So, have you buried your kitchen table in coupons and sale papers yet?  If so, then it's totally acceptable; it means you've been doing your homework!  We discussed coupon preparation last week, and now I'm going to teach you how to apply what you've learned in the store.
Once you have your coupons clipped and organized, it's now time to take all your preparation’s to the store.  However, keep in mind that this can't just be any random store.  You need to become familiar with store coupon policies, to learn which store will get you the best bang for your buck! 
Kroger and Publix are two of the best stores in which to shop.  They have a very broad coupon policy, which means there are more ways for you to save money.  It's also a wise idea to print off and carry the store's coupon policy with you when you go shopping.  You wouldn't believe how many employees have never actually read their store coupon policy, which means they will probably argue with you at some point during your checkout process.
The day or two before your trip is probably the most important part.  You need to look through your sale papers again, check the sales at the store, and make a list of the items you need based on what's on sale and what you have coupons for.  Again, applying your coupon toward a sale item is the best way to make sure you're purchasing the item at the cheapest price possible. 
Once you have this list made out, you need to make sure that you FOLLOW YOUR LIST!  One item purchased without being on the list can throw off the entire system and technique.  If you need something that you don't have a coupon for, then feel free, to jot it down on the list and get it anyway, but always follow your shopping list.  People, whether or not they coupon, should always create a list before going to the store.  It helps keep you on track and prevents shoppers from going overboard and purchasing things that they don't need. 
Now, the day before your shopping, trip you need to pull your coupons out of your coupon binder (or whatever method you are using to keep them organized) that you are going to need when you get to the store.  Most people already hate couponers anyway due to the fact that they take forever at the checkout, so please make sure you have the coupons you need ready, before you get to the cash register.  Also, don't be afraid to buy multiples of the same item.  One of the main goals in couponing is getting enough items to begin building a stockpile.  A decent stockpile may take anywhere from one month to a full year to build up, depending on how often you shop, how dedicated you are to couponing, and how much stuff you want in your stockpile. 
Once you have filled up your cart and made it to the front of the store you need to pick out which cashier to go to.  Yes, even picking your cashier is part of the system.  Teenagers are normally the best cashiers to go to.  They are generally more than happy to ring up your numerous items as well as the numerous amount of matching coupons.  You have to read their personality. If they appear frustrated or grumpy, then it's probably a sure bet that your pile of coupons will just further irritate them. Always remember to keep a smile on your face, be polite and keep everything organized, especially during checkout.  You should already have your coupons pulled and ready to go so you won't have to dig through them while a line of people form behind you. 
It's okay to be polite and nice, but you also need to pay very close attention during checkout.  Making sure your items are ringing up at the correct sale price is very important.
It's also extremely important to watch as your coupons are being scanned.  Sometimes, cashiers may accidentaly skip a coupon, which once again, is one major thing that will throw off the system. 
Ask any “Extreme Couponer,” and they will tell you that the checkout is the most stressful and nerve-wracking part of couponing. 
However, once you see your twenty dollar total for a $300 bill (before coupons) you will be on cloud nine! 
If you've been reading my column, then you know that I always give you a challenge each week; however, my challenge to you this week is more of a request. 
Check out my page on Facebook (just search for “Saving Dollars & Making Sense”) and “like” it so you can get updates on extra things I don't discuss in my column as well as all the columns I've written so far, in case you need to catch up. 
Share my column with your friends and family and I'd love to hear your feedback. 
I'll be hosting a seminar/workshop within the next month so keep that in mind if you're interested. 
Until next week, happy couponing!