Sunday, January 23, 2011

Extreme Couponing 101

The most frequently asked question I get is... Brandy, will you show me how? After putting much thought and consideration into that question... I have concluded that the best way to "show you how" is to arm you with a resource you can refer to each and every time you have a question.


As with anything else, there is ALOT of information to absorb when it comes to couponing. More so with the extreme couponing method that I use. Let's get started!


References to the Sunday Paper Coupon Inserts look like this:


P&G ~ Proctor & Gamble

SS ~ Smart Source

RP ~ Red Plum

GM ~ General Mills


References to coupons found in the stores:


Catalina ~ Catalina Coupons print at the register when your receipt prints. The Catalina Coupons print from a separate machine.


Blinkies ~ Coupon dispensers with a blinking light. Blinkies are attached to the shelves (typically near the item that the coupon is referring to) or attached to the door in the freezer section.


Tear Pad ~ A pad of coupons attached to a display, shelf or door.


Peelie ~ A coupon found on product packaging.


In my posts you when you see this:

Xtra Laundry Detergent 1/$1.89
Use XTRA Printable Coupon $1/1
Final Cost 1/$1.89

Click on the name of the product (in this example it's XTRA) the name I'm referring to is on the second line ~ typically found right before the word Printable. You will be redirected to a page or pages where you will be able to print the coupon being referred to.

In my posts when you see this:


Campbell's Chunky Soup 2/$3
Use 01.02.2011 SS Insert Coupon $1/2
Final Cost 2/$2 or $1 each


It means:
  • Campbell's Chunky Soup is on sale ~ the sale price is two cans for three dollars.
  • Use the Smart Source Coupon that came in the Sunday Paper on January 2, 2011... the amount of the coupon is one dollar off two cans of Campbell's Chunky Soup.
  • The Final cost is two cans for two dollars or one dollar each.
  • One Dollar each is listed to show the cost per item or in this case per can.

Foodland Sales & Coupons Effective 01.17.2011 thru 01.23.2011 ~ Click HERE to see the entire Foodland Post.

Effective 01.17.2011 thru 01.23.2011 ~ The calendar days that the items listed can be purchased for the sale price.


Click HERE ~ Put your cursor over the word HERE and click to open a new page. Clicking on the word HERE will redirect you to the coupon or rebate that is being referred to in the post.


$1/1 or $1/2 etc. ~ One Dollar off One Item, One Dollar off Two Items, etc.


2/$1 or 2/$2 etc. ~ Two Items for One Dollar, Two Items for Two Dollars, etc.


B1G1 or BOGO ~ Buy One Get One


B1G2 ~ Buy One Get Two


B2G1 ~ Buy Two Get One


B1G1 50% off or BOGO 50% off ~ Buy One Get One Fifty Percent Off
(Percentage's will vary I used 50% just as an example)


WYB ~ When You Buy

When You Buy ~ Means that the specified offer is valid when you buy another specified item.


ETS ~ Excludes Trial Size


Excludes Trial Size ~ Excludes the smallest sized package of the item being referred to.

Rebate ~ A refund of all or some of the money that you paid for an item.

SCR ~ Single Check Rebate


Single Check Rebate ~ A culmination of rebates submitted all at once. Multiple items purchased over a period of time that are eligible for a rebate and eligible to be submitted together... the period of time varies by store or Rebate offer.


MIR ~ Mail in Rebate


Mail In Rebate ~ A rebate that can NOT be processed electronically. It has to be sent through the mail.


MBG ~ Money Back Guarantee


Money Back Guarantee ~ If you are not completely satisfied with a product you will receive a refund. (You sometimes need POP & UPC numbers from the packaging to receive a refund associated with a Money Back Guarantee)


Beep ~ Sometimes the cash register will beep when the cashier scans a coupon. Typically a register beeps because the cashier needs to take action... such as, manually entering the dollar amount of a coupon.


Stack ~ To use a store coupon AND manufacturer coupon for one item and/or...


