Whether or not you are new to couponing, sorting through forums, blogs, and articles filled with abbreviations and text messaging formats can be confusing, and even frustrating.  Add in deal- and coupon-specific terms and jargon, and even the most experienced shopper may be feel lost in translation.

 

Here is a quick reference guide of some of the most common abbreviations and terms used by couponers and deal-seekers:

AC: After Coupon, usually the price after a coupon is applied

Actuals: The actual item as opposed to a coupon for it (an item from your stockpile)

AR: After Rebate, usually the final cost after the rebate is received

B&M: Brick & Mortar, a store you physically enter to purchase products, as opposed to an online store

Blinkies: A type of coupon found in stores, distributed by SmartSource, and dispensed from a small box with a red blinking light

BOGO:  Buy one, get one xxx (the second item might be free, half price, a free gift, etc)

 

B1G1F: Buy one get one free

BOLO: Be On the Lookout

BTFE: Box Tops for Education, a promotion

BTW: By the way

C&P: cut & paste, copy

Catalina: A type of coupon dispensed at the cash register after purchase, often in response to a specific purchase. Catalina is the marketing company that distributes and manages this coupon program.  These coupons are also known as Register Rewards, Check Out Coupons, Checkout Rewards, Extra Care Bucks, etc..

C/O: A cents off coupon

CRT: Cash register tape

CYE: Check your email

DCRT: Dated cash register tape, generally required for rebates as proof of purchase

DCRTC: Dated cash register tape with the price circled, generally required for rebates as proof of purchase

DH: Dear husband

DND: Do Not Double, a term printed by manufacturers on some coupons. This term allows the store discretion in doubling the value of the coupon under the store-specific coupon policies

Double coupon: Some stores match the manufacturers value on a coupon, which “doubles” the value of the coupon for the consumer. For example, a coupon printed as 50 cents off of one item may be “doubled” by the store to become $1 off the item. The store covers the cost of the additional discount, and each store sets their own policy on whether they double coupons, how many coupons may be doubled at once, etc. Please check your store for their specific policies.

DS: Dear Son

DW: Dear Wife

ECB: CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases, these are similar to Catalina coupons, but are store- and member-specific

ETA: Edited to add

FAR: Free After Rebate, meaning the cost of the item is free after the rebate is received

GDA: Good Deal Alert, meaning a great price for an item has been identified and posted

HABA: Health and Beauty Aides found in stores, such as aspirin and cosmetics

HBA: Health and Beauty Aides found in stores, such as aspirin and cosmetics

HT: Hang tags for refunds or coupons hanging on a product

HTH: Hope that helps

IDSO: In Desperate Search Of

IMO: In My Opinion

IMHO: In My Humble Opinion

IP: Internet Printable coupon, printed on a home computer

IRL: In Real Life (instead of the internet world 🙂 )

ISO: In Search Of

IVDSO: In Very Desperate Search Of

j/k: just kidding

JM2C: Just my two cents, just my opinion

KWIM: Know what I mean?

LMK: Let Me Know

LOL: Laughing Out Loud

MIR: Mail In Rebate

NAZ: Name, address, zip code; the mailing information needed to send and receive mail

NBPN/NBPR: No beer purchase necessary/required to use the coupon or rebate. This term is specific to offers provided by beer, wine, and alcohol manufacturers, and varies from state to state. See the coupon section for more information.

NED: No expiration date

n/m: never mind

NP: No problem

NWPN/NWPR: No wine purchase necessary/required to use the coupon or rebate. This term is specific to offers provided by beer, wine, and alcohol manufacturers, and varies from state to state. See the coupon section for more information.

OAS: on any size, a coupon or other offer that is valid on any size of the product

OBE: overtaken by events

OCD: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCI: organizational conflict of interest

OOP: Out of Pocket, usually referring to the final cost after coupons and discounts have been applied

OOS: Out of Stock

OSI: On a single item

OYNO: On your next order/purchase, usually referring to Catalina type coupons that provide discount on your next purchase.

P&G: Proctor & Gamble, also referring to the PGBrandsaver coupon insert

Peelie: a coupon that you peel off the package

PLMK: Please Let Me Know

POP: Proof of purchase

PP: purchase price

PPHF: Paypal handling fee

PSA: Prices Starting At or Public Service Announcement

Q or Qualifier: The POP required for a refund offer that is physically taken from that package

RAOK: Random act of kindness, often a set of coupons sent to another member with no expectations in return

RC: Raincheck

SASE: Self Addressed Stamped Envelope

SCR: Rite Aid Single Check Rebate

SMP: Specially Marked Packages

SS: Smart Source, also referring to the SmartSource coupon insert package

Stacking: Using a store and manufacturers coupon together on one purchase is referred to as stacking. Some stores provide additional discounts through “store” coupons, usually found in their sales flyer or other store brochure. These “store” discount coupons can be used in addition to a manufacturers coupon on an item.

Tear pad: A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display

TMF: Try Me Free, usually a mail-in rebate refunding the purchase price of an item to encourage consumers to try the product.

Triple coupon: Occasionally a store will offer a promotional period where the consumer receives triple the manufacturers value on a coupon. For example, a coupon printed as 50 cents off of one item may be “triple” by the store to become $1.50 off the item. The store covers the cost of the additional discount, and each store sets their own policy on whether they double coupons, how many coupons may be doubled at once, etc. Please check your store for their specific policies.

TYVM: Thank you very much

Wine Tag/WT: A coupon hanging from a bottle of wine, or any coupon discount provided by alcohol manufacturers. These coupons are typically good on any brand of a specific item, such as $1 off of any meat, or $1 off any white item.

WPN: Wine purchase necessary

WSL: while supplies last

WTH: What the Heck?

WYB: When You Buy

YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary; meaning that the results may vary, or the offer may not be available in all areas, etc.

YVW: You’re very welcome

Author: Flash