Real Couponing for Real People: Step 1, Learn the Lingo

When looking through coupon websites, forums and tips, you’ll see terms and abbreviations.  The following definitions will help you speak fluent Couponese!

Here is a basic list of abbreviations:

• IP – Internet Printed (Coupons you print from the internet on sites like couponers.com)
• RP – Red Plum insert (From local newspaper)
• SS – Smart Source insert (From local newspaper)
• PG – Proctor and Gamble insert (From local newspaper)
• Tear Pad: Found hanging on shelves at select stores
• Blinkies: The red machines on shelves at your local grocery store that spits out coupons
• CAT or Catalinas: The coupons that print off at the register after you’ve purchased something.  Tip- don’t check out at the service desk or in the garden shop, they frequently don’t have a catalina printer there!
• OYNO: Off your next order
• CRT: Cash register tape – similar to Catalinas, but this coupon is printed at the bottom of your actual store receipt
• B1G1:  Buy one, get one free
• BOGO:  Buy one, get one free
• B1G2:  Buy one, get two free
• B2G1:  Buy two, get one free
• EXP:  Expiration date:  Most coupons have an expiration date.  Very few stores will accept a coupon past the stated expiration date.
• MFR: Manufacturer Coupon:  This coupon is issued by the manufacturer and can be used at most stores that accept coupons.
• MIR:  Mail-in rebate
• Q:  Coupon
• Raincheck:  A slip you can ask for when the store is out of a sale item.  This allows you to buy the item at a later date for the sale price.  Some sales will specify “No Rainchecks”.  Some stores will  have an expiration date on their raincheck.  It never hurts to ask for a raincheck when a store is out of a sale item.
• Stacking:  Stacking is when you use a store coupon plus a manufacturer coupon on the same item.  Most stores limit you to using one or the other, but there are a few stores still out there that allow stacking.
• Store Coupon:  A coupon you can use only at the store stated on the coupon.  Store coupons generally don’t double or triple.
• Substitution:  A similar item the store substitutes when they are out of a sale item.  Again, it never hurts to ask for a substitution.
• Double Coupons:  The store will double the face value of the coupon up to a specified amount.
• Triple Coupons:  The store will triple the face value of the coupon up to a specified amount.
• Coupon Policy:  The posted rules each store abides by regarding coupons they will accept or not accept.  Stores usually have limits on the number of coupons they will accept per transaction.  Stores also will sometimes limit the number of identical coupons they will accept per transaction or per customer.  Some stores limit the number of coupons they will double or triple, or have minimum purchase requirements in order to double or triple coupons.