#2 in Series-Coupon Language

Coupon Language

Ala: as low as

B1G1F or BOGO: Buy 1 Get 1 Free

BBW: Bath & Body Works

Blinkie: A coupon pulled from a blinkie machine. These are coupon dispensers found in grocery aisles.

BTFE: Box Tops for Education

Catalina: Manufacturer’s coupons that print out at the cash register when you check out.

C: Coupon

C/D: Complete Deal

Cfire: Cellfire

C/O: Cents off coupon

CRTC: cash register tape with the price of the product circled.

DD: Dear Daughter

DH: Dear Husband

DND: Does not double

DS: Dear Son

DCRT: Dated cash register tape

ECB: Extra Care Bucks (CVS)

ESC: Easy Saver Catalog (Walgreens)

ESR: Easy Saver Rebate (Walgreens)

HT: Hang tag

HTH: hope that helps

IP: Internet coupon

ISO: In search of
LSASE: Long self-addressed stamped envelope

XLSASE: Extra Large self-addressed stamped enevelope

LSA(2)E: Long self-addressed stamped enevelope with 2 stamps

LTD: Limited

MBG: Money back guaranteed

MFR: Manufacturer

MIR: Mail in rebate

NB: National brand

NED: No expiration date

OAS: On any size

OOP: Out of pocket

OYNO: On your next order

P&G: Proctor & Gamble

POP: Proof of Purchase

PP: Purchase price

RC: Rain Check

RP: Red Plum

RR: Register Rewards (Walgreens)

SAE: Self-addressed envelope

SASE: Self-addressed stamped enevelope

S: SmartSource

SS: SmartSource

TMF: Try me free

UPC: Universal product code

WAGS : Walgreens

WSL : While supplies last

WYB: When you buy

Potty Training

My son is 22 months and I am going to try to potty train next week while on Christmas vacation. This is the day I have been dreading since I found out I was pregnant and am dreading with the next one too. I just don’t even know where to begin with the potty training. I’ve heard some say use a timer and set it for 20 minutes, every 20 minutes you take the child to the bathroom. How do you or the child do anything? I can totally see Jackson getting angry with me for interrupting his play time every 20 minutes. Also do you believe in pull-ups, the plastic underwear, or do you just go cold turkey off of diapers? What about night time training? I have a friend who is potty training her 2 year old son and she took the diapers away, period, he doesn’t even wear anything at night. She said she has changed a lot of sheets. I just don’t want to do that, plus I don’t want to ruin a mattress. I have another child on the way and that mattress has to last. Oh my, oh my, how I’m going to do this.

How to Coupon-The Walker Way!

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons

I am starting a series on couponing (is that even a real word?). The first in the series is Getting Started. 

Getting Started: Materials Needed

1.     File box or binder (depends on how you want to organize your coupons)

2.     File folders or baseball card sleeves, sheet protectors, dividers

3.     Newspaper subscription

4.     Good scissors

5.     Notepads

6.     Pens

7.     Computer with internet

8.     Printer

9.     Paper

10.  Envelopes

There are two main methods for couponing. I have tried both and both ways have advantages and disadvantages. The first method is the file box, you get circulars every week from the Sunday newspaper and you file those, by date, in a file box. As you follow the blogs, they will tell you where the sales are for the week, which circular to look in, and the date to find the coupon. The second method is the binder system; this is the one I currently use. You clip your coupons every week and file them by category.

Create a budget and make a list of all items you use the most and must have in stock at all times.  Then order a newspaper subscription, start clipping coupons. Make sure you sign up for shopper cards at all stores, even K-Mart. They are doing an occasional double coupon event, but you have to have their card to participate.

To do list for coupon shopping:

Clip coupons, get as many coupon circulars every week as you can. Ask friends that won’t use theirs to give them to you.

Organize your coupons

Review weekly sales circulars.

Review blogs. (see attached blog list)

Download any necessary coupons on your Kroger card.

Create your list.

Put your list and the coupons that you will use in an envelope for each store.

SHOP!

Be sure to set aside a day and time that will work for you to dedicate to clipping and organizing your coupons.  Always clip, download, and collect as many coupons as possible and even after you do your main shopping for the week, keep an eye on the blogs. You may find something that is worth another trip to the store.

Always bring your entire binder with you to the store, you never know when you will find an unadvertised deal. You don’t want to be irritated because the coupon you need is at home and you don’t want to have to make another trip.

Don’t worry at first, you may not see much savings, however the more you coupon and shop the better you will become.  Some people also get frustrated by mistakes they might make, for example, I have left Target before and been all the way home and noticed that my $1.00 coupon was not taken off, I take this as a lesson learned and forget it. Don’t beat yourself up over mistakes, because even if you lose a $1.00 here in there, you are still saving more than you might lose. Same goes for rebates, sometimes they might get rejected, but still try to argue your side and don’t worry if you don’t get your money back. Learn what you did wrong that time and go one, you will get more money back on rebates than you will lose. But don’t get behind on clipping and organizing your coupons, even if you don’t go shopping one week, still clip and organize your coupons.