- Getting Started
- Coupon definitions
- Common reward program abbreviations

Getting Started

You’ve probably heard the stories or seen TV shows about ordinary folks saving hundreds of dollars on their weekly grocery bills. Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I could do that”? Well now you can!

We’ve made the couponing process nice and easy for everyone at CouponCliqueNW.com. Every day, you’ll get access to coupons and super deals from The Spokesman-Review and area businesses, plus great advice from local couponing experts!

Start clipping! The Sunday Spokesman-Review averages more than $500 a week in coupons savings –that’s more than $2,000 a month! Add in the Wednesday edition that’s also chock full of coupons and savings from area grocers and other retailers, and you’re ready to go.

We’ve enlisted the help of Spokane-area coupon experts who are great at saving money and sharing online and newspaper deals. They’re happy to show you how they are doing it. We also make it easy for you to print other coupons by providing links to the best sites for coupons.

Whether you’re trying to save money for yourself and your family, stock up on favorite products, get extra inserts or copies of the newspaper, or learn secrets from the pros, you’re in the perfect place! There has never been a better time to jump into this fun and creative world. We also want this to be a useful way for businesses to connect with customers and get more people shopping! Think of us as your partners in smart shopping -- and bigger, better savings!

So you’ve decided to take the plunge into the intriguing and alluring world of coupons. Are you going to instantly save thousands of dollars and end up with a guest room full of pallets of mustard and fruit snacks that you paid almost nothing for?

Probably not.

But what you will do, hopefully, is save a bit of money and also begin to be aware of what you’re buying and what you’re spending money on. If you start to follow this world and interact with other couponers, you’ll start to learn about the various sale cycles, and stock up next time something like cereal deals or condiment specials come around again.

You’ll learn ways to save money every time you shop, and plan your trips based on what you have coupons for and current sales, instead of just what you’re running low on. And hopefully you’ll have fun. Those who are already part of this community say they love saving money for their families but also like the camaraderie they find sharing strategies, discussing where to find deals and local stores. It’s not unheard of for people to swap coupons or inserts among themselves.

So how do you get started?

You’re already in a perfect place because CouponCliqueNW.com is all about educating people at all levels, from the people who are already pretty proficient to absolute newcomers wondering what the excitement is all about or how much time must be invested.

Here are our recommendations, which range from utilizing our site or connecting with other coupon bloggers who are affiliated with us.

• Find and read your inserts. An easy way to see what’s on sale this week in your neighborhood is to track down The Spokesman-Review and looking through the inserts for stores or products you might be interested in. Some of the 'extreme' crowd have been spotted going through recycling bins, and some like visiting a local store or newspaper sales rack. These methods have their risks, since there are only a limited number of papers at the racks. Home delivery can be a smart option. (If you’re don’t presently subscribe to The Spokesman-Review you can get a great Sunday special with up to 10 extra copies. )
• Look at our site starting with these tips. You’ll find section after section designed to explain the process and make it all make a little more sense. You can also connect with local and regional bloggers, and they top national coupon aggregator.
• Check out our bloggers on the "Our Clique" section. In addition to volunteering their expertise with CouponCliqueNW, many of them maintain their own coupon-related blogs and Facebook pages, where they offer even more insight, upcoming deals or advice from bloggers they like! Some offer how-to classes for free or a small fee.
• Ask questions! Some of our experts and site visitors have been part of this world and lifestyle for decades, others are new but have become immersed in couponing. Either way, they’ll enjoy helping you find a solution.
• Plus, like any hobby, some people do things differently than others, not to mention store policies regarding coupons that can change on a seemingly regular schedule. We’ll always be happy to explain some of the finer points or point you in the right direction.
• Keep visiting: As this site progresses and becomes more of a resource, we’ll have various promotions and activities taking place, and always invite people to share their suggestions on what could make their Clique experience more helpful.

Coupon definitions

Spend any time with veteran couponers, and you may think they may have their own vocabulary, spinning off abbreviations and terms that only they, and maybe the grocery stores, will comprehend.

But don’t fear – just like any language, it takes a lot of practice to speak it fluently, but anyone can learn the basics to get by. Only instead of learning simple things like “help me” or “I would like some cheese” or “where’s the bathroom?” you’ll learn to speak simple couponing.

Here’s some terminology to get you started.

• BOGO: It doesn’t stand for bongo drums with a silent ‘n,’ but Buy One Get One Free, a common type of discount where at least one item is required to be purchased. (Can also be seen as B1G1).
• B2G1: Another common bulk purchase option is to offer one free item if someone buys two of the same item.
• Catalina: A coupon issued at the time of purchase, such as a discount on the back of your receipt that can be redeemed on a future shopping trip. (Can also be called ‘cats’ for short)
• Manufacturer’s Coupon: A coupon issued by the company that owns the product, not a specific store. These can be redeemed at any store that accepts coupons.
• In-store Coupon: A discount on merchandise available only at the store that offered it (with the exception of stores that may match competitor coupon as part of their policy).
• OOP: How much you’ll have to pay out of pocket, once your coupons and other discounts are processed.
• E-coupon: Coupons that can be loaded electronically onto a store’s card.
• Printable: Coupons that can be accessed online and then printed out and used as a traditional paper coupon.
• Blinkie: Manufacturer’s coupons found in stores, usually in aisles near the discounted product from a dispenser that blinks.
• WYB: Short for ‘when you buy’
• Peelie: Post-it-like stickers that can be found attached to or near products on sale at stores.
• Mail-in rebate: Money that can be refunded, but requires sending something in and waiting.
• ONYO: On Your Next Order
• Double: Coupon that allows you to double the amount of your discount.
• DND: Requirements prevent doubling of certain items.
• Stacking – using a combination of manufacturer and store coupons to get a larger discount (Be sure to check with the store policies or a manager before trying.)

Common reward program abbreviations

ECB: Extra Care Bucks, offered by CVS stores

P&G: Proctor & Gamble: Print booklet section/insert offering discounts on Proctor & Gamble products.

RP: Print booklet section/insert created by Red Plum

RR: Register Reward, offered by Walgreens

SCR: Single Check Rebate, offered by Rite Aid

SS: Smart Source, another common insert/coupon booklet

BTFE: Box Tops for Education: A savings program that collects box tops and benefits schools.

CLFE: Campbell’s Labels for Education: A savings program that collects Campbell’s products for schools.

CF: Cellfire, mobile coupon program