Couponing 101: How to Read Coupon Matchups

If you are like me, when you first looked up a coupon matchup site or forum, you encountered what seemed like a mess of acronyms and coupon shorthand. The final prices were low, but there was no clear explanation on how the couponer got from the price listed in the store’s circular to the low final price.

So here’s a quick lesson on how to read a coupon matching post. Let’s use a basic coupon matching listing like this one:

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Sunny D 64 oz $1 w/in ad coupon (limit 4)

--$.55/1 Sunny D Printable Coupon

--$.25/1 Sunny D SS 5/15

Final Price as low as $.45

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The first line states the name of the product and its price from a store’s circular. If there are any special requirements for getting the sale price (like buying in increments of 2 or a limit on how many you can buy in a single transaction) it will say so on the same line (or directly under in some blogs).

This listing is for a 64oz bottle of Sunny D which is on sale for $1 when you use an in ad coupon. There is a limit of 4 Sunny Ds that you can buy at this price with this coupon. But if you want, you can only buy one or two Sunny D’s—you don’t have to buy 4 unless the coupon specifically states “must buy 4.”

In this listing, the second and third lines state available coupons that you can use in conjunction with this special. If you have each coupon in your hand you will see on the top that both are manufacturer coupons. You can only use one manufacturer coupon on a single item. So if you want 4 Sunny D’s, you will need to round up 4 coupons. All available coupons are listed to let you know your available options.

The first coupon offers a better savings. It is a printable coupon is for $.55 off of one Sunny D. Most internet sites allow you to print two coupons per computer. So if you want two Sunny D’s, print two coupons. You will have to download a safe application the first time so your printer can print bar codes.

If your family goes through a lot of Sunny D, or you don’t have a printer, and you get the Sunday paper, you will want to use the second coupon listed which is a newspaper coupon for $.25 off of one Sunny D. The SS means that this coupon is from the Smart Source insert from the 5/15 Sunday Paper. You will also see the following insert abbreviations RP which stands for Red Plum or PG (P&G) which stands for Proctor and Gamble.

You can combine any of the coupons listed in the second or third item with the original in ad coupon. The in ad coupon is considered a Store Coupon. Store coupons can be combined with manufacturers coupons: one store coupon per item and one manufacturer’s coupon per item.

The final line of the listing shows the price you can get when you combine the coupons with the advertised price. In this case the lowest price is $.45. The price will be a little higher, $.75, if you use the newspaper coupon (which is still a good price).

To learn about some of the more complex abbreviations you will see in couponing posts see: How to Read Coupon Lingo!

More how-to couponing posts to get you started on your couponing adventures:

How to Organize your Coupons

When Free isn't Worth it

Why You Aren't Getting 80-90% Savings on your Receipt and Why I'm Not Either

When to Coupon vs. When to Costco

My Experiences with the WalMart Ad Match Guarantee

How to Organize your Coupons

Once you decide to start couponing, it doesn’t take long to amass a giant pile of coupons. Any pile of paper in any shape size or form demands some sort of containment and some sort of organization within that containment.

The most popular means of containing coupons are: in a coupon file, in a binder, in envelopes, or in an accordion file. Currently, I am using a binder system.

Once you decide on how to contain your coupons, you must decide how to organize your coupon collection within that system. Several popular ways to organize your coupons, and the major pro for each, are:

1.      Alphabetical order: It is easy to flip to any coupon

2.      Expiration date: Easier to toss coupons when they expire

3.      Insert Date: quickly able to find coupons when using a couponing blog to find deals

My method of organizing coupons is by the layout of the store I visit most often. The entrance to the store is at the produce section, so I place my coupons for everything I find in the produce area first. Then when I am done shopping in the produce section I go to the dairy section, flip a page and have all of my dairy related coupons easy to see.

I also have a section in the front where I keep all of my coupons that I plan on using during that shopping trip. Towards the back of my binder I have store specific sections for store coupons that I print off online or clip from the circulars. I also have a section for restaurant coupons, department store coupons, and entertainment coupons.

