Common Abbreviations for Couponers

If you are reading money saving blogs or forums and some things they are typing reads like Greek to you, they are probably using some of the common abbreviations for couponers. I thought I'd compile a list of the most widely used abbreviations and use it as a reference for the future. If you run across some I have missed, please e-mail me or leave a comment and I will add them to the list for future reference. Someone had to explain these to me once so I want to explain them to someone else. Just paying it forward, coupon style!

• Blinkie - coupon dispensed near product, usually from red blinking box


• BOGO – Buy One, Get One- assume free unless otherwise stated


• CAT or Catalina - coupon dispensed at register after purchase


• ECB - Extra Care Bucks – These are from CVS, basically paper version of store credit


• ESR - EasySaver Rebate- Walgreens Monthy Rebate Program


• FAR - Free After Rebate


• HBA - Health and Beauty Aid


• IMO - In My Opinion


• IP - Internet Printable Coupon


• IVC - Walgreen's Instant Value Coupon (Found in the monthly EasySaver Catalog)


• MIR - Mail In Rebate


• MQ - manufacturer coupon


• OOP - Out of Pocket


• OYNO - On your next order


• P&G - Proctor & Gamble usually referring to coupons insert found in the Sunday paper


• Peelie - coupon that you peel off the package. Can be used immediately or at a later time.


• Q - Coupon


• RC - Rain Check


• RP - Red Plum- coupon insert found in the Sunday paper


• RR - Register Rewards - Walgreen’s paper version of store credits


• SS - Smart Source of Sunday Supplement coupons


• Tear Pad - Coupons hanging from a store shelf or display


• V - Valassis- coupon insert found in the Sunday paper


• YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary- meaning it might work, it might not

Happy Savings!

Saving Time Doing Laundry

Okay, I'll admit it. I sometimes forget to start the laundry, realize it's 10:30 at night and I needed to get 3 loads done that day. I'm horrible about that! If I can just get the first load started, I'm usually okay and can do the rest. When I get up in the morning, I sometimes think about it, but I'm taking care of getting the boys fed and getting diapers changed and I feel like I don't have time at that moment to go upstairs and get a load of laundry. Then I just forget.

I recently discovered a trick to help me get that first load going. I put a load of laundry in the washer at night before I go to bed! No, I don't turn it on, I don't add detergent and I don't even close the lid. I just put the clothes in the washer so that in the morning it will only take me a few seconds to get a load going.

I told my friend who is a working mom about my new tactic and she said that if she starts a load in the morning, by the time she gets home it already has that gross smell to it. I suggested she put the load in before bed like me and start it when she gets home from work.

I think this is a great idea and I'm going to try to stick with it. Even if I only get that load washed that day, that's 1 load of clean clothes! Now, if I could just come up with a time saving way to fold them and put them away. . .

Happy Savings!

Make your house smell better while still Saving Time

If you're like me and you have small children, your house probably smells something like mine does, yucky! I am a huge user of Fabreeze, but sometimes when company is coming over or it's been an especially stinky day I like to put dryer sheets under my air vents. This is something I started doing in college when I lived in the dorms. It makes everything smell clean and fresh. I've also heard of people stuffing old panty hose with potpourri and putting that in their air ducts. Do you have any quick and easy tips to make your house smell good? Leave your tips in the comments area. I'm always looking for ways to make the dirty diaper smell go away!

Happy Savings!