Critiquing the Best and Worst Rebrands of All Time

Summary

Smart Money Happy Hour: Critiquing the Best and Worst Rebrands of All Time

Podcast: Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel
Network: Ramsey Network
Date: April 23, 2026
Hosts: Rachel Cruze & George Kamel

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Episode Overview

Rachel and George gather for a lively, nostalgia-packed happy hour to dish on the most memorable brand makeovers—both the glowing successes and the notorious flops. From pop stars and tech giants to iconic snacks and Crocs, they break down what makes (or breaks) a rebrand. Along the way, they share personal stories, pop culture detours, and their signature witty banter. If you’re a fan of transformation stories, marketing magic, and the fun chaos of pop culture, this episode is tailor-made for you.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why We Love a Good Rebrand

• Rachel and George set the tone by celebrating the power of a well-executed rebrand—be it a company, product, or celebrity.
• George: "We love the journey. We love a moment where there's, like, conflict...and they find their way out, we are here to cheer them on." (01:24)
• Personal anecdotes about rebranding at Ramsey, from making debit cards cool to revamping budgeting with the Every Dollar app.
• They candidly reflect on the rocky reception of "The Ramsey Show" rebranding, comparing it to reshuffling a boy band lineup.
  • Rachel: "People did not like us for a while...That rebrand was tough for people." (02:09)
  • George: "Dave has always been my Justin Timberlake." (02:46)

Nostalgia & The Cycle of Comebacks

• The hosts dig into why Y2K and 90s nostalgia is such a winning rebrand move, especially for Millennials and Gen X.
  • Examples: Backstreet Boys, Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana, and recent TV revivals.
  • Rachel: "We long for that in our minds, was a simpler time...just take us back." (03:54)

Music Industry Rebrands

• Deep dive on Taylor Swift’s genre-hopping, career-defining transformation.
  • Switch from country to pop marked by albums like Red and 1989.
  • Success quantified: "1.2 million copies in the first week" (04:47)
  • George: "She's matured with her audience and that's really helped...so it's like we grew up with her." (05:11)
• Concerns (jokingly) about the future material from her relationship with Travis Kelce.

Tech Titans: Apple & Simplicity

• George shares his own insider experience as a former Apple Store employee during the pivotal launch of the iPhone.
• Apple’s pivot to minimalist branding, simplicity, and premium positioning.
  • George: "They're never the first to get there, but when they get there, they're the best dressed." (07:25)
• Comparison with Tesla's recent move to streamline its product offering.
  • Decision fatigue and curated experiences—Trader Joe's and simplicity in consumer choices.

Unexpected Glow-Ups: Crocs

• Crocs' transformation from uncool to high-fashion status via collaborations with Balenciaga, Post Malone, Justin Bieber.
  • $850 runway Crocs, rapid sell-outs, Gen Z stamp of approval.
  • Rachel: "I don’t know how it became a Gen Z staple, but I'm not happy about it." (11:23)
• The phenomenon of influencer-branded basics, e.g., the "Parke" sweatshirt trend.

Actors’ Image Overhauls

• Matthew McConaughey's pivot from rom-com star to Oscar-winning dramatic actor, plus his new ventures (writing, poetry).
  • Rachel: "He went like, in my head, Matthew was like, number one rom com...and now he does poetry." (13:44)

Villains and Story Redefinition

• Exploring Broadway’s "Wicked" and the cultural trend of villain redemption arcs (Joker, Cruella, Maleficent).
  • George: "They're more interesting than the heroes...Who hurt you? I often think about that about people in the comments section." (15:59)
• Playful riff: Creating their own Ramsey villain origin stories with tongue-in-cheek plots (identity theft, hacking the blockchain, sports betting takeovers).

Retail Rebrands: Fashion's Glow Down and Glow Up

• Recall of Abercrombie & Fitch and Gap’s evolution—ditching loud branding for inclusive sizing, simple silhouettes, and classic styles.
  • Rachel: "I stopped for a while because it was still, like, surfer...then they came back around, and it's cute." (23:32)
• Stories from the retail trenches—minimum wage, discount perks, and sticky fitting rooms.

Personal Comebacks: Lindsay Lohan

• From scandal and excess to stability and new family life in Dubai—Rachel’s "prayer list success."
  • Rachel: "She was so great. And then she went a little wry...and you know what? She came out ahead." (25:59)
• Mean Girls & Juicy tracksuits as early athleisure.

Other Notables:

• Nintendo’s rise, stumble, and return: NES → N64 → Switch dominates handheld/console hybrid market.
  • George: "By 2025, the Switch sold over 153 million units worldwide. One of the top selling consoles of all time." (29:34)
• The Netflix leap: Mail-order DVDs → Streaming dominance → Award-winning original content.
  • George: "They were really the ones that paved the way." (33:07)
• The “Got Milk?” campaign and the push-and-pull of milk vs. alternative milks.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Apple’s Rebrand:
  "They're never the first to get there, but when they get there, they're the best dressed." – George (07:25)

• On Taylor Swift’s Evolved Brand:
  "She's matured with her audience and that's really helped...so it's like we grew up with her." – George (05:11)
  "That [1989] one sold $1.2 million copies in the first week." – Rachel (04:47)

• On Crocs’ Wild Comeback:
  "They collaborated with Balenciaga in 2017. So I guess they went like, oh, we're not the low end. We're the cool, like, luxury brand." – George (11:05)

• On Retail Resurgence:
  "Abercrombie and Gap came back. Gap apparently hired designer Zac Posen as creative director. Went back to the basics." – George (24:01)

• McConaughey’s Rebrand:
  "I think he probably got frustrated being put in a box saying, I'm not just a shirtless rom...[so] he started turning down all these comedy roles until people knew he was serious." – George (14:05)

• On Twitter's Name Change:
  "No one's calling it X. No, we love a tweet." – Rachel (37:55)

• Villain Origin Fun:
  "You could have done, like, a prodigal daughter situation...you went into crippled debt as, like, a revenge on Papa Dave for being so anti debt, and you're like, I'll show you." – George (16:40)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening Theme & Love of Rebrands: 00:05–01:24
• Personal Ramsey Rebranding Stories: 01:36–02:23
• Nostalgia & Pop Culture Revivals: 02:46–04:04
• Music Industry Rebrands (Taylor Swift): 04:07–05:44
• Apple’s Rebrand & Simplicity: 05:48–09:20
• Crocs and Influencer Fashion: 10:37–12:58
• Matthew McConaughey & Villain Redemption: 13:24–16:25
• Ramsey Villain Origin Stories (Humor): 16:25–19:13
• Milk & 'Got Milk?' Campaign: 20:12–23:18
• Abercrombie/Gap Fashion Comebacks: 23:19–25:46
• Lindsay Lohan's Return: 25:47–27:18
• Nintendo’s Journey: 28:22–31:01
• Netflix Evolution: 32:28–34:55
• Failed Rebrands (Cracker Barrel, Twitter/X, Britney Spears): 35:01–39:41
• Audience Q&A – Guilty as Charged: 43:13–46:59

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Conclusion & Podcast Signature

Rachel and George cap things off rating their DIY "Paloma Mezcalita" (George: 10/10; Rachel: 9/10) and take a playful "guilty as charged" question about live slip-ups. They reflect on the cyclical nature of brands, the sometimes bumpy road to reinvention, and the fun of rooting for a great comeback (or dissecting a cringe-worthy flop).

