Learning the Lingo

The first step to learning how to use coupons to save upwards of 50% to 70% of your grocery bill is to learn the lingo.  It will be very important in regards to finding the deals and when you do, avoiding any embarrassing moments.

You may be familiar some of these already.  However, for those terms that are new to you, I have outlined them in alphabetical order for quick reference.  You are likely to see these on coupon sites, coupon related blogs, in store policies, sales ads and even on coupons themselves.  It is important to understand each of their meaning to ensure you are utilizing your coupons correctly ultimately maximizing your bottom line.

$$/$$ - $ off when you spend $ amount. Example: $10/$50 are $10 off your purchase when you spend $50. (Check your store policy to see if they state whether the amount has to be before or after coupons to apply.)

$/# - $ off for every # you buy. Example: $5/2 would mean that you get $5 off every 2 that you buy.

B1G1 - Buy One Get One Free (B1G2 is Buy One Get Two Free etc.)

Blinkie - A coupon that prints out of a dispenser machine located with the product associated with that particular coupon.

BOGO - Buy One Get One Free

B2G1 - Buy two items, get one free


Bricks - “Bricks” coupons are internet printable coupons. If you print a “bricks” coupon, you will know based on a picture of a computer/printer with a small blinking dot as it sends the information to your printer. You can normally only print 1 of these coupons.  However if you hit your back button 3 times after it is sent to the printer it will generally print a second copy of the coupon for you. If you want additional copies then you will need to use another computer.

CAT - See Catalina.

Catalina - Also referred to as CAT. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product. You typically have to use them at the store they printed, but some stores will take “competitor’s” coupons.

Closeouts - Typically greatly reduced items that the store does not plan on re-stocking.

Competitors - Competitor coupons are normally accepted to match prices of local “related chains.” For example, Wal-Mart may take Target coupons, or CVS may take Walgreen’s store coupons.  Always check with each store to determine which store chains they consider to be a competitor as it varies by each demographic.

Coupon Policy - Each store has a coupon policy.  The policy stipulates what their procedure is in regards to using coupons.  This policy will advise if they accept competitor coupons, if they allow doubling or stacking, etc. Policies change often and vary from store to store based on manager’s discretion.  It is important to contact the store you frequent and find out their coupon policy before shop.

Coupon Insert - These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers typically including coupons issued by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG).

CRT - Cash Register Tape, or your receipt.

Dead - This term is most commonly associated with internet printable coupons that run out of prints or is no longer valid.

DND - Do Not Double.  Manufacturers sometimes place a DND at the top of the coupon by the expiration date, meaning that the coupon should not be doubled at the store.


Discontinued - The store does not plan on re-stocking this item.

Double Coupons - Some stores will double a coupon’s value, up to a certain denomination. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they will double the coupon making it worth $2 off.  This is an important policy to become familiar with at your local stores.  Not all stores or states allow coupons to be doubled. In some occasions, the store may also set a maximum value limit.  In other words, you have a coupon for $1, they match it up to .50 making your coupon savings $1.50.

ECB - Extra Care Bucks. Exclusive to CVS. You earn ECB by purchasing certain items listed with the ECB logo in the weekly sales ad.  The items vary each week.  You purchase one of the items and receive a print out of $$ off of your next purchase. Hint: Break up your transactions in the same shopping trip to maximize your ECB savings! 

ES -Easy Saver, Walgreen’s rebate booklet.  The books are found by their sales ads in the store.

EX or EXP - Expires or Expiration Date

FAR - Free after Rebate (Refer to Rebate for explanation)

FAE - Free after Extra Care Bucks (Refer to ECB or Extra Care Bucks for explanation)

FARR - Free after Register Rewards (Refer to RR or Register Rewards for explanation)

GM - General Mills Coupon Insert. Located in the Sunday paper coupon inserts.

HOT - Hot Deal or Coupon, a deal or coupon that is valid for a short time or that will not last long.

Inserts - These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week in other local publications. These are typically sent out by Smart Source (SS or S), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor & Gamble (PG).  Sometimes General Mills (GM) or local stores.

Internet Printable - A coupon that can be printed online.

IP - Internet Printable Coupon. Also referred to as “printable.”

IVC - Instant Value Coupon. These are Walgreen’s store coupons and are located in their weekly sales ads.

MFR - Manufacturer coupon

MIR - Mail In Rebate. These can be in the form of either checks or coupons that the manufacturers will send you if you meet the requirements on the rebate form.

MQ - Manufacturer Coupon

NED - No Expiration Date, a coupon that has no expiration date.

NT WT - Net Weight, in reference to coupons that stipulate that you must purchase a product with a specific net weight in order to utilize the coupon.

OOP - Out-of-Pocket. The amount of money spent after all coupons and discounts have been applied.

OOS - Out-of-Stock. The store is temporarily out of an item but plans on getting in more inventory. When this occurs, ask about a rain-check.
 
OTC - Over the counter medication.

OYNO - On Your Next Order.

OYNP - On Your Next Purchase.

Peelie - Coupons found on products in the store. Make sure to pull them off right away and include them in your coupons during check out. 

PG or P&G = Proctor & Gamble.  Included in the Sunday coupon “packet”.

Pintables - Coupons that can be printed off the internet.

POP – Proof of purchase. (Refer to MIR)

Q - Coupon

RC or Rain check - Get this from customer service when a store has an item on sale and it is out-of-stock.

RP - Red Plum. This is a coupon insert that you’ll either find in your Sunday paper in the coupon “packet” or sometimes in the mail.

Register Rewards - Exclusive to Walgreen’s. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply)

RR - Refer to Register Rewards.

S or SS - Smart Source. This is a large supplier of coupon. You will find SS coupons in the Sunday paper as well as on their website.

Stacking- Using 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon on the same product (if store coupon policy allows).

Tear pad – A pad found hanging from a store shelf or display, normally with the product it is associated with.  This could be either coupons or MIR.

Triple Coupons - This is the term used when stores will triple a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they’ll take $3 off.  Check with your stores coupon policy to see if and when they allow this.

UPC - Universal Bar Code. This is the bar code that’s scanned on products for pricing/info at the stores. Several companies will ask you to mail these in on rebates.

WAGS - Abbreviation for Walgreen’s.

WT - Wine Tag. These coupons are hanging on the top of wine bottles.

WYB - When You Buy.

YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary. This term is used to say that a particular deal worked for one person, but may not work for another.  In other words, it may not work at all store locations.