Image courtesy Kristian D.
I remember feeling so confused when I first started learning the ropes of couponing. I’d started collecting coupons and I was determined to go shopping and snag some bargains. To save some time and benefit from the expertise of more seasoned couponers, I found a blog that covered my local grocery store so I could check out the current deals. I started reading only to realize I had no idea what they were talking about!
I quickly realized that learning to coupon effectively requires learning a whole new language, a language I call “couponese.” The good news is that once you’ve been couponing for a while, speaking couponese will come naturally. It won’t take you long to learn at all.
To help get you started, here are some of the more commonly used acronyms. If I left any out, please leave a comment, and I’ll add them to the list.
Insert Abbreviations
GM: General Mills
K: Kellogg’s
PG: Proctor & Gamble
RP (V): Red Plum (Valassis)
SS: Smart Source
When you see a deal posted on a blog or in a forum, the author will probably reference the coupon by the insert and date the paper was delivered. For example, a coupon from 8/23 RP will be found in the Red Plum insert from the paper delivered on August 23. The date of delivery is printed along the binding of the coupon insert.
Other Acronyms
ECB: Extra Care Bucks
FAR: free after rebate
IVC: Instant Value Coupon, usually Walgreens
MFC: manufacturer’s coupon
MIR: mail in rebate
OOP: the amount spent out of pocket
OYNO/OYNP: on your next order, on your next purchase
Q: coupon
RR: Register Rewards
SC: Store Coupon
TC/TWC: Target Web Coupon
YMMV: your market may vary
Wags: Walgreens
Types of Coupons
$/$$
Money off your total purchase. For example, a $5/$25 will give you $5 off a $25 purchase.
$1/1 or $1/2
These terms refer to coupons that will give you $1 off one product or $1 off two products.
Blinkie
An in-store coupon dispensed from a little, blinking machine near the product.
BOGO/B1G1
Buy one, get one free. There are also B2G1 coupons that require you to buy two products to get the third free.
Catalina
A catalina is a coupon that prints out at the end of your receipt.
Manufacturer’s Coupons
Manufacturer’s coupons are issued by the manufacturers, and stores return redeemed coupons to the manufacturer for money back. Manufacturer’s coupons can be used at any store that accepts coupons. The coupon will specify that it is a manufacturer’s coupon with the words “Manufacturer’s coupon.”
Peelie
A coupon attached to the product that you must peel off.
Store Coupons
Store coupons are issued by the store and can only be used at that store. The coupon will specify that it is a store coupon with the words “Store Coupon” or the name of the store, eg. “Target Coupon.”
To learn how to save money and time with coupons take our workshop on the fundamental of coupons. Click here for more information.