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Tone & Language

The episode is peppered with playful ribbing, earnest nostalgia, and candid takes. Rachel and George keep things welcoming, self-deprecating, and full of inside references to Millennial and Gen X pop culture. They strike a balance between financial wisdom, lighthearted confession, and pop culture punditry—a true happy hour vibe.

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For listeners who missed it:
Expect laughs, relatable observations, and smart dissections of what makes a rebrand soar or sink. Whether you’re reminiscing about Abercrombie hoodies or pondering why Crocs cost $850, you’ll leave both entertained and perhaps a bit more marketing-savvy.

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Standout Segment:

Rachel on Villain Stories:
"They're more interesting than the heroes...Who hurt you? I often think about that about people in the comments section." (15:59)

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Want more nostalgia? See their previous episode: [Pros and Cons of Shopping in 2005 – Should We Go Back?]

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Be sure to subscribe for more happy hour wisdom, hot takes, and the comforting sound of Rachel and George’s laughter echoing through the decades of pop culture, money, and life transformation.

Transcript

[A]

If you love a good rebrand, glow up before and after. You're going to love today's episode. So stick around as we reminisce on the most iconic brand transformations of all time.

[B]

People did not like us for a while. For a hot second, that rebrand was tough.

[A]

There was a special edition that was $850 of Crocs.

[B]

Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz.

[A]

I'm George Camel.

[B]

And this is Smart Money Happy hour. Cheers. Well, this is the show where two friends who happen to be money experts talk about what you're talking about. So everything from pop culture, current events, and money.

[A]

But first, let's talk about what we're sipping on. Rachel. This is the Paloma Mezcalita.

[B]

I know. Did we make this up? How did. What are you doing?

[A]

I doubt we made it up. We're not that creative, but I'm sure

[B]

we got it somewhere. But do they, like, make these at restaurants?

[A]

I don't know that. You could order this, and this feels like if you're at, like, a bougie. Not a true Mexican restaurant, but, like, upscale, fancier. They'd have the Paloma Mezcalita.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And they charge $18 for it, I bet.

[B]

I bet.

[A]

Well, I can't wait to stick around till the end. We're gonna give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass.

[B]

Well, one thing about us, we love a good rebrand.

[A]

It's rebirth, new life, man.

[B]

When something's going downhill and then it turns uphill, we are all for the win.

[A]

You know, we love the journey.

[B]

We love a journey. We love a moment where there's, like, conflict. You don't know if they're gonna make it. And they. Whether it's a person or a brand, and they find their way out, we are here to cheer them on.

[A]

I feel like we've done a lot of rebranding here at Ramsey. We're kind of entering this toxic money culture. We re rebranded credit card dependence to make debit cards cool again.

[B]

That's true.

[A]

Rely on your own money. How about that for a change? We rebranded rice and beans. Now it very mindful, very demure.

[B]

Yeah, very demure.

[A]

We made it cool to, like, try to save money on groceries and not eat out. And finally, we rebranded budgeting with our Every Dollar app. It's easy. It's personalized. It's, dare I say, fun. I love an app.

[B]

You know, one rebrand, they did, and it was overnight. No one was expecting it. The Dave Ramsey showed. A Ramsey show. Remember that?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And people did not like, who knew?

[A]

Taking the word Dave out and people

[B]

did not like us for a while. I think y' all are liking us better. But for a hot second, that rebrand was tough for people.

[A]

Yeah, well, when it's a solo act for 30 years, 100%, and they go, hey, what if we just introduced a new cast and crew?

[B]

Yeah, I know. And sometimes, you know, I feel like usually it happens in a group. And then the one Justin out of NSync or Harry Styles out of One Direction. Usually you pull one out. Nope.

[A]

We went out, we added two.

[B]

We added to that show.

[A]

So it's like if you took Justin Timberlake and then added the boy band, you'd be like, yeah, no, no, no, no, no. This is.

[B]

Yeah, we just want him. I get it, I get it. But now I think America loves us, George.

[A]

Dave has always been my Justin Timberlake. I appreciate that. That's how I think of him.

[B]

Oh, man. Yeah. Well, speaking of Justin Timberlake and on the boy bands, Backstreet Boys, they've had a good bounce back in the bounce back.

[A]

It was.

[B]

Thank you very much.

[A]

And it still is.

[B]

But the 90s, like, some of that nostalgia, it's coming back. They're rebranding. They're coming back. Hilary Duff. Have you seen her?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Girlfriend's on tour.

[A]

Are they redoing the show, too?

[B]

She did the.

[A]

I don't know, Lizzie McGuire.

[B]

Is it coming back? I heard that it might be. I don't know. I. That's like.

[A]

That's iffy.

[B]

Another one, George. Hannah Montana. She had a. She had a special come out. Yes. It's like a 20th anniversary.

[A]

That's exciting.

[B]

Can you believe that?

[A]

Go, Miley.

[B]

Well done, Hannah. So, yeah. So we'll see. We'll see. What kind of comes back in circles Love story. The JFK junior. Have you seen this TV show? Oh, so good. So good. But that brings you back. Now they have it. The show, obviously based in the 90s, but I'll have all that Calvin Klein style come back.

[A]

That feels like the win. If you take something nostalgic to especially millennials or even Gen X. Yeah, we love it. Bring it back. We will throw money at it.

[B]

I don't know why it's so true,

[A]

though you have our attention.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I think because we long for that in our minds was a simpler time.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Of innocence and joy and less responsibility.

[B]

You know, I think you're right. Just take us back. Take us back.

[A]

Well, you know what music industry rebrand comes to mind for me?

[B]

What?

[A]

Tay Tay, Your Girl, Taylor Swift. Taylor, she's really evolved and rebranded over time.

[B]

Cause she was country for the beginning of her career.

[A]

Blonde curls.

[B]

Yep. Big guitar boots. All of it. And then she.

[A]

When did it switch for you, you think? Was it red?

[B]

The red too. Yeah, the Red album, fourth album felt very different.

[A]

She started moving into pop.

[B]

Yes. Cause she had Fearless, which still felt country to me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Um, yeah.

[A]

And then 1999, arguably her best work.

[B]

You love that.

[A]

I'm fighting words, but I think if you look at her whole catalog, 1999 will hold up over time.

[B]

It'll just be so good. Yep.

[A]

That's the official crossover.

[B]

That one sold $1.2 million in the first week.

[A]

1.2 million copies.

[B]

Copies. I'm sorry. Yes. What did I say?

[A]

You said dollars.

[B]

Oh, sorry.

[A]

A lot more dollars than that.

[B]

More dollars for old Tay Tay.

[A]

That's a failure for Taylor Swift.

[B]

For Tay Taylor, yep. It was the highest selling album of 2024. I'm sorry, 2014. Wow. Was that one. That was pretty good.

[A]

Who knew?

[B]

Uh huh.

[A]

That's impressive. Yeah, she's. I think she's matured with her audience and that's really helped.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Cause sometimes the audience outgrows you and you sort of stay in your box. And what she did was just evolve and mature along with them. So it's like we grew up with her.

[B]

I'm so proud of you, Taylor.

[A]

All the breakups, well done. So many breakups.

[B]

I mean, you say that, but she's in her late 30s.

[A]

She's welcome to have as many as she would like.

[B]

She's gonna date people.

[A]

Keep the music up. I'm worried though, now with. She's with Travis. If this is long term marriage material. Yeah, but a lot songwriting goes downhill.

[B]

No, because a lot of the songwriting about him in this latest album, Life of a Showgirl is so good.

[A]

It's very opalite. Oh, that is good.

[B]

I love him. So happy.

