Welcome to....i wish mama had told me...Coupon Language

Welcome,
I am so thankful that you stopped by.  I hope you come back often.  It is a joy to share with you.  My name is Jean and I have just celebrated my second year of "I wish Mama had told me," which is a blog about living a good life on the frugal side. 

My goal on this blog has been and will always be, to share frugal, helpful living, information with you.  I am not an expert by any means but I read a lot and I love sharing what I learn with any one who will listen.  I have been a very serious couponer for the last three years and I have saved a lot of money with coupons, deals, sales, rebates and my favorite "freebies".

Of course we  all know one of the very best ways to be frugal in this economy is to use coupons to the maximum.  I have learned a lot about using coupons and continue to learn more daily.. Effective use of coupons is an art and takes time to learn on your own. You will learn something new every day also. 

As couponers we reside in "Coupon Country" which is changing fast!  Manufacturers are putting in more rules, stores are changing their policies.   Extreme couponing has forced them to makes considerable changes.  However, putting in the time required to catch up will benefit you greatly.

Over the next few blogs I will try to give you some "Coupon Country" updates that I hope will help you navigate more effectively.

Just as in any foreign land there is a different language spoken; well, Coupon Country is no different.. In order to navigate well and get the best bang for your bucks you need to know the language first thing:

Here is the basis language you will need:   "Study hard, and let me know how well you do on you first encounter.

$$/$$ – Means $ (dollars) off when you spend a $(dollar) amount. Example: $5/$30 is $5 off your purchase when you spend $30.

$/2 – Means that you get $ (dollars) off for every 2 items you buy  or whatever the number of items in the ad specifies. Example: $5/2 would mean that you get $5 off every 2 of the items that you buy.


B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free   or(B1G2 = Buy One Get Two Free etc.)

Blinkie = A coupon that prints out at a machine in the store. They are located by the product associated with that particular coupon. Usually a blinking red box

BOGO = Buy One Get One Free

Cash Register Tape = Your Receipt. Also refered to as CRT.


Catalina = Also refered to as CAT. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product. You typically have to use them at the store wherre they printed, but some stores will take “competitor’s” coupons. Note: These are sometimes delayed in printing so wait a minute before walking away from the  cash register. If you think you were supposed to get one and didn’t, talk to the cashier/manager and explain.

Closeouts – These are typically greatly reduced items that the store does not plan on re-stocking.

Competitors – This is the term meaning “of related chains.” For example, grocery stores will take other grocery store’s coupons and drug stores will take other drug store coupons. Always check with each store on what their couponing policy is and whom they consider to be a competitor.

Couponing Policy – This is the statement that each individual store abides by, in relation to coupons. What is typically included in their policy is whether they: take competitor’s coupons, take coupons past expiration dates, “double” or “triple” coupons, accept Internet Printables or if they even accept coupons.
Note: Print the store policy from the company website and take it with you to the store.

Coupon Insert – These are “packets/inserts” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week. These are usually sent out by Smart Source (SS) Red Plum (RP) and Proctor and Gamble (PG).

CRT = Cash Register Tape, or your receipt

Discontinued – Means that a store is not plannning on re-stocking that item.

Double Coupons = This is the term used when stores will double a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they will double that coupon to $2 off. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day.(This is one of the new store poicy changes being made by several stores)

ECB = Extra Care Bucks. Exclusive to CVS. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply.) Note:  You next order can be made on the same day.  Most stores will allow you to make your ECB purchase, cash it out.  Then use your ECB's on the rest of your purchase.  Always ask first.
Note:  Besure to pick up WG coupon book in the front of the store.  You can combine a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon for double savings.

EXP = Expires or Expiration Date

FAR = Free After Rebate (See Rebate for explation)

FAE = Free after Extra Care Bucks (See ECB or Extra Care Bucks for explanation)

FARR = Free After Register Rewards (See RR or Register Rewards for explanation)

Inserts = These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week.  SS, RP and PG.

Internet Printable = A coupon that can be printed online. Also refered to as IP or Printable.

IP = Internet Printable Coupon. Also refered to as “printable.”

IVC = Instant Value Coupon. These are found at Walgreens in their weekly ads.(Usually boxes at the bottom of the page)

MFR = Manufacturer Coupon

MIR = Mail In Rebate. These are checks or coupons that the manufacturers/stores will send you if you meet the requirements on the rebate form. (Always mail your rebate forms when specified, they  must be received on time.

NED= No expiration Date

OOP = Out-of-Pocket. This is the amount of money that you have spent after coupons, ECBs, RRs, Catalinas (See terms for explanations)

OOS = Out-of-Stock. This means that the store is temporarily out of an item but plans on getting in more inventory. Sometimes they will offer a raincheck in cases like these.( You must ask for a rain check)

OYNO = On Your Next Order. Used when refering to coupons that you can use on your next order at that store. (Sometimes Competitors will take them.)

OYNP = On Your Next Purchase. Used when refering to coupons that you can use on your next purchase (order) at that store. (Sometimes Competitors will take them.)

Peelie = Coupons found on products in the store. (Don’t forget to pull these off and hand them to your cashier when you check-out. Don’t rely on the cashier to notice them for you. It will only aggravate you later when you come home to find it’s still there!)

PSA = Price starting at

Q = Coupon

Raincheck = A slip you can ask for in the store when an item’s on sale but out-of-stock. Some sales will specifically say “No rainchecks” and some stores will put an expiration date on their rainchecks.

Register Rewards = Exclusive to Walgreens. They work like cash on your next order. (Some restrictions do apply.) Also refered to as RRs.

Rolling Catalinas – Means that you can use a catalina (see definition above) as payment on another transaction of equal merchandise and another catalina will still print. Example, if you buy 5 “name brand items,” a $5 catalina will print. If you then buy another set of those same 5 “name brand items,” you can use the previous catalina you received as payment towards the order and another $5 catalina will print.

S or SS = Smart Source.  They not only send out inserts in the papers but they also have an online site with printables.

Stacking Coupons = This is the term used when stores will let you use their own store coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item. Example: Most Targets would let you use their $ (dollars) off “specific brand” product coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon for that same “specific brand” product.  (See Wal Greens also)

Triple Coupons = A term used when stores will triple a coupon’s value. Example, if you have a $1 off coupon, they will take $3 off that item. Stores vary on how often they do this ranging from never, always, on occasion or specific days of the week. Some stores may also set a maximum value limit. Example, no coupons over $2 and only 10 per transaction/day.

UPC = Universal Bar Code. This is the bar code that’s scanned on products for pricing/info at the stores. Several companies will ask you to mail these in on rebates.  Don't throw away box/wrapper until you check for rebates etc.
WAGS = Abbreviation for Walgreens

YMMV = Your Mileage (Manager) May Vary. This is what you’ll see when someone finds a deal but they want you to know that your store branch may not offer the same deal.  (Usually on blogs)

WYB = When You Buy

Well this is information that you will need in the new country.  If you have questions, comments or idea.  Send it through the comment section at the top of this page.
Thank you, to all my co-bloggers who have helped me compile this list over the last two years.
Be Blessed,
Jean