Coupon Lingo Explained

As I mentioned in my Couponing series, How I Spend $200 or less per Month on Groceries, you should expect a definite learning curve as you begin to coupon.  We bloggers use a lot of "coupon lingo" to save time typing, so I thought it might be helpful for you to have a key to uncode those coupon terms.  This is not an exhaustive list, so if any experienced couponers read this, feel free to add any that I may have missed.

Coupon Types:

$1/1; $1/2: One dollar off one item; one dollar off two items, etc.

2/$1: Two items for one dollar         

Blinkies: Coupons that come from a little box with a blinking light near a product in the store

Catalina: The coupons that print at the checkout register

eCoupon: Coupons you load onto your shopper's card

IP: Internet Printable Coupon

MFR: Manufacturer

MIR: Mail-in rebate

Peelie: Coupons that peel off an item you purchased

Q: Coupon

Tear Pad: Coupons you can tear off and use in the store

Misc Coupon Lingo

AC: After coupon

AR: After rebate

BOGO/ B1G1F:  Buy one get one free

CRT: Cash register tape (used when referring to coupons that print on your receipt, like at CVS)

DND: Do not double

Ea: Each

ETS: Excludes trial size

Exp: Expires

FAR: Free after rebate

GM: General Mills Sunday coupon insert

GC: Gift card

NED: No expiration date  (very rare coupons)

OYNO: On your next order

OOP: Out of pocket (what you paid after using your coupons, ECBs, RRs, etc.)

OOS: Out of stock

PG or P&G: Proctor and Gamble (their coupon insert is often included in the Sunday paper)

RC: Raincheck (use these when couponing!)

RP: Red Plum Sunday coupon insert

S or SS: Smart Source Sunday coupon insert

Stacking: Using a store coupon AND a MFR coupon for one item (allowed at Target, Walgreens, CVS, and some grocery stores)

Tg: Target

UPC: Univeral product code (bar code)

WAGS: Walgreens

WYB: When you buy 

WSL: While supplies last (no rainchecks) 

YMMV: Your mileage may vary (depending on your location, the deal may or may not work at your store)

Store Specific Coupon Terms

ECBs: Extra Care Bucks (CVS loyalty program: good toward next purchase)

IVC: Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens’ store coupons found in their paper or monthly savings booklets)

RRs: Walgreens’ Register Rewards (good toward next purchase)

SCR: Rite Aid’s Single Check Rebate (monthly rebates program)

+UP Reward: Rite Aid reward program (good toward next purchase)