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If you missed the last posts in the Couponing 101 series, I covered Coupon Organization, Where to Get Coupons, and Shopping with Coupons. I know I said I was going to write about using the Coupon Database next, but I have had some questions about coupon lingo.

When you are reading my posts about coupons, you will most likely find abbreviations that can seem confusing if you are unfamiliar with them. Here is a list of common coupon lingo that you might find here at Nifty Mom or on other coupon blogs:

$1/2 – $1 off two items
B1G1– Buy One, Get One
Catalina – Coupon that prints at the register
ECB – Extra Care Bucks (CVS)
EXP – Expires
GM – General Mills Insert
IVC – Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens store coupons)
IP – Internet Printable Coupon
MFR – Manufacturer Coupon
MIR – Mail in Rebate
OOP – Out of Pocket
PG – Procter & Gamble Insert
Peelie – Coupon that is attached to a product
Q – Coupon
RP – Red Plum Insert
RR – Register Reward (Walgreens, coupon prints at register)
SC – Store Coupon
SS – Smart Source Insert
Stacking – Using a manufacturer’s coupon with a store coupon
WYB – When You Buy
YMMV – Your Mileage May Vary (the deal might not be as good for you)

When reading one of my Store Weekly Ad Top Deals (coupon match up) you will see something like this:

Garnier Fructis Hair Care 4/$14
-$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner 6/5 RP or
-$1/1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner IP
-Receive $4 RR wyb 4
=$1.50 each wyb 4 with 4 coupons

Without coupon lingo this means:

Garnier Fructis Hair Care 4 for $14
–$1 off 1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner Coupon from 6/5 Red Plum Insert
–$1 off 1 Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner Internet Printable Coupon
-Receive $4 Register Rewards coupon printed at the register at checkout when you buy 4
=$1.50 each when you buy 4 with 4 coupons

I hope you understand the coupon lingo better!

If you missed the last posts in the Couponing 101 series, I covered Coupon Organization and Where to Get Coupons. This week I want to go over shopping with coupons. The most important thing about shopping with coupons is planning and researching.

Here are some tips when planning before you head to the store:

• Research all the stores you have locally. You want to learn their coupon policies and if they have a loyalty program to maximize your savings. Numerous stores double and even triple some coupons.  You want to learn about each store because one might typically have higher prices, but has a loyalty program and triples coupons. Also see if the store offer ‘store’ coupons. These coupons normally can be stacked with manufacturers’ coupons, I.E. Targetand Walgreens.
• Read all your store circulars to see what sales are going on and compare prices. Sometimes one store might have a product on sale, but that sale price is more than the regular price at another store. Some people like to create a spreadsheet or list of the lowest prices on products to keep track of how low a price might get on an item and where to get it.
• Review store matchups online. I cover my local grocery stores, Schnucks, Shop N Save, and Dierbergs, as well as Target and Walgreens. (If you are in a different area and would like to see your stores on Nifty Mom, contact me and I will try to get those store matchups on here for you). These matchups highlight the weekly advertisement and let you know what coupons are available for the sale items.
• Make a list. I normally have 4 lists going for each week. One for each store I shop at. I put a star next to an item if I have a coupon for it and paperclip the corresponding coupons to each list.
• Check a coupon database to see if coupons are available for products that are not featured on my store matchups. I hope to have a coupon database on my site for you to easily access in the near future.

A few other things to note when shopping:

• Getting the biggest size of an item isn’t always to best value. Check the price per ounce/unit to see which is a better value.
• 10/$10 sale doesn’t mean you have to buy 10.
• Check coupons for size limits. Some coupons have to be used on larger products or cannot be used with travel size or single servings.
• Always check the clearance sections. Coupons are good on clearance and you could get a really great deal sometimes.

I hope this helps you understand shopping the stores with coupons. Please let me know if you have any questions.