— Use Today –

Place all coupons you plan on using today here

— Produce –

Fruits, Veggies, Chilled Salad Dressings, Salad Toppings

— Dairy –

Milk, Butter, Cheese, Yogurt, Coffee Creamer, Cream Cheese, and Other Dairy

— Meats –

Deli Cuts, Bacon, Lunchables, Hot Dogs, Sausage, Other Chilled Meats

— Refrigerated –

Juices, Cookie Dough, Bread Dough, Dips and Spreads, Pickles

— Breads –

Sliced Bread, Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns, Tortillas, Bagels, and Other Breads

— Vegetables –

Canned and Jarred Vegetables of all kinds

— Fruits –

Canned and Jarred Fruits, Fruit Cups, Applesauce

— Hot Drinks –

Coffee, Tea, Cocoa

— PB & J –

Peanut Butter, Jelly, Honey

— Cereals –

Dry Breakfast Cereal and Hot Cereals

— Granola Bars, etc… –

Granola Bars, Fruit Snack, Energy Bars

— Pasta & Rice –

Pasta and Sauce, Rice, Prepared Sides, Couscous, Hamburger Helper

— International –

Mexican, Asian, Other International Items

— Drinks –

Non-Refrigerated Juices, Juice Boxes, Powdered Drink Mixes

— Soups –

Canned Soups, Dry Soup Mixes, Broth, Boullion

— Canned Protein –

Beans, Chili, Tuna

— Condiments –

Mustard, Mayo, Ketchup, Relish, BBQ Sauce, Hot Sauce

— Salad Dressings –

— Pickles & Peppers –

Pickles, Peppers, Olives, Other Antipasto Items

— Cookies & Crackers –

Cookies, Crackers, Other Snack Items

— Baking Mixes –

Mixes for Cakes, Cookies, Brownies, Pancakes, Muffins, Gelatin, Pudding

— Baking Staples –

Flour, Sugar, Chocolate Chips, Oils, Other Baking Staples

— Spices & Seasonings –

Salt, Pepper, Seasonings, Seasoning Packets

— Frozen Appetizers –

Pizza Rolls, Taquitos, Fries, Chicken Strips, Other Frozen Appetizers

— Frozen Entrees –

Main Course Frozen Items

— Frozen Staples –

Frozen Fruits, Veggies, Dough, Other Items for Cooking or Baking

— Frozen Breakfast –

Waffles, Breakfast Sandwiches, Hash Browns, Other Breakfast Items

— Frozen Desserts –

Ice Cream, Popsicles, Pies, Other Sweet Treats

— Salty Snacks –

Popcorn, Chips, Nuts, Pretzels

— Candy and Gum –

— Bottled Beverages –

Water, Soda, Tea, Sports Drinks

— Frozen Entrees –

Main Course Frozen Items

— Alcohol –

Drink Mixes, Beer, Wine, Hard Liquor

— Food Storage & Service –

Plastic Wrap, Aluminum Foil, Baggies, Trash Bags

Disposable Plates, Cups, and Silverware

— Paper Goods –

Paper Towels, Napkins, Toilet Paper

— Baby –

Baby Food, Diapers, Formula, Wipes

— First Aid –

Medicine and Bandages

— Vitamins –

Vitamins and Health Supplements

— Hair Care –

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Styling Products

— Oral Care –

Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash, Floss

— Shaving –

Razors, Refills, Shaving Cream

— Deodorant –

— Beauty –

Make-Up, Nail Polish, Beauty Tools

— Feminine Care–

Tampons, Pads, Yeast Medications

— Lotions –

Lotions and Sunscreen

— Facial Care –

Cleansers, Moisturizers, Face Scrub

— Soaps –

Bar Soap, Soft Soap, Body Washes

— Laundry –

Laundry Detergent, Stain Remover, Fabric Softener

— Dishes –

Dishwashing and Dishwasher Soap

— Cleaners –

All-Purpose, Kitchen, Bathroom, and Floor Cleaners

— Pet Care –

Pet Food, Treats, Pet Care Items

— Miscellaneous –

— Target –

Place all Target only coupons here

— Costco –

Place all Costco store coupons here

— Rite Aid –

Place all +Up Rewards and store coupons here

— CVS –

Place all Extra Care Bucks and store coupons here

— Walgreens –

Place all Register Rewards and store coupons here

— Department Stores –

— Safeway –

— Save Mart –

— Raleys –

— Other Stores –

— Restaurants –

— Entertainment –

How to Read Coupon Lingo!

