Couponing 101-Getting Started
Getting Started:
- Set up a separate free email account (gmail, hotmail, etc) for your coupon activities. This prevents your personal email account from getting cluttered.
- Before you start printing, set your printer preference to “economy” or “draft mode” and print in black and white, NOT color.
Coupon Lingo:
“Blinkies” = Those coupons that pop out of those little boxes (usually with blinking lights) in front of grocery store displays
Internet Printables = Coupons on the Internet that can be downloaded and printed to your home computer.
Manufacturer Coupons = Coupons offered by the manufacturer of a particular product. The manufacturer reimburses the retail store at which the coupon is redeemed, usually with an additional amount for handling charges. Here, the manufacturer is the one offering the discount. (The coupon will have a remit address where the retailer must mail the coupon to get reimbursed).
“Peelies” = Coupons attached to the product itself (on the front of the box, jar, can, etc)–you “peel” them off and use them when you get to the register.
Store Coupons = Coupons offered by a particular store–the store is essentially offering a discount on the item, at its own expense
Acronyms & Abbreviations
BOGO or B1G1 = Buy One Get One FREE
ECBs = Extra Care Bucks = Coupons that print after your register receipt at CVS, as part of their Rewards program.
GC = Gift Card
MF or MFR = Manufacturer (ie., MFR coupon = Manufacturer coupon)
MIR = Mail-In Rebate
OOP = Out of Pocket
PG/P&G = Procter & Gamble, many times refers to the Procter & Gamble coupon insert in the Sunday paper
RR = Register Rewards = Coupons that print from the Catalina machine at Walgreens as part of their Rewards program
RP = abbreviation for Red Plum coupon inserts (found in the Sunday newspaper and sometimes in the mail)
SS = abbreviation for Smartsource coupon inserts (found in the Sunday newspaper)
wyb=”when you buy” (for instance, get 1 box of cereal FREE wyb 2 boxes)
ymmv = Your mileage may vary (ie., this coupon deal has a “grey” area, and it may or may not be functional, based on store, cashier, etc.)
Stockpiling:
- What is it? You find that you can get peanut butter for 40¢/jar, instead of the normal $1.79/jar. Now is the time to STOCKPILE that peanut butter. In other words, buy enough at that price to last 3-6 months, or longer! This will save you from having to pay FULL PRICE for several months. Consider the savings: If you have children and you use 4 jars of peanut butter/month at $1.79, that’s $42.96 over 6 months. If you got the peanut butter at 40¢, you spent only $9.60!! If you can stockpile several staple items (or freezer items) when they are a fraction of the current price, you can save hundreds every year.
- How to prepare: Dedicate a separate pantry area or room in your house to store items you are stockpiling. For rice, beans and cereal, I recommend Rubbermaid containers to protect from moisture/rodents. Rotate frequently to avoid expiration dates. If you’re getting close to an expiration date, and will not be able to use it, DONATE!
- Extra coupons for items you plan to stockpile: Check Ebay, the newspapers or coupon clipping services, such as Coupons By Dede.
