Everyday Middle-Class Luxuries (That Are Low-Key Bougie)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel Episode: Everyday Middle-Class Luxuries (That Are Low-Key Bougie)
Release Date: July 10, 2025

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Introduction to Middle-Class Luxuries

In this episode, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel delve into the concept of middle-class luxuries that might seem extravagant but are accessible to many. They explore how these "low-key bougie" items and services reflect modern middle-class lifestyles and discuss their impact on financial well-being.

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Defining the Middle Class

Rachel Cruze [02:01]: "I feel like everything when you go back to like the 90s, it's just like solid. I feel like we were like the OGs of it."

George Kamel [02:10]: "It's pretty wide range. And remember like 2012 we were all posting pics of like spilled coffee on outdated kitchen countertops with hashtag relatable."

Rachel and George reflect on the evolving definition of the middle class, noting that while the term is ubiquitous, its boundaries vary significantly across different states and contexts. They highlight the shifting sentiments around being middle class, especially with the influence of social media and changing economic landscapes.

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Middle-Class Income Ranges Across States

George references data from a CNBC analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures to illustrate the vast disparities in what constitutes a middle-class income in various states.

• Tennessee:
  "Middle class income range is between 45 grand and 135 grand. Median household income a little over 67 grand."
  [04:21]

• New York:
  "Middle class income range is 54,700 to 164,200. Median household income is 82,000."
  [04:30]

• Mississippi:
  "Middle class income range, 36 grand to 108 grand. Median household income, $54,000."
  [04:43]

• California:
  "Middle class income range is 63,700 to 191,000. Median household income, 95,500."
  [04:59]

• Utah:
  "Middle class income range, 62 grand to 186 grand. Median household income, 93 grand."
  [05:00]

They emphasize how geographic location significantly affects middle-class standards, with higher-income states like California and Utah showcasing broader and higher income ranges compared to states like Mississippi.

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Is the Middle Class Shrinking?

A listener question prompts a discussion on the fear of the middle class becoming extinct. Rachel addresses the anxiety stemming from social comparisons, especially fueled by social media.

Rachel Cruze [06:33]: "I feel like there's a lot of, like, middle class fancy, like a lot of things nodding to the middle class these days."

George Kamel [07:06]: "Are you actually doing great and you're just in crippling debt? And is it bad to be middle class?"

They advocate for focusing on personal financial health rather than societal comparisons, urging listeners to appreciate their current status and work towards financial improvement without succumbing to the pressure of constantly upgrading their lifestyles.

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List of Middle-Class Luxuries

Rachel and George explore various items and services considered middle-class luxuries, discussing their practicality and personal experiences with them.

1. Spare Items (Sunglasses, Phone Chargers, Stanley Cups)

   • Rachel [08:06]: "I have multiple pairs of sunglasses and... but I lose them."
   • George [08:34]: Emphasizes the convenience of having backups to save time and reduce hassle.

2. Hiring Professionals for Routine Household Chores

   • Rachel [09:15]: "We do it just once a month, but it changed everything in our marriage."
   • George [10:04]: Discusses the benefits of hiring services like house cleaners and landscapers to buy back personal time and reduce household conflicts.

3. Thermostat Freedom

   • George [12:09]: Shares personal anecdotes about managing home temperatures and the luxury of smart thermostats.
   • Rachel [14:16]: Highlights the efficiency and comfort provided by smart temperature controls.

4. Ad-Free Streaming Subscriptions

   • George [15:08]: "Ad free streaming is a game changer. If you hate the commercials now, weather apps, this is one."
   • Rachel [17:40]: Discusses the value of subscription services like Spotify, Netflix, and YouTube Premium for uninterrupted entertainment.

5. Deep Freezers

   • Rachel [19:33]: "It's growing up, if you had the refrigerator in the garage, the drink fridge, it was like a big deal."
   • George [20:03]: Shares personal uses for deep freezers, emphasizing their practicality for bulk storage.

6. Car Features (Heated Seats, Smart Controls)

   • Rachel [21:55]: "Heated car seats. Not like baby car seats. Seats in your car when they can be heated."
   • George [22:22]: Advises against purchasing luxury car features on credit, promoting financial prudence.

7. Quality Mattresses

   • Rachel [24:38]: Discusses the high cost of premium mattresses versus affordable options, advocating for value-based purchases.
   • George [25:04]: Shares insights on modern mattress innovations like memory foam and online mattress delivery services.

8. Hiring Movers

   • George [29:36]: "Hunters movers is a game changer. I always joke that if a friend asked me to move, I would rather donate to a GoFundMe to hire movers."
   • Rachel [30:48]: Emphasizes the labor-intensive nature of moving and the convenience of professional services.

9. Surround Sound Systems

   • George [31:18]: "It's legit. I want to hang out and watch a movie here."
   • Rachel [32:05]: Expresses confusion over the necessity of surround sound, highlighting personal preferences.

10. Bidets and Smart Toilets

    • Rachel [33:35]: "That is a game changer. And I think it flushes automatically when you leave too. Like, I think it's like everything."
    • George [34:17]: Explores the advanced features of modern toilets and their practicality.

11. Robot Vacuums

    • Rachel [35:10]: "When we got our pool, the new pool vacuums is a robot."
    • George [35:56]: Discusses the future of automated home cleaning and maintenance.

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Takeaways and Financial Insights

Towards the end of the episode, Rachel and George offer valuable insights on maintaining a balanced lifestyle without falling into excessive consumerism.

Rachel Cruze [37:10]: "Life's good. Enjoy it."
George Kamel [38:09]: "It's okay to just be debt free. Have a great life."

Key Points:

• Contentment Over Comparison: Emphasize gratitude for one's current situation rather than constantly comparing to others.
• Prudent Spending: Advocate for investing in services and items that genuinely enhance quality of life without leading to debt.
• Budgeting Tools: Recommend tools like the EveryDollar app to help listeners manage their finances effectively and work towards financial stability.

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Conclusion

Rachel and George wrap up the episode by reiterating the importance of valuing personal financial health over societal pressures to acquire luxuries. They encourage listeners to embrace their lifestyles, make informed financial decisions, and prioritize experiences and peace of mind over material possessions.

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Notable Quotes:

• Rachel Cruze [06:33]: "I think we're doing better than we think."
• George Kamel [07:06]: "If you're going to do this, buy used, buy in cash, do not go into debt for it."
• Rachel Cruze [37:10]: "Life's good. Enjoy it."
• George Kamel [38:09]: "It's okay to just be debt free. Have a great life."

---

This episode provides a thoughtful exploration of what it means to enjoy middle-class luxuries without falling into the traps of excessive spending and societal pressures. Rachel and George offer practical advice, personal anecdotes, and financial strategies to help listeners navigate their financial journeys with confidence and contentment.

