So you’re ready to begin your couponing adventure. You’ve taught yourself almost everything you think you need to know to start—how to print or clip a coupon, how to look for sales, and you’ve even organized a binder. You’re set.
Well. Almost. When we first began couponing, we discovered an entirely new language. There were so many acronyms that it felt like we were trying to read foreign text. We used to look at these and make it a game to try and figure out what they meant. Now we go beyond the acronym and see value in B-O-G-O. What’s BOGO? It’s one of the best coupons out there. It usually means buy one, get one free, but sometimes a coupon will indicate a BOGO 50% off sale. If that’s the case, then if you buy a product for $1.00, you’ll get the second for $0.50 (50% off). Never assume that when you see “BOGO” that it simply means buy one get one free—make sure you know what kind of discount you get when you buy two of a specific product.
Here’s a comprehensive list you may want to keep for future reference!
BOGO: Buy one, get one. Will usually end with “free” or “half off” meaning buy one, get one half off; or buy one, get one free.
B1G1, B2G1: Another way to write “buy one, get one.” The “B” stands for “buy,” the G stands for “get.” The numbers indicate the quantity of a product that must be purchased to qualify and the number of products received when redeeming the coupon or offer. B1G1 = Buy one, get one. B2G1 = Buy two, get one. B2G2 = Buy two, get two.
CAT: Short for “Catalina.” Catalina coupon machines located at registers dispense long receipt-like coupons that may be used on a future purchase. Catalinas refer to the coupons themselves which may be manufacturer or store coupons. Some Catalina coupons are advertised, and some are generated based on consumer behavior.
ECB: Extra Care Buck. CVS pharmacy program; now renamed Extra Bucks (EB).
EXP: Expires or Expiration Date.
KCL: Krazy Coupon Lady. Refers to TheKrazyCouponLady.com.
MFR: Manufacturer. Usually referring to a manufacturer coupon.
MIR: Mail-in Rebate. Refers to rebates which must be submitted by mail. These are the traditional rebates that require mailing the receipt and proof of purchase in the form of UPC barcodes.
OOP: Out-of-Pocket. Refers to the amount of money paid at a store when making a purchase. Does not include after-purchase savings, coupons or rebates.
OYNO: On Your Next Order. Store promotions such as Spend $25, save $10 on the next shopping order. OYNO refers to savings that will not be seen on the first transaction but that may be applied to the next purchase.
P&G or PG: Procter and Gamble. Procter and Gamble puts out monthly coupon inserts (brands include Always, Bounty, Crest, Dawn, Gillette, Olay, Pampers, Tide, etc). Procter and Gamble does not authorize printable Internet coupons.
Q: Coupon. This abbreviation is not used on TheKrazyCouponLady.com.
RMN: Formally Red Plum or RP, RMN stands for Retail Me Not — a Sunday newspaper coupon insert featuring coupons from a variety of manufacturers.
RR: Register Rewards. Walgreens drugstore rewards program, a version of the Catalina coupon.
SCR: Single Check Rebate. Rite Aid Drugstore monthly rebate program.
SS: SmartSource. A marketing company like RP. SmartSource coupon inserts and website feature coupons from a variety of manufacturers.
WAGS: Abbreviation for Walgreens Drugstore.
WYB: When You Buy. Some sales or coupons require purchase of multiple items. When reporting a deal on KCL, we always include a final price. Example: Buy 2 Mint Milano cookies $2.00 each, use 2 $1.00/2 coupons, Final Price: $1.50 each, WYB 2. You must buy 2 in order to use the $1.00/2 coupon, so the final price states “WYB 2.″
UPC: Universal Product Code. Bar code printed on product packages that can be scanned electronically.
YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary. A phrase used to describe that an experience one shopper has may differ from your experience.
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