How to Use Coupons

Julie Rogers
04/04/2012

How to Coupon 1) Coupon Language a. Explanation of terms 2) Where to Get Coupons b. Places to find coupons 3) Organizing Your Coupons c. Helpful suggestions 4) Stacking Coupons d. How to maximize your coupons 5) Go To The Store e. Time to see 6) The Checkout Lane f. The experience of couponing

How to use coupons
Couponing is the technique of pairing up coupons with sales so you can get the best price on products you need. There is a large range of couponers. Some do it sporadically and others are extreme couponers. To be a couponer yourself, you need to understand the basics of how to pair up store coupons and manufacturer coupon, if your store doubles coupons and how to hold on your coupons to use them at the best time.
The coupon language is like a foreign language. Here is a list of abbreviations, terms and definitions to help better understand the language used in couponing.
$$/$$ - This means $ off when you spend $ amount.
$/# - This means that you get $ off for every # you buy.
B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free
Blinkie = A coupon that prints out at a machine in the store. They are located by the product associated with that particular coupon.
BOGO = Buy One Get One Free
CAT = Catalina. A coupon that prints out at the register that is either $$ off your next purchase or $$ off a certain product.
Closeouts - These are typically greatly reduced items that the store does not plan on re-stocking.
Competitors - This is the term meaning “of related chains.”
Couponing Policy - This is the statement that each individual store abides by, in relation to coupons.
Coupon Insert - These are “packets” of coupons found in Sunday papers and also sometimes in the ads mailed to you during the week.
CRT = Cash Register Tape, or your receipt
Discontinued - This means that a store has depleted their inventory of an item and does not plan on re-stocking it.
Double Coupons = this is the term used when stores will double a coupon’s value.
ECB = Extra Care Bucks
EXP = Expires or Expiration Date
FAR = Free After Rebate
FAE = Free after Extra Care Bucks
FARR = Free After Register Rewards
Internet Printable = A coupon that can be printed online.
IVC = Instant Value Coupon.
MFR = Manufacturer
MIR = Mail in Rebate.
OOP = Out-of-Pocket.
OOS = Out-of-Stock.
OYNO = On Your Next Order.
OYNP = On Your Next Purchase
PG = Proctor & Gamble.
Printables - These are coupons that you can print online.
Q = Coupon
Rain check = A slip you can ask for in the store when an item’s on sale and out-of-stock
RP = Red Plum. This is a coupon insert that you’ll either find in your paper or the mail.
S or SS = Smart Source.
Stacking Coupons = Term used when stores will let you use their own store coupons along with a manufacturer’s coupon for the same item
Triple Coupons = this is the term used when stores will triple a coupon’s value.
UPC = Universal Bar Code.
YMMV = Your Mileage (Manager) May Vary.
WYB = When You Buy
When first starting to coupon it is a good idea to take a couple weeks to gather coupons and only do a few deals until more coupons are acquired. A lot of times coupons are best when used a month or 2 after they come out. To build a coupon stash there are a few places that need to be looked at or purchased. First are local Newspapers.
Get as many copies as people in your home. This is how many items you will be buying so you want to have enough for everyone. It is also helpful because when you are buying for a stock pile you buy 3 or 4 (or more) of the items so you have enough of them to use at least until the next sale.
Second, utilize the computer and printable coupons.
These are coupons that you find on the internet and print off yourself. These are found all over the net. There are sites that are dedicated to just putting up coupons for companies so consumers can print them out. There several sites online that can be used such as redlum.com, smartsource.com, coupons.com, I have also found that Facebook has many links to other sites. Also, if you like the companies Facebook page you get up to date coupons and other offers.
Third are mailers.
A lot of companies will put together coupons books of their products. These are usually signed up for online. When they are available you can register to receive one. These coupons usually will not have expiration dates for a couple months and will give more coupons to work from.
Organizing your Coupons
Organizing your coupons to a way that works for you is important so you get the most out of couponing. Putting your coupons in order of the store lay out is the simplest way to organize. As well as using a binder for quick and ease of use.
Stacking Coupons
Stacking coupons is using a manufacture’s with a store coupon for one item. Shopping when stores have items on sale and using the couponing will help the bottom line of grocery costs.
Going to the Store
Once you reach the store, follow your organizational plan with your coupons, and stick with your list of groceries. Straying from the list and preparation for the shopping day will end with disappointment. It is important to buy only the items you have on your list and have coupons for so that there is maximum saving.
The Checkout Lane
At the check-out lane be patient, some of the checkers may not be experienced with coupons or with the stores policies. Policies will vary from store to store, it is a good idea to ask in advanced about store policies about coupons. The store checkers usually will be good hearted and helpful, just remember that they are probably learning the process just as you are.
Enjoy your coupon experiences and hopefully this will help you as much as learning the processed helped me.
Worksited

www.coupons.com www.allyou.com www.smartsource.com