[A]

So wonderful. Let's move into my world. Rachel, let's talk about the rebrand of Apple.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

More my speed. On the verge of bankruptcy in the mid-90s.

[B]

Yeah. And you were an employee?

[A]

Former employee. Made a 15 month run at the Apple store.

[B]

At the Apple store. Not the headquarters.

[A]

But I did go to the headquarters for training.

[B]

No, you didn't.

[A]

They sent me to Cupertino.

[B]

Stop it.

[A]

I got the merch to prove it.

[B]

Stop it. Really? Yeah. Is that like Silicon Valley area?

[A]

Yeah. And so I moved from a specialist role, which is like sales on the floor, to a creative role.

[B]

Any Creative role at an Apple store goes to headquarters.

[A]

You think at the time. I don't know. They still do. I don't even know that role still exists.

[B]

Fair.

[A]

Back in the day I was like teaching grandmas how to use computers.

[B]

What would that be like 2012?

[A]

This was 08 to 09.

[B]

Oh, even before all that.

[A]

Yeah. So all of 08 and the start of 09 before I got.

[B]

Which is kind of when the iPhone.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Kind of started coming.

[A]

So I started right after the first iPhone came out.

[B]

Yes, I was gonna say that.

[A]

So I was there for the launch of like what, 3G or whatever it was.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Simpler times.

[B]

Truly, that thing changed the world.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Can we say that?

[A]

And that's when the Apple stores.

[B]

You were part of it, George.

[A]

I felt like I was. I mean, it was a life changing mission to help someone buy because it was like you're buying your first Mac. It was like, oh, I can't wait to show you all the things you can do.

[B]

Oh yeah. Well.

[A]

GarageBand, iMovie, iPhoto.

[B]

So good.

[A]

Make a calendar for the kids.

[B]

Yes. Which was just like mind blowing. It was the best to think that you could have an ipod.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

On a phone.

[A]

The old tagline, a thousand songs in your pocket. Gosh, can you imagine?

[B]

What a shock. Fabulous.

[A]

Well, for the last 25 years or more, they have been the luxury tech and lifestyle brand. Regardless of what you think of them, they've done a really good job. They're never the first to get there, but when they get there, they're the best dressed. As I heard it say.

[B]

You don't think they're the first to get there?

[A]

Well, as far as technology goes, there's other people who attempted it. Right. Okay, There was like the Microsoft Zune.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Which was like the ipod competitor, but they just make a better product than everyone else.

[B]

They do it so well.

[A]

So all the Android people who are like, well, my phone did this way before the iPhone. I'm like, yeah, but this one just does it better.

[B]

I'm sorry about an Android.

[A]

Yeah. They made a radical branding pivot to simplicity and minimalism. That was kind of their thing. And there was a revolution in the 90s amidst your average Dell and desktop setup. And remember the old Mac versus PC commercials?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

The marketing was brilliant. It was so good. Hey, if you wanna be an old fuddy duddy with an Excel spreadsheet, go ahead and use your PC.

[B]

If you wanna be a co.

[A]

If you want to be a hip

[B]

guy, use an Apple. Use an Apple. Yeah, you Know who else is going? Simplicity. Because I'm thinking about this. Who is Elon Musk with Tesla? Have you heard this?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

They're only going to make two types of cars. They're like nixing all the other cars.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

Yeah. Your car is now vintage. It's discontinued.

[B]

I know. I can't buy my car. Like, it's done. That's pretty wild.

[A]

Anyways, he's doubling down on what's working.

[B]

Yes. Do you think that's a good strategy in life, George, what do you think?

[A]

I do think in life. Cause when you think about it, products that have like 17,000 variations, it's just too much. In a world where we have decision fatigue, we're paralyzed by indecision. There's so many options. Just give me the. That's why Trader Joe's wins. You walk in, you don't have to think about what brands they have. You just go, there's the ketchup.

[B]

Yeah. And I just buy it.

[A]

Versus you go into a Walmart where you're like, well, there's a whole aisle of soy sauces I gotta choose from now. Yes, this is now stressful. So I do think we're heading toward that world where everything's just curated for us and we just know this is the best option.

[B]

Simplicity. Okay, I like it.

[A]

That's my take.

[B]

I appreciate that. Well, limiting options, I think does help with decision fatigue. And also limiting your information on the Internet also gives you some relief, doesn't it?

[A]

The segue I could not done. Could not have done about it.

[B]

Well, DeleteMe does that. DeleteMe goes in and removes your information online on some of these data broker websites so that they can't sell your data and make money off of you. And then if they do sell it, they're selling it to sketchy companies. And that puts you at risk for spams, scams, fraud, phishing, like all this stuff. So removing your data from the Internet is so important, you guys.

[A]

And they even send you a custom report every few months showing you what they've done, how much time they've saved you. I'm at over 113 hours saved time. It would have taken me to go find it, go enter the forms to remove it. And so they do all the work for you at a very, very low price and even lower if you use our promo code. So if you go to joindeleteme.com smart money, you'll get 20% off their annual plans. And this is great for the whole family. They have A family plan that covers everybody.

[B]

Yes. And get it, you know, if you have parents that are still living, I mean, honestly, for that generation too, because they don't know how to protect themselves always. So like, that's important. And then even for you, getting your kids information off, very important. So worth it. Go to joindeleteme.com smart money again. You can get 20% off your annual subscription.

[A]

All right, it's time for one of the worst slash greatest rebrands. Crocs. How did they do it? I'm still confused. When did it become cool again?

[B]

The teenagers, they start the tricks.

[A]

Why are they deciding these days?

[B]

I don't know. They always, I think they always do. I think trends and stuff ride on them. They. They decide what's cool, what's not cool.

[A]

That's so wild to me.

[B]

Slowly follow, I think. Right. But all these teenagers, socks and Crocs, it's like what they go for.

[A]

I mean, they collaborated with Balenciaga in 2017. So I guess they went like, oh, we're not the low end. We're the cool, like, luxury brand. It's now cool to wear Crocs.

[B]

Yes, it is cool.

[A]

It made an appearance on the Paris Runway. There was a special edition that was $850.

[B]

No, there wasn't.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Sold out of Crocs.

[A]

And now they do regular drops. Post Malone has a custom Drew Drew house by Justin Bieber. NBA athletes. This is real. I don't know how it became a Gen Z staple, but I'm not happy about it.

[B]

Well, we were just traveling last week and I swear, the airport with teenagers filled with Crocs, filled with high white socks and crocs and then all the boys hairs is like this. And you're like, oh, my God.

[A]

History will not look kindly.

[B]

You know what else is popular with the kids? And I had to chatgpt at George because I thought, I don't know what is happening. There's a sweatshirt called park P A R K E. Not Parker. And not just I'm at a park. No, we're gonna add an e at the end and not finish the word. It's a girl's name and she started a company about her last name where she just puts on a sweatshirt and they are everywhere. Every girl from the age of probably 70 years.

[A]

Is it a cute sweatshirt? Is the font amazing?

[B]

Is it a gray? No.

[A]

Or she an influencer? I don't even know. Why don't you try?

[B]

I think so. I should. I think I should cruise anyways. It is like I Don't know. But then she does drops and apparently can't find them, so. I don't know. But every college girl on our flight from spring break had that sweatshirt. And I remember all my sister daughters were all like, what is this thing? So I chatgpt it like an old woman. And she's a TikTok star. As she would be Mrs. Park. I think it's. I don't even know what her name is.

[A]

I thought we wanted to be unique and, like, individual.

[B]

No, they all look alike.

[A]

Assimilate.

