It is very important to figure out what type of couponer you are. I started off letting coupons consume my time just to get $1 worth of stuff free. It burned me out really quick and I was no longer enjoying using coupons.

I started analyzing my situation and realized that I was putting coupons before my family.  I was so focused on getting free stuff that I neglected to make dinner, let the house go uncleaned and most important spend time with my kids and husband.

I’m telling you this so so you don’t make the same mistake. The Lord opened my eyes and showed me that what I was doing was not what he planned for me. He planned for me to be a stay home mommy and then a couponer!

There are a few different types of couponer’s these days. Here is how I break them down:

• Busy Mommy Couponer:  You get the Sunday coupon inserts and cut what you need. You print printable coupons as they become available for products you need. You organize your coupons (if you can find the time). You go to the grocery store once or twice a week and get the best deals for your weekly menu plan. You may even stock up on a few items if it’s a HOT deal. You drop into a drug store or super center once a week if it’s worth the trip (you know it’s worth it if you can handle all your kids while you’re at the store AND get the deal).

• Average Couponer: You get a few copies of the Sunday coupon inserts and cut almost every coupon because it could be on clearance while your shopping. You print most of the printable coupons available. You organize your coupons and make sure they’re filed and ready to go when you head to the store. You go to the grocery store several times a week to stock up on the products that have a “limit” restriction. You drop into drug stores and super centers to get all the great deals.

• Extreme Couponer:You devote your entire life to couponing, like a full time job. You either stock up on product and store it in your garage and get it insured or you stock up to donate.

When I first started out, I was more of an Average Couponer and realized that I was really a Busy Mommy Couponer. I’ve never been an Extreme Couponer but would love to be when the kids are at college and I have that kind of time. I would love to stock up on tons of products to donate to others. I personally don’t understand the concept of couponing to have years of product stored up for your self.

One thing I still do is keep my Sunday coupon inserts. I don’t have the time to cut every coupon but I still have a thought that I may need that coupon one day. I write the date on the insert and then file them away. As they near expiration, I throw them away. This is just an idea if you have the same worry that you may need that coupon one day.

Now it’s your turn. You need to figure out what type of couponer you are. Please leave me a comment on this post if you have any questions or comments regarding this post.

The next step is Organizing Coupons

This is the 3rd post in a series. Click this How to use Manufacturer Coupons link to read more posts in this series.