Money Experts React to the "New Economy" (feat. Rachel Cruze)

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Money Experts React to the 'New Economy'"

Podcast: George Kamel, Ramsey Network
Episode: Money Experts React to the "New Economy" (feat. Rachel Cruze)
Date: December 19, 2025
Guests: Rachel Cruze (personal finance expert, best-selling author, co-host of Smart Money Happy Hour)

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Main Theme

George Kamel and Rachel Cruze, both personal finance experts, react to a series of viral TikToks and social media trends about the rising cost of living, economic anxiety, and personal finance in the 2020s. They debunk common myths, share practical advice, and add humor while highlighting solutions amid the "new economy" pressures facing Millennials and Gen Z.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cost of Living Breakdown — Myth vs. Reality ([02:02-05:41])

• TikTok Clip: Breakdown of young adults’ living costs, including rent, car payment, student loans, and the conclusion that building wealth is “impossible” due to high fixed expenses.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • George and Rachel critique the "doom and gloom" narrative, emphasizing that while costs are high, many aspects (car loans, luxury expenses, premium phone plans, DoorDash) are choices, not inevitabilities.
  • Rachel ([04:11]): "One of the biggest things is getting out of debt...if you didn’t have the $500 student loan payment, if you didn’t have the $400 car, that’s $900."
  • George ([05:03]): "The idea that you’re just capped—you can’t make more money...If you just do some napkin math...you save a ton by making frugal choices."
• Advice:
  • Attack debt before investing.
  • Minimize living expenses (consider roommates, cheaper cell plans).
  • Seek side gigs; "Most people we talk to make $2,000 by working extra." — Rachel ([04:53]).

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2. Moving Out: Real World First-Apartment Expenses ([07:16-09:35])

• TikTok Clip: Young woman details her move-in costs, emphasizing transparency and preparedness.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Appreciation for realistic breakdown and encouragement to save more than expected.
  • Security deposits can be refundable if the apartment is cared for.
• Rachel ([09:11]): "If you had roommates, rent could be half...which is reasonable."
• George ([09:17]): "I appreciate how she did not gatekeep...there are things you have to think about."

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3. Generational Comparison: The "New Economy" vs. Our Parents’ World ([10:47-14:46])

• TikTok Clip: A poetic reflection on how the economic landscape has shifted since their parents’ generation, calling today’s environment “expert mode."
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Point out the danger of victim mentality—unhelpful comparisons to previous generations.
  • Rachel ([12:26]): "I don’t know if we have it harder, but the opportunities we have are so much greater."
  • George ([13:03]): "Your dad built a house at 30...it sounds so like Abe Lincoln...different expectations now."
  • Our baseline expectations (homes, events, lifestyle) have increased, fueled by social media and HGTV.

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4. Living Abroad: Cost of Living in Italy ([16:14-18:39])

• TikTok Clip: An American describes her affordable daily expenses in Italy (cheap rent, groceries, public transit, free healthcare).
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Fascination and envy at possible lower cost of living abroad.
  • Humor around “unlimited trains” and local lifestyle differences.
• Rachel ([17:11]): "People are becoming expats...finding adventure and lower costs."

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5. Fast Food Inflation: Filet O’ Fish Sticker Shock ([20:03-22:39])

• TikTok Clip: Woman vents about the cost of three Filet-O-Fish sandwiches at McDonald’s ($17).
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Agreement that fast food prices have risen significantly.
  • Laughter at dramatic reaction, segues into a tangent about the dubiousness of fish at fast food places.
• George ([21:27]): "Filet O’ Fish is a premium sandwich...that’s Trump’s order...the more concerning part is what that’s doing to his small intestine."

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6. Parody: Car Payments Gone Wild ([23:05-24:14])

• TikTok Clip: Comically exaggerated car loan scenario ($599/month, 423 months).
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Call out the video as satire but underscore the reality that some fall into unaffordable car loans.
  • The danger of confusing (or misleading) internet financial "advice."

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7. Marketplace Frustrations ([24:35-26:26])

• TikTok Clip: Satire of frustrating Facebook Marketplace negotiations.
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Cathartic laughter; shared real-life anecdotes about the absurdity of online selling.
  • Rachel ([25:46]): "Marketplace is great because it lets you meet people that have never interacted with another human."
  • George prefers his wife handles these transactions now.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Victimhood and Agency:
  • Rachel ([06:48]): “You just want to complain and moan about how bad the world is, and no solution...that has to eat at your joy in life.”
  • George ([29:00]): "Start betting on yourself. Stop playing the victim, face the reality of the numbers and then figure out the life you want to live and how you’re going to get there."
• On Mindset Shifts:
  • Rachel ([28:36]): "There are sacrifices, there are jobs I have to work that I don’t like to earn some extra money to get myself and my family out of debt, but...there is hope."
• Light-Hearted Banter:
  • George ([14:14]): "You would call it a fixer upper at best."
  • Rachel ([21:56]): "I don’t trust fish at a...Oh, my gosh, a stink bug!"
  • George ([26:14]): "I don’t want you to remain a stranger when we’re done. We just need money for goods."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cost of Living Rant: [02:02-05:41]
• Moving-Out Expenses: [07:16-09:35]
• Generational Comparison: [10:47-14:46]
• Living in Italy: [16:14-18:39]
• Fast Food Price Shock: [20:03-22:39]
• Car Payment Parody: [23:05-24:14]
• Marketplace Satire: [24:35-26:26]
• Closing Reflections and Solutions: [28:36-29:29]

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

George and Rachel blend practical guidance with wit and empathy, encouraging listeners to push past pessimism and take tangible steps to improve their finances—even in a tough economy. Their humor keeps the discussion relatable and light, but they consistently steer the conversation toward solutions, resilience, and adjusting expectations—not resignation.