[B]

They all look alike.

[A]

Just like the bros.

[B]

I mean, we all looked alike. I mean, like, we. It's just different outfits, but. Yeah, I wonder how much she's made, that girl. I just thought, whatever, wherever she is in the world, good for her. Parquet. That's what I'm calling her parquet.

[A]

Is there a little tilde on there?

[B]

Nope.

[A]

Okay. But I'm learning a lot.

[B]

I am, too, apparently.

[A]

Let's break into the acting world.

[B]

Oh, let's do it. Matthew McConaughey, man, he came back. Greenlights brought him back that book. Oh, I think that's what's.

[A]

That definitely helped him stay relevant.

[B]

Well, I think he went like, in my head, Matthew was like, number one rom com.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You got Wedding Planner. I mean, yeah, he was in his

[A]

rom com and he was always shirtless.

[B]

And then he kind of a little bit dropped off the map. And then he came out as, like, with green lights. And now he does poetry. Have you heard this? Yeah, he tours around and does poetry, like spoken word.

[A]

And he does a lot of, like, dramatic movies now instead of the rom com or comedies. Yeah.

[B]

But, like, who he is as a person, I feel like, is so different.

[A]

I think he would. I think he probably got frustrated being put in a box saying, I'm not just a shirtless rom. I'm so much more than a good looking guy. Shirtless. I am depth. And so he started turning down all these comedy roles until people knew he was serious about taking on the more serious roles.

[B]

Yes. Yep. And I think he's gone beyond acting. Like, in my head, he's like a.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And he lives in Texas with his

[A]

whole family, and he seems like a pretty grounded guy.

[B]

I think so. He feels very balanced.

[A]

Yeah. But he won best actor in 2014 for his role in Dallas Buyers Club, which was a very serious drama. So I think that he turned a corner over a decade ago and he stuck with it. And he's still funny. He just has a very likable personality.

[B]

Yeah. I think Everyone likes when.

[A]

I think. You interviewed him once, didn't you?

[B]

I did.

[A]

How was that for greenlights?

[B]

For his book?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So good. Yeah.

[A]

He's virtually. He wasn't in person.

[B]

No, I wish. Yeah. No, there was green.

[A]

We all wish.

[B]

Let's go. Elphaba. Little rebrand for her, you know, I

[A]

didn't know what was her brand before

[B]

the Wicked Witch of the west and wizard of Oz.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

We didn't know her story until Broadway and until the movies. Think the movie made the play that much? I mean, obviously. It probably just, like, explodes.

[A]

Yeah. I had never seen Wicked on Broadway.

[B]

Oh, you did? Okay.

[A]

No.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Like, when I had my choice of. It wasn't let's go to Wicked.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

For some reason.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I guess I'm not, like, much of a theater boss.

[B]

You saw it a couple of times before the movie. Like, I loved it as a show.

[A]

I went in cold to the movie.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I loved it.

[B]

What'd you think? Did you see the second one?

[A]

I did not see the second one. I haven't had three hours to spare since having an infant. But the first one I saw in theaters.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I was mesmerized at first. I had a bad attitude. I was like, I don't really like musicals. This is going to be cheesy, but it really was captivating.

[B]

What's funny is I feel like they take the villain of the movies and, like, create their own storyline, which I love. Like, you got the Joker, Cruella.

[A]

Yep. Maleficent.

[B]

Maleficent. Oh, that's actually a great movie.

[A]

That was a good one.

[B]

That was really good.

[A]

We love a villain. What is it about villains? They're more interesting than the heroes, I feel like.

[B]

Yeah, because you're like, what happened to you?

[A]

Yes. Who hurt you? I often think about that about people in the comments section. What is your villain origin story like?

[B]

Why. Why are you so.

[A]

But it gives you empathy towards this person to realize, like, they're a human being 100%. They went through a really hard thing, did not process it in a healthy way. And now they're terrible people.

[B]

Yeah. They're casting spells on people. We don't want that. We don't want that. But you can at least connect the dots of where they came from.

[A]

Okay. What would your Ramsey villain origin story be? Oh, I mean, as Dave Ramsey's daughter, there's gotta be something dark there we can explore.

[B]

You could really dramatize, like, the bankruptcy I had. I was left in a little.

[A]

Yeah. You could have done, like, a prodigal daughter situation. You know what I mean? You went into, like, crippling debt as, like, a revenge on Papa Dave for being so anti debt, and you're like, I'll show you. Yeah, that would have been cool in hindsight, but also awful and destructive.

[B]

No, I was gonna say. No, not just that. Is that interesting? I need a better one. Let me think. Oh, this could be good.

[A]

But out of all the Ramsey kids, it would be you.

[B]

I got it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I frauded my parents. What if I scammed them?

[A]

You stole Dave and Sharon's identities?

[B]

Yes, and I was never caught.

[A]

And you change your name and identity.

[B]

Who would that be? Who would ever do that?

[A]

And now we're looking for you, Cabo.

[B]

But I did, and I ran away with the money. Ooh, that's a good story.

[A]

That's good. And you got a ton of plastic surgery.

[B]

If I don't show up in this chair next week, we'll know what happened. Don't come looking for me.

[A]

We'll look for you in Cabo under a different name with a much different face. After all the work you got done, I'd watch that movie.

[B]

That's pretty good.

[A]

That's a good movie. And Dave is on, like, a John Wick level, you know, vengeance spree to find you.

[B]

But then he finds out it's his

[A]

own daughter, and then it becomes more of a taken situation.

[B]

Then what do you do?

[A]

Oh, guys.

[B]

And then the cartel finds out I have all this money and I get kidnapped, but then my dad saves me,

[A]

and then it becomes taken. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

That's a great movie.

[A]

John Wick meets Taken. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Like, you're skateboarding down a cliff.

[A]

I don't. I'm not cool enough to be a villain. Nobody would buy me. Look at me.

[B]

I'm so nice.

[A]

Yeah, but mine would be like, I'm. Mine's a little more pinky in the brain, you know what I mean?

[B]

Okay, that's good. Ooh, you, like. You get in with your apple skills and you.

[A]

I'd run like a telemarketer scam or something. Yeah, yeah.

[B]

You're in the computer world.

[A]

I would hack. You know what I would do? I would hack the blockchain and get the Crypto Bros. Money and then use it for good. It'd be a real kind of, oh, Robin Hood. Robinhood situation.

[B]

Yeah, you're the everyday Robin hood man in 2020.

[A]

I take it from the grifters, and I gift it.

[B]

All right?

[A]

From grifter to gifter.

[B]

Could you also Could I add a little bit more of our annoyance since we get so annoyed with crypto bros. Put in my sports gambling. Could you rig a game and make a ton of money?

[A]

Like you pay off of the sports bettors? Yeah.

[B]

Get the ref on your side, you give the ref some of your crypto money and then he throws the games that you make a ton of money.

[A]

And then I use that and then give it to the poor. And then I buy the sports betting companies and shut them down.

[B]

Yes. That's our everyday hero. Well done. Villain story. Yeah. You shut down the whole industry.

[A]

That would be pretty incredible.

[B]

Now that's pretty heroic.

[A]

I basically create a monopoly and then destroy it.

[B]

Yes. Well done. Okay, those are great. We will make those.

[A]

Hollywood's got nothing on us.

[B]

We will make those stories. Don't you worry. Don't you worry. And you could put all that money that you, that you won in the sports bet world and put it somewhere safe, like Fair One's credit union.

[A]

Yes. As long as it was legally obtained and as long.

