Walgreens 101

One thing I learnt very quickly was that couponing has its very own language. It’s easy to pick up but each and every day I still find acronyms or sayings that stumps me. Here’s a quick guide of words/acronyms that you may find used not only at “From Wags to Riches” but also in blogs or forums around the Interweb.

Walgreens-specific words:

EasySaver Rebate (ESR) - Walgreens Monthly Rebate program. Every month, Walgreens comes out with a catalog filled with items that you can purchase and then claim a rebate on.

Instant Value Coupon (IVC) - a Walgreens specific coupon that can be found in the EasySaver Rebate catalog. They can only be used within the month that the ESR catalog is valid for.

Register Reward (RR) - an “instant rebate” specific to Walgreens. If you buy an item that qualifies for a Register Reward, a coupon will print out at the register after you have made a purchase. You are then able to use your RR towards future purchase at Walgreens.

General couponing words:

Blinkie - a coupon found in-store, displayed near the product. Distinguished by a red blinking box
CAT/Catalina - a coupon that is printed out at the register after you have made a purchase
Free After Rebate (FAR) - an item that will end up being Free after you submit the rebate for it
Internet Printable (IP) - a coupon that is printed from an online source
Mail In Rebate (MIR) - a rebate that can only be redeemed by mail
Out of Pocket (OOP) - the total cost to the customer after all coupons
Peelie - a coupon that can be peeled off the items packaging
Tear Pad - a coupon that can be found displayed on shelves for a particular product
Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV) - indicates that results may differ from store to store

Other acronynms worth learning:

AC - After Coupon
AR - After Rebate
BOGO/B1G1F - Buy One, Get One Free
DND - Do Not Double
ManQ - Manufacturer’s Coupon
MM - Money Maker
NED - No Expiration Date
OOS - Out of Stock
OYNO - On Your Next Order
POP - Proof of Purchase
PP - Purchase Price
Q - short for Coupon
RC - Raincheck
TMF - Try Me Free
WYB - When You Buy

Did I miss one? Please let me know by emailing me.

Everyone’s on a different level when it comes to shopping/couponing at Walgreens. I thought I would put together a pictorial description of a lot of the things I’ve been mentioning (in acronyms, most times) around the blog:

The Weekly Ad

The Weekly Ad can be found at the front of your Walgreens store (normally on a wire rack). It can also be accessed online via the Walgreens website. Or, you may also find the Weekly Ad in your Sunday paper. A new weekly ad comes out every Sunday and goes until Saturday.

The 7-Day Coupon

The 7-Day Coupon is a Walgreens specific coupon that can be found littered all over the Weekly Ad. You are able to use a 7-Day Coupon with an Instant Value Coupon and a Manufacturer’s Coupon.

The Walgreens EasySaver Catalog

The Walgreens EasySaver Catalog (ESR Catalog) is a Walgreens-specific monthly publication filled with Instant Value Coupons and also all the Rebate items up for grabs in the month. This booklet can be readily found by the same wire rack that the Weekly Ad is in. The Catalog is FREE.

Instant Value Coupon

The Instant Value Coupon (IVC) is found within the pages of the EasySaver Catalog. They are Walgreens-specific and they can be stacked with a 7-Day Coupon and a Manufacturer’s Coupon. They can only be used within the time period the EasySaver Catalog is valid for.

EasySaver Rebate Details

Whenever I refer to a Rebate #XX within the blog, I am referring to the EasySaver Rebate items within the EasySaver Catalog. Each rebate clearly describes what the rebate entails - the qualifying rebate items, the maximum number of items you can claim a rebate for and also the rebate amount.