’90s Status Symbols That Screamed “We’re Rich!”

Summary

Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel Episode: ’90s Status Symbols That Screamed “We’re Rich!”
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host: Ramsey Network
Guests: Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

---

Introduction

Rachel Cruze and George Kamel kick off the episode by setting a nostalgic tone, reminiscing about the distinctive status symbols of the 1990s that once signified wealth and societal standing. They invite listeners to reflect on how perceptions of wealth have evolved and assess the current cost of these nostalgic items.

---

1. Trampolines

George and Rachel recall the excitement and luxury of owning a trampoline in the '90s.

• Rachel: "We got one when I was in the fourth grade... I sprained my arm on the trampoline." [03:35]
• George: "Back in '96, having a trampoline meant you had a spacious yard and were doing well financially." [04:05]

Current Cost:
A full-size trampoline today costs approximately $200 at Walmart.

Discussion:
They highlight how, unlike today’s safer trampolines with nets, older models were perceived as a sign of higher socioeconomic status due to the space and investment required.

---

2. Clear Phones with Colorful Wiring

Clear phones with vibrant internal wiring were once coveted gadgets.

• Rachel: "I got it for Christmas one year... I had what kind of phone I had..." [05:30]
• George: "Today, a clear phone with colored wiring sells for $75 to $240 on eBay." [09:12]

Current Cost:
$75 to $240 on eBay.

Discussion:
They discuss the aesthetic appeal of these phones and how they symbolized access to the latest technology, despite now being considered outdated.

---

3. Lava Lamps

Lava lamps were quintessential '90s décor pieces that signified a trendy household.

• Rachel: "Lava lamps were very cool, and they're still cool." [09:19]
• George: "Most mattress stores do not sell them anymore because they declined in popularity due to high maintenance." [14:37]

Current Cost:
$25 for a lava lamp.

Discussion:
The conversation touches on the enduring charm of lava lamps and their transformation into nostalgic décor items, appreciated by both kids and adults today.

---

4. Two-Story Houses

Owning a two-story house once represented substantial financial stability.

• George: "Back in the day, then two-story houses required more land, making them a symbol of wealth." [10:31]
• Rachel: "Today, two-story houses are actually cheaper to build than one-story homes because they have a smaller footprint." [10:36]

Current Cost:
The median price for a suburban home today is $419,000, up from $63,700 in 1980. [11:54]

Discussion:
They explore how real estate dynamics have shifted, with two-story homes now being more economical and reflecting changes in land use and construction costs.

---

5. Waterbed Mattresses

Waterbeds were once a luxurious sleeping option for the affluent.

• Rachel: "Waterbeds were a little scary to me... They were a thing." [12:18]
• George: "I know someone who still has a waterbed… It's comfy." [13:30]

Current Cost:
$250 on Amazon for a waterbed.

Discussion:
They discuss the decline in popularity due to maintenance issues but acknowledge their unique comfort and nostalgic appeal for some individuals.

---

6. Computer Rooms

Having a dedicated computer room was a clear indicator of a tech-savvy and affluent household.

• George: "Today's price for a basic Dell desktop computer is $750." [15:50]
• Rachel: "In 1995, a Gateway Solo 2000 would have cost around $6,300 in today's cash." [16:08]

Current Cost:
$750 for a basic desktop computer.

Discussion:
The hosts reflect on the technological advancements that have made computers more accessible and the shift from large, separate computer rooms to portable devices like laptops and smartphones.

---

7. Bedroom Door Beads

Decorative beads on bedroom doors were a trendy way to personalize and signify style.

• Rachel: "I had them as wall art later on." [19:28]
• George: "They were part of the culture back then." [19:47]

Current Cost:
$15 on Amazon.

Discussion:
Rachel shares anecdotes about struggling with door beads and repurposing them as wall art, highlighting their role in '90s bedroom décor.

---

8. Pool Tables

Owning a pool table symbolized both leisure and financial capability.

• George: "Pool tables were a basement thing… but they’re still expensive." [21:10]
• Rachel: "Today, a pool table costs around $670 at Dick's Sporting Goods." [22:31]

Current Cost:
$670 at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Discussion:
They discuss the shift in household layouts and the decreasing prevalence of basements, making pool tables less common but still a cherished recreational item.

---

9. 64-Pack Crayola Crayons with Built-In Sharpener

An extravagant set of crayons was a child's luxury item in the '90s.

• Rachel: "A 64-pack of Crayola with turquoise crayons meant you could afford a tutor." [22:48]
• George: "Today's crayon pack is $3.99 at Target." [23:04]

Current Cost:
$3.99 at Target.

Discussion:
They reminisce about the pride in owning large art supplies and how such items were small yet significant indicators of wealth and care from parents.

---

10. North Face Jackets

High-quality outerwear like North Face jackets was a fashion statement and practical investment.

• Rachel: "A North Face jacket costs $180 today." [24:57]
• George: "It was a status symbol at senior year parties." [24:09]

Current Cost:
$180 for a North Face jacket.

Discussion:
They explore the transition from a luxury item to a mainstream brand, noting how durability and style have kept North Face relevant over decades.

---

11. Lunchables

Lunchables were a convenient and trendy kids' meal, symbolizing a family’s disposable income.

• Rachel: "Today, a Lunchable costs $177." [25:56]
• George: "It's now seen as a treat rather than an everyday lunch option." [26:19]

Current Cost:
$177 for a set of Lunchables.

Discussion:
The hosts discuss the evolution of Lunchables from a sought-after lunch item to a casual treat, reflecting changes in parenting styles and food marketing.

---

12. Juicy Couture Tracksuits

Juicy Couture tracksuits were synonymous with '90s fashion and youthful exuberance.

• Rachel: "A Juicy Couture tracksuit today costs $220." [28:11]
• George: "They were a pinnacle of senior year fashion." [27:53]

Current Cost:
$220 for a Juicy Couture tracksuit.

Discussion:
They reminisce about the tracksuits as symbols of trendy wealth, paralleling modern brands like Cozy Earth for their quality and comfort.

---

13. School Backpacks

High-end backpacks from brands like L.L. Bean and JanSport signified school-related status.

• Rachel: "Today, a Nylon L.L. Bean Bag costs $40 to $60." [30:38]
• George: "Messenger bags were our version of stylish backpacks." [30:14]

Current Cost:
$40 to $60 for a Nylon L.L. Bean Bag.

Discussion:
They compare the durability and cost of '90s backpacks to today's offerings, noting how backpack choices were once a clear status indicator among students.

---

14. Custom Ringtones

Personalizing ringtones was a unique way to showcase individuality and tech savvy.

• Rachel: "Custom ringtones through iTunes are still available for $1." [33:00]
• George: "I created ringtones for free using GarageBand instead." [33:15]

Current Cost:
$1 per ringtone on iTunes.