Final Advice:
Change your financial inputs (what you listen to and believe), avoid victimhood, take practical steps, and remember—there are always more options than you think, but progress comes with trade-offs and effort.

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For more, check out the Smart Money Happy Hour podcast and Rachel Cruze’s YouTube channel.

Transcript

[A]

You ever feel like life is getting just a wee bit too expensive? You know, you add up. Rent, groceries, taking the kids to the economy Museum. Just kidding. That's still free. And still the best place to make your family actively hate you.

[B]

Ugh, this is the worst.

[A]

But that other stuff has been getting more expensive. And today I'll be reacting to an assemblage of TikToks featuring people coming to grips with the cost of living in these here roaring twenties. And it won't just be me, because I'll be joined in this endeavor by my friend and Smart Money Happy Hour co host, Rachel Cruz. For the uninitiated, Rachel is a best selling author and personal finance expert who also helps people ditch debt, find margin and build wealth. And fun fact for your next trivia night, she has seen the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere two times. I'm not mad, I'm just jealous. Let's get to it. Rachel, welcome.

[C]

Thanks, George. Thanks for having me.

[A]

This is so fun. It's so weird seeing you at my desk in my studio.

[D]

I know.

[C]

I think I've only been in your world like once.

[A]

We only allow you in in doses.

[C]

Like every, you know, 48 months.

[A]

It's so fun.

[C]

It just feels right.

[A]

Well, we host a show called Smart Money Happy Hour together. And so I thought it'd be fun to bring a little Smart Money Happy Hour energy to these react videos.

[C]

I love it.

[A]

Are you ready?

[C]

I'm a little nervous. Not gonna lie.

[A]

Cause you're a nice person.

[C]

Well, you know, I've done these in the past and then I just feel bad after. But we are entering brave territory. I am gonna be brave.

[A]

George, are you gonna be good cop or bad cop? I'll let you choose.

[C]

Oh, I'll be good all the way. I will always find the good in this.

[A]

You know what that means?

[C]

It's not gonna be entertaining, but George, his best.

[A]

I'm Bad Cop.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Just kidding. I'm Joe Biden.

[C]

Stop that.

[B]

Not kidding around.

[C]

Oh my gosh. Not kidding around.

[A]

And another thing. All right, I'm done. But I could not tell you how much.

[C]

Did you put those on over your glasses?

[A]

No, I took my glasses, switched it off.

[C]

Yeah, okay. Figure that. That's.

[A]

I'm not that lame.

[C]

That's talented. That's talented.

[A]

I'm lame, but I'm not. Sunglasses over Glasses life. You sure about that?

[C]

Throw it at me. Go.

[E]

Not the overspending, it's the cost of living here is a breakdown of the average Gen Z and Millennials cost of living in today's world, Number one is rent. Everyone knows that Gen Z millennials have to have a roommate. So splitting a two bedroom apartment with utilities is around $1,500. If you have a car, a 12 to $15,000 used car is still going to run you $400 a month. Car insurance and gas is another 300. Student loan payment, $500. You're gonna have groceries for $500. You're gonna have personal care, doctor's appointments, hair gym, about 150. And then cell phone and miscellaneous. 150. That's three, $3,500 a month, which is baseline. Do you know how much $3,500 a month is? $70,000 a year or $34 an hour? Because after you take out taxes, put $300 for health insurance, and do a healthy $500 401k contribution, that leaves you with $3,500. This is no fun. No savings, no maintenance, no clothes, no kids, no traveling, no vacations, no bachelor parties, no weddings, no funerals, no clothes, no school supplies, nothing.

[C]

He sounds fun.

[E]

And this is paycheck to paycheck. And on top of it, they're holding $40,000 of student loan debt, a $15,000 car, and if they ever wanted to buy a house with closing costs and the down payments, another 50,000. So they did $105,000. So even if they were somehow able to scrounge up after $70,000 of paycheck to paycheck, $5,000 to go to a concert, to have avocado toast, whatever it is, $5,000 a year. It would take them 20 years to pay off this debt and save up for a house. 20 years of living with the roommate where that rent's going up, and they're making 70,000 DOL college graduate. The average person in this country makes 50,000. It is not the overspending. It is a cost of living crisis.

[A]

First of all, is he okay? Should we someone check on Fred?

[C]

Well, my question is, I would want to know. Okay, so what's the point of the video?

[A]

There's no point.

