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)

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.

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]).

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."

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.

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."

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."

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."

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.

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."

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]

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.

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