If you’re new to couponing, first, welcome! And second, you're about to join a community of smart shoppers who know how to unlock serious savings. But those savings can come with what feels like a whole new language: couponing terms, abbreviations, and acronyms in store ads, deal posts, and online couponing groups.
This guide breaks down the most common couponing terms so you can follow along without confusion, spot great deals faster, understand all that couponing fine print, and feel more confident whether you’re shopping in-store or online.
If you’re not couponing yet, you’re missing FREE deals. Download the KCL app now .
Couponing Abbreviations and Acronyms Cheat Sheet
Knowing couponing abbreviations and acronyms isn’t just about speaking the lingo; it’s about saving time and money . When you can quickly understand terms like BOGO (buy one, get one) or OOP (out of pocket), you can scan store ads, act quickly on online deal posts, and jump on offers without pausing to figure out what they mean.
Here’s a list of couponing abbreviations you're likely to see. We don't use all of these abbreviations here at KCL, although they're common across social media and in TikTok videos.
AC : After coupon (the final price after you use a coupon)
AR : After rebate (the final price after you receive your rebate)
BOGO : Buy one, get one
B2G2 : Buy two, get two
HV : High-value coupons
IP or IPQ : Internet printable coupon
MAN : Manufacturer coupon
OOP : Out of pocket (how much you pay upfront from your own funds, before receiving any post-purchase rewards or reimbursements)
PM : Price match (a retailer matches a competitor’s price)
RC : Rain check (see our ultimate guide to rain checks)
WYB : When you buy
YMMV : Your mileage may vary (your ability to use a coupon might vary by location)
Types of Coupons
Newspaper Coupons
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Coupon Inserts: Save, Unilever, and P&G newspaper coupons in the Sunday newspaper (or in your mailbox in select areas)
Digital/Printable
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Manufacturer Websites: Brand-specific coupons
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Store Websites and Apps: Store-specific coupons and app exclusive offers (example: Target Circle)
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KCL Coupon Database: Search by product or brand
In-Store:
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Blinkies: Red blinking dispensers on supermarket shelves
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Peelies: Stickers on products
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Catalinas: Print at register after purchase
KCL TIP : See our full breakdown of where to find each type of coupon.
Core Couponing Terms
Cash Back
This is a rebate-style discount, where you get money back after making a purchase, typically as an account credit or direct payment. Cash-back apps like Ibotta or Fetch make this process easy.
Rebate or Mail-In Rebate (MIR)
A rebate in couponing is a partial refund you receive after purchasing an item. Most rebates are digital now and you can submit them online or in a rebate app, like the ones mentioned above. Traditional rebates (MIR) require mailed receipts and proof of purchase — most often a UPC barcode.
Threshold Coupon
These are coupons that require a minimum purchase amount. An example is a $5 off $25 coupon.
Stacking
Think of coupon stacking like piling on layers of savings. You’re combining multiple types of savings on the same item: sale price + manufacturer coupon + cash-back app + store rewards.
Yes, stacking takes work, but it’s so worth it.
Here’s a great example where stacking gets you four hair care products for just $0.22, which comes out to around $0.06 each.
KCL TIP : Master couponing fine print, such as “Limit one coupon per purchase,” in our Beginner's Guide.
Advanced Couponing Terms
Once you’re comfortable with the beginner terms above, it’s time to up your couponing game.
Moneymaker
Any deal where you end up with more value than you spent — the BEST part of couponing! It can include overage, rebates, rewards points, or gift cards. (We round up the best moneymaker deals we find every week.)
Overage
When your coupon exceeds the value of an item, it creates credit that can be applied to other items in your purchase. For example, a $3 coupon used on a $2.50 item creates a $0.50 overage, which can go towards the rest of your purchase or sometimes be refunded as cash.
Freebie
Similar to a moneymaker, a couponing freebie gets you an item for free once you’ve applied all the coupons, rebate apps, and rewards.
Drugstore Couponing Terms
Since drugstores are so coupon-friendly (but also quite complex for beginners), here’s a rundown of some key terms for CVS and Walgreens.
Walgreens Couponing Terms:
Register Rewards : Paper coupons printed at checkout for future use. (They can be used only in-store and are valid for one use.)
Walgreens Cash : Digital store credit in your MyWalgreens account. (You can earn and spend it both online and in-store.)
KCL TIP : Become a master at Walgreens couponing with our guide on How to Coupon at Walgreens.
CVS Couponing Terms:
ExtraBucks : CVS’s store currency, given as a rebate after purchase, and can be combined with coupons for bigger savings.
Coupon Rolling: Using earned rewards to buy more items and earn more rewards. You can do this in the same visit that you earn the rewards — you’ll just have to do separate transactions.
Example: Earn $5 ExtraBucks on a toothpaste transaction. Use that $5 ExtraBucks immediately on a second transaction to pay for $5 worth of dental floss and get it for free.
KCL TIP : Learn all the ins and outs of CVS couponing with our guide on How to Coupon at CVS.
Ready to start saving?
Now that you know the lingo, here’s what to do:
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Download the KCL app and browse current deals for everything you need.
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Sign up for loyalty rewards programs (CVS ExtraCare, MyWalgreens, etc).
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Flex your new vocab skills to read deals like a pro and spot hidden savings.
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