[C]

There's no solution.

[A]

It's just anger. It's rage bait is what they call it.

[C]

Okay, got it.

[A]

I will say he has wonderful empathy for those that are out there struggling. And a lot of these numbers make sense. But the idea that you have to pay 1,500 bucks in rent as a single person, the idea that you have to have a $400 car payment, you have to have the student loan Payment, you're going to have it forever and you're never going to get a raise. He's leaving a lot out.

[C]

Yes, 100%. Well, I look at this and I'm like, okay, well, where are things that we can change? And that's why one of the biggest things is getting out of debt. Because if you didn't have the $500 student loan payment, if you didn't have the $400, that's $900. And talking about the 401k, $500 a month I would put towards debt.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Versus putting in a 401k.

[A]

You're trying to do everything at once.

[C]

Yeah, that's right. So you want to do one thing at a time and then you have to factor in that, yes, this picture is normal for a lot of people, but that's not what we would say is a firm financial foundation. That is why baby steps one through three, getting an emergency fund in place and paying off debt is so important, which means you're going to have to cut expenses and you're going to have to work extra. And we find that people, George, they make $2,000 by doing extra jobs. Like when we do our some webinars and stuff and talk to people. Like people are making extra money. So that's what you have to do.

[A]

The idea that you're just capped, you can't make more money. It's just too hard in today's world. And the other piece here, if you just do some like napkin math, you get a roommate. Okay. Now you rent 750 instead of 1,500, you just save 750. You get rid of the car payment and student loans using our plan.

[C]

What are you saying? You are, you do have a roommate with that rent.

[A]

So it's $3,000.

[C]

That's what he's claiming. That's what he said at the beginning, I'm pretty sure.

[A]

Okay, maybe in a high cost of living city, but for most people, it's not $3,000 to get an apartment, but you get rid of the car payment, the student loan, you free up 900 bucks. You change your cell phone provider to like Boost mobile. Instead of 150, it's 25 bucks. So the idea that all of this is immovable and you're screwed forever, that's the part I disagree with.

[C]

Yes, 100%.

[A]

But there's a truth to it, that it's not all overspending. But there's also a piece where if you're door dashing, you're already overspending.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

So it's hard for me to listen to you complain when you are having all these luxuries in your life. Like a DoorDash.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

100% versus meal prepping and getting groceries.

[C]

Yep.

[A]

So thank you for that, Freddie.

[C]

Well, there you go.

[A]

And I still think it's just a lot. He's just a lot for me, Rachel.

[E]

Is he.

[A]

I just. If he's married, like, can you imagine when she comes to him with a problem and he just.

[C]

It sounds like me. After I've learned a new conspiracy theory, I'm like, we're all gonna die.

[A]

We're all gonna die. It's like just a nihilist. Eminem. Just inflation. 20%. Well.

[C]

And always, always, always, always. Whenever I want to show a problem in life. Cause there's problems. Not everything is a walk in the park. Like, this is not a naive statement. But whenever there's a problem, I want to be a person that provides solutions. So that's what I would encourage him. That, like, you can. Like I was gonna say a bad word. I don't know if we're allowed to say it.

[A]

Say it.

[C]

Jimone. Are we allowed to say that?

[A]

That's solid.

[C]

I don't know about everything in life.

[A]

We have. A large section of our audience is homeschooled.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

So do a version that is safe for homeschoolers.

[C]

You just want to complain and moan about how bad the world is, and no solution like that has to eat at your joy in life, you know, 100%. I think he and everyone, including myself, should do a gratitude list every morning.

[A]

What are you grateful for, Freddie? I'd love to know. Let us know in the comments. Safe for homeschoolers. All right. That was fun. We're off to a great start. Okay.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

You're doing a great job.

[C]

Thank you. Thank you.

[A]

As good cop.

[C]

All right, next.

[D]

Just moved into my first solo apartment a few days ago, and I want to break down exactly how much it costs because I had a few questions, wondering what my rent is, how much to save up before you move out, things like that. So I'm going to break it down for you and give you a grand total at the end. So the first thing that I paid for was the 50 application fee. I feel like that's pretty standard for most apartments. The next thing was the 150 reservation fee. @ my apartment complex, they charge a reservation fee when you get accepted for the apartment, basically just to hold the apartment for me. And then the next thing was the security deposit. I did pay the full month's rent security deposit at my apartment, it ranges from 300 to a full month's rent. So I did pay $1,650. I don't have a lot of renters history so they gave me the max amount that I could pay for the security deposit. And then I had to pay the prorated rent for the month of December, which was $1065.52 because I moved in on the 13th. And then there's a 31 valet trash charge that I will be charged every month. And that was 31. I did go ahead and pay that for Dec. And the last thing was the U haul. I did get a U haul for four hours on the day of move out and it was 61.86. So that brings us to a grand total of 3008.83. Don't let this number scare you. That's just what I had to pay. And a lot of people don't have to pay the full security deposit. So in every apartment complex is different. There may not be 150 reservation fee. But honestly my best advice when moving out is to save up as much money as possible. Obviously that's what everyone would say, but it's so true. You just never know what kind of charges you're going to get or different fees and stuff like that. But that's how much it cost me to move.

