Coupon Lingo 

Common terms and phrases related to coupon shopping. 

$1.00/1: One dollar off one product

$1.00/2, $2.00/2, etc: One dollar off two products. You must purchase two to utilize coupon.

BOGO: Buy one, get one.  Will usually end with “free” or “half off” meaning buy one, get one half off, or buy one get one free.

B1G1, B2G1: Another way to write ‘buy one, get one’ and ‘buy two, get one’ 

Blinkie: Manufacturer coupons dispensed by a blinking coupon machine found next to the applicable product.  

Catalina (or CAT): Catalina’s are long coupons that print out at the register for use on future purchases. Catalina’s may be a manufacturers coupon or store coupon.

Coupon Insert: Coupon inserts located in the Sunday newspaper. Each region receives different inserts, coupons and coupon values.  The main inserts are: Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor and Gamble (PG). Click here to see the 2010 Coupon Insert Schedule. 

CRT:  CRT stands for cash register tape. CRT’s are coupons that print out at the bottom of your receipt. CRT’s are only good at the store where you received them. CVS often utilizes this method. 

Double Coupons: When a stores doubles the face value of a coupon, typically $0.50 (doubles to $1.00). Each store and region have different coupon policies. Some coupons say “do not double” on the face of the coupon therefore the stores will not double these as directed by the manufacturer. 

ECB (Extra Care Buck):  CVS rewards program now renamed Extra Bucks. Rewards print out at the bottom of your receipt and are valid up to a month. 

E-Coupons: Electronic coupons downloaded to your store loyalty card. Grocery coupons will be automatically deducted when you swipe your card at checkout. Two popular sites: Cellfire.com and Shortcuts.com.

EXP: Expiration date. 

FF:  Firefox.  Coupon link compatible with Firefox browsers. 

IE:  Internet Explorer.  Coupon links compatible with Internet Explorer browsers. 

IVC (Instant Value Coupon): Walmart store coupons are referred to as IVC. IVCs can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.

MIR (Mail in Rebate): Manufacturer rebates submitted via traditional mail. Most MIR’s require the original receipt and UPC code. 

MFR: Abbreviation of “Manufacturer.”

OOP: Out-of-Pocket; refers to the amount of money you will pay after coupons and reward dollars are deducted. 

OYNO/OYNP: On Your Next Order/ On Your Next Purchase. 

One Coupon per Purchase:  This is an often misunderstood line on most coupons. If you were buying two Ragu Sauces, that would be considered two purchases, therefore two like coupons should be accepted. However, many inexperienced cashiers consider all the items you’re getting as “one purchase.”

One Coupon per Transaction: Only one like coupon can be used per transaction. If you are buying two Ragu Sauces and have two like coupons, you’d need to have the cashier ring up each individually (two transactions vs one). 

Peelie:  Sticky manufacturer coupons found on products in the store. 

P&G: Abbreviation for Proctor and Gamble. 

PSA: Prices starting at. If more than one “Olay” product is on sale, the cheapest price is listed as “PSA $2.99.”

Purchase: a purchase refers to buying any one item.  If you’re buying two Ragu Sauces you are making two purchases (but one transaction). 

Raincheck: When a sale item is out of stock, ask a manager for a rain check. This allows you to still purchase the product at the sale price even after the sale is over. 

Rebate:  A rebate is provided by the store or manufacturer when you purchase a qualifying product. Rebates can be for any amount. A “full rebate” means the store/manufacturer is going to reimburse you for the price you paid. 

RR (Register Rewards):  Walgreens rewards program. The coupons print out catalina-style on a separate receipt at the end of check out. RRs cannot be ‘rolled’ like catalinas.

Rolling Catalinas: refers to the practice of separating your purchase into multiple transactions in order to use register catalina coupons from your first transaction to pay for your second transaction.  Another catalina prints from the 2nd transaction that pays for the 3rd transaction and so on.

RP (Red Plum): A coupon insert found inside the Sunday newspaper. Some regions do not receive this insert however shoppers can request to receive the insert by mail. 

SCR (Single Check Rebate): Rite Aid’s monthly rebate program.  As opposed to issuing “OYNP” coupons like CVS and Walgreens, Rite Aid offers SCR which are actual checks. Rebate request information is entered online vs traditional mail.  As soon as you’re done making your SCR purchases for the month, you submit a check request online. 

SS (Smart Source): A coupon insert found inside the Sunday newspaper. Not available in all regions. 

Stacking: “Stacking” a store coupon with a manufacturers coupon means you’ll use both of them together on one product. Or, stack a manufacturers coupon together with a sale or promotion to maximize savings. 

Store Coupon:  A coupon sponsored by the store, not manufacturer, to increase sales of a certain product. Store coupons can usually be found online or in the weekly flyer. 

Store Loyalty Card:  A free program shoppers must register for in order to take advantage of the weekly sales. The loyalty card is swiped at the register to obtain the sale pricing.  

Transaction: A transaction covers your entire purchase. If you buy 20 products and pay once, this is one transaction. If you buy 20 products but break them out and pay twice, this is considered two transactions.

Tear Pad:  A pad of manufacturer coupons found near the product it’s promoting. 

WAGS: Abbreviation for Walgreens. 

WYB:  When You Buy. For example, coupons may say $1 off when you buy 3. Shorthand is $1WYB3.

YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary.  Each store and region is different, so a shopping scenario that works at one store may not work at another.