Coupon Class Week 1

Getting Started!! Coupon Class Week 1!! (As posted on Bargain Zone)

There are lots of other classes just like this on the web. So this is not a new invention, just something we use to help out our new members. If any of you veterans have anything you'd like to add we'd love to hear it and will be sure to add it to this and future classes so please let us know. Now, let's get started.

There will be a total of 4 classes where you will be given homework assignments. These classes will help you on the way to saving tons of money. If you can’t complete an assignment, that’s ok try your best and keep working on it as we move forward. I know you all will have lots of questions but we are going to take it one step at a time. Here is a brief overview of what we are going to cover each week.

Week 1 – Price Book and Jargon
Week 2 – Organizing your coupons
Week 3 – Collecting Coupons
Week 4 – Maximizing Savings

~Create a Price Book~

To really have a sense of what “a good price” is for an item, create yourself a price book. This can help you determine trends in sales as well as cost per unit.

A handy way to keep a price book is in Excel if you have it. Take your grocery receipt and start entering! Most stores offer online shopping and you can also use that for pricing the items you buy most. The following is some information you may want to include on your price sheet:

Date
Store
Item
Brand
Size
Price
Unit Price
(To figure Cost per Unit - Cost of Item divided by number of Units. For Example: $ 1.99/18 (ounces) =11 cents per ounce)

Remember this is just an idea, you may want to include more or less depending on your specific needs.

You can also Google "grocery price book" and find some free templates online.

Which brings us to your homework for this week, Create your own Price Book!

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Jargon

Do you feel like everyone is talking another language? Want to know what all those letters mean? Here is a bonus section to help you decifer all that lingo. If you have any to add please let me know.

The Lingo aka Jargon

Q = Coupon
CRT = Cash Register Tape
DCRT: dated cash register tape. Must show the date of purchase on the tape.
NED: No Expiration Date
OAS: "one any size" Some coupons specifically state on them that they can be used onany size product.
POP: Proof of Purchase. This is the upc symbol on the package.
P/H: postage and handling
SAE: self addressed envelope
SASE: self addressed stamped envelope
SMP: specially marked package, meaning a package you find in the store that has been printed with a refund offer on it.
TRU: ToysRUs
UPC: "Universal Product Code". It is that box of black lines that the checker passes over the scanner at the checkout.
WSL: while supply lasts
Blinkies - coupon dispersed from an instore smartsource coupon machine (usually with a blinking light)
BOGO or B1G1F - Buy one, get one free
DND- Do Not Double
Double coupon - coupon that a grocery store matches to “double” the value to the consumer
ECB - CVS Extra Care Bucks earned for purchases
RR - Register Reward from Walgreens (prints i a cat style)
WAGS – Walgreens
FAR - Free After Rebate
ISO - In Search Of
IDSO - In Desperate Search Of
IVC - Walgreen’s Instant Value Coupon
IVDSO - In Very Desperate Search Of
YMMV - Your mileage may vary