[A]

Out. Love it, love.

[C]

It.

[A]

Yeah. Thank you for that.

[C]

Video. Sounds.

[A]

Reasonable. Her name.

[C]

Tom. And she had multiple rooms in.

[A]

That. So back to two.

[C]

Bedroom. So back to. Oh, okay. Back to our first Freddie conversation.

[A]

Remember?

[C]

Yeah. He was saying 1500 with a roommate and he had no roommates. No roommate, but she could.

[A]

Have. As far as we.

[C]

Know. Yeah. But her rent could be half of what she just.

[E]

Showed.

[C]

Right. If you had roommates split.

[A]

It. So from 1650 it goes down less than 800.

[C]

Bucks. Yep, that's.

[A]

Right. Which is.

[E]

Reasonable.

[A]

Yep. So that goes to show you. I don't know where she lives, but it's a nice apartment. Looks like it's a newer apartment. Some fresh carpet there. And I appreciate how she did not gatekeep. There are things you have to think about when you're moving out of your parents house into your first.

[C]

Apartment. Yes. And if you're moving out of an apartment to an apartment, there could be cleaning feet. There could be other things of the move out as well.

[A]

Possibly. And you get the security deposit back. So yes, that cost is locked in while you live there, but it's not like you're Never getting that back unless you really screw something.

[C]

Up. Don't do.

[A]

That. Don't punch a hole in the wall. Don't break.

[D]

Stuff. Be.

[C]

Smart. Be an adult. Just be an.

[A]

Adult. God, did you always get your security deposits back when you rented do.

[C]

It? I think we did. Yeah. We moved in, I remember, in college, to a brand new apartment like it had just been.

[A]

Built.

[C]

Ooh. We were all.

[A]

Nervous. That makes me feel good, though, because, you know, that toilet has never been sat.

[C]

On. I know, right? Feels good. Feels.

[A]

Right. It's the number one reason to get a brand new apartment. I just have trust issues. I don't care how much Clorox you're using on that thing. You just don't.

[C]

Know. What about a.

[D]

Hotel?

[C]

Yeah. Yeah. We're stressing him out is really kicking.

[A]

In. How much scurvy can you get.

[C]

Back to hating on the.

[A]

Internet? Well, I think it depends on the hotel. I'll say that. Nicer hotel. I think they do a better job.

[C]

Cleaning.

[A]

Sure. I don't know. A quality in what quality.

[C]

Levels? The clean.

[A]

Quality. The Ritz Carlton. Sign me up for that toilet.

[C]

Seat. We're.

[A]

Fine. I'm the grossest person to sit on the toilet of the Ritz.

[C]

Carlton. Why are we. Why are we talking.

[A]

About. All right, we'll edit that.

[C]

Out.

[A]

Okay. We like to find the edges.

[C]

Here. We like to find the line wherever the boundary.

[A]

Is. Yeah, that's part of the fun of this.

[C]

Channel.

[A]

Okay. All right. Here we.

[F]

Go. Your dad built a house at 30. You're renting at 30. Same effort. New economy. Your mom raised three kids without a degree. You have a degree and three side hustles just to survive. They bought groceries for a week with one day's pay. You work two jobs to fill half the cart. This isn't about who's working harder. It's about how much the game has changed. Stop comparing your program as to theirs. They played in the rookie mode. You're an expert with inflation, digital pressure, and a world that never sleeps. You didn't fall behind. The starting line moved. The rules shifted. And you're still in the game. So stop the guilt. Stop the shame. You're not too late. You're building under pressure they never had to face. Keep going. You're not broken. You're just building in a different.

[A]

World. Wow. What a journey that was in 45.

[C]

Seconds. I feel like I am in a whole new.

[A]

World. I like her. The way she presented was very. It was like performative, like theatrical. It was almost like she was the Shakira of the personal finance world. Oh, my gosh. Now there's things I agree with her.

[C]

On.

[A]

Yeah. The first part, though, was very, like, victim mentality. Comparing your life to how your parents had it. Like, what good does that.

[C]

Do? Well, yeah. And if anything, I feel like sometimes it makes you want to fast forward your life because I feel like when you're in your early 20s, I feel like you're like, wait, why am I not far ahead?

[A]

Right. You start to worry about, I should be further ahead and can't because of.

[C]

The. That. Yeah. Make bad decisions because of that. And we don't want that either. So, yeah, maybe a little victim mentality. There's just. It is a different world, and I don't know if we have it harder, but the opportunities we have, I think, are so much greater than our.

[A]

Parents. That's a good.

[C]

Point. Like, even to make money, what we have today, what we can do, the fact that you can, like, work from home, the fact that you can. I mean, the Internet opens up so much, right? The normalization of renting out a spare bedroom on Airbnb or, like, you know, Turo for your car or like, I'm not saying you have to do all of these, but I'm like, even that is a very creative way to.

[A]

Make money, to start a business using technology. You can do that in a.

[C]

Week. Yeah. Yeah. So I think there's more opportunity we have.

