When you’re first learning the ropes of using coupons, it can seem like you’re learning a foreign language. Here are some of the most-used terms and abbreviations used by seasoned couponers on blogs, in forums and elsewhere:
$1/1, etc. :: Indicates the value of a coupon, $1 off 1 item in this instance but could be any value, $4/2 ($4 off 2 items), $0.25/1 ($0.25 off 1) etc.
AC :: After coupon
AR :: After rebate
Blinkie :: Coupon dispensed from a box attached to a store shelf. The term “blinkie” comes from the box which sometimes has a blinking light.
BOGO, B1G1, B1G1F :: Buy One Get One free
BTFE :: Box Tops for Education
B&M :: Refers to a “brick & mortar” store (as opposed to an online store)
CAT, Catalina :: Coupons which print at the register after your purchase is made. These can usually be used like cash on your next purchase. However, if the say “manufacturer’s coupon” on them, you should be able to use them at any store although YMMV (see below). 😉
CPN :: Coupon
CRT :: Cash register tape — often referring to coupons at the bottom of your receipt.
DND :: Do Not Double
Double Coupon :: A coupon which can be doubled in value
ECB :: Extra Care Bucks (CVS, prints on receipt)
ETA :: Edited to Add
ETS :: Excludes Trial Size
FAR :: Free After Rebate
Filler :: An item or items you buy in order to get your total up to a certain amount in order to use a percentage off coupon
FS :: Free shipping
GC :: Gift card/gift certificate
GDA :: Good Deal Alert
GM :: General Mills
HTH :: Hope That Helps
In-Ad :: Coupons that come in the weekly store ad, most likely found by the entrance of that particular store.
IVC :: Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens, found in the monthy EasySaver booklet)
IPQ, IP :: Internet Printable coupon
MFG, MFR :: Manufacturer
MQ :: Manufacturer’s Coupon
MIR :: Mail-In Rebate
NED :: No expiration date
OOP :: Out of Pocket
OOS :: Out of Stock
OYNO :: On Your Next Order
P&G :: Proctor & Gamble coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper
Peelie :: Coupon attached to an item’s packaging which can be peeled off
PSA :: Prices Starting At
Q :: Coupon
Regional :: A coupon or deal available in only a specific area
RP :: Red Plum coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper
RMN :: Retail Me Not coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper (RP rebranded to this in early 2018)
RR :: Register Rewards (Walgreens, which print with receipt)
SCR :: Single Check Rebate (Rite Aid)
SS :: Smart Source coupon insert found in the Sunday newspaper
Stacking :: Using a manufacturer’s coupon in addition to a store coupon for an even lower price
Tear pad :: A pad of rebate forms or coupons attached to a store shelf
TMF :: Try Me Free
Triple Coupon :: A coupon which can be tripled in value
UPC :: Universal Product Code (a.k.a. bar code)
UPR :: Up Rewards, a coupon you can earn on your register receipt at Rite Aid
WSL :: While Supplies Last
WT, Winetag :: A coupon hanging on the package of a product
WYB :: When You Buy
V :: Valassis coupon insert found in Sunday newspaper (same as RP or Red Plum insert)
YMMV :: Your Mileage May Vary (in other words, you may or may not be successful with a particular deal at your store)
Did I miss any abbreviations or terms? Share them in the comments or ask for clarification if there’s a term you don’t understand what it means.
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RMN? Shown in the coupon database
The Red Plum insert recently re-branded as Retail Me Not. So RMN stands for Retail Me Not — the coupon insert you get in the Sunday newspaper that used to be called Red Plum. Hope that helps! -Meg, MSM Team
What does BRP mean?
It stands for Balance Reward Points (points that are earned at Walgreens drug stores which you can redeem at the register to pay for your transaction). I hope that helps! -Gretchen, MSM Team
What does pm mean
This is somewhat related. When it states on a coupon that it cannot be doubled or tripled, I find that sometimes it automatically doubles at my local grocery store and sometimes it doesn’t. Could you explain this? Thanks.
@Jessica,
If the first number on the coupon bar code is 5 the machine will automatically double, if the first number is 9 it will not no matter what the writing says. In coupon lingo: Five is Fine, Nine is Not.
THANK YOU!!!! I always thought HTH was Have to Have, and sometimes that made sense and other times it didn’t. This is why. HTH is hope this helps…which is almost always relevent in the coupon world!!! 🙂 I feel smarter. 🙂
ETS- excludes trial size
Great list!
Some other common ones (some are less relevant for grocery but still used):
AC = After coupon
AR = After rebate
FS = Free shipping
GC = Gift card/gift certificate
IR = Instant Rebate
OOS = Out of Stock
Some other industry terms, just as FYI:
CPG = Consumer Packaged Goods company/industry e.g., “Procter & Gamble is a CPG company”
HABA/HBA = Health and Beauty Aids – typically relating to non-food type products in a grocery store, you’ll see this on receipts sometimes or entered as a placeholder for a coupon that doesn’t ring up correctly
Jeff
I saw the word “filler” mention in some walgreen posts….what does that mean?
Thanks.
@jonie, Walgreens can be complicated. If you buy 5 items, you can only use 5 coupons (including stacked Manufacturer and store coupons). Let’s say you have 6 coupons and 5 items, then you need a ‘filler’ or a small priced item so you can use the sixth coupon. The small items can be a 24 cent pencil, one piece of caramel near the register, etc… Hope this helps.
Also a filler can be used when your total is negative. Since most stores won’t “pay” you the difference, you can purchase a small item to bring your total positive.
thank you for posting all these abbreviations. it helps alot.
good work!!
Love the list. It’s the most complete I’ve seen and I even went searching when I started couponing, lol.
Can you add GM for the General Mills insert? BTW, I haven’t seen a Valassis coupon insert in ages. Do they have good coupons?
AR : After Rebate
CPN : coupon
ETS: Excludes Trial Size
OOS: Out Of Stock
You use the abbreviation UPR when posting Rite Aid deals. What does it stand for and is that something new?
@Allison Thibodeaux,
UPR stands for UP Rewards at Rite Aid. A coupon you get on your register receipt.