Discussion:
Rachel and George discuss the significance of custom ringtones in the '90s as a form of personal expression, contrasting it with today’s endless customization options.

---

Key Takeaways

Rachel Cruze:
"The appearance of what we think in the moment is cool and awesome, but trends come and go. Don’t set your identity or happiness on these things." [33:39]

George Kamel:
"Delayed gratification was easier back then because options were limited. It’s wise to retain some of that simplicity and mindfulness today." [34:44]

Insights:

• Evolving Perceptions of Wealth: Items once considered luxurious are now affordable or have transformed in significance.
• Financial Responsibility: Emphasizing the importance of not falling into the comparison trap and understanding the true cost behind status symbols.
• Nostalgia vs. Modernity: Balancing nostalgic appreciation with current financial realities encourages smarter spending habits.

---

Guilty As Charged

In this segment, Rachel and George candidly discuss purchases they've made as adults that align with the status symbols they once admired.

Rachel Cruze:

• Guilty of: Buying lava lamps and art supplies for her kids to foster creativity. [38:39 - 39:43]

George Kamel:

• Guilty of: Investing in a drink fridge to organize and store beverages, enhancing his family's sense of security and convenience. [39:19 - 40:50]

---

Closing Remarks

Rachel and George wrap up by encouraging listeners to embrace financial mindfulness, drawing lessons from the past to inform present-day spending decisions. They tease an upcoming episode focusing on the 1980s, inviting listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for more insightful discussions on managing money and appreciating what truly signifies wealth.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Rachel Cruze:
  "The appearance of what we think in the moment is cool and awesome, but trends come and go." [33:39]

• George Kamel:
  "Delayed gratification was easier back then because options were limited." [34:44]

---

This episode serves as a reflective journey through the '90s, illustrating how societal symbols of wealth have evolved and reinforcing the importance of aligning financial decisions with personal values rather than fleeting trends.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign lava lamps, waterbeds, and other signs of extreme wealth in the 90s.

[B]

A 64 pack of Crayola crayons with the sharpener built into the box.

[A]

Kidding me. The name brand Crayola with the sharpener.

[B]

Lunchables.

[A]

People gathered around to watch you assemble that pizza.

[B]

Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel and this is Smart Money Happy Hour. Well, this is the show where two friends who happen to be money experts talk about what you're talking about. Everything from pop culture, current events, and money.

[A]

And before we get to the 90s, let's talk about right now what we're sipping on. This is a coconut mojito mocktail.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We're going to give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode. So stick around if you want to learn more.

[B]

So. So, George, I feel like we could probably list a hundred different things in life in the 90s that makes you think like, oh, my gosh, that family was so rich. But now looking back, you're like, okay, it didn't even cost that much. But we thought like, oh, yeah, they must be rich because of fill in the blank.

[A]

What's the first thing you think of?

[B]

A fridge in the garage. If you had a refrigerator in the garage that was like, for drinks, you were doing real well.

[A]

I can think of the friend. And they not only had a drink fridge in the garage, lived in a cul de sac. And I thought, oh, my gosh, who can afford to live in it? Just ends in a cul de sac. The privacy.

[B]

You're there. You know what? My friend had a driveway that was a circle. Like, you could pull in one end and it connected to the other. It wasn't a straight one.

[A]

Who has the.

[B]

And she had the garage fridge.

[A]

That's how you know I'm looking at you.

[B]

Kate. That's right.

[A]

Shout out to Kate.

[B]

Exactly. And she had the cool tube socks and the six grand grade.

[A]

There was cool tube socks.

[B]

The socks that were up and then you just crinkled them a little bit up at the top. Oh, that was. That was the thing.

[A]

Missed that trend.

[B]

And you know what? It's kind of back. It's a little lower for the gen zers, but they're.

[A]

I don't know what's going on with Gen Z and the tube socks, but.

[B]

Have you done it yet? No. No, you haven't.

[A]

I'm still showing a little ankle.

[B]

I see that.

[A]

Hey, people paying good money for this show.

[B]

I haven't done it. The Socks?

[A]

No, I only wear socks that go above my ankle at home.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Otherwise, no need to show that off.

[B]

Yeah, we don't need to see a sock.

[A]

No, I'm fine. I still wear skinny jeans, so I'm out on all the trends.

[B]

That's good. That's good.

[A]

Well, we could. We could go through the list, but we're going to put the theory to the test and play a little game. So we have a list of throwback status symbols, and our team looked up how much each of them cost today.

[B]

Oh, good.

[A]

So we're going to guess the current price, reminisce a little bit, and give each one a yes or no based on if we would pay today's price to scratch that nostalgic spending.

[B]

That's a fun one. Okay. I love it.

[A]

So. And you have to play along at home, for sure. Encourage the viewers and listen.

[B]

And let me put a little asterisk that I think some of these items possibly haven't looked at the full list, but some of these items may have been more expensive back in the 90s. Right. From like a inflation standpoint. And they've gotten cheaper because they.

[A]

Technology.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because they're more. More available, if you will. Right.

[A]

Okay. Start with the home category.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. The trampoline. We got one when I was in the fourth grade.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And no net. Nets didn't exist.

[A]

Oh, like the net that goes around the sides.

[B]

Yeah. No, we didn't have those.

[A]

That did feel like ultra luxury. It was like, wow. All right.

[B]

I don't think we knew people that had those. Those didn't come in till, like, I was like, later high school.

[A]

It was like a safety thing. That was 2000s.

[B]

Yeah. So I'm talking, like, straight up 96. And I sprained my arm on the trampoline. I did a flip off of the trampoline.

[A]

You what?

[B]

Sprained.

[A]

Oh, sprained. I think you said sprang.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

I sprained my arm. I was like, wow, you did grow up into any arm.

[B]

Spraying my arm.

[A]

That's got to hurt.

[B]

It did. Yeah. But, yeah. A lot of doctors do not recommend trampolines.

[A]

I would say any doctor doesn't recommend it. You should get a trampoline. It'd be good for you.

[B]

They don't like them. I know. I. I like them. We. We don't have.

[A]

Well, the thing is, you also need the yard space. So part of it was, if you had a house that had a big enough yard, you were probably doing pretty well to afford a trampoline on Top of that.

[B]

Okay, let me say this though. True. True or false? I feel like back in, when I was like middle school days, it was way more common to have like an acre lot with like a rancher home on it. Nowadays people have an acre lot and build like a 6,000 foot square home or something. Do you know what I'm saying?

[A]

More home but less yard.

[B]

Yes. Where back in the day, I think the yard was more precious than the home. Nowadays it's the home versus the yard. Would you agree?

