Don't be intimidated by coupons.....

So many stores, CVS, Walgreens, Winn Dixie have really great couponing policies so always ask about any coupons you have concerns about before you get to the checkout.  I had a coupon for Tide that was not the sale item at CVS, my husband asked the cashier about it while I gathered all of my other items and was told if it was for a similar/like product they would accept it!  There seems to be a lot of confusion over store scenarios...................  I started out using the ones on Southern Savers but always had problems, never had the ecb's (extra care bucks from CVS)or all of the coupons!  It was very frustrating so we, Tammy and me, decided to come up with our own each week and it was much easier!  Here's what we do, make a pot of coffee, assemble all the items needed, coupon's, paper, sales advertisements, scissor's, envelopes(one for each lists coupons), more coffee(we really drink heavy when we are couponing!) We make our lists from the sales inserts in Wednesday's paper, we make three list, one for each of our families and the one joint(bogo items  or items that we are going to split).  After we have compiled the list we start going through the coupons and try to match coupons to each item on the list, yes it is time consuming, yes it is tedious, but it is so worth it!  We are keeping our receipts and I am keeping a spread sheet with our % of savings and as of date we are saving 67% on our grocery bills.  I am just guessing that we have spent about six hours total in clipping, compiling list and shopping and have saved a total of $822.75 which is like being paid $137.12 dollars an hour to coupon, totally worth it!!  Going to try and post some of of purchases with coupons needed this weekend.  Have a Blessed Easter!