Transcript

[A]

Today we're talking ultimate middle class luxuries. According to the Internet.

[B]

Dude, this next one is a luxury and I heart it.

[A]

That's why I'm scared to get into it. It's a. It's a gateway drug.

[B]

Yes, it kind of is.

[A]

And to never have to touch a toilet again.

[B]

Could you imagine?

[A]

Changed my life.

[B]

Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz.

[A]

I'm George Camel and this is Smart Money Happy Hour.

[B]

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 and honey. Some hot honey.

[A]

And that's in here. That's.

[B]

I like. I want to cough, George. Because it went on the back. Little Spice went on the back of my throat. It's terrible.

[A]

You can cough. It's your show. We're just here for you.

[B]

Thanks.

[A]

Take your time.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Why are you trying to apologize?

[B]

I'm good.

[A]

It's a natural human reaction, you know.

[B]

I run this world.

[A]

Well, let's talk about what we're sipping on. It is a. You guessed correctly. Hot honey strawberry bourbon smash.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Strawberry. If you're fancy. I said strawberry.

[B]

Strawberry. Strawberry. Strawberry.

[A]

I'm not from a London. Small town in London.

[B]

Strawberry.

[A]

You can't have a. London is the town.

[B]

It's not a small town.

[A]

I think of those little offshoots.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like the holiday. Like in a little.

[A]

Just like the holiday.

[B]

Just like a little cabin in the woods. Rachel's a little cobblestone farmhouse.

[A]

One sentence away from a holiday reference. You're always right there.

[B]

Just right there. Cameron, Kate and Rachel.

[A]

You know, is that the last character.

[B]

That'S part of their crew? That's me. I'm the character.

[A]

Oh, I was like. I don't remember her. Rachel.

[B]

Very main character energy.

[A]

Well, hey, if you want to know more about the hot honey strawberry bourbon smash, stick around till the end. We're going to give you a rating and reveal the cost per glass.

[B]

Okay. George. I feel like being, like, middle class, if you will. Like that phrase.

[A]

So many air quotes.

[B]

Yeah, it's just like that phrase. It's kind of made a comeback. I feel like there's a lot of, like, middle class fancy, like a lot of things nodding to the middle class these days.

[A]

Yeah, I feel like everyone's middle class. Nobody is going like, oh, well, I'm upper class or I'm lower. Everyone just feels like they're kind of stuck in this widening middle class or it's disappearing. It's either widening or disappearing. We don't know.

[B]

And don't you feel like as millennials, we were raised middle class? I feel like everything when you go back to like the 90s, it's just like solid. I feel like we were like the OGs of it, you know.

[A]

Well then you have like lower middle class. You have middle class and you have upper middle class.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's a pretty wide range. And remember like 2012 we were all posting pics of like spilled coffee on outdated kitchen countertops with hashtag relatable. I I what's more relatable than the jefe filter on Instagram? That's what I want. The time I want to go back to.

[B]

I miss the. Oh yes.

[A]

We just weren't care. We were like, here's a picture of my salad and I'm proud of it.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And here's a terrible filter to cover it up.

[B]

The easy days and you'd get like.

[A]

Seven likes and you're like woo. Now if you don't get 10 likes within the first 10 minutes, you delete it.

[B]

You do.

[A]

Cuz it's cringe. I don't, I'm just saying that's the new generation.

[B]

Oh, okay. Yeah.

[A]

They have to like test out material.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

You're not taking it on the road. Just post it, set it and forget it.

[B]

Set it and forget it. But yeah. The middle class way of living though, again, when you look back, I just feel like from like a stereotypes, like that's how we were in the 90s, from like the size of houses that we all grew up in, the food we ate, like everything about it was just like great.

[A]

I do miss it and I don't know if it's because we weren't as like tech addicted yet.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So just feel like we were more connected to reality.

[B]

Yeah. So there's also not just on social media, some buzz around the middle class, but also on the news. I feel like it's talked about a lot and the question is, you know, is it shrinking? Is the middle class shrinking? Is it disappearing completely and what do middle class earners and voters want? So like it's a big push, right. Because it's a big part of the.

[A]

US population and whose job is it to define it? We don't know. But we do have some data that can help. This is from a CNBC article that published an analysis of the recent U.S. census Bureau data and it listed the middle class income range in every state. So let me throw some out there. Here's some approximate data from that article. Don't hold me to it. Tennessee. This is where we are. Middle class income range is between 45 grand and 135 grand.

[B]

It's a big range.

[A]

That's quite a different life you're leading.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're on the 45N versus 135N. The median household income a little over 67 grand.

[B]

Okay. So for New York, middle class income range is 54, 700 to 164,200. And the median household income is 82,000.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's not that much more than Tennessee, which is shocking.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now let's try Mississippi. Say what you will about it. Middle class income range, 36 grand to 108 grand. Median household income, $54,000.

[B]

Yep. Okay, California. I got the expensive states.

[A]

You're welcome.

[B]

Ready for this? Middle class income range is 63,700 to 191,000.

[A]

Okay, that's.

[B]

Now we're getting somewhere in the median household income in California. 95,500.

[A]

That tracks.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I feel like six figures in California.

[B]

You got to have.

[A]

Is a necessity at this point for most parts to live.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

All right. And then Utah, to round it out. Middle class income range, 62 grand to 186 grand. Median household income, 93 grand, which is a lot. That's high. I guess Utah's gotten. Did I not all the influencers. Is it the Mormon wives? Is that what caused this?

[B]

All the influencers are there and they're making banks. They're raising that median.

[A]

They're raising the entire lifestyle of Utah and I guess all the tourism and ski slopes. I don't know what's out there. Yeah, mountains and stuff.

[B]

There are mountains.

[A]

I'm not going there. It's too high for me. I want to stay at sea level.

[B]

Sea level, yeah. Now, someone called in the Ramsey Show, George, and what if they were panicking and being like, oh, my gosh, the middle class is extinct. Like, it's going away. You're either like lower or upper. And like the in between is just. It's not happening anymore. What would you say? Like, how would you like.

[A]

Well, I get to the heart behind that, because I think behind all of that is a fear that everyone else is doing better than they are and they'll never get there.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So then I would go, okay, what are the facts that actually prove that? Are there any. Are you actually doing great and you're just in crippling debt? And is it bad to be middle class? You know, we can kind of hate on it and go well, that's middle class, but middle class. You saw the range. If you're making 135 grand in most states, you can have a great life if you're not in crippling debt.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And so I would say, what's the heart behind this? And let go of some of this. Like, I have to be upper class because the goalpost keeps moving.

[B]

I know. Well, and it feels like if you watch on social media, that everyone feels upper class. I feel like you see, like, vacations and houses and kitchens and cars and lifestyle. It's just like it's in your face constantly. The upper is. I feel like. Yeah, Like, I feel like you just, like, see people boarding private jets, and it's just like another squirrel.