[A]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I grew up in New England in the Boston area, so we didn't have much yard. It was kind of like rocky.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Play much. Like I had. I had a little trampoline that was this big, you know, like.

[B]

Oh, like the little. Like the little solo.

[A]

A little solo trampoline. That's what we had.

[B]

100.

[A]

We had a good time.

[B]

And look, you turned out great.

[A]

I was out there skating.

[B]

All right, so today's price at Walmart for a trampoline is $200.

[A]

Wait, you're talking about the full size giant trampoline? That's only 200 bucks at Walmart?

[B]

Yes. Would you get a trampoline for Mia?

[A]

No.

[B]

Doctor. What? Why?

[A]

I. I pay for health insurance. I know what it costs. I don't need to have a sprained, especially on my little girl. If she hurt herself under my care and tutelage, I'd never forgive myself. That's a good, that's a good start though, the trampoline. Okay, next up, clear phone with colorful wiring inside.

[B]

All I wanted. All I wanted.

[A]

Loved a clear phone.

[B]

We didn't have.

[A]

Why did it cost more for you to see what was inside?

[B]

I don't know, but they were so. And the, and the wires, they obviously did on purpose. That they're like green and yellow and like lime green and like hot pink and. Oh, it's so cool. You know what? You know what? I had what kind of phone I had at one point and. And I got it for Christmas one year. I have no idea why I asked for this phone. You're not even going to believe it. I don't even know where mom and dad found this. I asked for one of those Victorian style phones that you pick up and there's like a hand this and like a skinny handle and then the mouthpiece and it was. Play it.

[A]

It was a functional phone.

[B]

Yes. And I thought.

[A]

Did you talk in an old timey voice the whole time?

[B]

No, but I had that phone in my room for like a few Months. And then I realized it's very uncomfortable. And then I got a portable phone. When those came out with a headset attached.

[A]

Like you're running a call center out of your bedroom.

[B]

And I could walk around my bedroom and like clean or do what I needed and talk to my friends on the phone.

[A]

What did you even talk about?

[B]

I don't know. Isn't that funny?

[A]

Like what was happening on the AOL messenger?

[B]

We talked on the phone all the time. Like we. I would get home from school and call my friends on the phone just.

[A]

For fun, because you could.

[B]

And then you had a call out of the school directory if you were calling like a boy, if you didn't have the number memorized. And then the house phone calls and you're like, hi, Mrs. Anderson, is Tyler there? You know, you gotta talk to the mom. She's like, oh, hi Rachel. Who is this? Oh, it's Rachel Ramsey. Oh, hi, Rachel. How are you doing? I'm good, thank you. Yeah, let me see if he's available, you know.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Like you had to have a whole conversation with me.

[A]

It's like a phone tree to get through.

[B]

When you were in freaking, like, can.

[A]

You imagine Gen Z having to go through an adult today?

[B]

I mean, seriously, I'm like, we had zero fears they would faint. Zero fears about the phone. I would even call the back of like potato chip companies. My friends, they would have a 1, 800 number on the back of like you just trolling. We did. And we got free food. They sent us like free coupons in the mail.

[A]

Wait, you just said, hey, we'd love some chips.

[B]

Yeah, but you talked to a 50 year old operator. You didn't care. Zero intimidation with adults on the phone. That was back in the day. George was in the 90s.

[A]

I was prank calling. That was our thing.

[B]

Did you ever use Star67? So like they couldn't.

[A]

Yes, we did.

[B]

It would be like a.

[A]

Anonymous.

[B]

Yes. Crazy.

[A]

That was a life hack. I can't believe they built that in.

[B]

Here's another question real quick on your answering machine. Did y' all do like a family answering machine at all?

[A]

Oh, I think that was my dad. Like my dad. Dad had the privilege of leaving.

[B]

What's the way? Do you remember? Do you have like any memory of it?

[A]

I think it was a very standard, like, hello, you've reached the camel family. We can't get to the phone. Leave a message and we'll get, you know, very standard.

[B]

Okay. Very standard. You had a crazy one, Noel, who got to do it at Christmas. We would all sing.

[A]

You had themed voicemails based on the season.

[B]

My family. Yes. We wish you a merry Christmas we missed you, Merry Christmas. Can you imagine the Ramsey singing? We did?

[A]

All of you.

[B]

We sang on it for Christmas. Seasons. And mom would gather us around the. No, the machine. Yes. It'd be like, all right, we're recording. One, two, three. And we all say, we wish you merry Christmas.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

We did. And Denise and I had a wrap on ours, but I've already. I've already.

[A]

We have a faint. Yeah. That's a famous clip from this show.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Can you do the beatboxing summit? Because that's my favorite part. Really good. Really good stuff.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Eminem. Been real quiet since you dropped that.

[B]

Yeah, it's. We're real good at the wraps.

[A]

That was simpler times. Okay, so today's price for the clear phone with the colored wiring, 75 to 240 bucks on eBay. Hope you have one laying around. I mean, that makes some serious money.

[B]

Seriously, that's like. That's legit.

[A]

That's crazy.

[B]

All right, next up is the lava lamp. Today's price. I'll just go ahead and break it to you. 25 bucks.

[A]

That's cheap.

[B]

My girls love a lava lamp to this day. Yes. And then the other thing that Amelia has saved up for, she bought was one of those things with fish in it. Fake. Fake, like jellyfish that they have different lights and water, and they. It's like a little.

[A]

Did they make that noise? It's, like, bubbling up to, like, move them.

[B]

Bubbling up? Yes, to move the jellyfish. The fake jellyfish. But my kids love lights and, like, things moving and tubes or something. I don't know.

[A]

Okay. Very specific niche.

[B]

It's a very thing. Anyway, so lava lamps were very cool, and they're still cool. So that's what I'm saying is, like, that's one that has not.

[A]

I still don't understand how they work. It's still a little bit of magic to me.

[B]

Okay, that's a good point.

[A]

We know it's not real lava. So what's going on? What kind of sorcery is this?

[B]

What is it? What's going on?

[A]

We don't know. But I do feel like my friends who had other nice things also had lava lamps.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Sort of like wealth.

[B]

I never had one. Did you have one?

[A]

I don't think I was a lava lamp guy.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And again, I don't know if I asked, like, was it too expensive? I don't know. It was at 100 at the time.

[B]

Right, right, right. Like, that's one that could have been. Yeah, a lot. All right, next. Two story houses. Oh, now here's a fun fact. Today, two story houses are actually cheaper to build than one story homes because they have a smaller footprint.

[A]

Oh. Because you can build up.

[B]

Build up, not out.

[A]

You don't need a lot of, like, acreage, man.

[B]

That's. Yeah.

[A]

Versus, like a ranch style home. It goes further back.