[B]

That's right. And as long as you use the Smart Bundle where you have your own checking account, your high yield savings account, your debit card, Rams debit card, that debt is normal. Be weird. It's the cutest thing.

[A]

And while you're traveling internationally with your different identity, there's no fees on your international transactions, thanks to Fairwinds. Here we go.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

33,000 fee, free ATMs, 5,000 credit union partner branches. You can visit if you want to be in person. So much to love about Fairwinds.

[B]

Yeah, if you're a villain or a hero, I think it's great. So yeah, if you're a hater in the comments, you're going to love Fairwinds. If you're a hero in the comments, you're going to love Fairwinds.

[A]

Either way, you win.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Go check it out.

[B]

Yes. So if you go to fairwinds.org Ramsey, you can open up your Smart Bundle, get signed up. It's easy. Their app is awesome online. I mean, it is like their banking online is so easy to use.

[A]

And I found out they'll even refund your overdraft the first two times. So first two times they'll get you third time. Shame on you.

[B]

So much grace. So much grace.

[A]

Go check them out.

[B]

All right. Here's a little whiplash for the next rebrand. Milk.

[A]

Just. Just milk as a concept, like cow's milk.

[B]

Well, going back to the 90s, do you remember how much we drank the

[A]

Got milk campaign got us.

[B]

Oh, my gosh, man. We were. You know, we talked about this in another episode of Smart Money Happy Hour. People in the comments were talking about there was, like, a conspiracy with the dairy farmers and the gut. Like, there was, like, this whole. People were in cahoots, and then it was kind of true. Yes.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was like, oh, my gosh. So reading.

[A]

Well, anytime you see a giant, widespread national campaign, just know there's lobbyists involved. There's some unscrupulous people.

[B]

Something's happening. Something's happening.

[A]

However you feel about milk, and people have feelings about milk. Rachel. I found out there's a group of guys on this team.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

That call themselves the Dairy Dudes, or Lactose Lads, if you will.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. What? What?

[A]

Grown men who all enjoy drinking milk. And I thought, that's not a group that needs to exist.

[B]

I thought, if you're lactose, you can't drink milk. Milk.

[A]

Well, lactose intolerant, you can't.

[B]

Oh, but lactose them. Okay, that's fair. All right.

[A]

Yeah, that's. That's a. I think, like a protein or something in milk.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Did you ever have those little milk cartons at school at the cafeteria, and they were like.

[A]

And just that wet cardboard taste.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

After a while.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That's crazy. They made us open those things. They were off. And sometimes you couldn't get it open.

[B]

It was terrible.

[A]

And you had just, like, puncture it enough.

[B]

I would get. I would get a straw because I'm so classy. And then you'd fold it back up and you'd have your straw.

[A]

And the elite had the chocolate milk.

[B]

Oh, fancy schmancy right there.

[A]

And that's when milk went from like, oh, you're. Now that's not even healthy. That's a dessert. Let's just call it what it is.

[B]

Yes, that is. Charles.

[A]

Parents were like, well, it's still milk.

[B]

Still milk.

[A]

Still got calcium.

[B]

You're still drinking milk. Yeah.

[A]

That's crazy. We've moved on now to the. The alternative milks.

[B]

Yeah. A lot of oat milk.

[A]

Almond milk used to be soy. And then they were like, well, soy's bad for you. Then it was almond, and now they're like, well, almonds. And now it's oat. And they're like, well, oat has a lot of calories. You can't win with these people.

[B]

I just want to know, how do you get.

[A]

Yeah, you don't want to know.

[B]

I was going to say out of an oat. Right is it that they.

[A]

They, like, mix it with water and blend it and they strain it, and

[B]

then they strain it. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, you can make it at home. People say it's super easy. Put a little maple syrup on the.

[B]

Hey, some people are doing raw milk, too.

[A]

That's back in RFK's world.

[B]

That's all that exists, the raw milk. I wonder what my mom. I need to ask my mom. She grew up on a farm, and the boys milked cows, like, every morning.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Like, they turned, but like, they were a full on dairy farm. Like, they surely grew up on a farm.

[A]

All the celebrities pitching it, too. Those celebrities must have got paid good money to be advertising for milk over the. Got milk?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Oh, my gosh. I mean, everyone. The cast of Friends.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

Like that spread. Oh, yeah.

[A]

They got that milk money. That's crazy.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

I wish I got in on that.

[B]

Right. All right. You know, another rebrand that I personally love is the Abercrombie and Gap.

[A]

Abercrombie and Fitch, you are on both sides.

[B]

My jeans.

[A]

You still love Abercrombie? You currently love Abercrombie.

[B]

Yes. I stopped for a while because it was still, like, surfer. You know what I mean? I was like, that's not my style. And then they came back around, and it's cute. All your, like, simple. Anything's, like, plain to me. Like a good plain shirt.

[A]

Like Staples good jeans.

[B]

Staples, thank you. That's the word.

[A]

They got away from, like, graphic tees and all that stuff.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like Hawaiian.

[A]

Are we doing graphic tees?

[B]

No, we're done with that.

[A]

I think we're done with sweatshirts with an influencer's name. We'll do that apparently.

[B]

Okay. Yep, pretty good. Pretty.

[A]

Abercrombie and Gap came back. Gap apparently hired designer Zac Posen as creative director. Went back to the basics. Classic silhouettes, quality denim. That's what they were known for.

[B]

Yeah, it's like the Calvin Klein 90s, remember? Like, just a. Just a sleek black turtleneck and some black slacks. You know, it's all you need.

[A]

And Abercrombie, they brought back the comfy casual. During the pandemic, expanded women's sizing. So Millenn everywhere toasted, never having to try on an xxxx small hoodie in a dark dressing room with loud music. Those are the days I remember. It's like you walked in and somehow you got sprayed with, like, a cologne, and it was just like you couldn't see any of the clothes. I was like, Who's. What experience is this?

[B]

I know. Oh, man. You had a headache just walking.

[A]

Walking judge in the fitting room. You worked retail for a time, right?

[B]

I did, Libby Lou.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

And all the girls gasped.

[A]

They're all like, oh, and you were like, what, 14? 15 at the time?

[B]

I was 16. I would drive.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I worked there. I mean, maybe a solid three months. And then I thought, I gotta get out of here.

[A]

You know, I lasted three months as well in my retail career.

[B]

Okay. What was yours?

[A]

It felt like a year, but it was at Urban Outfitters. This was Post Apple. Yes, I went to Urban Outfitters.

[B]

Good for you.

[A]

Making minimum wage.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And the ladies. Ladies, hey, if you're gonna try on 40 pieces of clothing, don't leave it inside out in a giant pile for me. I would spend half the day just trying to get and, you know, Urbanette.

[B]

That was me as a kid. You know what no one told me, though? As a teenager, I will tell my teenage girls that, like, you don't need

[A]

to get it back perfectly, but make an attempt.

[B]

And no one told me. And I was a terrible teenage girl in those. Like, I would. I would just try things on and leave them. So sorry.

[A]

But I got 40% off all the clothing, so I stock all my paychecks. Went to the wardrobe, went to my $8 an hour. Disappeared very quickly after taxes and wardrobe.

[B]

Yep. Oh, man.

[A]

All those skinny jeans I bought that no longer fit me. Sad day.

[B]

So sad. Another rebrand that we love. She was on my prayer list for many years, and she's come and she has made it. George.

[A]

Prayer works.

[B]

Lindsay Lohan, man, what a solid, solid woman. You know, she was so great. And then she went a little wry.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Got a little.

