Where do you fall?

There's two (ok, maybe three) categories when it comes to someone who utilizes coupons.  First, there's the average person who, every now and then, purchases a Sunday paper and cuts out only the coupons for products they would typically buy, throwing out the rest.  This same person is also the first to shove those "annoying long coupons" (known as a catalina coupon) they receive during checkout into the bottom of their bag, never to see them again.  That......was me.  Yep, guilty as charged.  I would find catalina coupons crinkled and shoved into every corner of my purse, always expired by that point.  I couldn't believe the money I was "throwing away" by letting them expire.  I remember one I found said "Take $2 off your next purchase".  REALLY?? That was $2 thrown into the garbage.  I would never take two $1 bills out of my pocket and throw them away so why would I throw away free money in the form of a coupon?  Make sure you READ EVERYTHING!! 

The second category would be a "couponer".  Just because you once in awhile use a coupon, doesn't make you a couponer.  This title is reserved for the person who plans out their shopping trips ahead of time based off of the current sales and what coupons they have.  This person also shops at multiple stores in an attempt to get the best deals.  The couponer may be seen flipping through their stack of coupons while in the aisle verifying they still have that coupon for the item they just selected.  This same person usually has a store rewards card (free at most stores) to maximize their savings.  This category is where I fall.  I still go to a store on the spur but for the great deals, I plan out my trip by sorting my coupons and reading the weekly ads.  There's nothing worse than standing in a store thinking you have a coupon for an item, spending 20 minutes looking for it and finally come to realize you don't.  PLAN YOUR TRIP AHEAD OF TIME if you're going to use your coupons.

Lastly (this is the "maybe three" coupon category), if you make it to this level, is the "extreme couponer".  This person does everything the couponer does (sorting, organizing, preparing, etc.) but on an EXTREME level.  These are the couponers you see at the store with a separate coupon binder busting at the seams, multiple shopping carts of products and complete their purchases in multiple transactions.  It's the same people who spend 8-10 hours a day prepping for upcoming shopping trips.  Ain't nobody got time 'fo that in this house.  I'm happy with my "couponer" title.  

What category do you fall into?

Friday Freebie: Use your King Soopers (Kroger) savings card to upload a coupon for a FREE Gatorade Recover Shake.  Click Here to download your coupon today before 11:59 pm PST.  Must be redeemed by September 14th.  You're welcome!