Just like any other hobby or subculture, couponing has it’s own lingo. You’ll often run across it reading blogs or talking to fellow couponers. Here is a list with the most commonly used lingo:
Actual – Physical items you hold in your hand meaning a box of pasta rather than a pasta coupon. Used often in trading coupons.
BLINKIES – These are found in stores in a dispenser machine. Most often the box will have a red blinking light on it.
BOGO (or B1G1)- Buy one get one free.
Catalina – Coupons that come from a machine at the cash register. Named after the manufacturer of the machine that spits out the coupons.
CRT – Cash register tape.(this is a pretty dated/old school term for a receipt)
Double Coupon – Means the value of the coupon is doubled at the register. In San Diego, Only Kiehl’s doubles coupons.
ECB – Extra Care Bucks. A form of rebate from CVS. ECB’s are a CVS exclusive.
FREE ITEM COUPON -You get a free product at the store at no cost or just tax.
HBA – The health and beauty aid section.(shampoo, conditioner, body wash, styling products, etc.)
IP – Internet printable coupon.
INSERT- The packages of coupons that come in the Sunday paper.
MANU or MANNY – Short for Manufacturer Coupon. A coupon issued from the manufacturer. Manufacturer Coupons are about 90% of the coupons in the Sunday papers.
MIR – Mail In Rebate – you have to mail it to a clearinghouse to redeem. Learn more about rebates here.
MM- Money Maker- Any deal where you come out ahead or the store pays you to leave the store with items. These deals are pretty rare these days.
NON-INSERT- A coupon that does not come from the coupon packages (called inserts) in the newspaper. Non-insert coupons come from inside or outside packages, home mailers, Smartsource blinkie machines, magazines, tear pads.
OOP – Out of Pocket – money paid after coupons.
OYNO – On your next order – a lot of Catalinas fall under this, meaning you need to make an additional purchase to redeem.
P&G – Proctor & Gamble Sunday insert coupons.
PEELIE – coupon’s found on products that are sticky unless removed carefully.
POP – Proof of purchase found on actual item, usually a UPC/barcode.
RP – Red Plum Sunday Insert Coupons. In San Diego, these coupon inserts come in the Monday junk mail.
SASE – Self Addressed Stamped Envelope some freebies or rebates require them.
SS – Smart Source or Sunday Insert coupons.
STORE COUPON- A coupon good at a specific store (Target, Albertsons, Vons, CVS, and Walgreens all have store coupons).
TEAR PAD – A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display.
TMF – Try Me Free – rebates for the full price of the item when it first is new to the market.
WINE TAG – coupons found on the necks of wine bottles. In CA, these coupons require the purchase of at least bottle of wine to redeem the deal.
WYB – When You Buy – additional purchase is required to redeem.
The price per unit helps you determine if the jumbo sized drum of applesauce is a better deal than a regular sized jar. How to determine the price per ounces is easy, most of the time stores do it for you! Take a look at the shelf tag- it should give you a price per unit, usually in ounces (oz.) or pounds (lb.).
with plastic page protector inserts (
Overage is a wonderful thing. If you read deal blogs or watch Extreme Couponing on TV, you’ve heard the term, but maybe you aren’t familiar with the meaning.
Hewes Family Fun 