Coupon Lingo

Here is a list of the most common abbreviations in the coupon world - it will help you understand what all the coupon bloggers are actually saying when they do ad match ups, etc.


Q -- Coupon. It can be a manufacturer or store coupon, either way it is a Q

SS – Smart Source. SS is a coupon resource both online and in the Sunday paper. The larger the city, the larger the SS Sunday insert (and the smaller the town, the smaller the insert size.) Thus, Smart Source coupons can vary by regions. Almost every Sunday, there is a SS insert in the newspaper.

RP – Red Plum. Much like SS, RP is a coupon resource both online and in the Sunday paper. The larger the city, the larger the RP Sunday insert (and the smaller the town, the smaller the insert size.) Thus, RP coupons can vary by regions. Almost every Sunday, there is a RP insert in the newspaper.

P&G – Procter and Gamble. Much likes the other inserts, P&G coupon resource is found in the Sunday paper. P&G inserts tend to be consistent across the board. In other words the same coupons tend to be in every city/town. Unlike the others, they come out once to twice a month. Usually around the front end of the month.

MFR – Manufacturer Coupon. A manufacturer coupon is put out by the company of the item represented. It can be combined with a store coupon in most locations (grocery stores/pharmacies.) Most MFR coupons have the most expensive item displayed as a picture on the coupon so it is important to read the fine print. Sometimes you can use a MFR coupon on a trial size item. When this is possible, it is best to do this because the savings is a much larger percent then if you were to buy they full size item. Ten bottle of trial size shampoo work just as well as one large bottle (and can end up being FREE!)

SC – Store Coupon. This is a coupon that can exclusively be used in the store in presents. For example if CVS puts out a coupon for Colgate, this can only be used in a CVS location. This SC can be combined with an MFR to produce a greater savings.

B1G1/BOGO – Buy One, Get One. The name basically supplies the definition. When you buy one product, you get the next product for free. In some locations, B1G1 sales reduced items to 50% off so you can only buy one item in the B1G1 sale. I will make a note of this when this is the case. In most locations, for B1G1 sales, two products need to be in the purchase. I personally appreciate B1G1 sales because you can use two coupons. You are getting two products!

WYB – When You Buy. An example of when this phrase is used is get $1 off product x when you buy product y.

YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary. Your mileage may vary is a phrased to describe the situation where you have success at one store and not at another store. This is usually the case because clearance items, sales, or managers discretion may change per store. YMMV can be the case for two stores in the same city or for two stores on different sides of the country.

WFC – Weekly Flyer Coupon. This is a coupon found in a store weekly sales flyer. This coupon is required for the discount on the item. It is not a “clip free” coupon.

MIR – Mail in Rebate. A mail in rebate is a situation where you get back a percentage of the amount you spent on a product. A MIR usually requires a UPC (universal product code – CHECK ON ACTUAL ACRONYM – bar code on the side of a box) , original cash register receipt, a form all mailed in a self stamped envelope. During a MIR, you do need to pay for the product upfront but are refunded your money either in the form of a check or gift card. Sometimes, MIRs provide you with a product instead of the refund of a check/gift card. In this case, you would know this before sending in the MIR. On average, MIRs take around 8 weeks for a full refund.

FAR – FREE After Rebate. This case is usually accompanied with a MIR. The item would be FREE after you submit a rebate for a refund of a check/gift card.

OOP – Out of Pocket. This is the money you are required to pay out of pocket. This money is usually amount you will pay before a rebate or “reward money” found in the form of Extra Care Bucks or Register Rewards
$1.50/2 – $1.50 off two items. In this example you get $1.50 of the price of two items.

Wags – Walgreen's.

RRs – Register Rewards. This is a money system found at Walgreen's (Wags) stores. It is like paper money that can be used on products in their store OR, if it doesn't say Reedemable ONLY at Walgreens, it is a manufacturer Q and you can take it to some grocery stores. RRs sales are found weekly in their store flyer. Sometimes, Wags has items that are FREE after RRs (much like the FAR system.)