How to Financially Survive Every Season of Life

Summary

Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

Episode Title: How to Financially Survive Every Season of Life
Date: November 20, 2025
Podcast: Ramsey Network

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Episode Overview

In this lively and humor-filled episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, hosts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel take listeners through the many “seasons of life” — from college, to first job, dating, marriage, parenthood, empty nesting, and retirement. The duo offers practical and occasionally irreverent advice for financially thriving through each stage, reflecting on their own experiences, sharing personal anecdotes, and even dreaming about bougie retirements. The show mixes money tips with pop culture and nostalgia, all with the signature Ramsey Network blend of unfiltered honesty and fun.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is “Cuffing Season” and Why Seasons Matter (00:05–05:17)

• The episode kicks off with banter about current seasons — from football to the oft-mentioned “cuffing season.”
• Rachel admits to recently learning the term “cuffing season,” and George explains:

  “It’s comforting to be in a committed dating relationship in the gloomy, colder months… it’s usually a temporary fling.” (02:40)

• The co-hosts debate their favorite literal seasons of the year, correlating these preferences to their personalities and money attitudes.

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2. Mindsets: Every Season is Temporary (05:38–06:30)

• Money challenges are described as “seasonal”—whether paying off debt, cash flowing college, or saving for retirement.
• Rachel points out:

  “I think it’s human nature, that when you are somewhere, like in a moment of time, you think it's gonna be forever.” (05:52)

• George echoes:

  “This is my life. I’ll never have fun again.” (06:02)

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3. Pro Tips for Each Season of Life

A. College Years (06:34–10:44)

• George’s Tip: Avoid debt at all costs.
  • “Try to become debt free before you become an adult so that it’s way easier... then you can get into a house easier and... do all the things that are important.” (09:09)
• Rachel’s Tip: Leverage summers for experience.
  • “Use your summers to your advantage... there’s nothing that trumps real world experience.” (09:49)
• They discuss the escalating costs and social pressures in college, especially with trends like “RushTok.”

B. First Job (12:08–14:13)

• George’s Tip: Map out a growth track for yourself — no one else will.
  • “No one’s going to do this for you... at least you’re aiming at something versus just hoping that life works out.” (12:28)
• Rachel’s Tip: Beware lifestyle creep.
  • “Lifestyle creep is so real and it can happen so fast... Don’t feel like you have to rush into it.” (13:16)

C. Single & Dating (14:10–16:28)

• George’s Tip: Become the partner you’re looking for.
  • “Are you living like that? ... You want a man who’s fiscally responsible? Are you fiscally responsible?” (14:20)
• Rachel’s Tip: Don’t mix finances until you’re married.
  • “Don’t get involved with someone else’s financial plan... just keep it separate ‘til you’re married.” (15:36)

D. Engaged (16:32–19:17)

• George’s Tip: Get aligned on money using Financial Peace University.
  • “If you go through that and you’re aligned, I think you have a very high success rate for your marriage.” (17:25)
• Rachel’s Tip: Don’t go into debt for the wedding or honeymoon.
  • “Even the honeymoon... you have a whole life ahead of you. You’re gonna do way more bougie things than at the very beginning of your marriage.” (19:00)

E. Newly Married (22:31–24:23)

• Rachel’s Tip: Be aware of lifestyle creep — again!
  • “It’s so easy to just fall right into the American way of... we need a house, we need a new car... just be aware.” (23:00)
• George’s Tip: Combine your finances, truly.
  • “Get to the root of why you don’t want to combine, and your marriage will get better.” (23:19)
  • “Get a will in place and get term life insurance.” (24:13)

F. New Parents (24:23–26:21)

• George’s Tip: Start a 529 plan or education savings now — harness compound growth.
  • “A newborn has so much time for compound growth... contribute what you can.” (25:08)
• Rachel’s Tip: Don’t compare yourself to other parents.
  • “Don’t feel like you... are not measuring up. Have some peace with your decisions you're making as a parent because they’re the right ones for your kid.” (25:37)

G. Empty Nesters (27:35–32:21)

• George’s Tip: Start dreaming again!
  • “Do that annual dream date for the next 20 years... I think that will reinvigorate the next few decades of your life.” (31:18)
• Rachel’s Tip: Pay off the house.
  • “Let that be your goal — tackle it.” (31:58)

H. Retired (32:49–36:59)

• Rachel’s Tip: Enjoy your money!
  • “Go have fun. Enjoy the money that you’ve worked so hard for.” (33:00)
• George’s Tip: Invest in your health, hobbies, and loved ones.
  • “You’ve invested your whole life, now invest in your health, hobbies and loved ones... that will increase your quality of life.” (33:36)

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4. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On moving through tough phases:

  “People say ‘it’s just a season’, I go, yeah, but I don’t know if I’ll survive this season.” — George (06:16)

• On lifestyle inflation:

  “Lifestyle creep is so real and it can happen so fast... Don’t feel like you have to rush into it.” — Rachel (13:16)

• On financial unity in marriage:

  “It’s about creating unity for your wealth building going forward.” — George (23:19)

• On parent guilt and comparison:

  “Don’t feel like you are not measuring up... have some peace.” — Rachel (25:37)

• On dreaming big for retirement:

  “The Ritz Carlton has yachts now... That’s where I’m gonna be in retirement.” — Rachel (35:06)

• On life’s cycles:

  “It’s so slow. And then it... does [fly by]… so Empty Nester, we went to Empty Nesters...” — Rachel (29:52)

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5. Fun & Pop Culture Moments

• “RushTok” and the modern college experience (07:24)
• Dreaming about future bougie vacations, Ritz Carlton yachts, and Four Seasons private jet trips (35:06–36:38)
• Banter about “crispy mornings” and favorite seasons (04:42–05:17)
• Anecdotes about “stash envelopes” from company Christmas parties (40:06–41:03)

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6. Product & Sponsor Shoutouts (Timestamps Included for Reference)

(Skip if you’re just here for content, but included for transparency)

• Cozy Earth loungewear praise and discount: (10:44–11:46)
• Debit card discussion (Fairwinds Credit Union): (21:04–22:21)
• DeleteMe online privacy service: (26:32–27:32)
• EveryDollar budgeting app: (23:58)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|-------------| | Cuffing Season & Favorite Time of Year | 00:05–05:17 | | Life is Seasonal: Mindset Discussion | 05:38–06:30 | | Tips for College | 06:34–10:44 | | First Job Advice | 12:08–14:13 | | Single & Dating | 14:10–16:28 | | Engagement & Wedding | 16:32–19:17 | | Newly Married | 22:31–24:23 | | New Parents | 24:23–26:21 | | Empty Nesters | 27:35–32:21 | | Retirement | 32:49–36:59 | | Bougie Retirement Dreams | 34:48–36:59 | | ‘Guilty as Charged’ Segment | 39:28–44:14 |

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “Try to become debt free before you become an adult so that it’s way easier.”
  — George (09:09)

• “Don’t get involved with someone else’s financial plan... just keep it separate ‘til you’re married.”
  — Rachel (15:36)

• “If you go through [Financial Peace University] and you’re aligned, I think you have a very high success rate for your marriage.”
  — George (17:25)

• “Go have fun. Enjoy the money that you’ve worked so hard for.”
  — Rachel (33:00)

• “You’re going to be Cruella de Vil — minus the dog situation.”
  — George to Rachel, on her retirement plans (36:56)

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Tone and Language

The hosts keep the conversation lively, colloquial, and packed with playful banter (e.g. “It tastes like a gated neighborhood!” “No riff raff for coming through Hillstone.”). They drop pop-culture references, tease each other, and occasionally drift into nostalgia and honest reflections about parenthood, making their financial advice relatable and friendly.