[B]

That's right. That's right.

[A]

That's interesting.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

You know, our house was a. Was a split, so it was like.

[B]

Yes, we had a split level. My first one. Yes.

[A]

That's the house I grew up in. So it was technically two floors, but there was this middle floor.

[B]

You walk in on the middle floor.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then you go up or down.

[A]

It felt like a three story, but it was a two.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. So true. Yeah. Our first one you walk in, actually, the kitchen was on that one. You walk down some steps to the living room, and the steps you would walk up was the bedrooms. So it did feel. I mean, like, honestly, it felt like a true story.

[A]

Stairs equals luxury.

[B]

Yeah. That house was my O.J. simpson car chase and trial.

[A]

Wait, what?

[B]

Nancy Kerrigan.

[A]

What are you saying?

[B]

I was like, that was the house. I remember certain news stories in.

[A]

Oh. I was like, what is the connection to OJ in the house you lived in? It just happened. Okay.

[B]

Yep. That was the house that I remember watching the O.J. simpson trial in. And Nancy Kerrigan. Remember Nancy Kerrigan? That was the. I remember watching that.

[A]

What was her line? Was it why me? She had a thing.

[B]

She did. Yeah, she did. When she was crying. Yes. Oh, man. Why? Yeah, it may have been why me? Yeah.

[A]

I don't know why. That's my one memory of Nancy Kerrigan.

[B]

Yes. But her in that white leotard grabbing her knee. Yes. Anyway.

[A]

Iconic.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

This won't shock anyone, but the median price today for a suburban home. $419,000, which has increased by more than 90,000 just since 2020, which is pretty wild. In 1980, 63,700.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Simpler times.

[B]

I mean. Wow. Unbelievable. Next is the waterbed mattress.

[A]

Yes. Did you know people with a water bed?

[B]

My grandparents had a waterbed. They were the only ones I knew about one, though.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

They were a little scary to me.

[A]

They were when you got on one.

[B]

Yeah. I was like, I don't know if, like, I feel like something's gonna happen. You know what scarred me?

[A]

Did you fall off?

[B]

What movie can you Think of the movie with the waterbed.

[A]

It's a movie with the water.

[B]

Edward Scissorhands.

[A]

There was a waterbed in that movie?

[B]

Yes. And he poked him with his. With his scissors. Why my parents let me watch Edward Scissorhands as a young child, I don't know.

[A]

Hold on. So no rugrats, no fern gully? Edward scissorhands. Totally fine.

[B]

100% God bless. Unbelievable. But no, I don't. I didn't know a lot of waterbed people, did you?

[A]

Well, the people that had a waterbed, the kids got to like live in the basement. And it had a pool table. They had the biggest DVD collection I'd ever seen in my life. And so to me, I was like, this all is part of it.

[B]

Yeah, it's like part of the culture.

[A]

Comes with the package of work.

[B]

Yeah, that's.

[A]

So to this day, I only know one person that still has a waterbed.

[B]

But you know someone with a waterbed.

[A]

You know him well. Director of production for the Ramsey Network, Chris Wright. Oh, that was. Will famously still has a water bed.

[B]

Is a water bed.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Their primary bed is a water bed.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Him and Dee.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Water bed.

[A]

He's single handedly keeping the waterbed industry alive. I. I think you have to have it serviced. I think it's like a pool. You got to get like the water filtered out.

[B]

Is it for his, like, back or something?

[A]

I think it's just comfort. Like, they just like it.

[B]

It's comfy. Stop it. Stop it.

[A]

Oh, it's amazing. It's one of my favorite fun facts.

[B]

The guy that had to approve this show sleeps on a waterbed is what everyone needs to know.

[A]

But I love that about it.

[B]

Oh, good for you, Chris.

[A]

So here's the current cost of a waterbed. $250 on Amazon for a waterbed. How do you ship a waterbed that feels like you have to fill it with water?

[B]

I guess it is so true. Do you fill it after or before?

[A]

But it needs, like special chemicals in the water, I think because one time he had to siphon it out and he called poison control.

[B]

Stop it.

[A]

And he had to say, am I gonna die because I drank waterbed water?

[B]

But why did he drink it?

[A]

He was trying to do something. It was a leak.

[B]

His story to tell.

[A]

He had a yes. God, if he was here, he's gonna watch this and go, oh, my gosh, that's hilarious. So here's the fun fact. Most mattress stores do not sell them anymore because they declined in popularity due to high maintenance Leaks, the heavy weight and they're difficult to transfer. I believe it makes sense.

[B]

100%. Oh my gosh.

[A]

God bless.

[B]

All right, next is a computer room. So computer prices have dropped nearly 50% between 2006 and 2007 after the iPhone One came out.

[A]

So people went, I have a computer on my phone.

[B]

Basically I had a computer.

[A]

So they had to cut their prices down. That's interesting. Did you have a computer room?

[B]

No, ours was in our playroom.

[A]

Okay. It was all in one.

[B]

Yeah. So like our playroom and that. Yeah. Did y' all.

[A]

We didn't start out with one, but then we eventually converted like a little tiny. I mean you, you barely could fit three people in there. Just a little nook. It was a little nook. And that's where the computer room was. My parents eventually renovated it into a bathroom once computer rooms were extinct.

[B]

Yes, that's right.

[A]

So we had a second bathroom. After I'd moved out, they decided, let's finally put a second bathroom in here. Must be nice.

[B]

Must be nice.

[A]

But yeah, the computer room, that was special. Like if you were in the computer room, you were there, you were planted. We were about to play some Wheel of Fortune on a compact disc.

[B]

Yes, 100%.

[A]

You ever have the old school? Like before CD Rom was invented? They had the floppy disk.

[B]

The floppy disk. Oh yes. My Oregon Trail was on the floppy disk.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. So today's price for a Basic Dell desktop computer, 750. More expensive than I would have thought, I'm gonna be honest.

[A]

Yeah. Also weird question, are people still buying desktop computers? Is that a thing? Call me ignorant, but I feel like laptops are you just get laptops?

[B]

Yeah, I don't know.

[A]

I guess if you're a gamer. A lot of gaming people get the old school. They gotta get the full on talent and musicians as well. You need the power, you need the computing power to handle it.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

We're not just browsing the web, just.

[B]

Not looking on Instagram, scrolling through.

[A]

But 750 is expensive. In 1995, a Gateway Solo 2000 would have cost around $6,300 in today's cash.

[B]

That's insane. I mean for real, that's crazy. I remember I was in the sixth grade cause we moved to middle school and. And all the teachers got new computers and they were the Apple computers. Cuz it used to be on Dell, but they were the colored ones that.

[A]

Were kind of clear, you could see through them.