[A]

That's right. And you're like, infinite ceiling to what? Upper classes. That's like billionaires. Down to. If you make 136 grand in my state, you're now upper class.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Versus 135. So I think we need to let go of these, like, boxes that we're trying to put ourselves in and just focus on getting better with our money.

[B]

I love it. Okay, so our team had a little fun. George. They pulled together a list of what the Internet considers middle class luxuries.

[A]

Ooh. Okay, so let's go through the list. We're going to share our honest, unfiltered reactions and confess if we pay for these luxuries or we've learned to survive without them like our ancestors. You know, I love it. All right, so play along.

[B]

First up, having spare items. So sunglasses. Like, one in a beach bag, one in the car, one in a purse. Phone chargers in every room. A Stanley cup in your car, at the office, on the nightstand, in the kitchen. All the things.

[A]

So many.

[B]

Having spare items.

[A]

I didn't do this intentionally, but now I'm realizing I love having spare items.

[B]

Yes, I know.

[A]

Like, I want to walk to the kitchen, have a phone charger there.

[B]

I know.

[A]

One in the room, one in the car. Same with sunglasses. I have some in my bag. I have one in the car.

[B]

Okay. Yeah. I have multiple pairs of sunglasses and. But I don't have, like, they're not in specific places all the time, so I lose them. Meaning, like, oh, I'll look at my person. They'll be like, three pairs.

[A]

I'm like, oh, you've been collecting them accidentally.

[B]

Yes. And then they just, like, end up. So the spare items. Yeah. I'm guilty of that. I'm guilty.

[A]

Yeah. I do have some travel stuff, too. Like, I take this stuff when I travel so that it's ready.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, toiletries, for example.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Have an extra in the toiletry bag instead of having to move it all.

[B]

Because that's so much fun.

[A]

It's just less brain calories. I think as I've gotten older, I'm just more forgetful.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So having everything.

[B]

And these don't have to cost a lot, too, which is great.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, it's not expensive.

[A]

Sunglasses, a phone charger. Don't at me for that one, guys.

[B]

Come on, people.

[A]

Okay, next up, hiring professionals for routine household chores. That is a luxury for sure. So let's go through these. House cleaner.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That's a good one. Landscapers and lawn care.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Absolutely. Window washer.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Gutter cleaner.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Painters.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I guess any other service that you don't want to diy.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

I'm guilty of at least the first two.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A few years ago, we decided to try out the house cleaner life. We do it just once a month, but it changed everything in our marriage because now we don't have to fight over who's going to get the grout in the shower this time.

[B]

Yeah, I know, right? It is nice to have a deep clean done. You just feel refreshed.

[A]

Yes. And you're buying your time. And so as we've gotten to a better place financially, it's great to buy our time back. Stuff like, that's worth it. Same with landscaping and lawn care.

[B]

So Winston sold his lawnmower when we moved to our house.

[A]

Did he have, like a zero turn? I feel like he would do.

[B]

He started off with a push, as we all do, and then he upgraded.

[A]

That's why I'm scared to get into it. It's a. It's a gateway drug.

[B]

Yes, it kind of is.

[A]

To get into lawn mowing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I could do it half the time if I had the zero turn. It's only.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Yeah. It's an investment.

[B]

Yeah. But other things, he'll do rocks, you.

[A]

Know, he's a big rock guy. I learned that about him.

[B]

But he'll, like, go to Home Depot and buy things, plant things. Like, he does a lot of, like, we do have a lawn service. They'll come, so I will definitely give them credit. But Winston will do yard stuff. And it is funny, like, how many people in our neighborhood don't, you know? And again, not that it's a wrong thing, but I saw a guy that we know, one of our neighbors, and he, like, had mulch in the back of his truck. And he was like, mulch in the yard. Which is what we. We did all the time, you know? But I'm like, gosh, good for you. There was something about it that I.

[A]

Was like, that he's doing the work.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I don't know.

[A]

I actually remulched very recently, and I thought, like, I could go to Lowe's.

[B]

It's tough.

[A]

Just start. But then I thought, or I could just text a guy. And they just showed up, and it was beautiful. They pulled the weeds, they trimmed the bushes and the hedges.

[B]

They do a good job. They know what they're doing. And like, people that.

[A]

And I was happy to pay that invoice, and it really wasn't that much. I was like, for what it would have taken me, and I probably would have missed a few bags that I needed and had to go back.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So I thought, let someone do it right the first time who's good at it and hopefully enjoys it.

[B]

No, I hear you.

[A]

And then I have not done window washing or gutter cleaning. Maybe I should.

[B]

I know.

[A]

This is my sign. Have you ever done, like, the dryer vent cleaning? I always get those flyers in the mail.

[B]

No.

[A]

Like, your house is about to be on fire. Clean your vents, though.

[B]

Yeah, don't. Is it. We just lift it up and you just.

[A]

Well, it's all the way through. All the way. They'll like. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, geez. See, it's that stuff that I don't.

[A]

Know anything about, because all the lint will go further down and can cause a fire eventually. And I know.

[B]

How much do you pay those guys?

[A]

I don't know. 100 bucks for a vent cleaning, maybe. Bucks. That's the thing. They prey on the fears of people like me. I haven't done it, though, so.

[B]

Well, there you go. You haven't fallen.

[A]

And then painting. I don't know what it is. I just don't enjoy it. I know. It's an easier one for the average person to do.

[B]

Sure. Yes. We can all get a paintbrush out. But also, if you don't. If you don't know what you're doing, an extra swipe or two in the same spot.

[A]

I want it to look nice and clean.

[B]

No. Yeah, but you can't do that one. I think that's definitely a doable one.

[A]

That's a good one.

[B]

All right, next. Thermostat freedom. Setting the thermostat to any comfortable temp.

[A]

Without thinking, oh, I think this one was because of trauma growing up where, like, if you touch the thermostat. My dad knew he could be out of town, and he would be calling me like this. Who touched the thermostat?

[B]

Like, who did this? I didn't. I didn't know how thermostats worked growing up, like, as a kid.

[A]

What do you mean?

[B]

Well, because I would be cold, and I would just, like, turn it up to, like, 86, thinking it would heat up faster. Yes.

[A]

Do you know you've turned it on.

[B]

Heat first as a child? Was it on he said I would do, though? I don't know. I don't remember. But I remember mom and dad having to sit me down and be like, stop messing with the thermostat. Our house was 86 degrees. And, like, I guess we had left to go somewhere and came back, and they were like, oh, my gosh.

[A]

It was just boiling in there. Yeah, because you didn't understand temperature.

[B]

I guess. Because here's another thing. Winston taught me this when we were dating. Are you ready for this? I never knew what the auto button in your car meant. With the air conditioning I grew up with. And my sister still does this. You just turn it up to, like, 92 degrees in your car when it's cold out, and then once it gets hot, you just turn down the fan blowing, but you keep it hot. Does that make sense?