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Final Thoughts

This episode offers a thorough, entertaining, and practical roadmap for navigating the major financial seasons of life. Whether you’re a college student, newlywed, parent, or retiree, Rachel and George have honest advice and plenty of laughs to help you focus your financial goals and have fun along the way.

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For more recurring segments, tips, and humor, check out the next episode: “How does your net worth compare to the average American?”

Transcript

[A]

Well, we're knee deep in football season. Maybe you're entering cuffing season. And no matter what season of life you're in, we've got some money advice for you.

[B]

And you know what I'm gonna say. I think sometimes in the present is miserable.

[A]

I was on my Eat, Pray, Love journey. I had to find myself. Now I'm Southern.

[B]

Now when I'm 65, do you know how bougie I'm gonna be?

[A]

You are gonna be Cruella de Vil, minus the dog situation.

[B]

Hi, guys. I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel, and this is Smart Money Happy Hour. Cheers, George.

[A]

Cheers. We're celebrating every season of life.

[B]

Every season of life. Yes. Well, this is the show where two friends who happen to be money experts talk about what you're talking about. Everything from pop culture, current events, and money.

[A]

And before we get to the content you all came here for, let's talk about what we're sipping on. It is a hillstone crisp martini. What an apt name.

[B]

It's really delightful, actually.

[A]

Whatever hillstone makes you think of it tastes like that.

[B]

It is very hillstone.

[A]

It tastes like a gated neighborhood. I don't know how else to explain. Tastes like.

[B]

A guy named Gary is at the gate to let you in.

[A]

Yes. They have an attendant. They got a little hut. They have an attendant.

[B]

100%.

[A]

And he really doesn't care about his job.

[B]

He doesn't. But he's strict.

[A]

But he's fair.

[B]

You need the help.

[A]

He's strictly fair.

[B]

And the last name of the family? You're going to.

[A]

If you're going to. No riff raff for coming through Hillstone. So, hey, stick around till the end. We're going to rate this drink and reveal the cost glass. You don't want to miss the cost. It's a good one.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

So, Rachel, are you familiar with cuffing season?

[B]

Okay, I hate to say this. I think I just kind of learned this term maybe in the last nine months.

[A]

That's okay. You're a millennial. It happens to all of us.

[B]

I know. Is it a Gen Z term for real, though?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. Okay. So it wasn't a thing when we were growing.

[A]

No.

[B]

Okay, so this is a new thing. Okay, so explain it. Cuffing.

[A]

I'll do my best.

[B]

I'm going to cuff you. I'm gonna. I'm gonna.

[A]

Yeah, keep going. This is great.

[B]

I'm just like, cuffing. I'm gonna. Cause it's keeping someone through the holidays.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

To be like your date to Everything perfect.

[A]

So we get the glue.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. A handcuff.

[A]

Yeah. These.

[B]

Is that it? I'm cuffing myself too.

[A]

I don't know what other cuff you're aware of.

[B]

I was thinking a sleeve cuff. I'm cuffing my sleeves.

[A]

Truthfully, I don't know the etymology of why they use the word cuffing, but.

[B]

I bet it's a handcuff. I'm handcuffing myself to you, and you have to be dragged with me through the season of.

[A]

Yes. Like, if I'm gonna be depressed, you're coming with me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's wintertime. It's gloomy, it's cold.

[B]

Explain what it is. Cause I'm doing a terrible job.

[A]

That's it. The gloomy, colder months. It's comforting to be in a committed dating relationship. And then, you know, springtime comes around and you realize I can do better. So it's usually a very temporary fling, if you will.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And John Mayer has a song called St. Patrick's Day, and it's about how there's no point in breaking up between November and March, but because it's nice to have someone for all the holidays.

[B]

Yes. You know what I get?

[A]

It can be a lonely time, and.

[B]

It'S kind of a romantic time, right? Lots of, like, warm drinks, snuggly, you know, I don't know. It's just very like. Mm, yeah, it feels romantic.

[A]

Do you have a favorite season or time of year?

[B]

Summer.

[A]

You're a summer.

[B]

I love a summer. Give me a lake. Give me a pool. Give me a hot sun. Doesn't bother me at all.

[A]

Wow. Is that also your fashion color or whatever? You know, they do. Like, you're a winter, you're a summer.

[B]

No, I haven't done that in years. I don't know what I am, but, you know, my friends have done it.

[A]

I was told that I'm a winter, which included, like, magenta. It ranged from, like, okay, maroon and navy to magenta. Who thinks I would look good in a magenta?

[B]

Your color palette is very wide. Just like, your personality.

[A]

I appreciate that. I don't think it was a compliment, but I'll take it.

[B]

No, but, yeah, I like summer. I like warm. I want to be warm. I have a heating pad in my bed all year long. I just like to be warm. So the summer is great now. I like fall better than spring. So we're gonna go summer, fall, winter, spring. Spring's kind of boo boo. Even though it's my birthday, as in spring, it's just Rainy. Everything's like pollen. I'd rather. I'd rather things die in the fall than come to life. All right, less cleanup.

[A]

We got dark Roku. Oh, no.

[B]

It's a lot of leaves, but see what I'm saying? I think it's prettier.

[A]

No, I hear you loud and clear. You'd rather things die. That's all I heard. All right.

[B]

What about you Rate yours?

[A]

Yeah, I'm going fall. I just feel like you still have some greenery, and, like, the leaves start falling. Spring, I feel like you're sort of thawing out or it gets too hot here in Tennessee, and you're like, well, this is just early summer. I wasn't prepared to go from 40 degrees to 78.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Give me. So I like a fall evening.

[B]

It's fair.

[A]

Something crispy. I like a crisp morning.

[B]

Oh, it's so great.

[A]

Give me a crisp.

[B]

I saw a guy on Instagram talk about this with his cup of coffee, and he's outside, and he's just.

[A]

I love that guy.

