Stay-at-Home Mom and Founder of Living Well Spending Less Inc. Shows the Sweet Side of Couponing

Punta Gorda, FL, September 06, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Blogger and super-saver Ruth Soukup knows a thing or two about saving money. The stay-at-home mom of two young girls saves over a thousand dollars a month by using coupons, usually spending less than $50 a week on all her family's groceries, toiletries, and diapers, without sacrificing her familyʼs lifestyle.

A self-proclaimed shopaholic, she now teaches others how to save through her three popular coupon-focused websites: www.LivingWellSpendingLess.com, www.SavingWellSpendingLess.com, and www.PrintHotCoupons.com. She was also recently named a 2011 DealPro by Savings.com.

Ask her how she feels about controversial reality show, TLCʼs Extreme Couponing, and sheʼll give you a mouthful. "I canʼt understand why TLC, which is supposed to be the learning channel, insists on promoting a side of couponing that is destructive, selfish, and downright ugly," says Soukup.

Sheʼs not kidding. Controversies from the first season include accusations of coupon fraud, as well as nationwide reports of newspaper thefts, including arrest of a woman seeking coupons. A preview clip (seen here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/08/31/extreme-couponing-season-2/) for the second season of the show, which premieres September 28th, promises even more controversy, with an admitted "shelf-clearer" who callously tells another shopper, "the early bird gets the worm."

Soukup was so upset when she saw this latest clip that she immediately responded with a YouTube video titled, "Extreme Couponing for Normal (and Nice) People" (seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdrvmnSxdvc) to discuss the "right" way to use coupons. It was an instant hit.

According to Soukup, there is a better way: "In today's economy people are desperate to save money, but ethical coupon use is what will save your family the most money in the long run. Getting 1000 free tubes of toothpaste might be fun, but you still have to eat."

She advocates a methodical, step-by-step approach, and explains that consistency is key. "You have to shop the sales, week after week. The goal is to always buy items at their rock bottom price," says Soukup. With more than 6,000 Facebook fans, Soukup says that "her fans clearly love her down-to-earth approach, helpful videos, and easy-to-follow instructions for getting started."

But Soukup's favorite piece of advice? "Just be nice. Be nice, be nice, be nice!"

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