What kind of pedals do you have? If they're shimanos, have you tried loosening the tension screw? There should be a tiny screw on the side that you twist onen way to make it easier to get in and out of and the other way to make it harder. Be sure to twist your foot out and if anything, press down on the pedal, not up. Pretend to squish a bug.

If you have a newer set of pedals, I would be surprised if you had to cut your shoe. I think the older speedplay pedals you had to cut, but I haven't heard it too much anymore (I could def be wrong on this).

I had a pair of Shimano 515s that came with my mountain bike. It was my first time going clipless, I fell a ton. It wasn't because I forgot though, it was because my feet were stuck. I would fall over and actually had to take my shoe off my foot to get it out of the pedal. I then switched to a used pair of Time ATACs and my problem was immediately solved. The pedals we just crappy. I didn't fall once with the news pedals. So, if it still doesn't work, try new pedals.