Lauren Cobello, once a leading coupon influencer online, transformed her life and career. In 2010, she launched her brand, initially known as "The Coupon Lady," after revealing her success in eliminating $40,000 in debt through couponing and smart budgeting. Despite lacking a financial background, invitations to speak at churches and events quickly followed, leading her to earn substantial income from her YouTube videos.
By 2016, her online presence grew significantly. She was posting frequently, authoring books about budgeting, and producing family finance content featuring her husband and kids.
However, personal challenges arose, and by 2017, Lauren's marriage ended. This shift forced her to adapt to life as a single mother of four, plunging her back into debt. Though she attempted to maintain her brand, she felt disconnected from her earlier narrative.
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“I lost my passion for personal finance,” Cobello shares. “What excited me was helping others grow their brands through books and media. It was daunting to step away from my old identity and launch something new, but I found excellent publicists and embraced the change.”
Now, Lauren serves as the founder and CEO of Leverage with Media PR, focusing on supporting nonfiction authors with book promotions. While she has largely moved on from her Coupon Lady persona, she still employs budgeting techniques to manage her expenses. Meal planning and freezer cooking remain her go-to strategies for feeding her children.
“I call it my fast five meals,” she explains. “These are five dishes I can whip up in under 10 minutes. I always keep ravioli, jarred sauce, and frozen garlic bread on hand. Grilled cheese and tomato soup are staples too, and my kids love rice bowls. Trader Joe’s has microwaveable jasmine rice packs that are perfect for quick meals with shredded chicken. And let’s not forget brinner—pancakes and eggs are always a hit!”
In our Mailbag section, we discuss a listener's dilemma about whether to use emergency fund money to pay off high-interest debt or consider a home equity loan. We also provide advice for someone needing new home insurance coverage after a significant rate increase.
