So now that I've shared with you that anyone can be a penny pincher, let's talk a little very basic couponing stuff. We're going to start at the beginning here (I'm pretending you don't know anything, but I know you guys are way smarter than that!) I just don't want anyone to feel lost before they even start out, and there is so much coupon lingo out there that can get pretty confusing!  So here we go!
Do you ever look at a coupon site and think to yourself “what on earth does all that mumbo jumbo mean?” Recently, a friend of mine visited Passionate Penny Pincher and told me she was completely lost by all the “SS”, “RP”, “DND”, etc. I'll be honest, as a long-time couponer I often make the assumption that everybody knows what all those abbreviations mean! Â
Well, my fabulous friend (and awesome coupon-teaching-buddy!), put together this great list of basic coupon jargon. We use it when we teach couponing classes, and I think it might be helfpul for you guys! (There were even a few I had to brush up on!)
Basic Coupon Lingo
$1/1 = One dollar off one item Â
$1/2 = One dollar off two items Â
2/$1 = Two items for one dollarÂ
B1G1F / BOGO = Buy One Get One FreeÂ
Blinkie = The little machine on the shelf that dispenses couponsÂ
CAT = Stands for Catalina, a  coupon that prints out at the checkoutÂ
ECBs = Extra Care Bucks (CVS Reward Program)
DND = Do not double
FF = FireFox (type of web browser, use to determine which link to print from)
IE = Internet Explorer (another type of web browser, use to determine which link to print from)
IPs = Internet Printable (Online printable coupons)Â
MIR = Mail In RebateÂ
MQ = Manufacturer CouponÂ
NED = No Expiration DateÂ
OOP = Out Of PocketÂ
OYNO = On Your Next OrderÂ
P&G = Proctor & Gamble (Newspaper insert in Sunday's paper)Â
Peelie = Coupons that found/attached on the productÂ
Hangtag = Coupons found hanging from product (usually found on jars)
Winetag = Coupon that usually can be found hanging on bottles of wine
PSA = Price Starts AtÂ
Q = CouponÂ
RRs = Register Rewards (Regard program from Walgreens)Â
RP = Red Plum (Newspaper insert that comes out in Sunday's paper)
SS = Smart Source (Newspaper insert)Â
Tearpad = Pads of coupons found in the store Â
UP+ Rewards = Rewards progarm at Rite Aid
UPC = Universal Product Code, barcode found on a product
V = Valassis Insert (Newpaper insert – RP & V are combined in some areas) Â
WSL = While Supply LastsÂ
WYB = When You BuyÂ
YYMV = Your Mileage May Vary (some deals are allowed in some stores while others are not)
If you're a totally new couponer I'd suggest starting to think about how you want to organize your coupons next (I'm considering changing my current method but it's gonna be painful!) We'll have a discussion tomorrow on basic ways to organize, and then Monday we'll delve into the nitty gritty. (Aren't you excited?)
I asked this over on the Passionate Penny Pincher Facebook page, but I'd love to know where you all are at in your penny pinching journey. If you have a minute leave a comment on these two questions:
- How long have you been couponing?Â
- Are there any specific areas of couponing you'd like to learn more about?  (Hopefully we'll get to all of them!)
Stop back tomorrow and we'll chat a little more on how to begin couponing! Â