How To Coupon

 

     Are you new to couponing? Don't know where to start? Well I am going to help you get across a few hurdles. If you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to leave a comment. I figure if one person leaves a comment, there are about 10 others that have been thinking the same thing :)

     Now I'm sure most of you have seen or heard of TLC's Extreme Couponing. Please know that what you see on TV isn't what a "real" coupon does. Sure, we find the deals, get the coupons and do our "happy dance" at the register... but we don't clear a shelf, we don't dump baskets of items into our cart, don't use a fork lift to get our groceries to the car and we don't lock up the register buying $1,000+ worth of groceries.  We are the average family trying to stretch the American dollar so we can enjoy the other luxuries.

     Don't get discouraged if you don't save 99% on every trip. Saving 60, 70 even 80% is a huge SCORE! I will help show you how to make the most out of your shopping trips. Now let's go over some basics.

Coupon Lingo

Ever get lost in some of these abbreviations? I know I do when I get text messages. I need my own personal translator when ppl text me :) Well, you're in luck. I have made a quick reference guide for you to help translate some terms.

$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
B1G1: Buy one item get one item free
B2G1: Buy two items get one item free
Beep: Sometimes the register will beep when a coupon is scanned to indicate that the cashier need to take an action, like entering a price.
Blinkies: Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Catalina: 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
DND: Do not double
Ea.: Each
ECBs: ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ETS: Excludes trial size
Exp.: Expires
GC: Gift card
IVC: Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens' store coupons found in ads and monthly booklet
MIR: Mail-in rebate
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
OOS: Out of stock
Peelie: Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA: Prices starting at
RRs: Register Rewards, Walgreens' Catalina coupons
Q: Coupon
SCR: Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
Stacking: Using both a manufacturer's coupon and a store coupon on one item
UPC: Universal product code, bar code
Tearpad: Pad of coupons attached to a display, shelf, or refrigerator door.
+UP Reward: Rite Aid reward program
WYB: When you buy
YMMV: Your mileage (or manager) may vary, meaning some stores might give you a deal but others might not.

 It might help you to print this out and put it with your coupons, just as a reference. Get yourself acquainted with these terms so it's easier to understand the posts :)