[B]

Did you see him? I DM that guy crispy. He was like, it's. This is just a crispy morning, and I have my coffee, and it's just crispy.

[A]

He's got kind of like a. Like, the stoner guy vibe. Right? Dude. There's like, a crispy morning, like, that guy. Right?

[B]

I love it.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

And he calls his coffee.

[B]

My impression was not. But yours was.

[A]

Mine was pretty spot on. Okay, so fall, then fall, then spring, then winter, then summer. I think summer is my least favorite because I live in Tennessee now.

[B]

I know it's rough here.

[A]

You don't want to leave the house. I. I leave the house more in the winter than I do in the summer.

[B]

Yeah, but if you're next to water, that's key.

[A]

Where is water?

[B]

Pools. Pools, George. Pools.

[A]

All right. I think Rachel just invited me to the Cruz family pool. Next summer. That's where you'll find me sipping on a hillstone crisp martini.

[B]

So great. So great.

[A]

Well, when it comes to money, every season is different. Whether it's your season of life or a season where you're working through a certain baby step. Right. A season where you're trying to pay off debt or you're trying to cash flow college or make up for lost time in retirement. And so we want to, you know, acknowledge the seasons.

[B]

Cause I do think there's a belief, I think it's human nature, that when you are somewhere, like in a moment of time, you think it's gonna be forever. You're like, this is gonna last forever, whatever that is.

[A]

You're like, this is my life. I'll never have fun again.

[B]

Yes. Right? Or like a newborn, you're like, oh, my gosh, is it ever gonna end?

[A]

That was too real when you just said that.

[B]

Oh, I'm sorry. I thought of you during it. Cause it's true. I'm like, when you're in a moment, you're like, this is gonna be the rest of my life.

[A]

And people tell me, well, it's just the season. I go, yeah, but I don't know if I'll survive this season to see the next one. They always say it like, it'll be fine. It'll be over soon.

[B]

I know, but we want to acknowledge every season of life and what to do when it comes to your money. So.

[A]

So we've each. We're going to rattle off one pro tip for each season.

[B]

Yep. Of your life. And you can drop your own.

[A]

Yeah. Leave your own in the comments. If you're like, hey, if you're a newlywed, here's my best advice. Or if you're going through college, here's my best advice. So let's start with college.

[B]

All right, that feels apt.

[A]

I have no advice for high schoolers. Just survive and realize that everyone is.

[B]

You're in the best season of life. Let's talk about that. High schoolers, everything's taken care of. You're fine.

[A]

You just think like, oh, my gosh, it's so stressful. And I'm like, yeah, you have no idea.

[B]

You have no idea.

[A]

No high school was. It can be a trying time, and it is stressful because you're, like, on the cusp of adult life.

[B]

Well, your, like, frontal lobe is still forming, so it's hard.

[A]

That's true. But also, you have little to no expenses, and the world is your oyster, and you still sleep at night, so be thankful. All right. College pro tip go viral on Rush Talk.

[B]

What?

[A]

Have you seen Rush Talk?

[B]

I have. You say go. That's your tip.

[A]

Here's why. Because then you can cash flow college with the money you made from TikTok.

[B]

No, George, are you freaking giving that tip to?

[A]

Why else are they doing Rush Talk?

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Can you explain Rush Talk?

[B]

What sororities are. Today is a different life than what I was.

[A]

You didn't need to create content for your sorority.

[B]

I was 2007. I mean, it was almost 20 years ago when I was in a sorority. So just take that in for a second. Shout out, chi Omega, Chi Omega and I dropped. But I really want to get back in for the legacy of my girls. So if you're the president of Caillou, reach out to me.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I should do that. Okay. Yeah. So I think it is. I don't have TikTok on my phone so I don't watch TikTok. But I think it is girls, they do dances, the whole sorority and they're all like beautiful girls doing a choreographed dance. I think that's rush talk, right?

[A]

You tell me.

[B]

Okay. I think it's that. And then I do think people talk about their outfits and how expensive, like it's all designer. That they're like walking through what they're wearing.

[A]

What an insane standard we've been setting for young women out there.

[B]

It's wild. Wild. I mean we wore T shirts and like black skirt, like a black cute short skirt. And that would be like one of the outfits for rush day. But like these are. It's a whole other level.

[A]

The advice underneath the advice is to go to school debt free at all costs. Whatever you got to do. Maybe you need to apply to every scholarship you can. Like it's a part time job. Take a gap year and work and save up. If it means avoiding a bunch of debt, go local. Like stick to a community college or your in state school. It's going to be way cheaper than be like I want to go across the country because I don't like my mom. You know, it's like, dude, grow up. Like you don't need to go pay 70,000 a year when your in state school is just as good if not better.

[B]

I know.

[A]

So that's my advice is just try to become debt free before you become an adult so that it's way easier. Easier. And then you can get into a house easier and you know, do all the things that are important.

[B]

Journey much faster when you don't have all the student loan debt. So that's great.

[A]

And the price tag is just. It's gotten insane with college.

[B]

I know. It's not fair.

[A]

Get the cheapest one you can for the goal that you have.

[B]

Not gonna lie raising that tuition. Come on.

[A]

Well, there's a. We did a whole documentary called Borrowed Future. Go watch it on YouTube with your kids and you'll thank me.

[B]

Okay. So I would say if I was in college, I would tell a student to go work a summer or two, paid or not paid in the field that you're interested in after graduation.

[A]

While you're in college.

[B]

While you're in college. So take the Summer and like use your summers to your advantage. Like go study abroad, go take classes, get extra credit, you know, get credits done. Go work in the field that you want to be in. I just think real world experience, there's nothing that trumps it. Like when you are actually running a small business versus listening to an entrepreneur professor talk about it in a lecture hall. Like it is so different. Right. Or broadcasting or whatever. The thing is that you want to do like go shadow the people doing it. That's what I would tell people.

[A]

Well, and number one, the employer loves to see that. Versus like yes, the GPA is fine, but do you have actual experience?

[B]

100%. I'm not kidding.

[A]

It helps you go like, oh, I actually enjoy this field. Or oh gosh, I thought I'd love journalism, but really it's this. And I don't want to pursue that at all.

[B]

That's right. Yeah. If you can get experience in college for the workforce, I think that is my number one tip.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

Oh my gosh. You know another tip that I have.

[A]

For you, George, Give me a tip.

[B]

Buy Cozy Earth all the time.

[A]

That's good advice. No matter what season of life you're.

[B]

In, be college, be an empty nester. Cozy Earth should be part of your life. Everything from the clothes, the athleisure, you know, it's like we're like in mid fall. And I had gotten some Cozy Earth stuff last year and I dug through the drawers and I kind of got all the stuff that's like the fall clothes or the winter clothes that get buried on top of the summer clothes. Found the pants again. I found my shirt, I found it all, my Cozy Earth stash. And I was like, oh my gosh, here we are.