[B]

Yes. And we thought like, we've made it. Like this is, like this is the big.

[A]

That's true. My friend who had the Macintosh. That's another sign of wealth bonus.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Because we all had a Mac. I was like, oh, wow.

[B]

Yes, with the Apple. Yes.

[A]

They had some money.

[B]

I know. With the Apple. Listen to me.

[A]

I'm confident with the Apple. We had, like, remember, compact.

[B]

It was a big deal.

[A]

We had the Compaq C O, M, P, A Q. I think. You know what?

[B]

Yes, totally. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

That's what we could afford.

[B]

I get. No, I think that was us. I put viruses on ours a lot. I know.

[A]

Did you ever have the one where you clicked it and it would open your CD rom? It would. It would, like, basically hit the eject button.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With, like, smiley faces all over your screen.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

That one scared me. I still. I have dreams about that.

[B]

That's terrible.

[A]

Viruses were a real threat back then.

[B]

It was bad. Yes. Gosh. Simpler times, George.

[A]

But you know what? You know how I avoid viruses these days? Avoid the spam and scam. That's the modern day version.

[B]

Yeah, I'd love to know.

[A]

Delete me.

[B]

It's so great. Well done.

[A]

If I had delete me back then, who knows what I could have avoided?

[B]

I could have been on Kaza all day downloading illegal songs, and no viruses would have come.

[A]

God bless.

[B]

We had delete me.

[A]

Simpler times.

[B]

No, but Delete me is an incredible service because unlike us not being on the Internet a ton in the 90s, today, we're on it all day, every day. Right? I mean, like, you are on it constantly. Your information is out there. You're filling out forms, you're doing stuff. And so because of that, people will get your information and sell it and make money off of your information. It's terrible. And then you get scams and spams and all of it. So Delete Me goes in and removes all of your information from these data broker websites. And they're phenomenal, you guys. They have saved me over 60 hours now. I got my report.

[A]

Your time is worth that.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You don't need to be on there filling out forms trying to get your info removed from these weird Bobo sites.

[B]

No, because their annual plan, that's 20% off for listeners of Smart Money Happy hour. It comes out to, like, less than, like, $10 a month is what it ends up being. So it is worth all day. Oh, gosh.

[A]

Go get the deal, guys. Join DeleteMe.com smart money or click the link in the description below. Worth it. Worth every penny to sleep better at night and take control of your privacy online 100%. All right, next up.

[B]

Oh, this was me.

[A]

Bedroom door. Beads. Yes, I am. And bonus, a doorbell attached to the little door frame. If you were really fancy.

[B]

Yeah. Okay. I got mine from Limited 2 and it makes sense.

[A]

That's what they sold.

[B]

Yes. Was. Yeah. And I had two rows and I put them. It was very difficult because if you shut your door. Because they were on the outside of my door, but when you shut your door, they would. They would. Yeah, they would come in. So you had to like, you know, like move them and then shut your door.

[A]

Oh, that's right.

[B]

Yeah. It's very difficult.

[A]

What a hard life they did.

[B]

It made it very hard on myself.

[A]

What was the point of the beads? Was it like for semi privacy?

[B]

I just know Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears, like their first albums had like beads. It was just like a. It was a thing. And then I moved them from my doorway to behind my bed on my wall. Oh, yeah. I had them then as wall art.

[A]

Maturity and growth.

[B]

Wall art. Yes.

[A]

That's nice. Were you a posters on the wall kind of person?

[B]

Yes. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Of what?

[B]

I never did it on the ceiling, though.

[A]

That's a weird one.

[B]

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, he was my first one.

[A]

Like a tiger beat. Like, where'd you get these from? Do you go to like.

[B]

Where were these from? They were. No, because they were rolled up.

[A]

They have like music stores that have posters for sale.

[B]

I think so, yeah.

[A]

I remember flipping through the posters. Remember that?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like Walmart had them. Like the big poster sections.

[B]

100%. Yes. Yeah. Oh, yeah. We had all. We had all the post. Mine, I was not covered though. I did have a bulletin board that I would tack on my CD when I would buy a cd. And you would take the COVID out.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Open those up and like make a collage.

[A]

That's fun.

[B]

Thought it was super cool.

[A]

I was cutting up skateboard magazines, like the best photo, and I taped them with just scotch tape to the walls all over.

[B]

Oh, that's cool too.

[A]

Inspir.

[B]

Yes. Just really embody who you want to be. Pretty rock and roll all the way around.

[A]

That's a good one too.

[B]

They don't do that anymore, right? Kids don't tape up. I mean, they don't like cut magazines. I mean. No, no.

[A]

What are they doing to their walls? It's like an insane asylum in there.

[B]

My girls do hang stuff on, but it's like art that they make and stuff. But they'll tape stuff to their walls.

[A]

I prefer jtt. No offense. To their art.

[B]

I know. Home improvement. He was so cute.

[A]

Still has a crush. He's a grown man. He has a family.

[B]

He had his little hair that did this.

[A]

You know, that's what you have now.

[B]

He was so.

[A]

Yeah, it's the JTT cut. He famously made this.

[B]

He did.

[A]

He made the middle part and then Jennifer Aniston after that, but.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Oh, man, that's a good one. So today's cost for bedroom door beads, in case you want to go on jump on there. 15 bucks on Amazon.

[B]

All right, next up is the pool table. Gosh, if you had a pool table, a foosball table. Air hockey. If you had a table of games.

[A]

Even, like, a game room.

[B]

Well, that's like a. Yeah, that's another level.

[A]

Did you ever have a pool table?

[B]

No, we did not have a pool.

[A]

We got one later in life.

[B]

You did.

[A]

It wasn't, like, a nice one, if I'm gonna be honest.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like, my friends had one. It had, like, leather corners. You know what I mean?

[B]

It was like, oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, oh, yeah.

[A]

We had, like, the budget friendly one. It was still fun. We had it in a sun. Eventually, we built a sun room.

[B]

Oh, good.

[A]

Off the house. Yeah. We put a pool table in there.

[B]

So fun.

[A]

And I had a good time with my friends in there.

[B]

You know, I know I miss the game room, so that's.

[A]

Do people still buy pool tables? Is it a lost art?

[B]

It kind of is.

[A]

They're still expensive to me.

[B]

It's like they're like a basement thing. Yeah, basement.

[A]

Not a lot of basements anymore. Yeah, like, houses.

[B]

Especially not in Nashville. I feel like Nashville's on a basement community. I feel like you go to, like, Minneapolis basements. Interesting parts of the.

[A]

Everyone knows Minneapolis is known for their basements.

[B]

Some of our best friends live there. They always talked about how Nashville, like, Tyler knows Nashville, like, never has basements. And they were like, this is so weird. Every home has a basement. There is what they would say.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know.

