About Coupons

Now that you know where to get coupons, let’s learn how to organize them. There are several options for organization and I encourage you to pick the option that works best for you. Organization is a large part of making coupons work, so it needs to be done in a way that helps you. I am going to discuss the three most popular methods.

First is the accordion file method. With this method you pull the coupon inserts out of the Sunday paper and file them according to date. When the time comes, you simply find the coupons you need and clip them. A great source for this method is www.couponmom.com. She describes in detail how this method works.

Second is the binder method. With this method you get a 3-ring binder and baseball card pages or something similar. Each week you clip all the coupons from the paper and file them in a way that works best for you in the binder. Some options for filing in a binder are alphabetical, by store layout, or by type (i.e. frozen food, canned food, beauty products, etc.) There is more information on this method at www.couponqueendiaries.com.

The third method is to use a recipe box or shoe box to file your coupons. With this method you clip all the coupons from the paper and file them by category in your box. Seperate the categories using index cards that are clearly labeled. I do not have a link to this method, but will answer any questions you have to the best of my ability.

I’ve compiled a list of coupon lingo to help you understand terms you will see here and at other blogs and websites. I hope that it helps ease confusion when trying to figure just what coupons are all about.

B1G1/ BOGO : Buy One, Get One free

MFQ or MQ : manufacturer coupon

.50/1 : 50 cents off 1 item

.50/3 : 50 cents off 3 items

Catalina : coupon that prints at register at time of purchase

Tearpad : pad with coupons found on store shelves or display

Peelie : coupon that you peel off a package

Blinkie : coupon dispensed near product in store

eCoupon : internet coupon loaded to a shopping card (Kroger plus card)

IP : internet printable coupon

FAR : free after rebate

MIR : mail in rebate

NEO : no expiration date

OOP : out of pocket

WYB : when you buy

WSL : while supplies last

PG/P&G : Proctor & Gamble Sunday insert

RP : Red Plum Sunday insert

SS: Smart Source Sunday insert

Stacking : using store coupon plus manufacturer coupon on purchase to increase savings

Doubling : when stores make manufacturer coupon worth twice its face value

There are other terms that you will see here and there, but these are the main ones you will see.