If reading coupon lingo looks like Greek to you, check out this cheat sheet to see what’s what. Don’t worry – these will be second nature to you in no time!
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$/$$:
Amount off a purchase ($10/$100 = $10 off a $100 purchase)
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B1G1F:
Buy one, get one free
B2G1:
Buy two, get one free
BC:
Before coupons
Blinkies:
Coupons you can get from a dispenser box with a blinking light (usually red) near product in the grocery store
B&M:
Brick and mortar (as opposed to an online store)
BOGO:
Buy one, get one free
BR:
Before rebate
BTFE:
Box Tops for Education
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CAT or Catalina:
Coupon dispensed at register after purchase
CLFE:
Campbell’s Labels for Education
Competitors:
A store that competes with the store you are shopping – some stores will accept their competitors’ store coupons
Coupon Insert:
Newspaper inserts or special mailers with coupons (include Procter & Gamble, Smart Source, Red Plum, etc.)
Coupon Policy:
Store policies setting the parameter for coupon use and acceptance, typically including guidelines for whether a store accepts competitor coupons, coupons past expiration dates, etc. Also might include information about whether a store doubles or
triples coupons
CPN:
Coupon
CRT:
Cash register tape (sometimes includes coupons printed at the end of your receipt or on the back of your receipt)
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ECB:
CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases
ETA:
Edited to add
ETS:
Excludes trial size
EQ:
Internet coupon loadable to a store card
ESR:
EasySaver rebate (Walgreens monthly rebate)
EXP:
Expiration date
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FAR:
Free after rebate
FARR:
Free after Register Rewards (Walgreens)
Filler:
Item(s) you buy to bring your total to a certain amount in order to use a coupon
Free Item Coupon:
A coupon that allows you to get a product free of charge
FS:
Free shipping
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HBA:
The health and beauty aid section in the grocery store
HCW:
Hot Coupon World (a chat forum for coupon users)
HAD:
Hot deal alert
HGT:
Hang tags for refunds or coupons found hanging on a product
HT:
Hang tags for refunds or coupons found hanging on a product
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IP:
Internet printable coupon
ISO:
In search of
IVC:
Walgreen’s Instant Value Coupon (found in monthly EasySaver catalog)
IPQ:
Internet printable coupon
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MFG:
Manufacturer’s coupon
MIR:
Mail in rebate
MM:
Money maker (you can profit from purchasing – if a store policy allows, you can get money or store credit back because a coupon and sale combination brings your total to less than .00)
MQ:
Manufacturer’s coupon
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NED:
No expiration date
NBPN:
No beer purchase necessary
NWPN:
No wine purchase necessary
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P&G:
Procter & Gamble Sunday supplement coupons / Procter & Gamble insert
Peelie:
Coupon you peel off the package – can use immediately or at a later time
POP:
Proof of purchase
PSA:
Prices start at
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Q:
Coupon
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Rain check:
If an item is on sale but out-of-stock, you can ask a store’s customer service desk for a rain check slip so you can get the deal later (varies by store)
RC:
Rain check
Regional:
A coupon or deal available only in a certain area
RP:
Red Plum Sunday supplement coupons / Red Plum insert
RR:
Register rewards (Walgreens store credits you get by purchasing certain items)
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SASE:
Self addressed stamped enveloped
SS:
Smart Source or Sunday supplement coupons / Smart Source insert
Stacking:
Using a store-specific coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item (most stores allow this)
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Tear Pad:
A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display
TIA:
Thanks in advance
Triple Coupon:
A coupon the grocery store triples in value
TQ:
Target coupon
TYVM:
Thank you very much
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UPC:
Universal Product Code / Bar Code
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V:
Valassis Sunday supplement of coupons / Valassis insert
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Wags or WAGS:
Walgreens
Winetag:
A coupon found hanging on a package (such as wine) for money off another item, usually meat, cheese or produce
WSL:
While supplies last
WT:
Short for winetag, a coupon found hanging on a package (such as wine) for money off another item, usually meat, cheese or produce
WYB:
When you buy
WYS:
When you spend
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X/XX:
Value of a coupon (i.e. 0.25/1 = 25 cents off 1 item)
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YMMV:
Your mileage may vary (how far you might get with a certain store or the possibility of having to go to several stores to get the item you need if it’s sold out)