[A]

That's a good one. Well, here's the current price for a pool table. $670at Dick's Sporting Goods.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

That feels expensive. Still.

[B]

That is a lot. I'm gonna. That and the. In the computer. Still high.

[A]

Shocking.

[B]

Okay, next this. What we felt like was real wealth. George. A 64 pack of Crayola crayons with the sharpener built into the box.

[A]

Kidding me. The name brand Crayola with the sharpener.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

Opulence.

[B]

When you had like, turquoise as a color in your crayon.

[A]

You probably could afford a tutor at that point. You know what I mean? It was that kind of kid.

[B]

Just so crazy. So crazy.

[A]

Today's price, $3.99 at Target.

[B]

There you go. I appreciate crayons like, we. We had.

[A]

I'm trying to think if I had the 64 pack of Crayola, like, eventually, if I worked my way up.

[B]

I. I don't remember. I remember gel pens.

[A]

Did you leave that in your desk at school?

[B]

That's what I'm saying is I think at school and stuff, I'd be scared of theft. Yeah, we had gel pens that you would wrap a scrunchie around to keep them together. Oh, gel pens were.

[A]

That was that. Those were premium. And the. The scented markers.

[B]

Oh, those were cool.

[A]

You ever get into those?

[B]

Yes, those were cool. Just sniffing markers.

[A]

That was the tide pod of our day. We didn't vape. We had scented markers.

[B]

Who knows what happened to us. That's why we are what we are today because of the scented markers.

[A]

It is wild that parents were like, this is probably fine.

[B]

This is fine. Just.

[A]

I'm sure it's all natural and not just chemicals that are huffing.

[B]

No. All right, next up is the North Face jacket. Oh, this was like high school for me.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

The fleece North Face jacket.

[A]

And if you had the uggs to go with it. And you were at a Panera on a Friday night. Are you kidding?

[B]

So true.

[A]

You picked two at a Panera.

[B]

That was my senior year party's. That was the. That was the pinnacle of senior year.

[A]

Was that those girls never talked to me. I'll say this, George. I'm not sure I ever. No girl was interested in me that owned a North Face.

[B]

Oh, really? Yeah, because y' all actually needed one in Boston. We didn't really need them in Nashville.

[A]

No, it got. We actually had real winters.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

So you guys wore them just as a flex.

[B]

I guess so.

[A]

So it gets cold here.

[B]

Get gross too. Cuz you throw them in the back of your car and like it. Yeah, they weren't, like, flattering either. They're very bulky. I don't know.

[A]

But that's come back. North Face has stuck around much like Ugg.

[B]

The fleece jackets come back.

[A]

Well, just the North Face brand in general has stayed strong over the years.

[B]

Oh, it has stayed strong. Yeah, that. Now Patagonia in college, that was the fancy, fancy people.

[A]

You matured into Patagonia over time.

[B]

Yes. Yes, 100%.

[A]

Wow. So today's price for a North Face jacket. 180 bucks.

[B]

I mean, I bet that's pricey. Oh, this one is so true. Lunchables, Chef's kiss. If you had a lunchable. God.

[A]

People gathered around to watch you assemble that pizza.

[B]

The p. The pizza was the. Yes. Because you could get the ham and cheese cracker one. If you had the pizza and you took that sauce out of the plastic thing and dribbled your cheese on top. I mean, it was. People watched it happen.

[A]

You might as well have some Tchaikovsky or Bach playing in the background while I assembled that thing.

[B]

It was with some caviar on the side. Oh, my goodness. That's how it felt. I mean, it was.

[A]

And mom and dad never like, nothing. It was like, negative amounts of flavor.

[B]

See? But I thought they were so good.

[A]

They were.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But why? I think the pepperoni was carrying it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, the sauce was like.

[B]

But parents would never buy it.

[A]

The weird, like, cold cracker thing that it was on.

[B]

Yeah, it's true. I know, I know.

[A]

But we loved it.

[B]

So fancy. Well, today's price for a Lunchable is $177.

[A]

Now, would you give your kids a lunchable today? I think my wife is too crunchy, like, based on the ingredients.

[B]

Like, you know what we have, though, and we use it in the summer a lot. I don't pack them for, like, their everyday lunches, but in the summer, uncrustables.

[A]

Oh, that's like, a real treat.

[B]

I will do that. Yeah. I'll throw uncrustables in for, like, snacks and stuff.

[A]

Did you ever get packed a lunch where you were like, oh, we're doing well, you know, if there was a certain snack, like, for me, it was a good question. If there was Cape Cod chips, like a little baby bag and Gushers, I was like, Dunkaroos. Are you kidding me?

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Wow. Yeah, it was all the individual snacks. Cause mom never bought individual snacks because I think they were too expensive. You just get the big thing and you pour it in the baggies.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

So I always had the baggie. I never had, like, the individual wrapped thing. That's fair.

[A]

Well, I brought a lot of Arabic food to school. Cause that was my mom's cooking.

[B]

Oh. Yeah.

[A]

So nobody was, like, excited to see what I had. Cause it was like little kebabs look like tiny turd logs. And, you know, hummus wasn't cool back then. Hummus was so. No one was like.

[B]

She was so ahead of her time, Ms. Campbell.

[A]

She really Was.

[B]

I mean, seriously, people flocking out of Mediterranean.

[A]

And to be fair, nowadays, a kid would be so excited to have some good food at lunch.

[B]

Oh, yeah. It's what they want now. It's crazy. Okay, next is the Juicy Couture tracksuit.

[A]

That's a lot. That's a lot for me. This is Victoria's Secret. Is that their thing, the Juicy Couture brand?

[B]

Nope. George, what was the one that said.

[A]

Juicy on the back? That was Victoria's.

[B]

No, no, Victoria was pink. Okay. So I never had the Victoria's Secret pink line.

[A]

That's the one. Pink. Okay.

[B]

But I did have a Juicy Couture outfit. I did. Mine was purple and Denise's was pink. We got it for Christmas one year. I'll never forget it.

[A]

There's got to be a photo out there.

[B]

The zipper was even a J on the jacket. I remember that.

[A]

Wow. Are they still around? Are they still doing it?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

That was, though, like, even to this day, that feels. If someone was wearing that back, they must have money. They don't have taste, but they got money.

[B]

Money. Well, it's funny because the Amy Poehler on Mean Girls, the mom.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

I'm not a regular mom. I'm a cool mom. She had a Juicy Couture, like, pink suit. So, like, that's what I think of. That's like the pinnacle of, like. Oh, yeah, the Juicy.

[A]

Here's today's price on that. $220.

[B]

No.

[A]

Yep. I won't be buying you that. Don't even think about it.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

What is the more on trend version of Juicy Couture now that you would actually buy?