[A]

Can I tell you, I facetime my mom which shout out to me for doing that. And she was wearing her cozy Earth PJs.

[B]

She was.

[A]

And she was so proud. And I was proud. I was a proud son. She was a proud mom. It was just a beautiful thing.

[B]

They're so nice. They're so great.

[A]

She's been rocking them non stop and they hold up. That's the best thing. Their sheets are amazing. 10 year bedding warranty, all the bamboo viscose material they're using. Everything's incredible.

[B]

Everything is so soft. So wonderful. Yes. So you guys make sure to check out Cozy Earth. And they're giving up to 40% off discount.

[A]

You got nothing to lose here.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

So these deals won't last. So start your holiday shopping today. Go to cozyearth.com smart money and use promo code smart money at checkout. And then send us a, send us a nice, you know, Christmas card.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

For giving you this deal with all.

[B]

Your cozy earth stuff. All right, next season, you ready? Your first job. So you have left college and you are in the workforce. So someone that is starting their first job, what would you tell them? George?

[A]

I think a lot of people are just thankful to have a job. And so the thing that's hard to think about is the future.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so where do you want to be two to five years from now? Kind of creating some growth track for your life? Because what I wish someone told me is that no one's going to do this for you. You're not going to have some mentor down in the break room be like, hey bud, let's map out your life. Let's get you going somewhere so you're not waking up five years from now going, is this it? Is this? This is all it is.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

How do I move up? How do I go do the thing I really want to do? Cuz likely your first job is not the thing that you're. You've destined to do, that you're wired to do.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

It's usually like a step. And so how do you move up on that ladder? You need to have a growth track for your life and it depends on what you're doing.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

So that's my best advice. I wish someone told me that and I wish I just sat down and just mapped it out. It's not going to play out how you want.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's going to have some twists and turns, but at least you're aiming at something versus just hoping that life works out.

[B]

Totally. Yes. Yeah. I think I would say to still maintain some of that college lifestyle that you had of the kind of that broke feeling before you were making money. Because if you, if you go into a great salary, 40, 50,000 or whatever it is, like money's hitting your account and you're like, okay, I've got some money. But I would say lifestyle creep is so real and it can happen so fast. So I would still hold back on doing a bunch of upgrades in your life of like a new car or, you know, if you get an apartment, you're like, okay, I need to furnish everything and make it perfect and beautiful. Like, take your time, take your time. Don't feel like you have to rush into it. And yeah, I would put like a little pause on the lifestyle Creep. If you can.

[A]

100%. Especially if you are in debt and you don't have a fully funded emergency fund.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like live broke until you have this foundation.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

And then you can up your spending a little bit. Enjoy some of it.

[B]

Right. All right. Next season is the single and dating phase.

[A]

This is a tough one because this could range from your 18 to. You're 38.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, you know, 40s. It could be a long journey for a lot of people. So my tip is, become the partner you're looking for. Instead of being like, well, I'm not gonna settle. Here's my standards. I'm like, are you living like that?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Like, you want a man who's fiscally responsible? Are you fiscally responsible? Cause nobody's looking for a project that they have to fix up and clean up either way. And if you are, let me tell you from experience, doesn't work out. All right. You want to get in a relationship with someone who's healthy.

[B]

I think. Yes. I know.

[A]

What is that?

[B]

I think that's more like early twenties savior complex. Yes. Where you're like more high school Riggins on Friday Night Lights. I always thought about him when I watched that show, even as a married woman with kids.

[A]

Who's Riggins?

[B]

Riggins on Friday Night Lights.

[A]

I've never seen that.

[B]

He's like the bad boy. And you're like, God, he's the guy. Every girl is like, I'm. I'm gonna win him over.

[A]

I can tame the bad boy.

[B]

He's gonna love me, and I'm gonna make him a good guy. Like, you just have that belief.

[A]

You can't make bad guys good guys. You can only make good guys great guys. Shout out to Winston Cruz.

[B]

That's funny.

[A]

Winston has bad boy energy. But, like, with being a great guy, you know what I mean? That's Winston for you.

[B]

There you go. Okay. I'm gonna say don't get involved with someone else's financial plan. Like, sometimes when you are single and you see something, maybe you're starting to date, and then people start. They start co signing or they start commingling.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Mingling their finances. I'm like, no, no. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Don't do that. Slow your mind. Not until you're married. Not until you're married. Don't do that. Yep. Because we've gotten a lot of calls in the Ramsey show of. Well, my boyfriend, you know, I paid off some of his debt and we broke up. Like, you know, I mean, you get.

[A]

Or I co. Signed a Car loan. But now we're not together.

[B]

But now I'm responsible and she's worse. And now my new girlfriend is mad. I mean. Oh, yeah, you get. It's a whole thing. So just.

[A]

Or moved in together, and now it's awkward. And just don't do any of that.

[B]

Yeah. So just keep it separate till you're married. Just cleaner way to live all the way around.

[A]

Enough said.

[B]

There you go. All right, let's go. Engaged.

[A]

We're moving on.

[B]

We're moving on. So we are. We have.

[A]

Good for you, Corey.

[B]

Graduated college. We have our job, we start dating, we find the person, and we are engaged.

[A]

What an exciting phase engagement is. And financially, you start dreaming because likely you both are working, and so you've got two incomes.

[B]

Yes. Coming up.

[A]

And you're on the cusp and you're planning the wedding, and everything's.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Rainbows and gumdrops. Here would be my advice. Get aligned on money during this time, if you haven't already. And the best way to do this, I found, is use Financial Peace University, our flagship money course, as a premarital counseling course. Because if you go through that and you're like, yeah, absolutely, we agree. As a family, we value being debt free. Yeah. As a couple, we value not owing other people money. We want to build wealth for the future. And here's where we stand. If you go through that course and you're aligned, I think you have a very high success rate for your marriage.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, there is. I mean, we say it all the time. This is like a drum we beat constantly in our content. But for real, when you and your spouse, again, the person you are choosing to do life with for the rest of your life, like, you're the most.

[A]

Important financial decision you'll ever make.

[B]

It is.

[A]

It is.

[B]

And I'm like, and it's just. Let me say it. I'll go a little shallow. I think it's more fun, like, when you're aligned together and you're like, oh, yeah, we're going the same way. It just makes life enjoyable. Like, we got a call on the Ramsey show, I guess it was last week, and she was getting a massive inheritance, and all the family lawyers and her family was like, keep it in a separate account, only with your name, and you only use it for you. And I'm like, I would be so pissed.

[A]

So Winston gets a million dollars from Grandma, all this money.

