Commonly used terms and abbreviations
Thanks to dealseekingmom for this list!
Here are some common terms and abbreviations you will see in many deal forums, blogs, or websites. (I also have the major ones in sidebar of this blog.) Try to learn these now, so you can decipher any deal!
$1/1, $1/2, etc. = One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. = Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
BOGO = Buy one item get one item free
B2GO = Buy two items get one item free
Blinkies = Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat = Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT = Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
ECBs = ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ESRs = EasySaver Rebates, Walgreens monthly rebates program
FAR = Free after rebate
IPQ or IP = Internet printable coupon
IVC = Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens’ store coupons found in ads and ESR booklet
MFR or MQ = Manufacturer coupon- good anywhere that accepts coupons
MIR = Mail-in rebate
OYNO = On your next order
OOP = Out of pocket
Peelie = Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA = Prices starting at
RRs = Register Rewards, Walgreens’ Catalina coupons
SCR = Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
UPC = Universal Product Code, bar code on a product
WT = Wine tag, no alcohol purchase necessary to use these coupons
WYB = When you buy
YMMV = You mileage (or manager) may vary, some stores may allow you to do a deal, some may not.
Key Terms- Purchase vs Transaction
One Coupon per Purchase: Refers to your ability to use one coupon per item. Meant to enforce the point that you may not use two of the exact same coupon for one item. (If you are buying 5 bars of soap and have 5 coupons, each item is considered a purchase- the end result- total and paying- is the transaction)
One Coupon per Transaction: Limits you to only using one of this coupon per transaction. You may request to do separate transactions. Example: If you have 5 coupons that read “one coupon per transaction” you may request to separate into 5 transactions and pay 5 times. You CAN do this! I do it all the time!
Sunday Paper Coupons
You MUST buy more than one newspaper each week for the coupons! You can get the best deal this way on buy one get one free sales, in which you may use 2 coupons. (On buy one get one- you are technically buying 2 items- they scan both and both appear on the receipt right? so you can use two coupons!) Call LA Times or OC Register to see if they offer any deals on multiple subscriptions (you can just get the Sunday paper delivered- I have lucked out so far and been able to not need a delivery.) Last week I scored 7 papers at a sportsbar we happened to be at- it was later in the night and I asked the manager- they were just going to toss them anyways so I grabbed them all! Ask family members or neighbors if you can have the coupons if they don't want them. If you must (I do this, not going to lie) go to the paper dispensers later Sunday night, and take 2 or 3- I know it seems wrong, but the coupons/newspapers will go to waste anyways, just be sure to recycle the remainders! (I am not telling you to go and clean out the dispensers! If there are 6 left- take four- chances are you are the last person buying a Sunday paper 9 o'clock at night.)
Printable Coupons
There are many other ways to get manufacturer or store coupons in addition to the Sunday paper. I have posted the most popular links under the "Coupons" tab at the top of my blog. When you print these coupons, each one has a distinct number and code- so photocopies are prohibited! The sites also "recognize" the printer you use- so the max number you can print from one computer/printer is usually two. (To get more than one Internet Printable coupon (IP), as soon as your printer starts printing, hit the back button on your browser a few times until the printer icon shows up again on your screen.) If you have more than one computer/printer in your house- well, lucky you- you can print double :) Sometimes you may forget if you have printed a coupon- don't worry- a nice little message will pop up and remind you!
One thing you may notice is that there are many of the same coupons on these sites- print them anyways! Sometimes having 4 or 5 of the same coupon will come in handy- for example- Target had a promo where if you buy 5 Special K products, you get a $5 gift card. See where I am going? I bought 5 items, used 5 coupons, and guess what- it was a money maker! Who knew free coupons could make you money?!?!
Some coupon and saving websites encourage you to buy things or multiples when they are dirt cheap or even free. I have to disagree with this idea! I don't need a glucose meter or arthritis medication, let alone 6 (free or not!) Some say they donate these items to local charities or hospitals- if that is something you can do- well by all means- why not. I will say that I agree with stockpiling. Canned items, cereal, pasta, boxed sides, frozen foods, toilet paper, soap, deodorant (you get the idea) are things with long shelf lives, things we will eventually NEED and will definitely USE. If it's free, or close to free, and it is something our family will eventually use- you can bet I buy as many as I can. (Ok I will make one exception- if I can get a glucose meter for free after coupon, and it has ECB's or RR- I may go for it- then I can use the rewards on something I would normally buy and then donate that meter.)
Stacking Coupons
Many stores (CVS, Walgreens, Target) will allow you to use 1 manufacturer coupon (like the kind from the Sunday paper or on the Internet) and 1 store coupon per item! Target has store coupons on their site www.target.com and they change every few weeks- or you may get some in the mail. Walgreens has store coupons in their ads and in various other booklets found in their store (look by weekly ads in the front of the store, or by the pharmacychildren's activity book is 99 cents but has some great Q's in it!). Word of warning- sometimes you'll run into a cashier at Target who isn't aware of their stacking policy, but if you have them ask their manager, they will confirm it. I will post a link with actual store coupon policies another time. (There are signs at Target by the registers that say this BUT you still run into cashiers that have no clue!) *You can NOT stack 2 manufacturer coupons!!!
Money Makers!
Some items are such good deals that they actually make you money! Factor in a good sale or clearance, a good coupon (or two) possible rewards or a mail in rebate (MIR) you can actually make money buying things! Ok, so the cashier won't open the register and hand you cash, but when you look at the big picture, the item is free, and you may earn rewards to roll to use on something else or a rebate check in the mail. (If you are the type that needs instant gratification, mail in rebates may take some time to warm up to...)
For example: This week at Target, all Glade fragrance items are 3/$5.00 (three for five dollars). I have 2 MQ's (manufacturer coupons) for $3.00/2 ($3.oo off two) and one for .75/1 (75 cents off one). SO after coupons my total is $1.25- BUT there is a mail in rebate promotion going on- it returns 5.00 for every 3 Glade (or SC Johnson family products) purchased.
3 candles: $5.00
2 coupons: -$3.75
Total OOP (out of pocket) $1.25
Mail in rebate: 5.00
MONEY MAKER: $3.75!
*The limit is 3 rebates per household so if I were to do this same transaction 3 times (yes I have the coupons to do it) I would end up making $11.25! 9 items essentially FREE and $11.25 in my pocket- works for me! Even without coupons- you still get everything for free after you factor in the MIR's!
Another scenario:
Last week at Ralphs, Jennie-O turkey was B1G1 free (B1G1 or BOGO= buy one get one) AND there is a MIR to get $5 back on any Jennie-O turkey purchase going on right now. I spent 4.86 total, and will get the rebate, which means I got 2 pounds of ground turkey FREE with 14 cents back in my pocket! If I had 2 coupons for the turkey, it would have been even better!
*Always keep your receipts- this MIR became available after I bought the turkey- I just got lucky! If you can do more than one MIR per household- you will need to send in individual receipts so keep that in mind as well!