[A]

Today. But your dad built a house at 30. Did he build it with his bare hands? He built a house at 30. I mean, it sounds so like Abe Lincoln. Let's get the logs out and go to town.

[F]

Here. Let's not build a house at 30. You're renting at 30. Same effort, new economy. Your mom raised three kids without a.

[A]

Degree. Mom's raising. Why are you talking about my mom? You don't know? My mom raised kids without a degree. My mom got a degree and.

[F]

She raised two kids and three side hustles just to.

[A]

Survive. Yeah, there's a lot of this kind of just to survive, and you're never gonna get ahead. And in the end, she actually ended with some good encouragement. Keep going. You're not.

[C]

Broken. You're building a different.

[A]

World. That's the. The part I actually.

[C]

Like. Yeah. And I.

[A]

Agree. You are building in a different world, so why.

[C]

Compare? And I am gonna say, we had different expectations, George. We have different levels where we.

[A]

Wanna live, how we wanna.

[B]

Live.

[C]

Yes. And our parents, I'm like, literally, like, growing up, I'm like, our birthday parties Our kids birthday parties were like in the garage. And my parents would like draw hopscotch with chalk. Like that's what we.

[A]

Did. And now you gotta go to like the trampoline.

[C]

Park. Well, yes.

[A]

Now. And get to Whitebound's.

[B]

House. I mean all of.

[C]

It. It's just like it's so much. And not that that is necessarily bad, but you can't compare our parents world to our world. Our world is like so much bougier of what we expect and what we want. It.

[A]

Is.

[C]

Yeah. Like if you took a house like what our parents bought in the early 80s, you wouldn't want to buy that.

[A]

House. You would call it a fixer upper at.

[E]

Best.

[C]

Yes. Where I'm like, that was like a one bathroom for the family. That's back to the toilet. Back to the toilet. But like everyone shared it. That's what it was. Like your shower always had a tub. Like there was no standup, just regular shop. Do you know what I'm saying? What we expect of normalcy today is just really.

[A]

High.

[C]

Yes. Our parents did.

[A]

Not. And it's not all our fault. Like HGTV ruined us. Social media's ruined.

[C]

Us. No, it's not their fault. It's our.

[A]

Fault. Stop. I know. I'm just saying like there's always a.

[C]

Reason.

[A]

Ownership. Now I'm the.

[E]

Victim.

[C]

Yes. George is playing the victim.

[A]

Now. I wasn't at a birthday party where monkeys were.

[G]

Involved. Oh my.

[A]

Gosh. So you would tell me about how we used to just have parties in the.

[C]

Garage. It wasn't ours. We didn't throw that birthday party you attended. Whatever. Okay. But live Monday. Thumbs.

[A]

Up. No, let me remind.

[C]

You. Like our parents didn't see the beach until like my mom was like in middle school.

[B]

Right?

[C]

Yeah. And nowadays it's like, oh, you always just get in the car and just drive to the beach every summer. It's like, you know what I'm.

[A]

Saying? Like the expectations and like eating out was a big. It was a big occasion. It was a birthday, a graduation.

[C]

And it was the Olive Garden for our.

[A]

Birthdays. Always the Olive.

[C]

Garden. We got the Olive Garden. That's all we.

[A]

Got. We had a Bertucci's. We had some class in.

[C]

Massachusetts.

[A]

Wow. It was a local Olive Garden. That was way.

[C]

Better. Probably better. Free breadstick and salad.

[A]

Though. I think so.

[C]

Actually. All you can.

[A]

Eat.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. I want to.

[C]

Say. Okay, well, they have good.

[A]

Competition. Google.

[C]

It. But I think, I don't think. I think the world compares. I think it's like, it's not apples to apples, in my.

[A]

Opinion. All I was thinking of is I need to change up my presentation to be more like, cool. I think if I had more piano music and I used more hands and I was a little more rhythmic and I could talk about you're building and you know, it was like she.

[C]

Spoke. Get your Boston accent out more.

[A]

Too. Wicked sick. Dude, what are you doing? You're building a different world.

[C]

Kid. Different world, kid. Suck it.

[A]

Up. That was a pretty good.

[C]

Accent.

[A]

Thanks. All right, let's see what's up next. Are you feeling good? Yeah, just checking.

[C]

In. I'm doing good. Wellness check on.

[E]

Rachel.

[G]

Good. Living in Italy is actually the cheapest thing ever. When people vacation here, they spend a lot of money cuz they're doing experiences and going to restaurants that, you know, they obviously want to enjoy since it's their vacation time. But if you're living here day to day and renting long term. My rent is €350amonth, which is $400 a month pretty much. I probably spend like $50 on groceries a week, max. If you go out to dinner to like a pizzeria, you might spend €10 a person. Health insurance is free, which is another huge bonus. I don't drive a car here, so I take the train everywhere. So I don't have car payments or gas to pay for. I buy a monthly train pass for €60 and I have unlimited trains the whole month. Those are just a few examples, but let me know if you'd like to hear.

[C]

More. Should we be in Italy right.

[A]

Now? I was sold on unlimited.

[C]

Trains. What are we.