[B]

And he's like, sorry, I'm just gonna use it for my hunt, you know? I'm like, we could Use it for our kids. We could be, like. We could be doing things with it. I don't know. There's something about that mentality of, like, we are in this together. We're doing a life together. That's what a marriage is. And so the more you can with your money, you guys, I'm telling you, it is. It is more enjoyable, more aligned. And I'm making it sound really easy. Like, sure, there are conflicts that come up. There are disagreements.

[A]

Everyone's. Not that. They're like, trauma from their past and how their family broke.

[B]

Yes, there's a lot that comes up for sure. But there is just something to say, like, hey, I literally stood at an altar and said, I am bowing my life to you. So, like, let's do it together. Like, let's be real about it. Let's do it. Let's do it.

[A]

We're gonna become one. We're gonna become one in every way.

[B]

Gosh. George. Is your point. My point? Why did I get so confused?

[A]

No, I love it. Well, I see another point on here that's very important.

[B]

That is the wedding.

[A]

It's less important, but it's still very important.

[B]

Yeah. Don't go into debt for the wedding. That's what I would say. Just cash flow. It. If it's smaller, not the expectation you wanted, that's okay. Even the honeymoon. Like, even all the other stuff. Like, you have a whole life ahead of you. Like, you're gonna do way more bougier things than you are at the very beginning of your marriage.

[A]

Yeah. Your honeymoon shouldn't be the best trip you ever take.

[B]

Quote.

[A]

Is that a hot take?

[B]

Yes. I love it, though.

[A]

I feel like you are the brokest you'll ever be.

[B]

You should be. Right?

[A]

So don't spend a lot of money.

[B]

Well, it's not that you don't have to spend a lot, but, like, you know, enjoy it. But let's pray in 10, 15 years, we've all upped our salaries and working and saved money and done things that you can go on a nicer vacation than your honeymoon.

[A]

Where was your honeymoon?

[B]

We did the Dominican Republic.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

And all inclusive.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yes. Classic.

[A]

That is like a.

[B]

And it was over Christmas because we got married December 19th.

[A]

Perfect.

[B]

So we spent Christmas there, and they had, like, blow up Santas around and they like, sing Jingle Bells. Wow.

[A]

Wow. Are they just playing into the American culture?

[B]

100%. They had James Taylor Christmas playing on the beach. It was great.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And I'll never forget Winston and I. I had, like, a sundress and probably like a little martini. And we're just in the lobby sipping our cocktails as a bunch of freaking like 21 year olds. Babies. And all these families are like opening gift. They're all like having family celebrations. And here we are just living your best life. Just. I don't know. Yeah. I just remember feeling like, oh, my gosh, that's going to be us one day. That feeling of like, that'll be us.

[A]

And it is you.

[B]

And here we are. That's really 16 years later. Okay, where did y' all go?

[A]

We did Cancun.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Famously did a Costco travel package. No regrets other than Whitney got sick the first day and was sick the whole time. Yeah. Really put a damper on the trail.

[B]

Hello, George. I don't know if I knew that.

[A]

So, yeah, we just don't. We don't go places anymore.

[B]

Stop that, George.

[A]

So I watched a fire show by myself. It was a great show. The fire dancers are amazing, but I think people are like, is this guy okay? Did he come here alone?

[B]

He's sipping a martini by himself.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Just hanging out.

[A]

Someone had to enjoy it. We paid cash.

[B]

Oh, my gosh, that's so funny. Okay. Speaking of paying cash, I used the Fairwinds debit card this weekend for all my purchases, and I am obsessed.

[A]

The brand new one. It's branded. Yes, The Ramsey branded. What's it say on it?

[B]

Debt is normal. Be weird.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

And I, in classic Rachel fashion, was like, yeah, anytime I, like, had to use my debit card.

[A]

Anyone comment on it?

[B]

I guess a waiter did. Yes. He was like, this is kind of cool. I was like, yeah, it's like a talking point. But it's great because Fairwinds Credit Union, they are here to help you. They literally want to walk beside you as you're doing the Ramsey plan and to set up an account with them, y'. All. It's so easy. Like, the app is easy. It's how. I mean, everything is so simple. It's wild. And their customer service is incredible. Like, the people behind this credit union, George and I, we had. We had dinner with them a few weeks ago, and they're just. They are. They're incredible people. They have such a heart.

[A]

They want to collaborate with us to make a better experience for our fans.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That is so rare in the financial industry.

[B]

I know. So I'm telling you guys, sign up. Get our Smart checking and savings bundle today at Fairwinds Credit Union. You can go to Fairwinds.org Ramsey and sign up it is simple. It is easy. Put some money over there, try it out. Get your debit card. And it is. It's wonderful.

[A]

And you can use the same debit card as the Rachel Cruz. That's pretty cool. We are.

[B]

That's a flex.

[A]

All right. So we went from. We're in college, first job, we're dating, we're engaged.

[B]

Okay. Now we are newly married.

[A]

How exciting for this young couple.

[B]

This. This is. This is happening. So, yeah, when you get married, I'm gonna. I'm gonna say be aware of lifestyle creep. This is what I said when you were single, too. But for real, you combine finances. You mentioned that earlier. And you kind of feel like you got a race, like the household. You're like, oh, my gosh, look at all this money now together, which is amazing. The dinks, dual income, no kids.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

What a time of life. Fantastic.

[A]

You don't know how good you have it.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And maybe you do. I don't know.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, maybe you do. But, yeah, just be aware that it's so easy to just fall right into the American way of, like, we need a house, we need a new car. We need all these things. So just be aware.

[A]

And we deserve. And one person can always talk you into it, AKA your spouse.

[B]

Okay, what about you?

[A]

My best advice is to truly combine finances. I'm talking about one joint checking account, one joint high yield savings account that will do wonders for your marriage. Not this, like. Well, I have this account over here because I want my independence. Listen, you can be your own person and have your own line in the budget for Rachel's fun money and still be your own person. This is not about taking away your independence. It's about creating unity for your wealth building going forward. And too many people don't do that because they have past trauma or they're scared or they just don't know or whatever it is. Get to the root of why you don't want to combine, and your marriage will get better.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And that includes budgeting together. So, you know, jump onto every dollar. It's amazing. Now it's more than just a budgeting app. And you can check it out. We'll put a link in the show notes to every dollar. It's a great tool you can have on your smartphone. Both of you logged in with your own account tied to the same budget.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And then lastly, become an adult since you're newly married now. Get a will in place and get term life in place. Estate planning is a big deal once you have other people involved.

[B]

Oh, that's a good point. Yeah. Do all the grownup stuff now. Yes, yes. You're in charge of that. That's good. All right, let's go to new parents. So this sweet newlywed, they have their first baby. George, you're kind of in it.

[A]

Yeah, I feel like I got my second kid newborn. It's a lot.

[B]

Yes. You got two under. Two, Two and under.

[A]

Yeah, they're exactly two years apart. Okay, so we're in the thick of it right now. Right there with a mangy toddler and a newborn who is.

