Some of you might be new to the couponing game. Here are some things that may help you in your journey to be a master couponer...

Sometimes you'll see us at GATEWAYCITYSAVERS using "COUPON LINGO". Here's what those abbreviations mean:

SS = smart source
RP = red plum
PG = proctor/gamble
V = vlassis
WAGS = walgreens
PRINTABLE = a coupon which can be printed directly from the site
RR = register rewards (wags)
MIR = mail in rebate
BOGO = buy one get one
Blinkies = coupon dispensed near product, in the store (usually from a "blinking" red box)
Catalina = a coupon dispensed at the register at the time of purchase (either at end of receipt or separate)
FAR = free after rebate
OOP = Out Of Pocket
Peelie = coupon that you peel off the package
ECB = Extra Care Bucks (CVS)

and here’s a lesson in how to work CVS and the Extra Care Buck program:
-get a CVS card...the cashier scans your card and you get a discount on your groceries. The difference in the CVS card is that you don’t get a discount up front, but you get Extra Care Bucks following a purchase.
You can get a card from the cashier for one at the store.
-get a CVS weekly flyer and a CVS monthly booklet. This is just like the RR's from Walgreens which print out as a catalina...but these are on your receipt. Don’t lose this receipt! This little “coupon” at the end of your receipt is just that – a coupon! You can cut it off and keep it and use it just like cash on your next transaction.
Your best bet with CVS ECB transactions is to do it this way:
1. Present your card to the cashier to scan
2. The cashier will scan all your stuff
3. Present any CVS coupons
4. Present any manufacturer’s coupons
5. Pay with ECBs (remember, you don't get credit for change...if your total is 11.21, you may want to crab a candy bar or something around 50 cents, otherwise you're throwing 89 cents away!)
6. Pay the remaining balance with cash.

And at Wags, you'll depend on RRa, here's info for Wags:
register rewards (RR) are coupons from the Catalina machine that print after you make a qualifying purchase. Most RRs are to be treated like a gift certificate on your next purchase.
How do you earn RRs?:
Buy the exact items advertised to receive RR. You can still use coupons on these items & that should not affect whether your rr prints. If you complete more than one register rewards deal in one transaction, one reward for each different RR deal should print. but you will not receive more than one rr for the same deal.

If you believe you bought the right items and didn't get rr, you can return the items on the spot or call the catalina company, 888-322-3814. They'll ask you some info from your receipt and they'll be able to see if the machine was working and if you bought the right products. It does tend to take a few minutes for the call & then you have to wait to get the RR, which takes 6 - 8 weeks.

How do you use your RRs?
Pretty much like cash or like a gift card but sometimes there is fine print...
Most RRs specifically say that they can not be used on tobacco, alcohol, tax, lottery tickets, money orders, stamps, dairy, or any gift cards or pre-paid cards.
You cannot use more RRs and manufacturer coupons than number of items you are buying. As long as you are buying as many items as you have rr & manufacturer coupons, you should be able to use more than one rr. Using store coupons should not affect how many manufacturer and RRs you can use.
Do NOT use your benadryl RR to buy more benadryl (expecting to get another RR), it won't spit another RR out.

Can you use coupons when using a RR?
Absolutely!
If you are using a manufacturer's coupon and a wags coupon on the same item and hoping for overage towards your other items, give the manufacturer's coupon first. A manufacturer's coupon will be rejected by the register if it is over the cost of the item, but a wags coupon will go through.

Here's a wrong-scenario:
name-brand soap, $1.99
-$1 in-ad coupon (wags coupon)
=$.99
-$1 manufacturer's coupon - will beep and register will not accept it because it is over $.99!

Here's the RIGHT-scenario:
name-brand soap, $1.99
-$1 manufacturer's coupon
=$.99
-$1 in-ad coupon (wags coupon) - will not beep
=-$.01 (you'll need to grab another item or tax on your transaction for the penny to apply to)

The registers will not accept more manufacturer coupons/RRs than items. If want to use rr but already have a manufacturer's coupon for each item, you need to grab an item for each RR. Grab the cheapest items you can find (I usually end up grabbing a candy bar or something cheap around the register).

I HOPE THIS HELPS WITH YOUR COUPONING ENDEAVOR. Please feel free to post any questions in the comments & HAPPY COUPONING! :)