Here's a quick and easy guide to reading the coupon lingo you see on this site and other deal hunting sites!

What do RP, SS, and P&G Mean? 

There are three major coupon insert publishers that regularly provide inserts to Sunday papers. When I reference them in my blog, I use the following abbreviations:

RP=Red Plum
SS=Smart Source
P&G or PG=Proctor and Gamble

The date following the abbreviation is the date the insert was included in the paper. For example: PG 5/11 means the Proctor and Gamble insert was in the May 11th issue of the Sunday Paper.

What are Peelies, Tearpads, Blinkies, and Mailers

Peelies are the little coupons attached to the front of an item in the store. You can peel them off and use them on the purchase of that same item.

Tearpads are tablets of coupons placed on display near the item they can be redeemed for.

Blinkies are those red coupon dispensers with the red blinking light on them.

Mailers are coupons that are mailed to your home. They are available to anyone but you may have to sign up to receive them.

What does 2/$3 mean? and $3/2? and how about "$3 ea wyb 2"?

2/$3 means: two items for three dollars (each item is $1.50)

$3/2 means: three dollars off of two items ($1.50 savings per item)

$3 ea wyb 2 means: the items are three dollars each when you buy two of the item listed.

Why are so many coupons listed for a product? Can I use them all?

Different regions have access to different coupons, so many times a blogger will list all of the coupons available at the time. No you can't use more than one manufacturers coupon per item. Many stores will allow you to use one manufacturers coupon and one store coupon (if available) per item.

I still have questions about Coupon Lingo

There's a pretty extensive list of coupon lingo here that will help you read the great deals in the couponing forums.

Couponing in Real Life: When Free isn't Worth it

The aspiration of every couponer is to get an item you need for absolutely free! And I've gotten items at the grocery store without paying anything and then done the I-got-it-free-ee happy dance.

But lately, I've come to the conclusion that getting some things free is just plain silly.

For example, recently I printed up a few $1 off one Degree deodorant coupons after the couponistas in the blogosphere declared "Free deodorant at Target and Walmart!" Apparently the coupon had no restriction on trial sizes so I could receive Degree deodorant from the trial section, priced at .97, absolutely free.

Well, I didn't go out and get my two free deodorants right away (how silly to hop in the car and waste gas and time for one deal) but added it to my list for the next time I found myself at one of those stores.

So, a week later, when I found myself at Target I went to redeem my free deodorant but when I got to the trial section, the trial size degree deodorants were tiny. The were so small  that they were a waste of a coupon.

I would have to use eight coupons on eight tiny deodorants to get the equivalent of one full sized deodorant. While those eight deodorants would cost me nothing and Target would be fully reimbursed (plus .08 per coupon) it would cost the manufacturer (Unilever) $8.48 plus the cost of shipping for me to say I got eight deodorants, in a size I don't want or need, for free. I'm not in the business of blatantly ripping any person or company off to get a great deal.

I'm not going to go into detail the waste of packaging of using eight small deodorant versus one large one.

Nor am I going to go into detail about how much I dislike being at the end of a deodorant and the thought of constantly having a half inch left eight times in a row....Ugh!
Needless to say, I walked out of Target that day very annoyed and with no deodorant in my basket.

I support sane and sensible couponing.

More From My "Couponing in Real Life" Series
Why you aren't getting 80-90% off on your grocery bill (and why I'm not either)
When to coupon vs when to Costco
My experience with the WalMart price match guarantee

Couponing in Real Life: Why You Aren't Getting 80-90% Savings on your Receipt and Why I'm Not Either

Viewers of TLCs Extreme Couponing are regularly bamboozled by the the extreme savings of the show's stars. These extreme couponers walk out of the store with 100s of items with an over 90% savings on their grocery bill.