[A]

Doing? Every five year old boy is like, give me unlimited trains, Mom. That is a good point. Is that when you're on vacation as a tourist, it costs you a lot more than living like a.

[C]

Local. Yes. And I've heard people do this like they are leaving to go to Europe to live because like we're called.

[A]

Expats. Is that what it is? That like when you permanently leave the U.S. you're an.

[C]

Expat? An expat, like.

[A]

Expatriate? I think.

[C]

So. Oh no. I think it's Boston Patriot, New.

[A]

England Patriot, Big patriot over.

[C]

Here.

[A]

Unbelievable. An American patriot, A New England patriot, all of.

[C]

It. You know what, I'm going to be honest. I think that would be so.

[A]

Fun. Yeah. Especially if you're like a young single gal and you're like, I'm going to go live in Italy. It's Emily in Paris come to.

[C]

Life. There was a girl and I was on her podcast like years ago. And then I was, I was on it again. She's so great. And I was like, how are you doing? She's like, good. It's actually crazy. Our family and our best friends and their kids, we moved to Spain and they're living in Spain for two years and they got houses next to each other. The kids are doing like an international school. And they are like walking. They're like in a little village. Like, they're like doing it. I'm like, that is the coolest thing.

[A]

Ever. And your kids are gonna be the coolest kids because they're cultured, they're well.

[B]

Mannered. I don't.

[C]

Know. So you know.

[A]

What? Good for you.

[C]

Caroline. Ciao, Caroline.

[A]

Ciao. I just like that she didn't have a single accent the entire time, but then she said, pizzeria, pizzeria, pizzeria.

[C]

Pizzeria. You might spend pizzeria.

[A]

Pizzeria. You know what she reminds me.

[C]

Of?

[A]

What? With Gianna De Laurentiis or whatever. What's her name? Is that her.

[C]

Name? Oh, pop culture.

[A]

Shoots. You know, the cooking. The cooking.

[C]

Girl. Oh.

[A]

Aina. There it is. Giada De Laurentiis. You know.

[C]

Her? Oh, Gianna. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Yeah. She'll be like, so next you want to grab your mozzarella? I'm like, all right, relax.

[C]

Giada. Oh my gosh. Mozzarella, mozzarella, mozzarella.

[A]

Mozzarella. All right, Rachel, before we move on, I think I need a little break. Brought to you by Fairwinds. They're like the good cop of the.

[C]

Baby. Where did you get those.

[A]

Sunglasses? I don't know, but I think you're jealous of.

[C]

These. I kind of do. Like, no. But Fair Winds is actually whipped out my debt as normal.

[E]

Beweird.

[C]

Yes. Fairwinds debit card the other day and the lady was like, oh, look at that. And she just kept moving. And I thought, if you ask, planted a seed, if you follow. Yeah. If you have a follow up question, I'm here to answer it. She didn't, but it's fine. But yeah, we do the smart checking and bundle.

[A]

Savings.

[C]

Yes. So we get our checking account, no fees on.

[A]

That. That's.

[C]

Great. Which comes with the debit card. High yield savings account. Which is awesome. Cause you can move money back and forth. And their online banking experience is so easy. So we actually put our other checking account that we had in.

[A]

It. Oh.

[C]

Nice. So we can move money so much faster into Fairwinds, which I.

[A]

Love.

[C]

Yes. Because Fairwinds, they are up to date. My other bank didn't. The chip on the card didn't work. I've never had a chip that worked. So when I got Fairwinds, the chip worked. And I thought, I AM welcome to.

[A]

2025. That's the bar Rachel set. Does the chip.

[C]

Work? I know, but that made me so.

[A]

Happy. Well, that and so much more. And they have tons of credit union partners, thousands across the nation. So go check them out. Go to Fairwinds.org Ramsey Open the Smart bundle today and you will at least be as cool as Rachel and I. Minimum, Minimum. The bar is.

[E]

Low. I think you're.

[A]

Cool. And we're.

[B]

Back. Please tell me why I just went through McDonald's to get a Diet.

[C]

Coke that looks so.

[D]

Good. And I was on the phone.

[B]

With my husband while I was ordering and he's like, wait, you're a McDonald's get a filet o fish sandwich. He's like, get me two. It's Friday in Lent at McDonald's. We're like, great, I'll just eat that for lunch and then we'll make something else for dinner. So whatever. I order three filet of fishes in a separate order because she wouldn't let me add it on to my Diet Coke order anyways. That's a whole nother story. It pissed me off. I love her energy around order three filet of fishes. Not the meal, just sandwich. She clarified. She said the sandwich or the meal? And I said just the sandwich. And she said three of them. I said yes. Tell me why it was 17 for three filet of fishes on Friday during Lent at.

[C]

McDonald's. During.

[B]

Lent. I'm not crazy. I sat there and blinked my eyes and then I just pulled away because I was so angry, which probably was rude. But like $17 for three filet of fishes at McDonald's? Are you kidding.

[A]

Me? That's.

[C]

Amazing. But it is like five bucks a pop.

