Coupon Armageddon Pt 4: Know Your Terms

As you browse through the coupon sites, here are some helpful terms in this whole, weird world.  Sometimes the terms seem a little, you know, self-explanatory.  These are the terms and abbreviations I think of when I think of the basics, and ones that I see frequently when I'm looking up what to buy each week.

Stacked: or stacking. The ability to combine several different types of coupons for one item.

Manufacturer's coupons:  (or mfg) coupons from the, uh, manufacturer.  They will say this plainly on the coupon and can often be stacked with store coupons.

Store coupons:   coupons from the, um, store.  They will say this clearly (usually near the expiration date) and can only be used at that store.  Often stackable with manufacturer's coupons.

Printable coupons:  coupons available through sites like coupons.com where you can choose and print them at home.  Often these are stackable with store, but not manufacturer's coupons.  (Always check store coupon policy!)

Digital coupons:  coupons available through sites like cellfire.com where you can load the coupons directly to your saver card for Randalls (safeway stores) or Kroger.  These (I'm pretty sure) stack with everything and are used automatically when you purchase the item.

TIP:  When using digital coupons, make sure you make note of the specific size, etc if you're planning to buy one of these items.  I once bought paper towels, thinking they'd be $3.00 off, but they weren't because I didn't buy the right size to match the digital.  You can't SEE these when you're in the store, so look beforehand!

Peelie:  a coupon attached directly to a product in the store.  I honestly am not sure if these can be stacked with other manufacturer's coupon, since that's essentially what it is--just one that's attached to the box or bottle.

Blinkie:  one of those machines in the store that has coupons hanging out where you can grab them and then another will shoot out a few seconds later.  These are typically manufacturer's coupons and can be used like regular manuf coupons in whatever store you find them in.

Inserts:  refers to the booklets of coupons in the Sunday papers.

WYB:  when you buy.  As in, this will be $3 off WYB 2 items.

B1G1: buy one, get one.  Usually this refers to getting the second for free, but read your sale and your fine print!

TIP:  Some stores will let you use a coupon on the "free" item also.  As in, say there's a B1G1 sale on body wash.  You can use two $1/off coupons in some stores (my CVS or Kroger) but not others (Walgreens).  

Weekly Ad:  just what it sounds like.  The ad for each store that can be found in the store or in the newspaper.  Sometimes these include coupons (like for Randalls or Walgreens) but more often just show the prices for the week. 

SS:  Smart Wource, one of the main paper coupon sections often found in the Sunday paper

RP:  Red Plum, another main coupon section from the Sunday paper.

P&G:  Proctor and Gamble, a major manufacturer that often has inserts in Sunday papers.

ALL YOU:  a site that has printable coupons and other great freebies

Wags:  Walgreens

$2/1:  or $3/1, $4/2, etc.  The first part refers to how much off, the second to how many items you must purchase. 

TIP:  The only exception to the $2/1 abbreviation is when you see something like 10/$10 at Kroger.  You do NOT have to buy ten to get them each for $1 UNLESS it says something like WYB.  The 10/$10 sales at Kroger basically just mean that the item is $1, but tricks you into thinking that you have to buy more.  (Also for those sales, make sure the item ordinarily doesn't cost LESS than $1 or you'll be paying MORE.)

Extra Care Bucks:  (ECB) The CVS store credit that prints at the end of your receipt when you buy certain items that week.  This changes each week. 

Register Rewards:  (RR) Walgreens version of ECB.

CRT:  cash register tape.  Sometimes includes coupons and will include your ECBs or Register Rewards.  Also shows how much you spent and saved. 

OYNO:  on your next order.  Sometimes there are specials that save you money or apply to your next purchase.

OOP:  out of pocket.  Usually referenced in CVS and Walgreens where you are often paying some, but getting some back in the form of a ECB or RR.

These are the ones that I use the most or see the most, but if you want to see a more extensive list of some of the weird abbreviations that you may encounter, check this page at Couponing 101 for a great list!

Did you get several copies of this week's paper??  There are 3-4 inserts in each!!