Coupon Infographic

(Valpak.com)

Couponing 101: All about coupons & 5 coupon myths

So you want to learn to coupon.  Well, first you need to understand the basics of coupons!

First.  What is a coupon?

"A coupon is a voucher entitling the holder to a discount off a particular product." (Thank you Google.)

BUT to me the definition is different.


To me a coupon = cash.

It's cash that stays in my pocket.  It's cash that I can use for something else.  It's MY cash and that coupon allows me to be able to keep it!

Do stores lose money when people use coupons?

Nope!  After you hand your coupon over to the cashier the store collects them and mails them in where they are sorted and added up.  Then the store is issued a check for the amounts of the coupons turned in, plus a handling fee.

Coupon Myths:


1. It's cheaper to buy generics.
FALSE!  While generics might be cheaper prior to using a coupon they often are not cheaper afterwards!  Want an example?  A while ago I stocked up on Nesquik chocolate milk.  I got them for free!  Can you get generics for free?  Nope.  Fluke? No, not at all!  I purchased Axe hair gels for about 50 cents each.  Store brands are more!


2. Only poor people use coupons.
This has been proven to be false.  Actually, you might be surprised to know that people who earn $100,000 or more are TWICE as likely to use coupons as those who make $35,000.  And those with college degrees are more likely to use coupons as those with just high school diplomas.

3. Coupons are only on junk.
Nope.  Get coupons for frozen fruit and veggies, canned veggies, whole wheat pasta, orange juice, cheese, yogurt and sometimes even fresh produce, meat and milk!  Even if you only use coupons to purchase your household and personal care items you will save tons of money!

(We use Coupons)

4. There aren't coupons for the items I use.
Well, I hope you wash your clothes, brush your teeth and clean your toilet.  And if "your brands" don't offer coupons - write/e-mail the manufacture and request a coupon.  I bet you will get one!

5. Coupons are a waste of time.
Well figure this.  I spend about an hour maybe hour and a half clipping, sorting and planning.  I save $50-$75 a week.  That means I am saving about $33 an hour!  Coupons will be useless if you don't know how to use them.  If you don't know how to use them then yes,  it will be a waste of time.  But that's why you are here.  To make sure that you aren't wasting your time and to learn how to maximize the effectiveness of coupons!

Make sure to check out our entire Couponing 101 Series here.

Couponing 101: Coupon Terminology

Perhaps nothing is more intimidating to a beginning couponer than looking at the store match up list and seeing all of those abbreviations.  Couponing could be it's own language!  I promise - it's really not that hard!  Here is a list of the most common couponing terms and their meanings.  

$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
BRP: Balanced Rewards Points - A Walgreens Loyalty program.  ERP are earned by buying specific products and can be applied toward your next purchase
Blinkies: Coupon dispensers that you find at the grocery store/drugstore.  They are called blinkies because there is a (usually) red light that blinks.
Catalina: Catalina coupons print at the store from a seperate machine and are given to you with your reciept.  
CRT: Cash register tape - Usually when you hear about CRT's you hear about them with CVS as the ECB are printed on them.  
DND: Do not double
Ea.: Each
ECBs: ExtraCare Bucks - a CVS Loyalty program.  ECB are earned by buying specific products and can be applied on your next purchase
ETS: Excludes trial size
Exp.: Expires
GC: Gift card
MIR: Mail-in rebate
NLA: No longer available
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
Peelie: Peelies are coupons that are attached to items.  You literally have to peel the coupon off the packaging
PSA: Prices starting at
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 at the store.  
+UP Reward: Rite Aid reward program
WYB: When you buy
YMMV: Your manager may vary, meaning the deal may not work in all stores 

Coming Soon

Frugal Living University is coming soon!  Go ahead and subscribe to our e-mails, follow us and like us on Facebook now to make sure you won't miss us!

What is FLU?  Frugal Living University is a place where you can learn all about saving money and living frugally.  Learn to coupon, stockpiling 101, how to save on everything from date night to your holiday shopping and SO much more!  

So come and learn how to save big!