[A]

Instead of putting it on cool, instead.

[B]

Of, like, putting it at, like, 74, 72. You didn't play with the temperature. The auto? Yeah. Do you press the auto in your car?

[A]

I don't think I do. I have very specific needs.

[B]

Okay, so you're.

[A]

I can't trust auto to know what my needs are as a man.

[B]

I know, but if you want your car at, like, 72 degrees, though, regardless of if it's hot or cold out. Right.

[A]

Like, if it's real hot, I'll bump it all the way down to low, and I'll just crank it.

[B]

That's my sister. Okay. Yeah. I use. Don't use Auto. I now. Wow.

[A]

I want that car to be working as hard as I am.

[B]

Stabs an auto.

[A]

You know what I mean? If I'm breaking a sweat, my car should be, too.

[B]

Okay. Anyways, that was a way of looking at temperature for me that I didn't know. Winston taught me the auto button, and now I never forget. I use it.

[A]

I try it out more.

[B]

I know, but people like you and my sister, they just crank down or up, depending on, like.

[A]

But it is a luxury. I will say, like, I get the electric bill, and it shows you how much Was used for, you know, do.

[B]

You turn your words, like, up or down when you, like, leave. When you leave.

[A]

I don't. I do have the smart. So, yeah, there is the away mode.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So if we're going out for a significant period of time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I don't want it to, like, have to work really hard to cool down again if we were gone for a few hours.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I usually keep it at a reasonable temperature.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I'm also. Now that we have a baby, I've realized I've lost control again.

[B]

Oh, no. Why?

[A]

Because every time I bump it down, she's like, you're going to freeze the baby. You know, her room gets colder in the house than ours does.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Not like. Yes.

[A]

It's not well ventilated.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So her room does get colder. And poor little Mia.

[B]

Sweet little girl.

[A]

Apparently, 68 is enough to freeze a baby. Did you know that?

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

That's a good one. That is a luxury, though.

[B]

Oh, God.

[A]

As an adult, when your parents aren't around to be like, take that, dad.

[B]

Take that. I'm just.

[A]

Bump it up for my own ac.

[B]

Bump it up.

[A]

Next up, ad free. Streaming subscriptions.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Keyword ad free. Are you willing to splurge? Spotify, Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu.

[B]

Okay, so. So for TV. Yes. Subscriptions are different. Music and YouTube. No, wait, sorry, YouTube.

[A]

You have Spotify with ads?

[B]

No, I. Well, just recently, George, in the last, like, maybe three months, I bought a subscription.

[A]

To what?

[B]

Spotify. Yeah.

[A]

Congrats. Are you listening to that much music these days?

[B]

Well, I do podcasts, too.

[A]

Oh, that makes sense.

[B]

And then we are. We are doing music now that we have our pool. Like, we're outside a lot of speakers. Yes. And the kids, like, want music. How about you?

[A]

Ad free. The most Recent one is YouTube Premium.

[B]

Okay. That's a big.

[A]

Because I watch a lot of YouTube clips, I realized.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And having to watch ads, once you experience it ad free, there's no going back.

[B]

Yeah. You're done.

[A]

And that's a real expensive one. I think it's like 18 bucks a month for you.

[B]

Is that part of YouTube TV?

[A]

No. So that's different. YouTube TV is like 83 bucks a month now.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But we quit.

[B]

But if you get YouTube TV, you don't get. You quit YouTube TV.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How do you watch TV?

[A]

I don't.

[B]

No way. You don't have any, like, just channels?

[A]

Like, there's no shows that are, like, on TV that I would want to watch.

[B]

How about Wheel of Fortune.

[A]

I've never sat down and went, you know what I wish we could watch right now? Some Wheel of Fortune.

[B]

We say that every night about six.

[A]

I can't wait. 6:30, the cruises gather round.

[B]

We love Wheel of Fortune. And then now it's the season of American Idol. So American Idol comes on right after. My girls have. Haven't seen that. And so they were like, what is this, Mom? And so they like, wanted to watch. Wow. I know. So I was like, oh, my gosh.

[A]

You know, that's a middle class luxury right there.

[B]

Crazy. But yeah, YouTube TV. We got rid of our Comcast, though. George, you'd be proud.

[A]

What do you mean you got rid of your com.

[B]

We had Comcast cable till, like.

[A]

Oh, you had normal cable.

[B]

Yeah. Yes. Traditional DVR and everything.

[A]

And you cut the cord, as they say.

[B]

We cut the cable.

[A]

Proud of you guys.

[B]

We got YouTube TV instead.

[A]

Wow. I'm surprised you were able to cancel Comcast. Some people go to the grave. It's unable to cancel Comcast.

[B]

It was tough. It was multiple phone calls, I think going through multiple people. But it happened.

[A]

I bet Winston had a real, you know, strong arm to get him to do it. That is a good one. And these are usually, you know, they can range from 6 bucks to 12 bucks to 18 bucks to YouTube TV is insane. But ad free streaming is a game changer. If you hate the commercials now, weather apps, this is one. I have the Weather Channel app and the stupid candy crush ads pop up. I'm like, we're in the middle of a severe storm threat here. Take this seriously. Weather Channel. It's not a game.

[B]

When did that start, though? Recently. I feel like. I feel like they haven't had ads for. It's like, bad. It's a lot.

[A]

They have to make money too.

[B]

I'm just looking at the daily weather. It's all I need. And they're like plumbing service, like, I don't know.

[A]

And you have to find a tiny X and it won't appear for the first, like five seconds. Drives me crazy.

[B]

What a. What a rough we have. What a rough life we have. You know, one subscription, though, that I would pay for because it is so worth it.

[A]

Delete me 100%. That's not even a luxury. It's a necessity in your life.

[B]

Yeah. Because if you don't realize it, if your data is out on the Internet, you guys, it's like a billboard with your name, your address, your email address, your kids names, your phone number. Like, everything about you is out there and this is what really grinds my gears, George, is people. Businesses out there go to collect your data and then sell your data.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

To other people. And they make the money. I'm like, you're making money off of my data? What are you doing? So delete me is great. Because what happens is those data brokers, like, you could be set up for phishing and harassment. Like, the scams these days are so good.

[A]

Oh, all the AI and technology.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So delete me more of it at a much higher level.

[B]

That's right. So they go in and remove your information and it's beautiful. They send you a report and see how many hours are you up to?

[A]

94. I just got mine a few days ago.

[B]

Okay, good for you.