[A]

Say more than a little.

[B]

A little too much plastic surgery. A little bit of too much filler.

[A]

Was there some drugs involved? Some.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Probably under the influence.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Of some sort.

[B]

All the things. And you know what? She came out ahead. She dissolved the filler, changed her life.

[A]

Was it the Netflix Christmas movie that did it?

[B]

You think it was one of them? Yes.

[A]

Falling for Christmas, a decent movie.

[B]

Yeah. And she has a. She has kids and they live in Dubai now to, like, get away from all the, like, crazy. I didn't know she had kids. Yep.

[A]

Has she been married all this time?

[B]

No, not all this time. I think she got married. I don't know when she got married, but she's doing really well, so we. We appreciate that about.

[A]

Good for her.

[B]

I know we're excited for. I would Say, Lindsay's role, though, that was probably the best. Was a Mean Girls.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And that was like the Juicy track. The Juicy tracksuit.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Terry cloth. Yes, it's like that. Terry cloth.

[A]

Did you own that at the time?

[B]

I think I may. I had, Yes, I did.

[A]

That, I feel like, was the first iteration of the sort of athleisure era.

[B]

Yes. It was the start of it. It was the burst, like, you can

[A]

look good and be comfy at the same time.

[B]

And it was that. But now, thankfully, there's other brands that do it. I'm gonna say much better.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Than a terry cloth juicy tracksuit.

[A]

More timeless, little more on trend.

[B]

Which would be. I'd say Cozy Earth. I'd put Cozy Earth in that category 100%. I just wore two other things yesterday. They have, like, a long sleeve black shirt and what I love about everything, like, again, it's just a long sleeve black shirt. Like we were talking about staple items.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But the Cozy Earth one, it's like, it's good material. It's thick, it's soft, it fits well. I've washed it so many times because I wear it a lot. Yes. Like, all of it. I'm like, man, when you just invest in good clothing or bedding or sheets, whatever it may be, like, it is just. It's so nice to have good quality things, George. Because I, you know, me, I buy a lot of cheap stuff, like clothing and things. So when you get something nice in clothing, you're like, okay, this is nice. Thank you.

[A]

Cozy. I'm a big fan of the, like, buy it once, you know, buy once, cry once, where you buy quality and you go, all right, I spent that money one time instead of having to rebuy it often. And so I love Cozy Earth for that, as I know this stuff's going to last me years and years and years, especially the bedding with the 10 year warranty. So go check it out. You can get 20% [e-mail] SmartMoney so good.

[B]

All right, next rebrand. Ooh, Nintendo.

[A]

Wow. I feel like I fell for this rebrand.

[B]

Did you have the original Nintendo? Yes, the original original. You owned one? Cause we didn't. My neighbor Harriet had one.

[A]

So you had to go over Harriet's house?

[B]

Yep. When I was in first grade.

[A]

Play some Mario. What were you playing?

[B]

We played Mario. Not even Mario Kart like that. It wasn't like six.

[A]

Oh, yeah. There was no Mario Kart.

[B]

It was the doo doo doo doo. Yep, we did that one. Oh, God. We thought it was so I remember thinking, oh my gosh, there's like a button you press sitting here and it's moves like the whole idea of video game, like it became new. It became like this new thing. Yep. Man.

[A]

And then I was a part of the N64. That was kind of my.

[B]

That was like later elementary school. Yes, yes.

[A]

And then we had the old Wii. I think that's where things went downhill.

[B]

I never had a Wii.

[A]

The Wii was a flop for sure.

[B]

But it was kind of cool though, right? Motion. Yeah.

[A]

The technology, I feel like was a. Was above its time, but it still was a fail. And then they launched the Switch in 2017. This was a console you could play on your TV or in handheld mode.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

For people on the go now, where you're not always in front of a giant screen. People have their phones.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

They really did a good job with that. And by 2025, the Switch sold over 153 million units worldwide. One of the top selling consoles of all time, surpassing the original Nintendo ds.

[B]

Oh, it did?

[A]

That's pretty wild.

[B]

That is wild.

[A]

And what did I get for Christmas for my brother? The Switch two.

[B]

Wait, you got a Switch?

[A]

I got a switch.

[B]

Wow. How 12 year old of you.

[A]

I haven't owned a video game system since I was a kid.

[B]

How's it been?

[A]

Well, because I have kids, it's hard to play. Right. I can't wait till I can play with my kids. You know what I mean? When it's like okay for them to have the screen time, but right now, I didn't realize you could buy Tony Hawk's Pro Skater and it came out with a three and four. Speaking of rebrands, the new edition.

[B]

Oh, geez.

[A]

And I beat it in a weekend. And I was like, well, that was fun. But I did get Mario Kart and Mario Party.

[B]

Okay, that's fun.

[A]

So that Whitney can play with me whenever she so chooses.

[B]

So romantic. So romantic. You know, our neighbor has one and he left it at our house. We had a big Nashville ice storm in January.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And yeah, our neighbor Anthony, he left his Nintendo Switch because they have teenage girls. And he's like, I don't know. He brought it for our kids to play because he knows we don't have one. And my kids were like, addicted. So they kept it through the ice storm. It was like one of their like sanity moments. I know. Then we had to give it back to the neighbor. So we've not bought one for the family.

[A]

Sad day. You think it'll happen this Christmas.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Winston give in?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Winston's more likely to play with them than you.

[B]

For sure. Yeah.

[A]

Do you hate video games because you're not good at them?

[B]

No, it's not that I don't. I don't hate video games.

[A]

Well, I want to let you know in the comments, people are not fans of your hatred.

[B]

Really?

[A]

You and Jade went hard at them in our Jade episode. And I was defending the gamers out there saying, hey, if you're, like, married and work full time and you game for fun on the side, great. But if this is your life and you don't have a job, then I got problems.

[B]

Was I super passionate?

[A]

You and Jade were very passionate that if you're a grown man playing video games, out of my sight. So I just want. I want you to be able to clear that.

[B]

I kind of still do feel that. Sorry. Yeah. Now, if you have children involved, like, to me, I'm like, that makes sense. Like, Charles plays, like, he gets to play on, like, Christmas break, spring break, summers, like, when it's not during the school year.

[A]

But you're saying if Winston, after the kids go down, it's like, hey, babe, I'm gonna go game for a little bit. And got his headset. Yes.

[B]

Love is blind. This season, so many of the guys had, like, gaming rooms in the chair and everything. And I'm like, are you 12, like,

[A]

blue LEDs around the room.

[B]

Are you 12? Like, what are you doing? I still. I see. I'm obviously very passionate about it.

[A]

Yeah. Well, I appreciate you doubling down on this. I try to give you a chance to redeem yourself.

[B]

I know I am. I'm back to doubling down.

[A]

You've made very few fans.

[B]

It's fine, though. It's better than sports betting in my book.

[A]

There you go, guys.

[B]

I'd rather be a gamer than a sports bettor.

[A]

Video games are better than being a degenerate gambler.

[B]

There you go.

[A]

Call that a win. One last rebrand.

[B]

This is the next rebrand that I love. Netflix. Do you remember the days, George, when you'd get a little red envelope that showed up in your mailbox with a DVD in it? And you got two. A week or two at a time.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

And you had to return it to get the new one. And we thought, this is Blockbuster coming to your mailbox. And we thought it was the coolest thing ever. And then credit to them. Right. The Internet starts interfacing with our TVs. Right. Starts to combine. And they started the whole streaming service. Like, they were really the ones that paved the way.

