How to Begin Your Couponing Adventure Part 3

Types of Shoppers and Couponing Language - Part 3 of the Couponing Series

First things first. How many coupons do you need? The worstthing in the world is to find that one big sale item you want to stockpile, andknow you need 8 cans and only have 3 coupons. The best advice big couponers goby is one insert per person in the family.

There are 3 types of shoppers
1 – Average Shopper
2 – Average Couponer
3 – Smart Couponer

The average shopper doesn’t usually have a written shoppinglist, doesn’t use coupons normally, and doesn’t pay attention to brands or howmuch they’re paying or saving. They go in and buy what they want. Theirshopping trip is usually hurried and quick. Usually, this type of shopper saves10% on their shopping trips, depending on the brands and where they shop.

The average couponer has a grocery list, sometimes written,sometimes in their mind. They grab one insert and clip what coupons they needor want and head to the store. Usually, they only shop at one or two stores,mostly being Walmart or Target, and go for regular prices, not paying attentionto sales or stockpiling. They don’t want to spend much time in the store, sothey tend to save 10-25% on their shopping trips.

The smart couponer plans out every detail of their shoppingtrip. They know exactly what they have in their stockpile and what they’replanning to get during their trip. This person looks at every weekly ad to seewhat is on sale and what items they can stock up on. This person stockpiles,whether it’s big or small. They only buy discounted items, such as on sale withcoupons and rewards, and keep more than enough on hand incase they run out.They also get multiple inserts each week. This person saves anywhere from25-100% on their shopping trips.

Coupon Language Explained

Sunday inserts:

P&G = Procter & Gamble Sunday insert
RP = RedPlum Sunday insert
SS = SmartSource Sunday insert

When I list the store deals and refer to a coupon from a Sunday insert, the information on where to find the coupon is in parentheses. For example, (SS 12/14/08) would indicate that a coupon came from a SmartSource insert that was distributed in the 12/14/08 Sunday newspaper.

Coupon lingo:

$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
B1G1: Buy one item get one item free
B2G1: Buy two items get one item free
Beep: Sometimes the register will beep when a coupon is scanned to indicate that the cashier need to take an action, like entering a price.
Blinkies: Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Catalina: Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT: Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
DND: Do not double
Ea.: Each
ECBs: ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ETS: Excludes trial size
Exp.: Expires
GC: Gift card
IVC: Instant Value Coupon, Walgreens' store coupons found in ads and monthly booklet
MIR: Mail-in rebate
NLA: No longer available
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
OOS: Out of stock
Peelie: Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA: Prices starting at
R: Regional coupon, will be listed after insert date as applicable
RRs: Register Rewards, Walgreens' Catalina coupons
Q: Coupon
SCR: Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
Stacking: Using both a manufacturer's coupon and a store coupon on one item
UPC: Universal product code, bar code
Tearpad: Pad of coupons attached to a display, shelf, or refrigerator door.
+UP Reward: Rite Aid reward program
WYB: When you buy
YMMV: Your mileage (or manager) may vary, meaning some stores might give you a deal but others might not

See the next set of tips below:

Stockpiling Part 1

Coupons Unleashed Part 2