Crazy coupon lady on the loose brought back to earth!

So, this weekend we made a pilgrimage to our local big SUPER store that matches prices. For the past week starting last Saturday, I've been on Extreme Coupon Planet as I clipped and saved coupons, organizing them according to what we needed, PLUS as our local ads come in the mail on Tuesdays/Wednesdays, I waited w/bated breath as they came in and I made my list for what I needed w/the ads(which I brought to my SUPER store despite they stated they didn't need them. Uh, yeah; they claim they don't need them there ads, but I brought 'em anyway). So, w/kids in tow and two carts, we did our shopping. It was late, the kids were cranky, sleepy, punchy, hungry despite we had just fed them half off fast food goodies. They were just being kids. We used two carts; one for match-ups and one for just stuff we needed. This was a great idea as you can have the cashier ring up one cart or the other, whichever you want to get finished up first. I chose to have the match-ups last to show the ads, etc... What took so long in regard to getting the coupons together and what gave me a flippin' headache all week and made me an incredibly cranky, crabby mommy ( and it wasn't even "moon time" for me!) was I put together a general list, then made ANOTHER list to coincide w/the match-up products and attached them to the coinciding ad. This, IMO ended up being a bit of a waste of time; hindsight. Anyway, what I did then was store the coupons w/the coinciding product on each ad; and I took about four ads. Glad I did because I had to prove it regardless of the fact the SUPER store said their match policy doesn't require this. What I believe would help and make things not soooo insane is this(which I plan on using next time): Make a list, period! Keep products and coupons listed together according to product type, (IE, "health/beauty" coupons, "laundry" coupons, etc...). If you have coupons for some items, then seperate them from your list by either listing them seperately or putting a big "C" next to the name of the product. Be sure to research your ads if you're planning on having them matched at your SUPER store, but distinguish them by putting next to the product name where the ad is from, page number and the price per item w/size. Example? Peanut Butter Grocery Store J, ad page 3. 3/$5 {3-C/.50 off} I have the "C" noted as I have 3 coupons for this item. Use a highlighter too if that'll help. Then, have your coupons together in the order of your list. Be sure to put how many coupons you have and the price. This will make things easier to keep track at the check-out. Then type up on your computer or write up a final list, put it w/your coupons and ads. Be sure to bring every ad you want matched as this makes things go so much faster and you won't have a cranky cashier, whom you want on your side. I understand certain stores mention they don't require the ads, but it will save you and the cashier aggravation in the long run. Also, use a seperate cart for your matched ad items. This too will make things easier so have the cashier ring up the "regular" stuff first, then pull out the "matched-ad" stuff and mention that to your cashier and have the ads and your list at the ready to prove your weight in gold, so to speak. If your cashier makes a mistake, gently and very nicely inform them of this and point out the error. I usually am very nice and extra sweet, cordial, etc...as I'm spending a lot of time w/these ladies/gentlemen. Plus, you want them on your side. Being a cashier ain't easy work, yo! W/all that repatitive hand motion ringing stuff all day, cashiers can develop arm/hand injuries that may require surgery. Trust me, I've had surgery for such "injury." I also have had extremely rude cashiers and what I've even done was grabbed my merchandise and marched up to "Customer Service," asked for a manager and told them of the rude dude/dudette. Believe me, these retailers do NOT want to piss us off but they too need the mutual respect to be bestowed upon a fellow human being. Customer service is a tedious, difficult and at times a soul draining job, but when we (me in the past tense) would get that customer who was chatty, funny, attentive, nice, etc...it made the job worthwhile. And...that's pretty much it! Let me know if any of these tips are useful and if you've done so. My back still kinda aches which is most likely due to my bad posture as I lurched above my laptop and ads on our dining room table for a few hours a day for over a week.....but my headache is finally gone..well, it actually went away as soon as I sat in the passenger seat of our rental and pulled out of the parking lot. I felt I had accomplished so much! I felt wonderful! Like that proverbial weight being lifted off not only your shoulders but your head, butt, etc... NOW I KNOW why cashiers mention to me how nice I am and how some coupon chicks are actually quite...bitchy. This is a time consuming, tedious task....BUT in the long run it is worth it. And applying the "golden rule," it makes it even more enjoyable! BTW, what did I end up saving at the SUPER store? Well, including dog food, a cute black hat for my son that resembled Mickey Dolenz's hat from the Monkees 2011 tour we went this summer, about six jars of great pasta sauce, and other accoutrements: W/coupons and matched ads I purchased $582.27 and only paid $231.11. That is over half off my grocery/accroutrement bill even at the cheapest grocery store. Put THAT in your folder and save it