Melissas Bargains

If you are new to using coupons, you may have heard of “doubling” and “tripling” coupons, but this terminology may be confusing.  I get lots of questions about what this means, so I thought I’d provide some clarification!

What does it mean to double and triple coupons?  Does that mean I can use two or three coupons for one item?

You can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item ever.  If your stores double or triple coupons, it means that the store will double or triple the face value of the coupon.

For example, if you have a coupon with a “face value” (meaning the actual value of the coupon) of $.35 and your stores triple coupons, then $1.05 would be deducted when you purchase a qualifying item and use the coupon.  If your stores double coupons, $.70 would be deducted when you purchase a qualifying item and use the coupon.

I have a few grocery stores in my area that triple coupons with a “face value” up to $.39 and double coupons with a “face value” up to $.50.  This is great because it means that when items are on sale for $1, I can get them for free if I have a $.35 or $.50 coupon! (this is how I get a lot of my free frozen fruits and veggies!)

How do I know if my stores double and triple coupons?

A lot of times, stores will advertise that they double and triple coupons in their weekly ads.  If your store doesn’t do this, it doesn’t hurt to ask!  You also want to be sure that you know the store’s policy for doubling and tripling coupons (my Kroger store will double or triple up to three of the same coupons per transaction, so I was very surprised once when I found out that my Randalls store would only double or triple one of the same coupons).

Doubling and tripling coupons is also typically regional, so even though your Kroger or Safeway store may double and triple coupons in your area, if you go to visit friends and family somewhere else, they may not have this policy.  Also, the amounts that they will double and triple up to sometimes varies.  I know in some areas, they double coupons with a face value up to $1 (I sure am jealous of people that have that policy!)

Many times, you also have to have a customer loyalty card or a special coupon to activate a double or triple coupon promotion.  Again, it’s best to check with your store for details.

Also, typically, you do not get “overage” from using a double or triple coupon promotion.  For example, if I am buying an item that is $1 and I use a $.35 coupon which will triple, only $1 will be deducted rather than $1.05.

My coupon says “do not double” – will it still work?


It might work.  It depends on the coupon.  If you look at your coupons, there is a “code” along the bottom of the coupon (I’ll be explaining this works and how to “read” it in a future post).

Here’s a coupon for reference purposes:

On the lower left hand side, you’ll notice a code along the bottom that starts with a “5”  From my experience, even if the coupon says “do not double/triple” at the top, if the code at the bottom starts with a “5” your coupon will still double.  (The code on this coupon starts with a “5”)

If the code at the bottom starts with a “9” then the coupon will not double/triple.  Most of the “blinkie” coupons you find in the machines in grocery stores start with a “9” and will not double or triple.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Welcome to all my new readers who may also be new (or relatively new) to couponing!  I know one of the hardest things for me when I was a a “coupon newbie” was trying to understand all the coupon acronyms that were posted on coupon blogs and message boards.  I felt like I was entering a secret society and it was so confusing!

If you’re new to the world of coupon lingo (or you’ve been around for awhile but still haven’t figured it all out), here’s a key to help you “decode” things on my blog and other blogs/message boards you may visit:
$ off – this is a “slang” term used for most common coupons that have a $ off amount. If you are reading message boards, people will sometimes shorten this to $/1 or $/2 (meaning the dollar off and then the # of items that need to be purchased)

Blinkie – These coupons are usually found at grocery stores and come out of a little machine with a blinking red light

BOGO = buy one, get one (usually buy one get one free or buy one get one 1/2 off)

BOLO = “be on the look out” (some examples = BOLO for these coupons, these clearance items, etc.)

Cat = Catalinas. Catalinas are the coupons that print out at the machines by the register that they often hand you with your receipt. These are usually considered “manufacturer’s coupons” and the items you purchase usually “trigger” these coupons. You can read more about catalinas here.

CRT – CRTs stands for “cash register tape.” These are the coupons that print out at the bottom of your receipt (they have these at CVS and at Target)

DND = Do not double – Some stores will double or triple a coupon to a certain face value. If the coupon says “DND” or “do not double” at the top, this may or may not apply (it will be up to the individual stores)

ECB = Extra Care Buck – you earn these at CVS when you purchase certain targeted items from the weekly or monthly ad. They can be used like cash off your next purchase.

IVC = Instant Value coupon – these are the Walgreens coupon books that you can find at the front of the store (usually by the weekly ads).  Sometimes there are also instant value coupons in the weekly ads.

GDA = Good Deal Advertised or Good Deal Alert

IP = Internet print – these are the coupons from websites such as Smartsource.com or Coupons.com that you print online

MIR = Mail in rebate

NED = No expiration date

OOP = The amount of money you spent out of your own pocket (after using gift cards, coupons, ECBs, RRs, etc.)

OYNO/OYNP = On Your Next Purchase – Some grocery stores offer promotions where you earn a catalina that can be used like cash off your next purchase when you purchase participating items.

Peelie – a coupon that is placed on the outside of a product and peels off

PG = Procter & Gamble insert (from the newspaper, usually comes out at the beginning of the month)

RP = Red Plum insert (from the newspaper)

RR = Register Reward – You earn these for purchasing certain targeted items at Walgreens. These are like catalinas and are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” so the one coupon per item rule applies to these as well.

SS = Smart Source insert (from the newspaper)

Tear pad – These are coupons that you can find and tear off on pads (usually near the product) in stores

Winetag/WT – these are found around bottles of wine and are usually good for a $ amount off of the purchase of items such as meat, cheese, and produce. Some require a wine or beer purchase to use them and others do not require a wine/beer purchase (these will be marked as NWPN or NBPN).

WYB = when you buy – Some coupons will say “free item when you buy X item.” In these cases, you can usually use another coupon to buy the “X” item

YMMV = your market may vary (in other words, this is how it works in my area, but the prices/deals may not be the same in your area)

If you’ve come across a term/acronym that you aren’t familiar with, post it here and I’ll decode it for you! 

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.