[A]

Right? I know. I was in my head, I was like 5 bucks a pop plus tax gets you to 17 pretty.

[C]

Quick. I know. I went to the, to the Taco Bell drive thru the other week and, and it did get more expensive, I think. I mean you. I used to get be able to get out of there for like six.

[A]

Bucks. And now.

[C]

It'S. I think it's like, yeah, 1013. I mean it was. Yeah, it was more. I thought, man, wow, inflation. But that's five dollars for. But what? Normally she's thinking what three.

[A]

Bucks? In her head? She must have thought, well, it's probably $3 filet o fish Is a premium sandwich. Let me make it clear. At McDonald's. All right, But, I mean, that's trump's order. It's probably three filet fish. So at McDonald's, there's always something to have. I like the fish. I like it. He's dropping at least £17. The more concerning part Is what that's doing to his, you know, small intestine. I'm just looking at the calorie count on a filet of fish. All right.

[C]

390. I just don't want fish. I don't feel. I don't trust fish. Fish at a. Oh, my gosh. A stink.

[A]

Bug. Oh.

[B]

No. Oh, my gosh, it's climbing on my.

[A]

Leg. You can't kill a stink bug.

[C]

Right? I know. That's why I did.

[A]

This. It's, like, illegal. I think it's like a bald eagle. Like, it's a.

[C]

Legal. No, no, it's. Cause it stinks up a room. But honestly, that was.

[A]

Huge. Pretty genius move on the stink bugs part to be like, hey, guys, don't kill me. I'm really gonna stink things up. Keep me.

[C]

Alive. Oh, he's climbing on my leg. Oh, it makes me.

[A]

Shit. I'm gonna forever associate filet o fish with stink bugs.

[C]

Now. He's like.

[A]

Blah. Honestly, though, this is good marriage advice. I think all marriages. You need to find your other filet o fish.

[C]

Person. I think they ordered it.

[A]

Together. Yeah. If one person hates filet o fish. And also, does she think there's a discount because it's Friday and.

[C]

Lent? I know she loves.

[A]

Lynch. She's like, it's Friday. It's lent. You're going to charge me $17? Oh, my goodness. Soybee. I hate to admit it, but she's right. All right. What a journey we've been.

[D]

On. We have.

[A]

Been. I told you. Never a dull day around.

[C]

Here. I mean, it's like we have gone through it all, George. All right, here we.

[A]

Go. Let's.

[E]

Go.

[A]

Nate. Got this. Toyota Camry 2020 with the red interior. Ms. Nay, how much did you put.

[D]

Down? Zero.

[A]

Down. How much was your monthly.

[C]

Payment? 5.99. For how.

[A]

Long? 423. No, take a look. I don't buy any of that. First of all, oh, I've seen these videos. Have you seen these on instagram? People send them to.

[C]

You? I don't think.

[A]

So. Okay, well, I can tell you that it's gotta be satire. They do this. There's.

[C]

A. Because it's so.

[A]

Ridiculous. Yeah, I mean, we can just do the Math. Let me drag.

[C]

This. 27 divided by.

[A]

12. Oh, well, I was gonna go $5.99 a month for 427.

[C]

Months. Do that too. I just wanna.

[A]

Know. She did not pay $255,000 for that car. I can tell you that much. So that's how you know it's.

[C]

Fake. Oh, you think they were trying.

[A]

To. They do it to get clicks and views, and they're all like the same kind of characters now. I don't know who's agreeing to these.

[C]

Videos. Yeah, surely people did not sign.

[A]

In. But it also. It seems like they're preying on people who truly can't afford these.

[C]

Cars. We do hear sometimes of, like, 23%. Yes. Remember that one? We got that.

[A]

Call. Goodness.

[C]

Gracious.

[A]

Unbelievable. The Internet is already so confusing, and there's so many. So much noise and lies out there. Why are you adding to.

[E]

It? Why are we adding it with.

[A]

These, like, weird parody videos that aren't funny. They're just upsetting. All right, as normal, producer Alex is gonna surprise us with one final video. Up for it. All right. I'm being told by producer Alex this is your average Facebook Marketplace.

[C]

Interaction. Okay.

[A]

Funny. Hey, Facebook Marketplace. I've got an air fryer. It's brand new. It's in the box. Retails for 150. I'm asking for 80. Address. What address? Are you.

[B]

Interested?

[A]

Silence. Do you want it? What is address? Well, I don't want to give you my home address, but I can meet you in the Walmart parking lot. $30 I come now. The lowest I'll go is 60. It's brand new. It works. Is that a question? Yes, it works. It's brand new. The box has never been opened. How many times used? Never. It's brand.

[C]

New.

[A]

Silence. Just.

[C]

Ghosted. Oh, it's so.

[A]

Bad. Oh, man, that is too.

[C]

Accurate. It's.

[A]

Just. Thank you, Mark, for that great content the top comment here is really sending me. Marketplace is great because it lets you meet people that have never interacted with another human.

[C]

Being. Human being.

[A]

Before. 100% so.

[C]

True. It's like their first day on.

[A]

Earth.

[C]

Yes. And they come to Facebook.