[A]

I love a new report. It's like Christmas morning, I open, like, what sites am I not on anymore? This is so, so wonderful. And it's real people on their team that are going in and doing this manually. So saves you a ton of time. It's not reactionary. They're proactively doing this all year long. And they're giving our Smart Money happy hour listeners and viewers a sweet discount. 20% off the annual plans, which comes out to about nine bucks a month for the individual plan. And again, it's a necessity at the Camel House. So go to joindeleteme.com smart money to get the discount or click the link in the description below.

[B]

Beautiful. All right, here's another middle class luxury. The deep freeze.

[A]

What makes it deep?

[B]

The. It's deep.

[A]

How deep you reach into it versus like a.

[B]

It's on the ground and you like lift it up. Yeah, it's like.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that makes sense.

[B]

Deep freezer.

[A]

Okay. I just didn't know. I didn't know one. Teachers, they don't teach you this stuff in school.

[B]

Yeah. So people put like extra meat in there, if you will. But it is. It's. It's a. It's one that was like growing up, if you had the refrigerator in the garage, the drink fridge, it was like a big deal. Like, you were rich. In my book, 100% in the deep freeze. Yeah.

[A]

Do you have one?

[B]

We. Yeah, I would consider it. It's like in a side closet around, like. It's not in the garage.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

But yeah, the old closet.

[A]

Freezer, Freezer. You also have a closet sauna.

[B]

It's tough.

[A]

How many closets are being used for non closet activities?

[B]

That's a good question. We probably didn't because when we built our house, Winston went in and he was like, any staircase, build a closet underneath it.

[A]

Build a closet underneath it.

[B]

Like, so literally we have all this, like, ranch.

[A]

It's dead space under there.

[B]

Yeah. And he's like, it's just drywall, which is inexpensive, so just go ahead and like, make it a space. And now we just find little nooks to use things with, you know?

[A]

I love it. Well, we. We got one once we had a baby for like the breast milk backstock.

[B]

You know what I mean? Yes.

[A]

So that's what it was used for.

[B]

What are you used for now?

[A]

Now, can I tell you what's in there currently?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A lot of pints of ice cream.

[B]

Mmm.

[A]

And Jenny's came out with new ice cream bars. Stocked up on those too.

[B]

So good.

[A]

Under the guise of this is for my pregnant wife.

[B]

100%.

[A]

But really, your boy might grab a bite.

[B]

Where do you buy your ice cream?

[A]

It depends on what I'm looking for and who has the best price. So can I tell you my hack, though?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I will go to the Instacart app and I will search across the app for the ice cream I'm looking for and then I'll see who has the best price. But I have very specific ice cream needs. As you know. I'm not just buying any ice cream on sale.

[B]

You have the needs because you're picky or because of.

[A]

I'm picking my quality of ice cream.

[B]

Yeah. Not because of your gluten stuff, I guess.

[A]

No, but that is a. That is a. I found one recently, actually. This weekend I went to the grocery store to find one that has a gluten free cookie dough ice cream.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Because I keep getting this ad. I was influenced. I keep getting this ad on Instagram and it's like, you're gluten free because you're weak. Here's some cookie dough ice cream. Because you haven't had it in a decade. I'm like, yes.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. That's so good. Okay.

[A]

And I went and found it.

[B]

Oh, this next one is a luxury. And I hearts it.

[A]

Hit me.

[B]

Heated car seats. Not like baby car seats. Seats in your car when they can be heated.

[A]

I don't think any of our cars growing up had any of those features. My dad would buy the most standard vehicle possible.

[B]

I don't think they were, like, invented then. Like, I wonder when, like, heated seats became a thing.

[A]

I feel like it's got to be early 2000s. They had figured it out.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Unlike the luxury cars.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now it's pretty standard on, like, A. A slightly premium package for any car. Yeah, you can get the heated seats.

[B]

But I love them. Oh, my gosh.

[A]

That is a game changer now.

[B]

Super bougie. If it cools. Have you seen those?

[A]

The cooling seats I'm excited about for a Tennessee summer one day.

[B]

Boosh.

[A]

What is that? Now we both have Teslas. So when I got my Tesla, it's a 2013, but it still has like the app and I can control it with the app. That blew my mind.

[B]

Okay. I didn't know about this either. Someone just taught me this like a few weeks ago that you can set the Tesla the, the, the temperature you want in it, and when you get in, it's like set for you.

[A]

You. Someone just told you this?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

What have you been doing all these years?

[B]

Just use it as my key.

[A]

No, I will use it. If it's in the parking lot and it's cold out, I'll, like, get it all warmed up. I'll get the air blowing.

[B]

Yes. Okay. How, how, when do you do it? Like, and how long does it take you from when you do it to when you're gonna get.

[A]

I'd say five minutes is plenty of time.

[B]

Oh, okay, okay.

[A]

Or if it's a hot day, I'll get the air on in there. So when I walk in the car, it's not steaming.

[B]

Now that is. That's technology.

[A]

That is luxury.

[B]

Luxury and it's technology. It's a smart car. That's what we're driving, George. We're driving a computer.

[A]

So if you're getting a little antsy out there, here's some financial advice. Don't just go buy a car because of some fancy features and go into debt for it. And these salespeople will sell you on every little feature and how it's going to change your life. And they're great features. But if you're going to do this, buy used, buy in cash, do not go into debt for it, unless you're a net worth millionaire, in which case you can take the hit, go have fun, pay cash for the car, still get you that luxury car.

[B]

We're buying our van. The ultimate, like, luxury package of the van had a heated steering wheel. I know, and that's really what I wanted.

[A]

My wife's car has the heated steering wheel and it is nice on a cold day. It's like a warm hug.

[B]

I don't have it.

[A]

You don't have it?

[B]

No. Winston was like, I don't think we need to pay that much just for a heating steering wheel.

[A]

I wouldn't say it's worth paying for on its own.

[B]

So we did the touring package, middle of the road.

[A]

Oh, the touring is the best.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

How do you know about touring?

[A]

Well, I had a Honda back in the day, an 09 Civic. So it's the same like there's the LX, the EX, the EXL. But I think touring is the top of the line.

[B]

No, it's.

[A]

Is there touring Elite.

[B]

There's. It's the elite. Yes.

[A]

That's how they get you.

[B]

And it's, it's, it's elite with the hearing. Heated steering wheel is what that is.

[A]

Sorry that Winston thought you weren't worth it.

[B]

Do I? It's like that extra ten grand or whatever it was.

[A]

I can feel Winston's like side eye right there.

[B]

Like, this is so dumb.

[A]

Yeah. I love it. Okay, next on middle class luxuries, A quality mattress. What did we do growing up for mattresses?

[B]

I think I had the same one my whole life.

[A]

Was there really like mattress shopping or did your parents just walk in and go or it was like a hand me down from other family.

[B]

Yeah. I genuinely have no idea.

[A]

I don't ever remember like getting a mattress.

[B]

No.

[A]

Like it was always just there. No, like I was born there. It was.

[B]

And now we are like so advanced in life that the last two mattresses that we had to purchase came in the mail.

