As we continue down the path of saving with coupons, there are a few terms and tips that you may find helpful. As with anything, the more you use coupons the more comfortable you’ll become with combining deals, coupons, freebies, etc. Knowing basic coupon terms is essential.

Manufacturer’s (Mfg) Coupons

These are the coupons most people are familiar with. They are redeemable at most grocers and are issued through the manufacturer of the product. Only one manufacturer’s coupon is redeemable per item unless otherwise noted on the coupon.

Store Coupons

These are issued directly from the store, ie: Target, Kroger, etc. They can only be redeemed at the issuing store. Only one store coupon is redeemable per item unless otherwise noted on the coupon. Not all stores will allow “doubling” on store coupons.

IP-Internet printable coupons

Most often these are also manufacturer coupons. But a growing number of retailers are offering IP coupons on their websites in an effort to drive traffic to their sites.

Stacking

Some stores allow the consumer to use both a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item. Example: You may use a .50 Target coupon and a .75 manufacturer’s coupon on one bottle of Heinz ketchup for a total coupon savings of $1.25. Only a limited number of retailers allow stacking.

Doubling

Some stores will double the face value of manufacturer’s coupons, usually up to a certain value. For example, Kroger stores and affiliates double coupons with a face value of up to .51. So if you have a coupon for .50 you will receive 1.00 off the price of the item.

B1G1 or B1G1F

Buy One Get One Free

FREE Item Coupon

A coupon that allows you to get one item as noted on the coupon completely free. The coupon may have the wording “Up to $xx.xx price.” This means if the item costs more than the noted price you will pay the difference.

Catalina

Those fun, sometimes annoying, coupons that print from the little machine near where your receipt prints out. Often these are generated based on the items you’ve purchased and usually must be used on your next purchase even if they print before you’ve completed your current purchase.

Tearpad

The coupons that are located in the aisle in a pad and you can tear them off to use them. These are almost always a manufacturer’s coupon.

Peelie

Coupons that peel off the item’s packaging. This is almost always a manufacturer’s coupon.

TIPS

• As often as possible combine coupons with sales from your store’s weekly circular.
• Create menu plans around the coupon/sale combinations that will save you the most.
• Clip coupons only for items you will use, but be sure to clip all the coupons for all brands of those items. Example: You may normally buy store brand coffee. But a wise shopper will clip all coffee coupons and keep them in your organizer. While at the store, always check the “clearance” or “scratch and dent” table/shelve. You may find name brand coffee at a deeply reduced price, combine it with your coupon and you have a great deal!
• Use store loyalty cards. How does this relate to couponing? Stores use these cards not only to offer special pricing to cardholders, but also to track consumer overall and individual buying habits. Many stores will also offer specific coupons to individual consumers monthly or quarterly based on buying habits. Kroger affiliate stores are particularly good at this.
• When printing IP coupons, before leaving the “print” page, hit your back button as many times as the screen will allow. Most often you will only be allowed to print a total of two of any given coupon, but it never hurts to try, especially on high value coupons.

Knowledge of these terms and implementing some of these coupon tips should help you save next time you go to the grocery store. Have more tips that you can share? We’d love to hear them, so please leave a comment!