[A]

Marketplace. Oh, my.

[C]

Goodness. Oh, so true, though.

[A]

Man. I use Facebook Marketplace. You know what? I make my wife do it now.

[C]

Sparingly. Cause you can't handle the.

[A]

People. I can't handle the.

[B]

People.

[A]

Yeah. And then one time I ran into someone who, like, knew me. They were like, oh, yeah, we've met before. Oh, no. I'm like, I don't want any part of, like, I want you to remain a stranger when we're done.

[C]

Here. Yeah, we just need money for goods. That's all we need. Just to.

[A]

Switcheroo. I don't want to know you. I'm sorry. I have other avenues for making friends. Facebook Marketplace, ain't it. But this is very.

[C]

Accurate. George is really.

[A]

Fun. I'm the most fun. Did you ever have, like, a personal.

[C]

Facebook? You know, I did back in college, and then I got rid of it, so now I've never had it. So I'll be honest. I've never been on Facebook.

[A]

Marketplace. You are not missing.

[C]

Out. I know. I don't feel like. Does Winston have a. Yeah. And we did.

[A]

Craigslist. Oh, that's even dicier. Okay, here's my life hack. I like to go look at their profile to make sure I'm dealing with, like, a person, a real human being who doesn't have a. Like, they're not holding a gun in their profile picture. That's the.

[C]

Bar. Unless they have, like, I don't know, camo and a deer in front of them and a.

[E]

Gun. That's.

[C]

Different. Then you're like, that's.

[A]

Different. Yeah. Not of people. Like, you're not gonna hurt me. Cause I will show up unarmed. I don't know if that's wise or not, but that's just how I live my life. Wide open.

[C]

Baby. But they always say to meet in a public space.

[A]

Right? Yes. I don't want to give you my home address. I will meet you somewhere. Somewhere near by. Do not follow me.

[C]

Home. Oh, my gosh. That's good, Joel. Too.

[A]

Good. That was a lot of fun. Yeah. And thank.

[C]

You. Okay, so I would say, George, like, most of these videos were high cost of living. And I think we do acknowledge, like, what inflation has done. Housing, especially college tuition. Like, there are very glaring parts of the world that you're like, oh, yes, that does feel and look different. But also, we always want a solution. Like, there's always a way out. Whenever we talk to people and they're like, this is it. Or it's just, I have this or this. And that's the only options. There's always going to be option A, B, C, D, E, F. And it may not be every single thing that I would want or you would want. But also, that's part of being a grown up. It's like, okay, I don't get everything I want in this moment. There are sacrifices, there's jobs. I have to work that I don't like to earn some Extra money to get myself and my family out of debt. But what gives me hope is even the Ramsey show, like the call ins that we get of people that are doing it, that have paid off debt, that have the emergency fund, they've gotten an increase in income. It's great. Do you know what I'm saying? It wasn't always easy for them, but you're like watching their story play out in front of you and you're like, yes, you're doing it. So I just always know there is hope in these situations. So people that are hopeless and just complain and offer no solutions or no help. What are you.

[A]

Doing? Yeah, I think changing your inputs is very helpful because if all you hear is it's too hard, it's too hard. Why would you even try to overcome it? And so no matter the hand that you were dealt with, no matter what your income is and your debt is, there is a way out. Is it gonna be harder for you? If you had a really bad hand dealt and you have a bunch of debt and you don't make a lot of money, that's gonna be harder. But to just go, well, that's never gonna be me owning a home or being out of debt, well, you're likely never.

[C]

Gonna. Never gonna do those.

[A]

Things. Yeah. So start betting on yourself. Stop playing the victim, face the reality of the numbers and then figure out the life you wanna live and how you're gonna get there. That's really the only.

[C]

Solution. Yep. A.

[A]

Hundred. It's gonna be.

[C]

Hard. We see that. It can be.

[A]

Done. And last, teaching beware on Facebook Marketplace. Yeah, that's right. You know what? I love to see a mutual friend. There's nothing more. I love a mutual friend. On one of those profiles that I check out, I go, oh, God, they're a real.

[C]

Person. Oh, look at.

[A]

Them. I know someone who knows that.

[C]

Person. Yes, yes, I trust you. That's the saving.

[A]

Grace. I trust you with my whole life. For some reason. That was a lot of fun. Thank you, Rachel, for joining us.

[C]

Today. Thanks.

[A]

George. Begrudgingly and reluctantly, I might.

[C]

Add. We did it.

[A]

Though. But it was a lot of fun. And if you enjoyed this episode, you're gonna love Smart Money Happy Hour, a show that we record just down the hall right there. That is so much better than this show. It trumps the show. It's way more laughter and joy and less sadness. So we'll drop a link to that in the description below and check out Rachel's YouTube channel as well. She crushes.

[C]

It.

[A]

Thanks. And if you enjoyed this video. I recently did this exact same thing with tax attorney and YouTuber Jasmine Deluci. We reacted to the Internet's worst tax advice and you can watch it by clicking here or using the link in the description. That's it for today. Be sure to subscribe to the channel. Hit the like button. Thanks for watching. We'll see you next.