[B]

She's not. She's precious.

[A]

Growing like a weed, as they say. Sweet me my tip, as you would guess, set up a 529 plan or an education savings account. But the 529 plan has come a long way, and it's crazy to think about how much time a newborn has on their side for compound growth to do its magic.

[B]

So true.

[A]

So whether it's a 529 plan or even a brokerage account for general investing, like you put 100 bucks in there a month or like, put a thousand bucks in there when they're born.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You would be shocked. Using a compound growth calculator to see how much that turns into.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Even without you contributing a whole lot. So just contribute what you can into a 529 plan or. Or that brokerage account, and then they'll have, like a down payment ready to go when they're adults.

[B]

So true.

[A]

They'll have college fully funded.

[B]

Yeah. That's amazing.

[A]

So focus on that stuff early on. Don't wait until they're 10 to start to think about it.

[B]

I like that. I'm gonna say don't compare. I think it can be so easy. Everything down from like the registry and the stroller and the car seat, what the nursery looks like. I mean, there's so many things that go into having a baby that it's unnecessary. It's like, it's fine. And if you are someone that struggles with comparison. Yeah, just. You gotta. I don't even know how to, like, coach you through it, but just know, like, you're gonna be okay. You're gonna be okay. I promise. So don't feel like you are not measuring up or doing the right thing or that people are judging you. Like maybe they are. Whatever. Just have some peace with your decisions that you're making as a parent because they're the right ones for your kid and go forward. Because it can be a lot.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, just the stroller and car seat you use can be controversial.

[B]

I know. People are very young people.

[A]

Get off my case.

[B]

I know, but one thing I would say that everyone needs, whether you have a newborn or not, is delete me 100%.

[A]

Because it's fun for the whole family.

[B]

Fun for the whole family? Yes, because your kids names. Now that you're a newlywed with a baby, it's so easy for all of our information, even our family's information, to be out on the Internet. And that's email addresses, cell phones, I mean numbers. I mean all of it's very personal stuff that's out there. And data brokers will collect that data and then sell it. And that puts you at risk for scams and fraud and phishing. And so if you can be deleted from the Internet as soon as possible, that is what delete me is for. And we love them for it.

[A]

Yeah. It makes me uneasy to think about all the information that could be out there and delete me just makes me feel easy.

[B]

I know.

[A]

So go check it out. You can get 20% off their annual plans by going to join DeleteMe.com, smart money. And it comes out to like nine bucks a month to protect your family. So think of it almost like in terms of an insurance product versus like a subscription to some. Something entertaining.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So go check it out. We'll drop a link in the description as well.

[B]

Perfect. All right, let's head to the empty nesters. While we're. We are jumping. We are jumping from newborn to now.

[A]

We just fast forwarded 18 years. Cause truthfully, it's a blur. People say like, it'll fly by. It's a flash. Enjoy it. I'm like, I can't. How, how can I just be in the present and enjoy it?

[B]

And you know what I'm gonna say? I think sometimes in the present is miserable.

[A]

Thank you. Like, sometimes I wanna focus on the future.

[B]

Genuinely, I really do think that. I think that sometimes it is. It's just miserable. And I'll be honest, George, with the ages of my kids, I don't want a baby. I'm like really happy. I'm really happy right now. You know what?

[A]

It's because you just held my new baby.

[B]

Can I just say, you came over.

[A]

And held it and you had. No, thank you.

[B]

I did not. No. I swooped that baby up with one arm. You did? I went back to Pat and I.

[A]

Realized, you know this.

[B]

I went into mom mode automatically.

[A]

There are people, there are friends who are happy to pick up your baby and friends who are like Please do not hand me a baby. There are only two options.

[B]

That's fair.

[A]

I am option two. I'm like, I would rather not touch your baby. I don't want to be held responsible.

[B]

And you guys moved into a new house. When I stopped by with you and Whitney, George was like, come on, Rachel, I'll give you a tour up the stairs. And I was like, I draw a line. I'm not walking up the stairs with your newborn baby. So I did give Henry.

[A]

You handed the baby off.

[B]

Yeah, I walked the first floor, but I handed him off. Yeah, but I do. Yeah. Because when they say it does fly, it's true. Amelia, this is so sappy. She's fifth grade now, okay? And at her school, every grade has a different color T shirt that has the school's name on it. So they do spirit Day. And so everyone wears their. Their T shirt with the school name on it, but it's a different color. So you got red, purple, green. Like, but the fifth graders get a tie dye T shirt. And I remember Amelia going into kindergarten. I'll never forget this. And I saw the fifth graders, you know, and I remember thinking, that is so far away. Like, that is gonna take so long for her to have a tie dye T shirt. And then when she got that tie dye T shirt this year, I thought, oh, my God, we're here. It did. It made me, like, I wanna cry. So it's weird. Cause it's so slow. And then it. Like, it does. And then people say middle school years fly by and high school is just, like, gone. Like, you look up and they're gone. So I think that is a true statement. I. I feel it a little bit. So Empty Nest that we went to Empty Nesters is. Is.

[A]

I'm emotional thinking about it. Like, that day where you send your kid off. I'm just like, I don't know if I can do it. Like, I think I might need to send Whitney and be like, hey, be with God. And you handle it. I can't. I can't, especially. I don't know why. The girls just hits different for me.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Like, sending off my little girl is the boy. I'm like, all right, have fun, kid. You know, make good decisions.

[B]

Yes. That's why Winston whispers in the girl's ears all the time. He's like, go to Belmonter Lipscomb.

[A]

Yes, go to Belmont Lipstick. Keep it local.

[B]

And I'm like, no.

[A]

I think about that because I fled. I went all the way from Boston to Mobile, Alabama.

[B]

Yeah, that's crazy.

[A]

I was 20 years old and I never went back. And I'm like, that would crush me as a parent. So sorry, Max. And may I know. I love you dearly. It wasn't you, it was me.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I was on my Eat, Pray, Love journey. I had to find myself Now I'm southern now.

[B]

Finding himself at the Mac store, working.

[A]

That's right. All right, we gotta get to our tips for empty nesters.

[B]

Go.

[A]

Here's my tip. It sounds crazy, but start dreaming again. I found as we take calls from a lot of empty nesters, the thing in front of you was just like, you had your goal, like, survive, get the kid through high school, get the kid through college, cash flow it. And then after that, you're sort of like looking at each other like, oh, I remember you like you're older, you've aged very well. But like, I forget what it's like to connect with you in a. In a different way. And so I think older couples, they may not be much older these days. An empty nester could be, you know.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah, in their 40s.

[A]

But now that the grind is over, you need to start planning for that next 20 years. What does retirement look like? How do we reconnect with each other in a meaningful way? And maybe things that we've put down by the wayside on the back burner, we gotta bring that to the forefront now and focus on it. And you have the luxury to do that at this stage of life. So I always encourage couples to do that annual sort of dream date of what are the next financial goals? What are the things we want to do as a family to spend, save, and give in this new phase. And I think that will reinvigorate the next few decades of your life.

