Today I wanted to show you where and how to get coupons. And also give you a run down on Coupon Lingo.
When I first started to coupon I saw coupon lingo on websites that looked like they were talking in code. After about a month though - I was talking that way too.
Here is what you may start to see. And yes, you soon will be writing and talking like this. I find myself at store texting friends about great deals! Here is a list that you can print out of basic coupon lingo. I would recommend sticking it in your binder so you can reference it from time to time.
Coupon lingo:
P&G: Procter & Gamble Sunday insertRP: Red Plum
SS: Smart Source
GM: General Mills
IE: Internet Explorer
All You: All You Magazine (coupon magazine)
$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
BOGO: Buy One Get One
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 (albertson's)
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
MM: Money Maker
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
OOS: Out of stock
Printable: Coupon Printed Online
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
Now, finding your coupons to start your "collection" You have a few great ways to find them each week. Your first way is your Sunday newspaper. The point of couponing is to stockpile items at a low to free price, so when you need them you will not have to pay full price for them. With that being said, when you find an item for free to a little amount, you will want to "stockpile" it. In order to do this you will need to have multiple coupons to use. That is why I recommend getting 3-6 Sunday Papers. This way you get multiple coupon inserts. I know that sounds like a lot but the money that you spend on your subscriptions but it will pay for itself on your first shopping trip savings. If you do not want to subscribe to that many papers you have a few other options. One is asking friends, neighbors, and family if you can have their coupons. Also some convince stores give them away if you ask.
Another way to get coupons is to print them from your computer. This is free. There is a limit on the amount of coupons that you can print though - this varies from site to site. There are a few key sites that you can get them from.
You can also find coupons to print out on a lot of company sites, (i.e. Kelloggs.com, Campbells.com) A lot of companies have facebook pages now and they give out coupons on them - this is why I recommended getting a second facebook because you will be "liking" a lot of companies.
You can also just buy the coupons that you need. A few good sites to do that one are,
You can also find "coupon databases" on a lot of coupon sites. (We hope to have one up and going on here soon!) But a few good ones are,
Don't forget about the in store coupons that you should always pick up too. I refer to these as "blinkies." They are the dispensers in the store with red blinking lights.
With all these ways to gather coupons you should have a pretty good collection going in no time.
One more item to think about, is you will always have coupons that you don't use, expire before you can use them and so on. You can take these coupons and send them overseas to the men and women we have stationed at overseas military bases. They can use these coupons for up to 6 months after they expire. It is a great way to help them out. You can send them over yourself by going to http://ocpnet.org/ and getting the info. Also The Krazy Coupon Lady has a program and many other sites do also, where they take care of the shipping for you. Anyway that you choose to do it, is a great help to our men and women stationed overseas.
I hope you have a chance to check out all these great sites and start printing out some coupons. Also don't forget to call about your Sunday paper subscriptions.
I will be back tomorrow to give you some more great ways to save. Until then don't forget to share this great info with your friends and to check us out on facebook - Living Paycheck 2 Paycheck.
Have a great night!
Thanks so much for the site, I found a lot of useful information for us.
ReplyDeleteliked the good program. there is something to think about ...