[A]

Oh, in the box.

[B]

Like in a box, y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

And then you like and they are the best mattresses. I love them. So I don't even go into a mattress store anymore.

[A]

I want to know who is. I think there's only drug deals happening in there.

[B]

Really?

[A]

That's my hot take.

[B]

You know, that's a good question.

[A]

There's a lot of mattress firms can still exist in today's world. Don't trust it. But some of our parents still have the hand me down mattresses from our 18th century ancestors. Like my parents still have my childhood bed. They will not get rid of it. Cuz like, well, it's a comfortable bed. I'm like, you're supposed to replace these every seven to 10 years.

[B]

Are you really?

[A]

It's been 30 guys. What are we doing here?

[B]

So here's what's crazy. You can do a 12 inch memory foam full from Nectar and it's $599, 600 bucks. Or then you can go Lux Breeze Tempur Pedic King for $6,299.

[A]

That's far beyond a middle class luxury.

[B]

I mean that's A.

[A]

That's upper class if you're spending six grand on a mattress.

[B]

You know what?

[A]

I've heard the sleep numbers are amazing. Have you had people sleep numbers? I see a sleep number fan out here, but those are expensive, too.

[B]

You know what I want, like, after I had babies, it's really the only time I've ever, like, stayed over in a hospital, I think. I don't think I've ever, like, spent the night in a hospital except when I had kids.

[A]

That makes sense.

[B]

And I love the hospital. Love it.

[A]

Because of that.

[B]

The bed. And I want one so bad. I'm always propping myself up.

[A]

Well, you read a lot, don't you?

[B]

Yeah, we watch tv. Like, whatever. I'm just sitting up a lot, and I'm like, could you imagine just sitting up and just.

[A]

Yeah, but I do feel like you're heading into a nursing home at that point. You know what I mean?

[B]

And then. And then your knees. You can prop your knees up.

[A]

Oh, that is nice.

[B]

I mean, it's real good. I may. That may be our next mattress.

[A]

Can't, like, a pillow do that?

[B]

That's what I'm saying. It's like.

[A]

It's not.

[B]

It's just.

[A]

It's just different. Isn't it bad to do any. Any of that in bed?

[B]

What?

[A]

I feel like I've seen all the studies. Like, don't do anything in bed.

[B]

I get so stupid.

[A]

I eat in bed, don't read in bed, don't eat in bed, don't watch TV in bed.

[B]

I love everything in my bed. I love my bed. And I said that the other day, and Dr. John Thelonian was like, I think that's, like, a sign of depression. I was like, oh, my gosh. But I. Wow. I would literally, like, get home if I could. If I didn't have much responsibility in life, I would come home, I would put on comfies. You know what's comfies? Cozy Earth stuff. Like, just some pants and sweatshirt. Cozy earth pants and sweatshirt. And get into bed. And I would work from. I would do everything in my bed. And you're supposed to, like, separate your bed from, like, all this other stuff? No, the bed is like my. It's like, one of my favorite parts of my house. It's like, one of my favorite spots.

[A]

In the world to be in that bed.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is it alone? No one bothering you?

[B]

Either way, I can direct people from my bed. What to do.

[A]

You can do most of your job.

[B]

I'm like, I would rather be there than, like, laying on the Couch. Yeah, I just.

[A]

That's a good stage of life in motherhood and wifedom.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Where you can just do your work from the bed.

[B]

So. I do love even folding clothes on my bed, George.

[A]

It makes you excited to fold.

[B]

I love it. Well, because my bed too. I'm folding cozy Earth clothes while sitting in cozy Earth sheets too. So I have like a cozy Earth world around me when it happens. And it really makes me happy.

[A]

I love it. Well, good news for you and everyone listening and watching, because Cozy Days is upon us.

[B]

I. I'm obsessed. Should I have them forever and ever? Amen.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

365 days. Should those be Cozy days?

[A]

I wish. But right now, it's July 11th through 13th is officially cozy Days. So don't miss your chance to score some Cozy Earth and sweet discounts. July 11th to 13th, head to cozyearth.com use promo code smart money to get not 40, but 45% off temperature regulated sheets, apparel and more.

[B]

So much stuff. Yes. And don't forget, guys, the deal ends July 13th. So for better sleep and a cooler summer, check out those Cozy days, because I am telling you everything that I wear or that I experience with Cozy Earth. It is my favorite. It's my favorite stuff.

[A]

Whether it's a good day, bad day.

[B]

Sheets, all of it.

[A]

Make it cozy.

[B]

It is. It's amazing. We're obsessed. You will be too.

[A]

We'll drop a link in the description as well.

[B]

All right, next. Hiring movers. So you are not trying to get boxes and packing up and asking friends to help. All of it. The luxury of hiring movers.

[A]

I do think as a middle class American society, we've also just collected so much crap that I don't know that we can even do it on our own. Our garages are storage units. Our storage units. Our storage units.

[B]

Do you have a storage unit?

[A]

I just got one because we're packing for a move. But otherwise I've sworn off storage units.

[B]

Yes, I know, because it's just if.

[A]

It can't fit in the attic, you have too much crap. That's my rule.

[B]

It's a lot.

[A]

Unless you have like Papa's vintage convertible and storage or whatever.

[B]

Totally. Totally.

[A]

Which I'm sure that's your life.

[B]

No, no.

[A]

It will be one day.

[B]

What are you talking about?

[A]

The great your kids will have will be storing Dave's vintage cars. Oh, think about that.

[B]

He has like one vintage car and we'll probably sell it.

[A]

His cars now will be vintage by the time they're old. Think about that. Like, oh, yeah, that was his 2007.

[B]

But they're not, like, sentimental.

[A]

It's not like it will be to Charlie. Old Chucky Cruise. We'll make it last.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Movers is a game changer. I always joke that if a friend asked me to move, I would rather donate to a GoFundMe to hire movers.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Than actually physically help them.

[B]

Yeah, it's tough. It's a labor of love, for sure.

[A]

And the friends that will knows, some of these friends, they got a lot of stuff they're moving.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's like, I can't work for free at this juncture of my life.

[B]

What am I doing?

[A]

You know? I'm not gonna pull a bulge. I'm not gonna have a bulging disc because I tried to move his antique china. Yeah, yeah. The hutch. Goodness gracious. What are we doing with the hutches?

[B]

The hutches.

[A]

I'm done with hutches. What are we putting in there?

[B]

Plates that we don't use, you know?

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

It's unbelievable. Unbelievable. Oh, my God.

[A]

But definitely worth it.

[B]

Okay, this one I don't get, but Winston loves it. Surround sound.

[A]

So you don't ever want to be bathed in sound.

[B]

No. So Winston has a speaker on the ground in a corner.

[A]

You want to feel the rumbles.

