If you’re new to the world of couponing, then you can get confused very easily at all the different words and phrases that you might see on a coupon. Not to mention we now live in a world of paper coupons, printable coupons, ecoupons and mobile apps!

There are lots of ways to save money, but if you want to maximize your savings, you need to be familiar with all of the coupon lingo. This post is a coupon term dictionary of most of the things you will encounter both in stores, on coupons, and even here on Southern Savers!

Understanding Coupon Lingo (a coupon term dictionary)

Most of us see a coupon and look for two things: the product on the coupon and the value of the coupon. However, the fine print on the coupon contains information for the retailer AND the consumer (you!).  It’s really helpful to understand the fine print, especially since you may find yourself having to explain it to your cashier. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more common terms in alphabetical order. Use your browser’s search function to easily find a term you’re trying to look up!

Understanding all of these terms is really only the first step, if you have a cashier that is not accepting a coupon I would recommend first to get them to try it. If they won’t scan the coupon at all, you can try to explain the correct answer to them, but many times they won’t care. In the end don’t argue, yell, etc. just tell them kindly that you want the coupon back and do not want to buy the product.

B1G1, BOGO, B1G1F

These are everyone’s favorite sales and coupons—Buy One, Get One Free! This means different things at different stores. At some grocery stores, a B1G1 sale actually means that you can buy just one item at 50% off. At other grocery stores and all drugstores, you must truly buy one at full price to get the other item for free.

For coupons that offer a free product when you buy another item, you must always buy both items.  These can be used with sales and store discounts though!  Just remember that coupons for free products will always make the cheaper item the free item.  Make sure you buy two similarly priced items to maximize your savings!

Blinkie (In Store Dispenser)

My children’s responsibility when we shop is to locate coupons. It is their treasure hunt of sorts.  These coupons are their favorite. Look near a product in the store for a small dispenser box often with a “blinking” light to grab your attention. My rule of thumb is to take two and walk away.  If you have ever tried to take more, have you noticed that the machine pauses after it dispenses two. It wants you to walk away and leave some of those coupons for others!  Again, these coupons can be used immediately or saved for later.  These coupons are usually manufacturer’s coupons and thus can be used anywhere.

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