Coupon Lingo for Beginners

Coupon pros have a language all their own. If you are a beginner, you may be wondering what all these funny abbreviations mean.

So, here is a simple list of must-know terms:

ECBs– Extra Care Bucks that you “earn” at CVS by purchasing specific products. They can be used like cash on almost anything in the store. These print at the end of your receipt, so make sure to save them!

RRs– Register Rewards: Walgreens version of ECBs, but not as plentiful. Usually just a few items per week in the ad flier will generate RRs.

ES– Easy Saver Catalog at Walgreen’s (published monthly) no longer published

IVC– Instant Value Coupon found in the ES

SS– Smartsource (newspaper insert)

V– Valassis (newspaper insert)

RP– Redplum (newspaper insert)

P&G– Proctor & Gamble (newspaper insert, usually once a month)

Stacking– when you combine a store coupon with a manufacturers coupon or sale for the most savings

BOGO or B1G1– Buy One Get One Free

OOP– Out of Pocket

FAR– Free After Rebate

CRT– Cash Register Tape (receipt)

Blinkie– a coupon found in a grocery store that spits out of a blinking machine

Peelie– a coupon sticker on product packaging

Catalina– a coupon that prints with your receipt at many stores, almost always a man. coupon (these can be used anywhere, so make sure to save them!)

Overage– when an item is more than free

Filler– an inexpensive item at CVS to achieve the total you need for maximum savings

GG– The Grocery Game

Coups or Qs– coupons

YMMV– Your Mileage May Vary

WYB– when you buy

MIR– mail in rebate

Am I forgetting anything? Feel free to add to the list in comments. Thank you!