[B]

Like, I'm, like. It just. It makes. No, it makes sense.

[A]

The movies you're watching have no interesting audio happening. You know what I mean? It's just dialogue. That's, like, 99 of your Winston's movies.

[B]

Yeah, but, like, I'm not gonna, like, be like, oh, my God, there's an airplane behind me.

[A]

Like.

[B]

Like, I don't get it. Like, it's like. Right.

[A]

I want to feel the chopper coming. I'm, like, looking around for the chopper.

[B]

Right. Watching. I don't get it.

[A]

You wouldn't understand.

[B]

I don't. I really don't. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

[A]

I will say this. I don't have it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I have a sound bar. That's as far as I've went.

[B]

Okay. Yes. Yes.

[A]

But I don't watch a lot of movies these days. It's hard with a baby. It's illegal. Babies can't watch movies. I found out what. It's bad for their brain.

[B]

Like, okay.

[A]

Sometimes I'll sneak a little Miss Rachel from being bad. Not for the baby, for me. I learned a lot.

[B]

She's a great teacher.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Okay. You watch a lot of movies with the kids, don't you think they deserve surround sound to be immersed in an experience?

[B]

No, no.

[A]

Oh, but you deserve to be cozy. Whatever.

[B]

Yeah. They've never once been like.

[A]

That is a luxury.

[B]

I wish I was hearing sounds from my, like, right left shoulder.

[A]

I did have friends that were really into it, you know, and they have speakers in the corners of the room. He's like, oh, this is.

[B]

It's legit.

[A]

I want to hang out and watch a movie here.

[B]

And you know what? Maybe if I experienced it well, in someone's house, you know, you should do.

[A]

Go to a movie theater.

[B]

I do. I just went to one, and now it is. That's allowed. Movie theaters are loud. I did think, should I have?

[A]

That's why it's a special experience.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If it was just a big TV up front, nobody would go to the movies.

[B]

I hear you. I love the movies. All right, next. This is fancy. Fancy. A bidet.

[A]

Oh, yeah. You ever seen one in real life?

[B]

Really? Yes, I have.

[A]

I've never experienced one. I'm too nervous.

[B]

I. Because, like, now they have smart toilets.

[A]

What does that even mean?

[B]

Have you heard this? Like, where you walk up and the lid opens and it's heated?

[A]

I can get behind that.

[B]

Me too. Should we look into that? And I bet they have a bidet option. Because isn't a debate a bidet? Just like the water that comes up. Right. That's considered a bidet.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I bet. I bet a smart toilet has that feature.

[A]

This smart toilet at Home Depot is 500 bucks.

[B]

No way.

[A]

Yep. And you can get a detachable bidet from Target for 40 bucks.

[B]

Okay, I don't need that.

[A]

You want to go all out? If you can convince Winston.

[B]

Would you rather have a smart toilet or surround sound smart toilet? Me too.

[A]

Just based on usage, you're gonna get more utility out of that thing.

[B]

Yes, you would.

[A]

And to never have to touch a toilet again.

[B]

Could you imagine Change my life. I mean, seriously. And I think it flushes automatically when you leave too. Like, I think it's like everything it knows. I think it knows everything.

[A]

It knows where you are at all times.

[B]

Man.

[A]

All right, I'll get into it.

[B]

Maybe.

[A]

I think 5. We spent 500 bucks on stupider stuff in America. I think smart toilets might be the move.

[B]

At least some people.

[A]

I haven't heard of countries have this figured out.

[B]

Yeah, that's where my.

[A]

If you go to Japan, like a public bathroom, like, self cleans, the entire room cleans before you go in there.

[B]

I sell in Japan too. In their airport. They have A man. A robot that does your manicures for you. Yep. True story. People are way advanced.

[A]

What do we think?

[B]

What are we doing over here?

[A]

I don't know. I thought America had it figured out.

[B]

But not with the airports.

[A]

The technology. Amazing. Speaking of technology, the last one on our list for middle class luxuries, robot vacuums and talking apps, were lumped together. So Roomba. You have a Roomba at home or.

[B]

One of the, you know, we used to. We don't anymore. But you know what we did get? This is going to sound so bougie.

[A]

And it will be bougie.

[B]

Okay, Are you ready for this? When we got our pool. The new pool vacuums is a robot is no longer the big tail that, like goes in the big, you know.

[A]

Scary snake looking thing.

[B]

Snake thing. Now they have vacuums and we got one. And it's like a Roomba. You put it in and it floats and then it goes down and it does it all. And then when it is about to be out of battery, it comes to the side and puts itself up with a handle and you just grab it, take it out, clean the filter, put it on the charger, and it's actually like a really great value. Like, it gets a lot.

[A]

It does a good job.

[B]

Yes. Is that how crazy.

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

I mean, to me, I'm like, we are living in the future.

[A]

I'm honestly distracted because I'm upset that a robot can swim better than I can. Like, how did we teach a robot how to swim?

[B]

And the kids named them bubbles. And so bubbles is like, yeah, everywhere. And deep stays down there. Skims, skims the top. I mean, it's unbelievable.

[A]

Wow, that is so.

[B]

That is my bougie. I think that's the bougiest thing on the list for me.

[A]

We do own the robot vacuum, but we cannot use it because our French bulldog thinks it's, I guess, a murderer in the house.

[B]

Oh, no. Barks and stuff.

[A]

So he won't let it run. He will attack it non stop.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Until he destroys it. And so it just sits. It's decor.

[B]

Why don't you sell it?

[A]

We could, but I have faith that one day I'll be able to use it. Maybe if he's at daycare, we'll run it on that day.

[B]

Have you seen the lawnmower ones that do this too? Oh, there's a lawnmower Roomba type thing, too? Yes.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I know.

[A]

But I feel like that. Doesn't the man lose the pride of like, I mowed my Lawn.

[B]

Unless you hire a lawn service like we talked about earlier.

[A]

It's cheaper to hire a lawn service than to buy a robot.

[B]

That'd be a good question.

[A]

I think that's super expensive to get the robot.

[B]

I'm sure. I'm sure. But, man.

[A]

But if the technology, you know, gets better, maybe I'll buy one one day.

[B]

Oh, man. All right. I always.

[A]

What a great life.

[B]

I love. Yes.

[A]

What a blessing it is to live in today's America.

[B]

If we have. If you have anything on that list, we're doing good.

[A]

You're doing all right. Better than you think.

[B]

We're doing good.

[A]

What's your takeaway?

[B]

I think that's it. You're doing better than you think. I think there can be this, like, invisible, like, idea of, oh, my gosh, I'm never gonna catch up. All these people have, like, this, like, insane lifestyle or whatever it is. And then when you actually have a level of, I think, gratitude for where you're at and a reality check of, like, all right, life is good. Life is good. You know, and even with some of this stuff, I'm like, you know, I don't want to just fill my life with a bunch of crap. Right. Like, some of the stuff is worth it. Right. If you have a service help you, like, I think there are things. But then there's a point that, like, are we going to keep buying and buying and buying more stuff? More stuff. You know, and does it really enhance our life? Helicopter.