[A]

This was 2007. They became a streaming platform.

[B]

They did in 2007.

[A]

And then they. They were like, hey, what if we made original content instead of just licensing things?

[B]

Yeah. Then they go above and be. Yes.

[A]

That was 2013 with House of Cards.

[B]

No way. How Great show. Not family friendly, but great show. House of Cards is so good. That was their first original series.

[A]

Yeah. And then Orange is the New Black, Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and a lot more viral series.

[B]

Stranger Things is a Netflix original. Wow. Well done, Netflix.

[A]

And then I think they, like, started winning their first awards. You know, they were up against these big movie studios.

[B]

There was a big joke years ago at the Oscars, and I think it was Ricky. Yes. And he's like, this whole show should just be, well done, Netflix. Well done. Because they were winning everything, like, so good.

[A]

Pretty wild story. And I truthfully miss the days where they'd mail you the dvd.

[B]

Do you know who else does? Cause I remember he was not happy when it stopped.

[A]

Winston Cruz. No, my dad Dave was a big OG Netflix guy. Oh.

[B]

At the ran.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

It was like a big. Yes. We got them in the house growing up. Okay, so when did they. They had to have stopped the streaming platform was 2007.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

When do you think they stopped doing DVDs?

[A]

It took a while. They really, like, maybe I must have

[B]

been home at Christmas or something from college. I was in college then, so. But I remember dad specifically being like, Netflix is stopping DVDs. And I was like, no.

[A]

Oh, he was upset about it.

[B]

So upset. Cause they used it all the time.

[A]

I love that. That is the most Boomer day.

[B]

My parents loved a Netflix red envelope in the mailbox.

[A]

Well, it felt like, you know, when you get a package in the mail, it's exciting.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And you actually watch that movie, and now you scroll for days, maybe watch part of a movie. I feel like the. Again, the decision fatigue.

[B]

Yes. 100%.

[A]

It's real. The paralysis of having too many options. I know, but that's a good one.

[B]

Yep. Well done, Netflix. Oh, gosh, George. Well, it's good. We love a rebrand.

[A]

Yeah. And we love a failed rebrand, too.

[B]

Yes. When the struggle is real and they push through the suffering and they come back.

[A]

People have been waiting to mention Cracker Barrel as the big yikes on the failed rebrand.

[B]

Oh, okay, let's do three. Let's do a quick round. Yeah. Three failed rebrands. Number one, Cracker Barrel.

[A]

That's way more juicy to talk about.

[B]

Listen. And I know there was some stuff people were very passionate about for them to rebrand, and that's fine. I get that. But also, if I'm walking into a Cracker Barrel, do not let me walk into a. First. Watch those new restaurants. I was like, no, no, this is not cozy. This does not. No, this is not right. It's not right. So I was a. I'm glad they went back. Cause it. And again, Southern, like, you go in and you're like, yes, Mama's pancakes. Like, even the breakfast items.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like what they're named. It feels like you're going to grandma's house, you know?

[A]

And they lost that touch.

[B]

That's what we need to feel. Yes.

[A]

Here's my hot take. Conspiracy.

[B]

We do not want a clean, modern restaurant. No. If we want that, we go to First Watch.

[A]

How's this for conspiracy theory? They did it on purpose.

[B]

Okay, I've heard that.

[A]

And that actually, because it put them back on the map. And people are like, we're going to fight for this. And then they.

[B]

And they retracted, and then they went back up. They did it to get in the news. You know what I'm going to say if that was intentional. Well done, pr.

[A]

I got to look at the stock price. Because if the stock price took a major hit and then went back up and then went even higher, we need to look.

[B]

I think. I think it did like. I think that's the reason they did it is because they got so much backlash. And it dipped like. I think they're. And let's be honest. And again, I go to Cracker Barrel.

[A]

Who was talking about Cracker Barrel before this? Very few people. It was just a thing you did privately.

[B]

But this is my thing, too. Don't change. What's like. Well, to your point, it may not have been working. Cause it may have been going downhill. I don't know. But I'll say.

[A]

I'm sure it has.

[B]

Know what got you there? You know?

[A]

Dance with the one that brought you.

[B]

Dance with the one that brought you. So I'm glad you're back.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

Eggs in a basket. Cheesy hash brown. Get the biscuits and gravy. I mean all of it. Give me a breakfast. I don't do other meals at Cracker Barrel, though. I'm not a lunch dinner gal there.

[A]

What do you. Oh, you're a breakfast.

[B]

Just breakfast. Oh, just breakfast. And then you got to do ask. You have to ask for the bacon to be extra. Crispy. Because sometimes it's a little soggy. A little? Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But they're cheesy hash brown casserole.

[A]

And they claim things are scratch made there, right? No, they don't claim that.

[B]

No, they don't. No, they're maybe just the eggs.

[A]

The eggs are like, are actual eggs, you know what I mean? Versus, like, powdered.

[B]

Oh. Oh, for sure. Yeah. Yeah. It's not like a.

[A]

Like a few things I hate more than powdered eggs.

[B]

Yeah, it'd be like going to like a. You know, those. I'm trying to think like a Courtyard Marriott or something. You know, where they have the buffet.

[A]

Anytime, like, eggs are catered, they're usually those powdered eggs. Just hurts my soul.

[B]

Not good. Okay, that was bad rebrand.

[A]

How about this one? Twitter to X.

[B]

Yes. No, we're calling it Twitter. It's tweets. Twitter. It will forever be tweeted.

[A]

No one's calling it X.

[B]

No one's calling it X. No, we love a tweet.

[A]

You know, even that tweet, it sounded great. There was no need to do it.

[B]

No need to do it.

[A]

It was Elon ing Elon when he bought it.

[B]

No change.

[A]

It was an ego move.

[B]

Is he dropping this because he's dropping his Tesla cars? Remember how we were saying how he's.

[A]

That's true. He's dropping the model X. Maybe he changes it. He'll change it again.

[B]

We'll see.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Number three failed rebrands. Oh, man. They never came back up. You ready? I'm gonna put them on my prayer list. Well, one of them already is Amanda Bynes and Britney Spears, man.

[A]

Say it.

[B]

Okay. Have you heard about cloning? About celebrities who are not really who they are inside their body?

[A]

I heard this about Joe Biden. Yes, that there's a fake Joe Biden.

[B]

Well, I think that was more like a stunt double. I don't think they thought he was, like, cloned. But, like, there was a whole thing with Jim Carrey recently. We don't know about him. Yeah, people say it. Avril Lavigne. There's, like, been a whole thing, like, is it really Avril? Is it not?

[A]

Yep, I remember that.

[B]

A little bit of a Selena Gomez.

[A]

Oh, that's right.

[B]

There's a conspiracy around her. There's a bunch of them. Bunch of them. But Britney's in the list. When you look down like that, it's not really her. Her soul has been sold. She's not there. It's not her. Someone else in there, and we don't know Who? But she's dancing on Instagram with knives. And we think that is not her. That is not her.

[A]

It was a failed clone experiment and that's what we ended up with. Okay.

[B]

Or she had a villain story and, you know, she was in a bad industry at a very young age. This is probably the reality that's more probable and it probably psychologically trips you out. So we gotta bring her back. What do we do? How do we rescue her?

[A]

I think I can because she's still. I just checked yesterday, still follows me on Twitter for some reason. I don't know why. But Britney Spears, if you go to

[B]

her, follow like she follows her a message. George, will you right now?

[A]

I did send her a message.

[B]

Send it to her. She never responded. Britney, B, R, I, T, N, E, not A, N, Y. Oh, yeah.