[B]

That is actually quality and beautiful. Anything from Cozy Earth.

[A]

Now we're talking.

[B]

That's what I would do.

[A]

That's class.

[B]

Give me some joggers and, like, a nice, like, hoodie that maybe same color. I'd go monochromatic. Not mat at the monochromatic, juicy, like, thing that they're doing there. But give me, like, a gray. Gray all day. And we love monochrome because, like, the Cozy Earth stuff, the quality is amazing. And it's comfortable. Like, it's actually like silky. Wonderful, wonderful material. The bamboo stuff for, like, sheets.

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

And pajamas. It's like you're just swimming through life.

[A]

And even for the guys, great stuff.

[B]

Just feels so good.

[A]

Like, Winston loves the hoodies there.

[B]

And yes, he got the hoodies and he got the socks.

[A]

I need to see Winston in a full monochrome.

[B]

One says Earth. This sucks.

[A]

That's what I'm getting Winston for Christmas. I'm getting him a Cozy Earth jumpsuit, basically, like, you know, the hoodie with the matching sweats.

[B]

He genuinely say thank you. Thank you for this because he loves Cozy Earth. It is.

[A]

That's what a true friend does.

[B]

It is amazing. Cozy Earth is. It's incredible, you guys. So make sure to check out their price.

[A]

Yeah, they're giving our listeners up to 40% off with the promo code smart money at checkout or go to cozyearth.com smart money and check it out.

[B]

So beautiful. All right, next up, George, is the new backpack every school year. And if you had an L.L. bean or a Jan Sports. Oh, man, you were. You were something.

[A]

You know what I had?

[B]

What?

[A]

East pack couldn't even afford the JanSport. Go to Walmart. Get me an East. It was just like JanSport, but like team version.

[B]

The team version, yeah.

[A]

L.L. bean was like, you were pretty, like mainstream, fancy JanSport. You were a little bit edgy.

[B]

We were JanSport.

[A]

Little edgier with the JanSport.

[B]

You know what, what else? What Came to a trend, which is so funny, I forgot about it. But I try to think what grade I was in. I may have been like high school. Y' all were the side messenger backs. Oh, we had like these messenger bags, y' all. And that was our backpack.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yes. I don't know why we thought they were so cool, but that was a season. I remember that.

[A]

That was the vibe.

[B]

That was the vibe.

[A]

My brother had an L.L. bean with his initials on it. But that took him all through high school. Like it wasn't a. You get a new bag every year.

[B]

Yes. Y.

[A]

That's straight privile there.

[B]

I know.

[A]

But today, Today's World Nylon ll Bean Bag. 40 to 60 bucks.

[B]

There you go. You know. Oh, you know the other fancy one, it may be a little. It was the multiple layered one. Do you remember these? It was like, they would be like pink or orange, but they were like really long. Cuz there would be like four compartments that went out and they were backpacks.

[A]

I think I got minor scoliosis from the bag, though. I believe that was diagnosed like that was. It was heavy. You had all the textbooks in there.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

We should not have been carrying that.

[B]

All right, last but not least, George, custom ringtones. Do you remember those instead of the.

[A]

How can you not? I just remember thinking, you want to pay a dollar for a ringtone? That's luxury.

[B]

Yeah, I did it. Did you?

[A]

Maybe once.

[B]

Uhhuh.

[A]

But I don't know like, the ringtone is really more for you.

[B]

I'm trying to think, but it's so true. Yeah. What was your first cell phone?

[A]

I had the. It was known as the smallest cell phone of all time, and I loved it. It was a little flip phone, and it was literally like a 2x2 square.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

That was my first. I think it was. It was like a Pantech, maybe. Was the brand something like that? How about you? I may have had the Nokia brick at one point with the Snake on it.

[B]

Yeah, I had. No. Yeah, I had that one. And then I went to a flip phone with an antenna. Thought I was so cool.

[A]

Wow. Did you ever. Do you have the first iPhone?

[B]

No. I had a BlackBerry.

[A]

Yikes. I wouldn't tell that to anyone.

[B]

I had a BlackBerry. That's when I was in college. I had the razor when Winston and I got engaged. I remember I had the Razer phone, and then my next one after that was a BlackBerry touch. Not like this. I didn't have the old school BlackBerry, but mine was the touchscreen one. It was trying to compete with the iPhone.

[A]

How'd that work out?

[B]

Not great. Cause then I moved to a Droid after that.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

Then I went to an iPhone. I know. You know what? I didn't leave and cleave because Dave hated Apple products, and I just stayed with that opinion.

[A]

He still kind of does.

[B]

Till I. Yeah. And I stayed with that opinion till I was like, 24, and I was like, why don't I just get an iPhone like everyone else? But I had the. I had the BlackBerry Touch. And it was. I thought it was so cool.

[A]

That's a good one.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I had the first iPhone. I remember sitting in freshman year of college, zooming into a website on my phone, and I was like, we're in the.

[B]

Using the.

[A]

This is crazy.

[B]

Crazy on 3G.

[A]

Took about 7 minutes to load the page. It was worth it when I got.

[B]

There, but it was amazing.

[A]

Here's the fun fact. You can still purchase ringtones through itunes for a dollar. Don't know who's buying it. I love it, though. I would make custom ones in GarageBand, and then I would export them and upload them to my phone. So I was doing it for free.

[B]

Mr. Technology.

[A]

You're welcome.

[B]

That's amazing. Okay, so some takeaways. George. So listen, I think the appearance of what we think in the moment is cool and awesome. Like, it fades. Like, trends come and go, and don't ever, like, set your identity or your happiness or joy, like, on that thing to think, like, I will be accomplished if I have that juicy tracksuit. Right. Or like, whatever.

[A]

The thing is definitely that one.

[B]

Because the trends, they just change constantly. And I do feel like there's still that comparison trap that there was then, but it's harder now because I do think you see way more content and images and all of that today than you did then. And I do think it's an uphill battle. It's tough.

[A]

There was less access to debt. It was less normalized back then. And nowadays it might look like someone has this amazing life and they're just in crippling debt up to their eyeballs.

[B]

It's more normalized. That's right.

[A]

And so you gotta go like, even if you are envious, just know you don't see the full picture all the time. So don't always be like, well, if I just had that. We don't know what they're going through. Maybe they've done really well and they paid cash for that pool. Or maybe they took out a HELOC against their home and they're stressed out every day. We don't know.

[B]

Yep, totally. And I would also say that we were able to practice delayed gratification more then because you did not have Amazon or like, you could just ship something to your house that day. Right. You had to like go to the store and get what you wanted. And what they had is all of the options. You didn't have all the options in the world. So there's something there that like going back to that mindset is wise. I think there's a wiser.