[B]

Gosh, George, that's beautiful.

[A]

I rest my case.

[B]

That was beautiful. You took the emotional side and I'm about to go tactical.

[A]

Well, I'm a new dad and so I'm just very emotional these days.

[B]

Switch places. I'm going to say pay off the house. Boom. That's mine. That's mine. If the house is not paid off, let that be your goal. Tackle it be have a paid off house. Let that line item in the budget. That's usually the most expensive line item is the mortgage. Let it be done with. And yeah, and look forward to dream. Use that mortgage payment.

[A]

We do get calls where people are in retirement era and they're like, well, I still have the mortgage. And it just. My heart sinks because I'm like, it's hard. Even if you got a 30 year mortgage that you took out at 35 by 65, it should have been long gone.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But the problem is we keep moving up or we refinance or we, we just keep kicking the can down the road and then we find ourselves in retirement. Wanting to retire, but we have to work.

[B]

But you. Yeah. Because you have all these bills still to pay.

[A]

I want to be work optional once I hit 60. That's just a personal goal.

[B]

That's a great goal. Well, speaking of retired, that's our next stage in our final stage. Okay. So I'm gonna say enjoy your money. Enjoy it. We sometimes talk to retired couples and they're like, they have a great.

[A]

They did it.

[B]

They did what?

[A]

We talk about baby steps, millionaires, high.

[B]

Net worth, and sometimes not all. Sometimes they're like, oh, well, I don't know if we should take a trip to Florida because I have $7 million in my 401k and we're like, go to Florida. Buy a house in Florida. You know what I mean? Like, go enjoy. Like, this is the time. So you made it. Go have fun. Enjoy the money that you've worked so hard for.

[A]

Yes. It kind of goes back to that die with zero mentality which we've mentioned, that book.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We don't agree with everything, but we love the idea of like, you don't need to leave your kid $7 million.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

If you leave them $500,000, they'll still say, thank you, that was very sweet.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

So use the money you have now. Obviously we don't know how long we'll live. That number keeps going up. If you're in good health, like you could live to be 99. So we do have to be cautious. But, but we don't need to be miserly and not enjoy it either. So there's a, a balance there. So mind is tied to that. You've invested your whole life, hopefully into good gross stock mutual funds in these retirement accounts. Now it's time to invest in your health, your hobbies, and your loved ones. And I think that will actually increase your lifespan and increase your quality of life. So it's both. And I love that. That's so cool, you know, live a long, wonderful life. And I think too many people don't invest in their health, hobbies and loved ones early on and then they suffer on the back end of their life because of it.

[B]

That's right. Because when you get to retirement age is when you actually can travel and do these things. But if you're not in good health. To your point, you can't. And that's kind of what Daiwa zero A little bit. What they were saying is like, people just don't do anything. And they just save, save, save, save, save, save, save. And then when they get to the age to be able to do it, they don't because they can't. So there is a level of this, like, hey, let's be aware of what we're doing so you can use the money for your life to better it with experiences with the people you love. All the things.

[A]

What's your retirement hobby? I'm curious.

[B]

It'll be travel.

[A]

Just go places.

[B]

Can I tell you? Bougie Rachel?

[A]

Yeah. Okay. Maybe I should switch up my energy.

[B]

Oh, my gosh, y', all, I went down a rabbit hole. Are you ready for the most bougie vacation? I think I may have. May have seen that.

[A]

That's like.

[B]

That I could. That you could.

[A]

That's reasonable.

[B]

Well, I don't know if it's reasonable, but it's actually attainable. The Ritz Carlton, okay, has yachts now.

[A]

Like, you can rent a yacht.

[B]

You go on the yacht.

[A]

Oh, you like.

[B]

You're like one of 60 people on a yacht.

[A]

So it's like a semi private yacht.

[B]

So you get like Ritz experience on a yacht. That's where I'm gonna be in retirement.

[A]

Like, you're gonna live there?

[B]

I mean, I don't know. They have. I went down a deep hole and I just thought if I didn't have kids and all the money that I could.

[A]

Yeah, like empty nester. $10 million. Sure. Let's.

[B]

Let's go for three weeks. Just do the Mediterranean on the Ritz yacht.

[A]

What does that cost, you think?

[B]

I don't even. Well, I didn't look at price.

[A]

That's classic race called dreaming. She reads the menu from left to right.

[B]

Dreaming. But is that not amazing? That's what I'm doing.

[A]

I'm impressed.

[B]

And then. Are you ready for this one? If we're going bougie again, you see, you got the Ritz yacht. And then I think because the ads, they listen to us and know what we look at. So they fed me another ad like a day later. The Four Seasons ready for this? George has their own plane so you can do a trip. Are you ready for this? Like a 60 day, like a multiple, like two month trip. And you fly on the Four Seasons plane with like 60 other people, fully reclined seats, all of it. And you go around the world and Stay at all the Four Seasons around the world. I mean, what?

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Mind blown.

[B]

Mind blown. Yep.

[A]

So around the world in six.

[B]

That's why I buy Amazon earrings. To fund that. To fund that Roth so I can be on.

[A]

Every dollar saved is a dollar invested towards the Four Seasons budget.

[B]

That's why I do my finances. Listen, Four Seasons sponsor her when I.65. Do you know how bougie I'm going to be?

[A]

You're going to be Cruella de Vil.

[B]

I'm gonna be Bougie.

[A]

Minus the all the things. The dog situation.

[B]

Anyway, so that's my dream. It is a fun.

[A]

That's. I was not expecting that. When I said retirement hobby, I was like, I might do more golf like your mom. You know what I mean?

[B]

I just love a bougie trip, and I like getting into someone's bougie trip world and just living vicariously through them. It's probably a sick sickness, but it's fine.

[A]

I feel like it's healthy because you're. You're like. You're not hating your life now.

[B]

No.

[A]

And it's actually attainable. Like, you're setting your life up, I guess, because it's.

[B]

Again, you're not owning a yacht. Like, I'm not gonna go buy a yacht probably ever. No.

[A]

It's a ridiculous expense.

[B]

But if I could go on a yacht.

[A]

My thing is, like, can I just become friends with someone who has a yacht who's very.

[B]

Oh, now that's fun. Let's. Yes.

[A]

That's my retirement hobby is just networking and, like, getting in with the elite community.

[B]

George, that's good.

[A]

Almost to the point where there's a Netflix doc about me. Cause, like, how did he infiltrate the elite community? Like, they all thought I was wealthy, when really I was just like, I was doing fine, but I wasn't, like, yacht level wealthy. But they just kept inviting me. Like, I got you next time, bro. Like, hey, you'll be on my yacht next time. Yeah, it's in the shop right now. So, like, you know, and the documentary.