[A]

Nobody thought it was.

[B]

I know. I'm just saying.

[A]

Okay, she follows. To be fair, she follows 332,000 people.

[B]

I don't care.

[A]

But she has 43 million followers.

[B]

Send her a message.

[A]

Okay, my last message was from September of 2023.

[B]

Would you.

[A]

I said, hey, Brittany, thank you for following me. Not sure why you do, but means a lot. Excited for your new book. Would love to help you promote it. Let me know, I'd connect you with my publicist. I thought if we can get Britney on the show, it'd be amazing. Hey, Brittany.

[B]

Hey, Brittany.

[A]

Sitting here checking back on this would still circling back. Love to have you. Love to have you on our show. And my friend Rachel, Smart money happy hour.

[B]

Yeah, that's great. And then say my friend Rachel Cruz,

[A]

my co host, Rachel Cruz is praying for you. Is praying for you and is a lifelong fan. Be blessed, George. All right, I'll let you know if she responds.

[B]

Good job, George.

[A]

Wow. All right.

[B]

You know the last message that I sent that hater guy? I don't think he ever responded.

[A]

Do you remember that? That's right. Way back when he had issue with your pool, he said, stop posting about your po.

[B]

Yeah. Did not like my backyard. I just thought of that.

[A]

And he never responded.

[B]

He never responded. I don't know if Brittany will respond to you. Do you think?

[A]

No, I don't know how active she is in like the DMs, you know what I mean?

[B]

But we wanted her free. She's free. We hope that that was the right choice. Well, George, if people would just put us in charge of the world, I think we could fix it.

[A]

It's not that hard.

[B]

I know we could have done it, but it's fine. It's okay. But we do love. We love a good story. We love a good rebrands. We love the transformation journey we're here for.

[A]

We love a comeback.

[B]

All right, though, before we spill the tea on our guilty as charged segments, what would you say about the drink? Give me your rating.

[A]

This is the Paloma Mezcalita. It has to be a 10 out of 10 for me. I would order this at a restaurant. This has Mezcal, which is kind of a smoky tequila.

[B]

Yes. It's a very specific taste, too, so you have to like that.

[A]

It's like the scotch of the tequila world, but not as intense. Doesn't taste like burning tires. Lime juice is in here. Orange liqueur, grapefruit juice, and grapefruit soda. So hence the ita part of Mezcalita. It's kind of a margarita mixed with a Paloma, but made with mezcal. I mean, so grapefruit juice and grapefruit would be the Paloma. Usually made with tequila, it comes out to a pricey $5.56 per glass. But like I said, you would pay triple that at a restaurant, for sure. So this is worth making. Get the recipe in the show notes. Give it a try this weekend or whenever you feel like it.

[B]

Love it.

[A]

What's your rating on this? I gave it a 10 out of 10.

[B]

I know, George. I might say the same. I may say 9 out of 10 just to be a little interesting. I would order.

[A]

You're so interesting.

[B]

I would order it at a restaurant. But the Mezcal. I don't think I'd pick that type of tequila over regular tequila.

[A]

Got it.

[B]

The smoky. It's pretty smoky.

[A]

It's an acquired taste, but it's delicious. It takes, I'll say, a mature palette that I don't think you have.

[B]

Lord have mercy on my soul.

[A]

I just wanted to be interesting. I just thought that'd be interesting.

[B]

Just send me an interesting comment.

[A]

No, it's fine. It's not for everybody.

[B]

It's not for everyone. All right, now it's time for guilty as charged. And this is where I ask each other a guilty as charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right, George, this one came from Instagram.

[A]

Who sent it?

[B]

Lauren Placker.

[A]

Thank you, Lauren.

[B]

She asks, have you ever said something live on the Ramsey show that was awkward or putting your foot in your mouth?

[A]

Mm, every day.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

That's the hard part about this job is especially Ramsey show when it's a live show and they Just cut it and put it on YouTube.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Unless you really flubbed it, it's just gonna be on YouTube forever.

[B]

Yeah. It's just there.

[A]

And you just learn to live with that.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What's the one that comes to mind today?

[B]

I know, I'm trying to think. I mean, I know for sure. Or you say things that you're like, oh, pronounce that wrong or that innuendo was bad or whatever, or you got

[A]

something, it was inaccurate what you said or you forgot a detail about their story and the audience catches it.

[B]

Yes. And you miss out. I told one girl the math was kind of like, eh, on her car of like she could sell it, she could pay it off. But I was so hard on her to just sell it. I was like, sell it. But then one of her main jobs was a driver. Like, should I use her car for her career? Like that was part of it. And I was like, oh man, I probably could have gone back and like tweaked that advice.

[A]

Yeah. And she drive a different car and downgraded.

[B]

I know, maybe. But I think she had to have a certain level. You know how some companies you have to have like a certain level.

[A]

Oh. If you're like a sales role needs to be.

[B]

Yes, it was something like that. And I just like, I don't know

[A]

if you require that you should just be issued a company car. That's my honest answer.

[B]

I agree.

[A]

If they require you to drive a certain thing and drive a lot of money. Yes.

[B]

Some of these companies, yes, I agree.

[A]

It's ridiculous.

[B]

I'm with you.

[A]

Or give them a stipend, you know, for a car.

[B]

How about you?

[A]

So many to choose from. I mean everyone knows the infamous sell the horse story, but the one that's probably second to that, that I got really roasted for was an 86 year old woman who called in, who was, I mean, had zero money. All she had was a paid for house, a modest paid for house, but had no money otherwise. And I told her to get a job.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And here's why though, here's why. She said if I remember correctly, that six months prior she was working. And so I went, it was six months ago.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Then after I tell her to get a job, she says, well, I also have leukemia. And I go, well, you buried the lead there. Like, let's maybe start with that.

[B]

Terrible.

[A]

There's not much you can do. So then I got roasted. The headline was Camel tells 86 year old with leukemia, quote, get a job.

[B]

Oh no, you know what I mean? No.

[A]

So that I regret. But here's the thing. I was upset for her. I wasn't upset at her.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

And the other only option was, like,

[B]

I would be, like, I would just sell. I'd sell the house and I'd rent a small apartment for a few years. Yeah, that's wonderful. At that point.

[A]

Or get a roommate to help with the, you know, she has an extra room. There's someone out there who wants a little golden girl situation, or a young student, you know, who is not there much. And then the other option, which I was never gonna tell someone to do, is get a reverse mortgage.

[B]

Yeah, right.

[A]

Even though, like, yeah, well, you'll die.

[B]

You sell the house before that, go ahead and cash out a couple hundred grand.

[A]

Then she needs to pay rent. And so I forget the situation.

[B]

Yeah, totally.

[A]

It was just tough all around. The truth is, the older you get, the harder it is to make a comeback. Speaking of rebrands.

[B]

Yes. So, yeah, full circle. Young people invest in retirement.

[A]

Please, please don't put yourself in that situation.

[B]

Oh, that's tough. Well, so good. If you guys have a guilty discharge question, though, make sure to DM us at Rachel Cruzan, Oregon, because we read them, we see them, we screenshot them, we texted to each other.

[A]

You sent one last night.

[B]

I know. Was going through my DMs, like, oh, guilty as charged. Here we go. So, yeah. So thank you for those. You really give us some great ideas. And if you enjoyed this episode, you're gonna love our episode. Pros and cons of shopping in 2005. Should we go back?

[A]

So much nostalgia.

[B]

A lot there. Yep. So I'll put a link for you and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.

[A]

That.