[A]

It's almost like a simplicity minimalism to that of just like, we have access to everything all the time and no matter what we want, we can get it on the Internet in two days.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[A]

I think it was kind of better back then where you didn't know all the options, you didn't have all the access.

[B]

Yeah, just a couple of things that you can get. And that's it.

[A]

I guess we're the old people in the room now.

[B]

Oh, man. I know. My girls said something the other day, some kind of drink with like little beads in it or something, and they were like, yes, that was it. Actually, I think it was here they were talking about it and I didn't know what it was, had never heard of it.

[A]

Yeah, that little tapioca pearls in there.

[B]

Don't know what they do.

[A]

Like a little mango jellies.

[B]

I don't know what you're talking about. Where do you buy them? At the Store can.

[A]

But usually there's like boba tea places, you know what I mean? Like, have their own store for boba tea.

[B]

Is this like the same trend? What's the trend? Ay, bowls.

[A]

Acai bowls.

[B]

Yes, Yes.

[A]

I guess. I don't know if it's stupid. I don't think it's as much of a trend. It's just made it stateside more.

[B]

Everyone's into it, though, and it's. All of a sudden you're healthy. You know, it's like this whole thing, and I'm like, what is going on?

[A]

Yeah. Nashville's just getting on the boba tea grind. But they're big on the boba tea grind.

[B]

Boba tea grind?

[A]

Yeah, I added grind for fun.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So it's perfectly sealed, and you take a big giant straw and you punch it through.

[B]

And what's in. In the bowls?

[A]

Either tapioca or like a jelly, which is like a rice, essentially.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's like a chewy. Just like a chewy rice ball almost. Or you can do jelly if you're not into that.

[B]

And you stir it together kind of.

[A]

You just sort of. As you drink it, they pop through the straw. It's a really wide straw. So it just adds, like, some texture to your drink essentially. It's like eating candy while getting a sweet drink. Think about it that way.

[B]

Okay, so it's not health. Is it healthy for you or.

[A]

No, no, I don't think anyone would consider it a health drink.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

There's healthier versions depending on what tea you get. I'm not. I'm not claiming to be a boba expert. Don't come at me in the comments.

[B]

But anyways, it's these true. I don't know. I can't keep up with it. You can never heard of it.

[A]

No one expects you to never heard of it. No one thought Rachel will know about boba.

[B]

A kid had a squishmallow pillow.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

When we were traveling last week, my girls were like, oh, my gosh, that's a boba pillow.

[A]

Oh, like the actual.

[B]

I guess. So the squishmallow was the boba pillow. It's very confusing. God bless the children, then all the initials. If we could just go back to TTYL and lol, I would be good.

[A]

I don't think boba's an initial. I think that's just a word.

[B]

I know. I'm just saying go back to. I don't know. Not a lot of options in life. There's just too much going on I agree.

[A]

Keep your simple life. It's better that way.

[B]

Okay. All right, before we spill the tea on Guilty As Charged. What are we sipping on?

[A]

We are sipping on a coconut mojito mocktail. It's got light canned coconut milk, some lime, ginger beer, sparkling water, and mint leaves. Comes out to $2.34. What's my rating on this? I'm going to go with a 6 out of 10.

[B]

I'm going 8 out of 10.

[A]

It kind of just tastes like a ginger ale. At some point, you gotta get the.

[B]

Salt and then drink it.

[A]

Cause it's like, that adds a little zing.

[B]

So good.

[A]

All right, wait. Check out the recipe. Eating my salt instead of boba. Make the kids a little coconut mojito mocktail. They'll feel really fancy this weekend. Rachel will not be making one. The girls are into boba.

[B]

I need to rewatch this episode and just be like, that's what I look like drinking a margarita at a restaurant.

[A]

Yeah. I'm not doing it. The people deserve better than watching me lick this glass like a maniac.

[B]

All right, now it's time for Guilty As Charged. And this is where we ask each other a question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip.

[A]

Here we go. Rachel, are you guilty of buying anything on this list as an adult because it makes you feel fancy?

[B]

Ooh.

[A]

What have I actually purchased from this list?

[B]

The lava lamp for the kids. I did get those. Because I did. That was like, a. I never had one as a kid. And the fact that about it.

[A]

How do they know about it?

[B]

No, it. It's like they've seen it and they asked for it. So I was like, I will get y' all a lava lamp. I think they got it for Christmas one year. Wow. I will say a new pack of crayons. This is all for the kids. Or new markers, I guess.

[A]

Heroic mom.

[B]

New art supplies. New art supplies. It does kind of give you, like, this, like, warm feeling inside.

[A]

Yes. And they're doing something very creative and.

[B]

Active, and you're like, oh, my gosh. And new coloring books. Like, that kind of thing just makes.

[A]

Me, like, something analog and creative. Feels like that we're hearkening back.

[B]

Okay, here is one that I will do for my own self, is a drink fridge. Yes. And can I tell you, when you open up a fridge and there's just drinks in there, it makes me feel safe. Like, I feel very.

[A]

Like you felt in danger before.

[B]

I feel safe when you open it and it's poppies and, like, Capri suns for the kids. Sorry. Don't get mad at me. Like, all this and you're just like. Like different IPA beers even. You know what I mean? It's just like, it's a colorful whatever the kids want. And it just feels. No, but it just. It just feels good.

[A]

Especially if it's organized.

[B]

It's how I feel about snacks too. Like, when you see, like options of individual snacks, it's cause a child. I didn't. We didn't have all this. But it makes me just feel good. Like it does. Like it gives me something.

[A]

But then Sharon Ramsay comes over and she says, rachel, why are you giving the kids this Capri sun?

[B]

Rachel, Rachel.

[A]

Gluten free sauce.

[B]

I'll take you to Costco, Rachel. I'll take you shop. I'm like, it's okay. I don't need a personal shopper for my food mom. She wants to teach me salmon recipes. She thinks I'm like making lunchables for my kids every day, you know?

[A]

Are we far from it?

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah. The one I'm guilty of. We got an out, like a garage freezer. And I fully am like, we're doing pretty well. It was like 150 bucks. It was a very cheap deep freezer. But the fact that we have extra freezer space because growing up, our fridge was constantly so packed that it was like Jenga. I was scared to touch it because if I pulled one thing out, party was over.

[B]

Totally. Yes.

[A]

So now having the outdoor freezer.

[B]

I can breathe just so good.

[A]

Can store all my frozen gluten free pizzas in there.

[B]

I love it. So good, George. Love it. Well, if you guys like this episode, then you will love our episode on. Do you have it harder than our parents talking about the 80s? We're going back another decade for that episode, so make sure to check it out and subscribe to the channel so you guys don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money happy Hour.