide. We at Cellfire want to use terms that make sense for folks.
I’ve seen some use CAT for Catalina. Nice list! :)
I wish I could give you a HUGE thank you hug!!!! This is FABULOUS that you’re doing this coupon series!! I’ve already learned SO much!!! I look forward to learning more!!
Thanks so much!!
Michele R.(CA)
luvkittysmeowmail@gmail.com
Butterfly Whispers
Thank you so much! I really wish this resource was around when I first started couponing.. because it’s quite a language out there!
Kyos last blog post..beginnings
Thank you, thank you.. this is all a foreign language to me.. so I am so excited to learn it! u r awesome
Thanks for your reply!
Thanks for this great series! I recently had a baby and left my job to stay at home so these tips are great! I don’t currently subscribe to a newspaper. Should I in order to get the coupons?
Hi Amy! :) Thanks for the link love and hope you are saving lots of money!
I am trying to write this with newbie couponer’s in mind because there are so many of you out there! :)
With the current (downward) trend of the economy, there are MANY newbies to be had in the coupon industry! :) I’m a newbie myself… and yes… it’s quite overwhelming at first glance.
Perfect timing for a newbie couponer like me!
Amys last blog post..What do you want to be when you grow up?
Great post! I thought of one that’s not on your list and it’s my favorite couponing acronym: MM = moneymaker!!!
Sherrys last blog post..Squeaky clean
THANK YOU! I forwarded this on to my 80 year old grandma who just started couponing :)
Janets last blog post..Are We Hated?
I come across this one all the time- OYNO- On your next order