Value cannot be converted to a number

I can't figure out why this will not add. I have a MySQL database with the fields "postage" and "copies" set as varchar.

copies is 29.30 and postage is 37.22. I just trying to add things using the following code:

<cfset postage = "<cfoutput>#qcases.postage#</cfoutput>">
<cfset copies = "<cfoutput>#qcases.copies#</cfoutput>">

<cfset total = total + postage + copies>

I get the error The value "37.22" cannot be converted to a number

I have tried using these methods but no luck:

<cfset total = total + #LsNumberFormat(postage)# + #LsNumberFormat(copies)#>

and

<cfset total = total + #NumberFormat(postage)# + #NumberFormat(copies)#>

and

<cfset total = total + #DecimalFormat(postage)# + #DecimalFormat(copies)#>