If you are like me, you've seen those average looking couponers and said to yourself and said, "If they can do it, I can, too!"

Money saving blogs also promise the same amount of savings so we clip our coupons and follow their money savings tips.


But when you get to the store, despite your research and planning your saving end up being a measely 20% or less.

So why can't we get the coupon savings these couponers get. Here are my theories:

Reason #1 We don't live in areas where stores offer double coupons. A lot of couponers on TLCs Extreme Couponing are able to take a .50 coupon and turn it into a dollar just by bringing it into the store. That kind of magic doesn't happen in Northern California.

Reason #2 We don't shop in store that mark up their prices so they can show greater savings at the bottom of the receipt an in store circulars. If I go to a brand name store X, the regular price of a box of pasta is, let's say 3.29. When store X drops the price of that box of pasta to 1.59 without a club card and to 1.19 with a club card so they can claim 64% savings on that sale in their ads and at the bottom of the receipt. When a couponer brings in a .55 off coupon, bringing the price to.64, then the savings drops to 81%.

But, when we shop in stores that offer reasonable everyday prices like super savings store Y, the everyday low price for the same box of pasta is 2.49 and the sale price is 1.09. In this case the savings at store Y is only 57% and if the couponer brings the same 55% off coupon into the store, the price drops to .54, a lower price, the the percent saved is also lower at 79%.

Personally, I'd rather pay the lower price than have to claim the higher percentage myself.

Reason #3 We shop like real people. Face it, if we wanted to get extreme savings on every receipt, our diet wouldn't be very interesting. We'd live on pasta with premade sauce, fruit snack, granola bars, canned and frozen veggies, sports drinks, yogurt, and cereal. Our diet would be lacking in some of the health benefits of whole foods but, by golly we'd have a lot of nearly free vitamins to make up for our diets' nutritional deficiencies. Instead, we shop like those crazy people who spend more than $5 on a full cart of groceries and put fresh produce, eggs, and milk in their carts, and buy fresh cut, unprocessed meat from the meat section. These items rarely have a coupon and since we have to buy them at full price, out percentages go way down.

If I was an extreme couponer, I suppose I would make two trips to the store. One trip would be to Oregon to buy everything I needed with doubled coupons at the lowest possible price so I could have a receipt with crazy high savings. And one trip to buy weekly essentials: milk, eggs, meat, and produce so I wouln't mess up my savings percentage.

But I'm not and I still feel like I am getting the best possible prices for my dollar when I go shopping

Couponing in Real Life: When to Coupon vs. When to Costco

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In the past, whenever I purchased something at Costco, I assumed that because I was buying in bulk at Costco, I was getting a great deal, but one toilet paper purchase made me reverse that assumption.

After a bulk purchase of toilet paper (the super soft kind--my husband is kinda picky) I decided to work out the price per unit for the TP I just bought: .63/jumbo roll (I don't work out the price per sheet, that's a little too extreme for me).

I then picked up the weekly circulars and in EVERY SINGLE AD there was a similar quality TP on sale for .55 a roll or lower. Most were at .50/roll. This was without coupons.
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Couponing in Real Life: My Experiences with the Wal Mart Ad Match Guarantee

With a busy week scheduled, I didn't have a lot of time to go shopping so I decided to test out Wal Mart's Ad Match Guarantee Policy last week and do all of my shopping at one store instead of following the sales.

I scouted the weekly circulars from other stores and found great prices on a few of the things I needed and circled them with a red marker.

Even though Walmart's official Ad Match Guarantee policy says I don't need to have the competitor's ad with me for them to honor the price. I brought them with me anyway to avoid any hassle at the checkout (the peanut butter deal in particular was smokin' hot and I didn't want to miss out). I also had a copy of the Ad Match Guarantee printed up and ready to reference. (Scroll down to print your own copy)
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