Super-Couponing: Know the Lingo

SS? B1G1? RP? WYB? Nope, these letters aren't the newest slang for the latest round of hot boy bands (anyone remember BSB and NKOTB?). They do represent, however, just a sample of the types of abbreviations associated with the world of super-couponing.

If you've recently dived into the art of maximizing savings by combining coupons with sales, you've probably checked out some awesome websites devoted to this subject.

In turn, you have probably seen a slew of letter/number combos that help spell out hot deals in a sort of coupon-ese. Here and now, as we continue our series on super-couponing (aka extreme-couponing), we'll overview some of the common lingo used in the coupon world.

Coupon Inserts

These money-saving booklets found inside the Sunday paper are a main source of coupons for those interested in maximum savings. There are typically three basic inserts found at any given time inside a weekly paper; here they are alongside often-used abbreviations:

• Red Plum - RP
• Smart Source - SS
• P&G brandSaver - P&G or PG

With that being said, sometimes there will be more than one Smart Source or Red Plum on a given Sunday. If this is the case, you'll often see the different inserts designated as SS1 (Smart Source 1), SS2 (Smart Source 2), and the like.

Also, since inserts come out *almost every Sunday (*usually not on holidays), you'll also see the addition of specific dates in conjunction with the insert abbreviations to help pinpoint exactly where a certain coupon can be found.

For example, if there's a deal at a local drugstore on laundry detergent, and a certain coupon from May 15th's inserts sweetens the deal more, then something like this might be used to describe where you can find that coupon: 5-15-2011 SS1. There are always variations on this theme from website to website, but knowing the basics can help when deciphering the deals.

Other Basics

In addtion to those tied to the inserts, you'll often see other shorthand in conjunction with coupon websites. Here are a few of the more commonly used acronyms:

• WYB = When You Buy (as in, free gel sample WYB shampoo)
• B1G1 or BOGO = Buy One Get One (as in BOGO Free or B1G1 half-off)
• ECB = Extra Care Bucks (This CVS Pharmacy deal doles out an in-store coupon for money off of your next purchase when you buy the particular product advertised.)
• RR = Rapid Rewards (Walgreen's version of money off of your next purchase)
• UPR = Up Rewards (Rite Aid's rewards program / money off of a future purchase)
• CPN = coupon
• MQ = manufacturer's coupon

When you're getting started with super-couponing, it may seem like you need to consult Rosetta Stone to speak coupon-ese. Not so! After you've been purusing deals and websites for awhile, you'll soon find yourself very fluently speaking the language of coupon love. Stay tuned to MomVesting as we continue our series in the world of super-couponing!

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