See the following example for another form of stacking coupons:


Aussie Shampoo 2/$6
Use 01.02.2011 SS Insert Coupon B1G1
Use 01.02.2011 SS Insert Coupon $1/1
Aussie Hair Spray 2/$6
Use 01.02.201 SS Insert Coupon FREE WYB Aussie Shampoo
Final Cost $2/3 or $0.67 each


The B1G1 Coupon is being stacked with the $1/1 Coupon & the Free Coupon... When using this method of stacking watch coupons for restrictions!


IP ~ Internet Printable


Internet Printable ~ A coupon that can be printed off the internet.

OOP ~ Out of Pocket

Out of Pocket ~ Money that you pay for items after all deductions but before MIR's or other form of Rewards or Coupons.


OOS ~ Out of Stock

Out of Stock ~ The store has sold out of the item being referred to.

RC ~ Rain Check

Rain Check ~ A certificate given when an item is out of stock... The rain check entitles you to receive the specified quantity & sale price.

POP ~ Proof of Purchase

Proof of Purchase ~ A cash register receipt proving that you purchased the indicated item.

UPC ~ Universal Product Code

Universal Product Code ~ The barcode on the packaging of an item.

CRT ~ Cash Register Tape

Cash Register Tape ~ Your store receipt or proof of purchase.

DND ~ Do not Double

Do Not Double ~ Do not Double typically refers to coupons that read Do Not Double.

PSA ~ Pricing Starts At

Pricing Starts At ~ The lowest price on an certain line of products... If I had a coupon for $3 off any Loreal Cosmetics I would write it up as Loreal Cosmetics PSA $3/1.

ONYP ~ On Your Next Purchase

On Your Next Purchase ~ ONYP refers to a coupon that is valid to be used on your next purchase.

Rite Aid Lingo:

B&S ~ Buy and Save

Buy & Save ~ A $20 +UP Reward issued for spending $100 on qualifying items. The wonderful aspect of this program is that B&S purchases are calculated BEFORE coupons are deducted. In other words... Let's assume Lysol is eligible toward the B&S +UP Reward Promotion and that it's on sale for $5 but you have a $5 coupon for Lysol. Your OOP expense would be $0 (FREE) BUT you will still receive a $5 credit toward the B&S $20 +UP Reward.

+UPR ~ Coupons that print on the bottom of the Rite Aid CRT's ~ when you make a qualifying purchase.

Wellness+ Online Account ~ An online account that is attached to your Wellness+ Card used to earn points toward additional rewards. The Online Account must be activated by the card holder.

Wellness+ Reward Card ~ A Rite Aid Store card that is scanned at the register.

The reward card is necessary to receive:

  • Sale Prices
  • 10% off Rite Aid Brand Products (including generic prescriptions)
  • 24/7 exclusive access to a pharmacist when you call 1-800-Rite Aid.
  • Points when you shop ~ 1 Point for every $1 on non prescription purchase & 25 Points for every prescription purchase
  • Additional benefits to boost your wellness

Restrictions apply... view restrictions HERE.

Ad Perks ~ Online video's that can be viewed to earn valuable RITE AID coupons (these coupons can be stacked with manufacturer coupons).


CVS Lingo:

ECB ~ Extra Care Buck

Extra Care Buck ~ Coupon's that print on the bottom of the CVS CRT ~ when you make a qualifying purchase.



Walgreens Lingo:

IVC ~ Instant Value Coupon

Instant Value Coupon ~ A coupon found in a booklet at Walgreens or online.

RR ~ Register Rewards

Register Rewards ~ Catalina coupons received at Walgreens ~ when you make a qualifying purchase.

I will add to this post as suggestions are made or questions arise. My goal is to make My Mailbox Madness as user friendly as possible. If you have any questions or suggestions please leave a comment!

If you'd rather send me an email please send it to mailto:tomymailboxmadness@gmail.com. When emailing me please don't be discouraged... it may take a few days for me to get back to you!

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