[A]

I need that surround sound. No, that is a good take. I do think consumerism has made us always feel like we need more.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I don't think that's a controversial take. And average is okay. It's okay to not be better than everyone in your life.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's okay to just be debt free. Have a great life.

[B]

It's so true.

[A]

Go on vacation once a year. That's normal. Do it. It's okay.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And everything everyone else is doing could be a facade. We don't know if they're in crippling debt, if their marriage is falling apart, or maybe they're doing great and thriving. Either way, what good does it do for us to compare our lives to theirs?

[B]

Yes. Yep. And at what point is it that you just spend so much of your life running and chasing and working and not actually, like, being in the moment with the people you love, you know? So there's something about that mindset of not feeling like you always have to, like, go the next rung up, Right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I have to keep getting Better and bigger and newer and all this stuff, like, you're good. Life's good. Enjoy it. Have some peace, you know, listen to.

[A]

Rachel, and these trends will come and go. We can do this episode 10 years from now, looking back at the things we covered, joking at how lame these things are now. And nobody does anymore.

[B]

That's so true.

[A]

So whatever trend you're, like, super into right now, just know it will disappear and you'll realize you just wasted a bunch of money to maybe try to impress other people or yourself.

[B]

Love it.

[A]

So just be more comfortable in who you are. Be. Have some contentment, as my friend Rachel would say.

[B]

There you go.

[A]

And I will say this. If you really are struggling financially and you feel like even middle class is too far away, make some pivots, make some sacrifices. Work on that career, change that salary increase, cut some spending. Do what you have to do to get to a better place. And if the budget continues to feel tight, sell some of the stuff that you've bought out of luxury. And if you need help with this, we have a great app called EveryDollar to make a budget. It's foolproof. You set it and you stick to it. And that will get you to a better place financially, maybe to middle class, maybe beyond. Who knows where the budget will take you. So check it out. We'll drop a link to EveryDollar in the description below.

[B]

Amazing. All right, George, before we get to our guilties charge question, what are we sipping on?

[A]

We have the hot honey Strawberry Bourbon smash.

[B]

Man. This was a. I did a little.

[A]

Better than you, but I didn't like it. It's one of those drinks that looks so much better than it is.

[B]

At first. When I first tasted it, I'm like, are you trying to be a Bloody Mary? But then you're not. I think it's the hot honey. It's almost like a little. I don't know.

[A]

Yeah, it has potential. And the presentation from mixologist Michael. 10 out of 10 on presentation.

[B]

Well, because his strawberry. He took the actual strawberry leaf and put basil. Fresh basil leaves inside the strawberry.

[A]

I thought we figured out how to gmo. Look how big this strawberry is.

[B]

It's huge.

[A]

It's like my fist.

[B]

It's huge.

[A]

I thought they GMO'd it to put basil on top. Just growing off there. I'm gonna give this one a six out of ten.

[B]

I'm going two out of ten.

[A]

Ooh.

[B]

I know. And can I say this? Mixologist Michael, I give him so much credit. He was in there muddling. I Mean, you can see for like four minutes. I mean a long time.

[A]

So he put a fruit salad at the bottom.

[B]

He put a lot of effort in. So Michael, thank you.

[A]

A for effort. Well, hey, the cost comes out to $2.51 and not a penny more. Here's what's in it. Bourbon, fresh sliced strawberries, hot honey and basil leaves. And you can garnish it, adorn it with a strawberry with basil coming off the top. If you want to be extra so beautiful, get the recipe in the show notes. Try it this weekend. Maybe you'll perfect it and make it a 10 out of 10. Who knows?

[B]

All right, George, it's time for guilty as charged. And this is where we ask each other a guilty charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right, are you ready for this?

[A]

Hit me.

[B]

Have you ever purchased anything that your friends or family thinks is an over the top luxury?

[A]

Oh, what a perfect one for this episode. Yeah, mine's pretty simple. My parents think it's hilarious that we get a house cleaner.

[B]

Oh, really?

[A]

We never had a house cleaner growing up. You just. They were always cleaning. My mom was in a constant state of cleaning and so I think she's like, what are you doing as someone else is going to come to your house.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And do all this for you?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Doesn't sound amazing.

[B]

That great.

[A]

So that one is still jarring for them as Middle Eastern immigrants.

[B]

Yeah, that's fair. That's fair. Mine would probably be my instacart habits. I go on and off the whole Instagram.

[A]

Who hates on that one?

[B]

My mom, I would say, I think Sharon Ramsey. Sharon listens to the show. Hi, mom. She loves the show, but she's like, you need to go to the store. Because she thinks I'm missing out on some great options on food because you just order online. But it.

[A]

To me it sounds like she just wants you to eat differently.

[B]

It makes me say you're missing out.

[A]

They have organic and gluten free Rachel.

[B]

Yes. She probably would love your diet, George.

[A]

We probably have very similar diets.

[B]

You and Sharon.

[A]

Yeah, minus my sweets habit. She's much healthier than I am.

[B]

You're. Yeah, y' all are both crunchy. You read labels, you know, you're one of those people.

[A]

They're. They put them on the back that people. Someone spends a lot of time.

[B]

Listen, my, my kids like carrots and cucumbers. So like we're good.

[A]

No shade, you know, and dino nuggets. They go together.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. Got to have a vision.

[A]

Love a Dino Nugget.

[B]

But yeah, I would say it's probably that. The fact that you can order groceries to the door is like, what you're not. You don't go to the grocery store.

[A]

You know, these are the middle class luxuries of our generation. It's just other people doing the things you don't want to do.

[B]

I'm not kidding. That's kind of where I start to spend my money. Right.

[A]

It's better than stuff. Personally.

[B]

That's what I'm thinking. I'm like, I don't need like, I.

[A]

Think our parents generation was like, the more stuff that I can see, the better I'm doing.

[B]

Oh, the more value.

[A]

And ours, like, the more time that we're not having to trade for, you know.

[B]

George, that's like, that's good.

[A]

That's my big observation.

[B]

You should write a book about that.

[A]

I don't know if there's a whole book in there, but thank you.

[B]

It's pretty good.

[A]

Very kind.

[B]

So make sure to DM us any of your guilty as charge questions that you have. Rachel Cruz and at George Camel, because we love to have them. And also, it's always interesting when people act rich, kind of that fake rich, but they're really not. But they look like they are. And so make sure to check out our episode Things that Scream. I'm pretending to be upper class. We'll put a link down below or if you're watching on YouTube, you can click right there. All right, George, it's been fun. What a fun episode. We'll see all of you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.