A Beginner’s Guide to Couponing: Terminology

After learning to coupon back in 2014, it truly has changed my life in so many ways. I was able to try products I wouldn’t have normally been able to afford, I was able to cut back my expenses dramatically, and was even able to pay off my student loan 6 years early. If you’re looking to save some money when grocery shopping, get free household supplies and essentials and are willing to put in the time, then this is the first place to start! Settle in and grab a pen—here is part 1 of a beginner’s guide to couponing: learning the terminology.

There are a lot of basic terms the coupon community uses. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• BOGO Free, BOGO 50% off, etc: buy one, get one for free, buy one get one 50% off, etc
• $3/1, $2/1, $4/2, etc: $3 off 1, $2 off 1, $4 off 2, etc
• Insert: a booklet full of manufacturer coupons, typically found in your local Sunday newspaper.
• MQ: manufacturer coupons. This accounts for the vast majority of coupons you see, both online and in stores. These coupons are distributed by the manufacturer in the hopes that you will use the coupon to purchase the product, fall in love, and become brand loyal. This is the whole point of couponing, to test out new brands and products. Check out some of the great offers below for some examples of manufacturer coupons.

• ECB: Extracare Bucks. The currency CVS uses, essentially acts as a gift card but has some limitations and expiration date, typically 14 days to 31 days after printing/loading to card. ECB can be rolled, meaning you can use ECB to pay and also get ECB back.
• CRT: cash register tape, this is the nickname for CVS store coupons. These can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons.
• CAT: Catalina coupon. This is a coupon that prints at the register in addition to your receipt. Most major stores have these machines at checkout. They may be a manufacturer coupon with a specific deal or a store coupon, in which case it can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.
• IP: internet printable coupon. Any coupon that can be printed and used in-store, usually MQ but not always. Some examples below.

• MM: moneymaker. A deal where you leave with more than you paid.
• NLA: no longer available. A coupon or rebate that has been removed or has expired.
• OOP: out of pocket, what you are actually spending.
• TP: tearpad, as in a pad of coupons that you may sometimes see in drugstores or supermarkets.
• Blinkie: the coupons that come from the machine found in supermarkets, drugstores, and other retail locations that blinks and allows you to pull one coupon before shortly releasing a second.
• Peelie/Hangtag: a coupon found on the product itself, name depends on whether it’s peeled off the products or hanging by a string at the top
• RP: both a website where you can get coupons and an insert. RedPlum recently rebranded to RetailMeNot Everyday, but many people still refer to it as RP.
• SS: SmartSource, both a website where you can get coupons and an insert.
• YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary, AKA your store may allow or not allow certain coupons, your store may not have this item in stock, etc
• Q: coupon

A lot of people in the coupon community will not answer these kinds of basic terminology questions (ex: what is a CRT?), so it’s in your best interest to familiarize yourself with them independently and commit these to memory!

THIS WAY TO PART 2…