In the couponing world a lot of acronyms and abbreviations are used. Here’s a list of them.

* Q – Coupon
* Ex or X – Expires on
* FAR – Free after Rebate
* GDA – Good Deal Alert
* MIR – Mail in Rebate
* IVC – Instant Value Coupon
* MFR – Manufacturer
* OOP – Out of Pocket
* OYNO – On your Next Order
* BOGO – Buy One Get One Free.
* 2/$5 – This means 2 items for $5 (there could be other numbers like 3/$10 means 3 items for $10
* $1/2 – This means $1 off 2 items (like above, different numbers could be substituted)
* wyb – when you buy
* PG – Proctor and Gamble coupon insert in the Sunday paper
* RP – Red Plum insert in the Sunday paper, although in some areas they have started mailing these out.
* SS – Smart Source coupon insert in the Sunday paper
* ECB – Extra Care Bucks – CVS “money”printed on receipts to be used like cash in store.
* RR – Register Reward – Walgreens “money” printed on receipts to be used like cash in store
* Wags – Walgreens
* RA – Rite Aid
* SCR – Single Check Rebate – rebate program from Rite-Aid
* ESR – Easy Saver Rebate – rebate programe from Walgreens
* HTH – Hope that helps

Walgreens has finally posted their coupon policy!

WALGREENS COUPON POLICY!!

I would print this out and keep with you when you visit!

Below is what the policy states!

As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.

Guidelines:

General

• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
• Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
• Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
• Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
• Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register Rewards^TM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
• Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.

Sale Items

• Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.
• In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.

Multiple Coupons

• When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
• The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).
• When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.

Buy One, Get One Free Coupons

• When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.
• Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.

Internet/Print at Home Coupons

• Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.

Register Rewards^TM coupons

Earning Register Rewards^TM

• Register Rewards^TM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.
• Register Rewards^TM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.
• There is a limit of one Register Rewards^TM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.
• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.

Redeeming Register Rewards^TM

• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
• Refer to Register Rewards^TM coupon for expiration date.
• The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
• Register Rewards^TM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.
• Register Rewards^TM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.
• Register Rewards^TM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Ineligible items include but are not limited to:
• • Prescriptions
  • Tobacco products
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Dairy products
  • Lottery tickets
  • Money orders/transfers
  • Transportation passes
  • Special event/entertainment tickets or passes
  • Postage stamps
  • Gift cards/phone cards/prepaid/Green Dot^TM cards
  • Prescription Savings Club” memberships
  • Health care services, including immunizations

If it wasn’t for being Frugal I wouldn’t have been able to be a stay at home mom for the last 3 years!  I’m not cheap…I’m just looking for a less expensive alternative!

Here are 20 tips to get you started!

1. Combine your cable, internet and telephone service. Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill.
2. Slow down your internet service.You most likely will not notice a difference when surfing the Net.
3. Do your errands in 1 trip. Conserve gas.  It not only helps out your wallet but the environment too!
4. Garden.  Enjoy fresh inexpensive food all summer and into the fall.
5. Request a reduction in the interest rate on your credit cards. Credit card companies sometimes are willing to reduce the interest rate. It can’t hurt to ask.
6. Get your books from the library.  Can’t beat free.
7. Get DVDs from the library. Many libraries now have movies on DVD that can be checked out.  My local library even has Wii and other video gams.
8. Get DVDs from Redbox. If you don’t want to wait for your local library to get that new release that your want to see, try Redbox.  It costs just one dollar per night.  You can also get a free movie the first Monday of the month.  Just sign up your cell phone for a text.
9. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs. These bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer. They do take some getting used to, and they won’t work in every light fixture. But use them where it makes sense and save energy and money.
10. Garage Sale. An easy way to clean out stuff you don’t need and make some money.
11. Increase insurance deductibles.
12. Get rid of your home telephone. This is a great way to save money. Many don’t do it because of the 911 service, and that’s understandable. In some areas you can use your landline to call 911 even if it’s not hooked up. It’s worth looking in too.  At least cut back your what your paying for.  Do you need call waiting…do you get that many calls at once?  What about long distants?  Make them on your cell phone.
13. Shut vents in unused rooms. Shutting vents in unused rooms can save on your heating and cooling bill.
14. Eliminate some cable service.  If you must have cable, take a look at all the charges on your cable bill and consider getting rid of some of the service. Try it for a month and see if you really miss those last 500 channels.
15. Take your lunch to work.
16. Keep tires properly inflated. It keeps you safe and costs less on gas.
17. Stop smoking.
18. Drink less alcohol.
19. Buy generic over-the-counter medicines. They are exactly the same as their branded counterparts and cost less.
20. Buy online when it saves you money.Always check for coupon codes once you find the great deal!
    

If you are a mother wondering “How can I fix my credit score?” it may be beneficial for your family to have a professional get you back on track.

Here’s some tips on avoiding junk mail in your inbox.

• Set up an Extra Email: Set up a separate free email account just for signing up all these freebies, and don’t use your primary or personal email account.

• Always look for “Checked Box”: Many online forms have a checkbox asking for your permission to share your information with a third parties or sign you up for their newsletters, Uncheck that box if you don’t want extra emails.

• Do Not Give Out Too Much Personal Information

• Phone: Don’t give out your real number unless you want extra phone calls.

• Birthday: I don’t normally give out my birthday…why do they need to know?  I just make sure the birth year makes me over 18 years of age, normally around my own year.

• Other info: Don’t normally give out other personal information, like credit cards or SS# unless your sure the site is safe.