Commonly Used Couponers' Abbreviations

It was brought to my attention that there are many new couponers who do not know all of the abbreviations that are commonly used in the deals that are listed on my Facebook page: Tyler Area Coupon Club. Here is a list of them that I will add to as needed.

Q = Coupon
RR = Register Reward (Walgreens reward)
ECB = Extra Care Buck (CVS reward)
wyb = when you buy
SS = SmartSource coupon insert
P&G = Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
RP = Red Plum coupon insert
Wags = Walgreens
WQ = Walgreens Q
TQ = Target Q
CVSQ = CVS Q (sorry, no real explanation of that one)
$1/2 = $1 off of 2 of the item (stated on a Q)
3/$4 = 3 of an item for $4 (price of item in store)
BOGO = Buy One Get One (sometimes: B1G1)
BOGO FREE = Buy One Get One FREE (sometimes: B1G1FREE)
B2G1 FREE = Buy Two Get One FREE
BOGO50% = Buy One Get One for 50% off
BOGO1/2 = Buy One Get One for 1/2 off
OOP = Out of Pocket Expense
IVC = Instant Value Coupon/Individual Vendor Coupon (usually in booklet by ads at Wags)
Peelie = coupon found on the item packaging (sticker coupon)
Blinkie = coupon found in a dispensor on the store shelf (usually has a blinking light)
OOS = Out of Stock
Magic Coupon Machine = Price scanner (at CVS) that spits out CVSQs when you scan your CVSCard
Catalina = Qs that come from the printer by the register (strips of receipt-like tape)

These are the ones that I see a lot and use myself. If I come across more that I think are being used in the coupon world over and over, I will add it to the list. Hopefully, this will help to clear up some confusion that you may have when reading the many deals that are posted so quickly due to the use of abbreviations.

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The Deal Should Work, Will They Let It?

I have all my coupons, ads, lists, and scenario. My buggy's full. I'm waiting in line. . . Now it's my turn. What do you mean my coupon does not match my item? It's listed/pictured right here ON the coupon. I plea my case. . . I ask to speak with a manager. . . the manager interprets the policies differently from me. What do I do?

Has this ever happened to you? The best thing to do is to have copies of the store's current coupon policies onhand (these can be found on their various websites). This way you can pull them out and plea your case at a moment's notice. Many employees, even managers, are not trained on the ever changing policies of their own store's. This is where a lot of problems can occur.

Always be ready to debate your case, but be calm and courteous at the same time (this can be difficult when the person behind the counter is already upset about having to scan 1000 coupons). As the saying goes, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." Don't get angry or upset; be okay with walking away from a deal if you have to. The worst thing you can do is make them want to watch your every move every time you enter their store.

Remember this:  Sometimes you win a battle, sometimes you don't. Sometimes things don't go the way they should, sometimes they go in ways they shouldn't. But the bottom line is that you do not give in at the start. If you simply point out the facts, you might see something you didn't see before and know that you were wrong or you might even teach an employee, maybe even the manager, about their own store's policies.

Movies on the Cheap

* * * * * PLEASE SEE THE UPDATED POST!! POSTED 4/16/12 (click tab: Other) * * * * *


A person could spend a small fortune taking a family of 4 to see the latest movie at the theater. With all the summer blockbusters that are scheduled to come out this year, the avid moviegoer can easily rack up a big bill. And that's before they even get to the concession counter. Now let's be realistic about our finances and still get to see a movie before it leaves the theater -- even on the first week of release.

Some theater chains have promotions that can make I trip to the movies more affordable. By combining a few of them, you can take a family of 4 to the movies right here in Tyler, TX -- including popcorn and drinks -- for only $26.50!! Here are the deals I have found at Carmike Cinemas (Tyler):

Refillable popcorn bucket: (initial cost $15, good throughout 2011) refill $2.50
Stimulus Tuesdays deals: Small popcorn $1, Small drink $1, Boxed candy $2.50
Super-Saver price: Any movie starting between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM is only $5/person

Now, assuming you already have the refillable popcorn bucket and throwing out the candy deal because it is still overpriced, this is how a family of 4 can see a movie for $26.50:

Go on Tuesday evening for the $1 drinks (x4 = $4). Pick a start time that is between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM for the $5 tickets (x4 = $20). Use your refillable popcorn bucket for the cheap popcorn ($2.50).
$20 tickets
+ $2.50 popcorn
+ $4 drinks
=$26.50 TOTAL!!!

Another plus is that, by waiting until Tuesday, the crowd is loosened up after a movie release on Friday so you won't have to fight the traffic of other moviegoers.

Couponing Info, Part 1

The first thing a lot of new couponers do is clip a lot of coupons and then go use them during the first week. This could prove to be very costly if you are buying things you would not normally buy simply because you have a coupon for it.

Another thing new couponers might do is clip only the coupons for products he/she already buys, but still use them all during the first week. This will save money, but is not maximizing on savings. To truly maximize on savings, you need to wait until an item you have a coupon for goes on sale. An example of this is: Box A normally costs about $4. You have a coupon for Box A for $1 off of 2. If you buy 2 of Box A with the coupon, you will pay $7 for 2 of Box A. Now, the week after you make this purchase, Box A goes on sale 2 for $5. If you were to purchase 2 of Box A at this price, you would already be paying less than you paid with the coupon last week, but imagine if you still had that coupon. You could buy 2 of Box A for $4 (that's 1/2 of the original price).

The lesson learned here is to be patient. Wait for the sales to happen. If the item is not seen on sale before a coupon is to expire and it is something you would have bought anyway, then you would want to go ahead and use the coupon on the regular price. Otherwise, maximize your coupons by combining them with deals, sales, and in-store coupons. (In-store coupons are those that are put out by a store to be used ONLY at that store and are NOT marked as manufacturer's coupons.)

Welcome to the Tyler Area Coupon Club

Welcome to the Tyler Area Coupon Club where you can view coupon information and other helpful hints for the Tyler, TX area. I hope to create a useful blog for everyone that can be shared with others and benefit all. I also hope to provide a service for the community that will help people save money and be able to do what they want to do because they did not have to spend too much money on the necessities.

Be sure to keep up with me on Facebook, too. There will be pictures and explainations of deals right on the page: Tyler Area Coupon Club. Please search and "like" Tyler Area Coupon Club on Facebook. Thank you!