[B]

Has pictures of you in the background at all these parties. Like, there he is. There he is.

[A]

Just at the open bar, going back for one more.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Okay, before we get to our Guilty as Charged segment, George, tell us the details of the drink.

[A]

This is the Hillstone crisp martini. If you've forgotten, I'm going to rate it 10 out of 10. Don't mess with it. It wasn't broken, and I think I.

[B]

Would order it at a restaurant because it's that good. Genuinely. 10 out of 10.

[A]

10 out of 10 across the board. I was much closer to finishing. And here's the breakdown. It's got vodka Saint Germaine lemon juice and a twist Sauvignon blanc. Wine. No.

[B]

Really? Okay.

[A]

That added to the crispness.

[B]

It did, yes. And actually, I usually don't like a wine liquor mix.

[A]

Yeah. But that delightful shout out to mixologist Michael.

[B]

Michael. Thank you.

[A]

Open it up. Today, the cost, a mere 1 99. No more, no less. Your honor. I love when it ends on 99. It is so rare.

[B]

99, Bob.

[A]

It makes me feel like it's on sale.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[A]

You know what I mean? 194. I'd be like, I don't know if it's worth it. 199. Like, wow.

[B]

Wow, look at that.

[A]

MSRP is 4.99. So there you go. Get the recipe in the show notes. Give it a try this weekend. Drink responsibly if you're of age. That's all I'll say about that.

[B]

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

[A]

All right.

[B]

Are you guilty of receiving cash and keeping it as fun money just to spend on yourself?

[A]

What a strangely worded question. Who's just giving me cash?

[B]

Oh, I have. I'm a. Yes, I'm guilty.

[A]

Who's giving you cash?

[B]

Okay. The Ramsay Christmas party. Do you remember this back in the day?

[A]

Yes. We went to the mall and had a shopping spree.

[B]

Yes. So we went through about probably two or three years of the gift being $1,000. You remember this?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Cause sometimes they'll give, like, an actual gift. Depends on the size of the party, the budget, all the things. But There was probably two or three years in a row. Georgia. We would get an envelope of $1,000. Everyone would. And then one year, they rented out the mall, the Green Hills Mall. And we all took buses from here and went on a big shopping spree before the mall opened. Like, the stores were open for us. It was great. It was amazing.

[A]

Very exclusive experience.

[B]

But I would take that little Ramsey envelope with my cash in it, and I'd stick it in my closet, and I'd be like, that's my money to spend on me. That's for me.

[A]

As opposed to, this is $1,000 to spend on my family for Christmas.

[B]

Well, to put it in the checking account, which means it's gonna go to groceries.

[A]

Oh, it would disappear into not fun stuff.

[B]

100%. So I.

[A]

Do you remember what you used it on?

[B]

Keep it for me. I'm gonna be honest. I found an envelope just like last year, and it had like 300 bucks still in it.

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And I was like, unused Christmas party.

[B]

Unused Christmas party. Yep. So that's the only time I get cash from other people. I will say my in laws will send us a check for our birthday.

[A]

Still a personal check.

[B]

Buddy and Helen. Yep. Yeah.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

With a card. In the mail with a card and they. They write a whole thing. It's so sweet.

[A]

So sweet.

[B]

It is.

[A]

We gotta get Buddy Cruise on Venmo. Is he unaware or is he just like it old school?

[B]

I don't know. But yeah, the check. The checks still come, which I so appreciate.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

But anyways, that I will. I'll take, like, money that's given to me for like a Christmas or a birthday still as an adult, and I'm like, yes, I don't want this going into Pull Ups. You know what I mean? Or like, I don't want this.

[A]

Like, yeah, we're not gonna support pull Ups. It's ridiculous.

[B]

Okay, how about you? Would you ever do that? Or is that silly to you? Cause Winston just puts it in the bank and he's like, I mean, if I wanna go spend it on something, I'll just spend it anyways. But I'm like, there's just something like, I don't know. It's like your money. It's like, this is my cash.

[A]

No, we. So like, we sold stuff on Facebook, Marketplace, and so they'll give us cash, and we're talking hundreds of dollars. Sold some nice chairs. Just gonna put it that way. Hundreds of dollars. And I kept it, and I use it for haircut money because I pay cash to get a discount on my hair.

[B]

Oh, that's smart.

[A]

So that is my version of fun money. That is like, this is not for you, Whitney. This is not going in the bank. I will utilize this to stomach the cost of my bi weekly haircuts.

[B]

You kind of feel like you opt for haircuts.

[A]

Exactly. Cash.

[B]

I know. Okay, can we talk about this? This is controversial, but cash, we would say, and I think still believe that it hurts more when you spend with cash. I'm finding now that because I use Apple pay and debit cards all the time, cash actually feels free. I went through Shalotsky's. Yes, I did. Last week.

[A]

You're telling me the Gen Z, you're working at Shalotsky's, knew how to handle.

[B]

Cash and I gave a 20 to pay. And I kind of feel like I got a free lunch.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

I know. Isn't changing well.

[A]

You're just becoming. You're benjamin buttoning into what Gen Z feels and things which I think they appreciate because Gen Z would say that they were like, no, if I have cash, it feels like free money.

[B]

It does feel like free money.

[A]

It's outside of the matrix. It's not in the system.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Can't track it.

[B]

Yes. What is that? Because that used to not be the thing. Like, that's not how. I did not feel that way always. But in Shalotsky's drive through.

[A]

But the opposite is true. If I have $800 cash that I have to use to buy something, it like my soul is. It changes me. The physiology changes.

[B]

But how about the haircuts? Does it.

[A]

No, because that's, you know, small. That's small.

[B]

So maybe the small stuff every two.

[A]

Maybe that's it.

[B]

But if you're going to go do a big purchase and you have cash, that would hurt. Yeah. If you have multiple hurts.

[A]

But like, if I was using a card, it wouldn't hurt at all. So the fact that I'm using.

[B]

But I think with the card, I'm like, it's going to go in the EveryDollar app. Then I got to track it to the restaurants and that's taking away that like, it's. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah, I don't know.

[A]

No. You're like evading the system that you've created for yourself when you use cash at this point of your life. That's all I'm gonna say.

[B]

I'm just being honest. Transparency here.

[A]

Thank you for your vulnerability. You're so brave, people don't say it enough.

[B]

All right, if you have a guilty charge question, make sure to DM us at Rachel Cruz and at George Campbell.

[A]

We need them.

[B]

Guys, we do love your ideas and they do help.

[A]

The well is running dry.

[B]

Yeah. So please send us some. And if you loved this episode, leave a review and check out our next episode. How does your net worth compare to the average American? So you know how you stack up. We will link it for you and we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.