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One of the hardest things I found while learning how to coupon is trying to decipher the language of all things coupon. I figured I would start to break down the mystical language for you.
Couponing Definitions:
$1/1 - abbreviation for $1.00 off of 1 product.
$.50/2 - abbreviation for $0.50 off of 2 products You must buy two of this product to be able to use the coupon. It is also considered 1 purchase.
Available At - Some coupons with have a statement or logo printed one them that say "Available at ____" This simply is advertising for the particular store mentioned. It does NOT mean the coupon can only be used at that particular store (unless it states it is a store coupon on the top.) These coupons can be used at any participating store that accepts coupons unless otherwise stated in their coupon policy.
Blinkies - The machines that spit out manufacturer coupons on the shelves at the store next to the corresponding product. Some people also refer to the coupons that spit out as blinkies.
BOGO/B1G1 - refers to a discount of "buy one product and get one" It usually refers to buy one get one free, but can be used as buy one get one half off or other discount. There are also different variations of this like B1G3, buy one get three etc.
Catalina (CAT) - This is the machine next to a receipt printer at the register. It prints the coupons that print out at the register. They also sometimes print advertisements for new products or information for future deals. It is also what you call the coupons that print at the register and can be abbreviated as Cat or Cats. There are many different varieties of these, see OYNO, Store Coupon, Catalina Deal...
Catalina Deal - Refers to a purchase or group of purchases you can make to receive a catalina. The catalina will print after you pay at the cash register and is usually for $ off your next shopping trip.
Coupon Policy - This refers to a stores coupon policy. It can usually be found at their customer service desk and on the company's website. It is important to understand the limits of your coupons before you structure your shopping trips. If you have questions about what is and isn't allow you should always check with customer service.
DND - abbreviation for Do Not Double, refers to a coupon that can NOT be doubled even if it is in a store's coupon policy to do so.
Insert - The paper coupon booklets that are found in the Sunday/Saturday newspapers.
ISO/INO - abbreviation for In Search Of/In Need Of. You will find this in couponing groups or sites when people are looking to trade for a particular coupon they want.
Manufacturer Coupon (MFR) - coupon that is offered by the manufacturer. Most coupons fall under this category. You can not combine a MFR with another MFR on the same product.
MIR - abbreviation for Mail In Rebate. Refers to a deal or offer where you buy a product or multiple product and submit required information and they will send you a check or rebate card with the amount owed. It can also refer to rebates that are processed online.
Money Maker (MM) - refers to items that you can buy and make money towards your other purchases. This can happen when you buy multiple items and receive a catalina, rebate or gift card for more than you spent out of pocket. It can also happen when you stack a MFR coupon, STR coupon, e-coupon, rebate, and/or app rebate together on one item.
NLA - abbreviation for No Longer Available. Usually used to indicate that a printable coupon is no longer available for printing. Can also refer to limited quantities of items in a store not having anymore items available.
"One coupon per purchase" - You can only use one coupon per product you are purchasing. For example both $1/1 and $0.50/2 coupon abbreviations are considered one purchase. You can use more than one coupon in a transaction as long as you are following the store's coupon policy and any fine print on the coupon.
Only At - Some coupons will have a statement or logo printed on them that say "Only at" or "Only Available At." It means that these coupons can ONLY be used at the store indicated. The only exception to this is if it is stated in another store's coupon policy that they accept "competitor coupons."
OOP - abbreviation for Out Of Pocket. It refers to the amount someone has to spend at the register before they receive any rebates, coupons, catalinas or gift cards that can NOT be used immediately on that transaction.
OYNO - abbreviation for On Your Next Order or Off Your Next Order. Refers to catalinas that give you a dollar amount off your next shopping order. Examples: "$5 off your next order" "$1 off your next purchase of yogurt"
P&G - Short for Proctor & Gamble. A large corporation that has many brands of products found in grocery stores. They also produce a monthly insert (usually at the beginning of the month) found in the Sunday/Saturday newspaper.
Peelies - Coupons that are attached to the product you are purchasing. They can be for the product itself or other products if you buy them in combination with that product.
Printable - refers to coupons that are printed via the internet. There are many sources for these, smartsource.com, redplum.com, Coupons.com etc.
Promo code - A code that can be used when internet shopping to get a discount. For grocery store's these can be used when you do "shop from home" and choose to pick up or have your groceries delivered. They can NOT be used in store for your in store shopping.
Q - abbreviation for Coupon.
RedPlum (RP) - a company that creates inserts in the Sunday or Saturday newspaper. Many of the same coupons in these inserts can be found on redplum.com.
Roll/Rolling - When you structure you shopping trip into multiple separate orders. You put your Catalina deal first and pay for this transaction separate. The register prints you a catalina and then you take those catalinas and use them towards your next transaction.
SmartSource (SS) - a company that creates inserts in the Sunday or Saturday newspaper. Many of the same coupons in these inserts can be found on smartsource.com.
Stack/Stackable/Stacking - This is when you are able to use more than one coupon or app in conjunction with another. Examples: 1)You use a $1 off one box of Rice Crispies MFR Coupon. You also use a $1 off one box of Rice Crispies E-coupon through your store app. 2) You use 3 of $1 off one box of Rice Crispies MFR coupons on 3 boxes of cereal. You use a 3 for $6 store coupon for Kelloggs cereals store coupon from the sales flyer.
Store Coupon (STR) - Coupons that are offered by a store off products they sell. They are usually found in the weeks sales flyers, on the counter at customer service or the pharmacy. A store coupon can be used in combination with a Manufacturer coupon on the same product.
Transaction - refers to the entire group of items that you pay for together and receive 1 receipt for. You can do more than one transaction during a shopping trip to the store by separating your items on the conveyor by the plastic bar provided. This is advantageous when trying to "roll" catalinas. See Roll/Rolling
Tearpad - refers to a pad of paper coupons that are available for the taking.
UPC - abbreviation for Universal Product Code. refers to the barcode on most products that is scanned.
"Void if altered, copied, sold, purchased, transferred, exchanged or where prohibited or restricted by law." - I think this is mostly self explanatory but worth pointing out. ALL coupons will say some variation of the above. It is against the terms and agreements of a coupon to do any of the above. If you are caught doing any of the above you can be refused service at the store. You can have your printing abilities revoked by your IP address. It is also considered a crime of fraud and you can be fined and/or be required to serve time in prison. There are many many ways for this to be tracked by the manufacturers and stores you are redeeming coupons at so I strongly suggest you do not do any of the above.
WYB - abbreviation for When You Buy. It usually refers to a discount being offered when you buy a certain quantity of items. Example: Get $3 off your next order WYB 3 boxes.
