Make It Make Sense: Calling Out Money Double Standards

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel
Episode: Make It Make Sense: Calling Out Money Double Standards
Release Date: March 27, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Make It Make Sense: Calling Out Money Double Standards", hosted by the Ramsey Network, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel delve into the often overlooked financial double standards that people exhibit in their spending and saving habits. The conversation is lively, filled with humor, personal anecdotes, and insightful reflections on how individuals prioritize their finances. Throughout the episode, Rachel and George explore the contradictions in everyday financial decisions, providing listeners with both entertainment and valuable financial wisdom.

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Main Discussions

1. Financial Double Standards in Everyday Life

Rachel opens the discussion by highlighting the puzzling financial decisions people make, such as giving away a high-value item for free while charging a small fee for something insignificant. She states:

"It's like a $2,000 furniture piece... you want money and want to win with money, is it because you want safety or is it so that you can live like a status life?"
— Rachel Cruze [00:09]

George agrees, emphasizing the inconsistency in people's spending behaviors and how it reflects deeper psychological tendencies. They both recognize that these double standards are prevalent and often irrational, prompting them to explore this theme further.

2. Personal Spending and Saving Tendencies

The conversation shifts to their personal financial habits, where they categorize themselves as a saver versus a spender.

• George:
  "I am the saver. I'm a very cautious, you know, anxious type personality."
  — George Kamel [04:06]

• Rachel:
  "I'm a spender... experiences... quality over quantity."
  — Rachel Cruze [04:06]

They discuss how these inherent tendencies shape their financial decisions, with George prioritizing safety and Rachel valuing status and experiences. This dichotomy sets the stage for exploring how different financial mindsets can coexist and complement each other.

3. Confessions: Contradictions in Spending Habits

Using an interactive segment with "little paddles," Rachel and George share and react to various financial contradictions commonly observed:

• Example 1:
  Refuses to buy a bottle of wine at Trader Joe's for more than $10.99 but will pay $17 for a margarita at a rooftop bar.
  — George Kamel [08:07]

  George admits guilt, reflecting on the irrationality of paying more for experiences over tangible goods.

• Example 2:
  Squeezes out the last bit of toothpaste for a solid week but throws away a full bottle of face cream if unable to see results in three days.
  — Rachel Cruze [08:52]

  They laugh over these contradictions, highlighting how people's spending habits often don't align with their saving goals.

4. Product and Service Promotions

Throughout the episode, Rachel and George introduce and promote specific products and services that align with their financial philosophies:

• Delete Me:
  A service that removes personal information from data broker websites.
  — George Kamel [15:12]

  "Delete Me goes in and removes all your information from data broker websites that sell your information to other companies."

• Cozy Earth:
  A brand known for its high-quality, comfortable clothing.
  — Rachel Cruze [24:28]

  "Cozy Earth... because it is so soft."

These promotions are seamlessly integrated into the conversation, providing listeners with practical solutions to manage their personal information and invest in quality products.

5. Humorous Anecdotes and Relatable Stories

Rachel and George share amusing stories that illustrate their points and keep the conversation engaging:

• Toothpaste Squeeze:
  Rachel confesses her poor toothpaste-squeezing habits, leading to a humorous exchange about dental hygiene.
  — Rachel Cruze [09:12]

• "Karen" Confession:
  Both hosts reveal their experiences being "Karens" in various customer service scenarios, leading to laughs and shared understanding.
  — George Kamel [32:31]

  "AT&T Internet Bill... reverted my price back to $80 and gave me a hundred dollar Visa gift card."

These stories not only entertain but also underscore the episode's theme of financial double standards by showcasing common, relatable behaviors.

6. Lessons and Takeaways

Towards the end of the episode, Rachel and George distill their discussions into actionable insights:

• Understanding Personal Values:
  Recognizing that everyone places different values on various aspects of their finances helps in addressing unhealthy spending habits.

• Budgeting and Intentional Spending:
  Emphasizing the importance of having a budget that accounts for both saving and enjoying life without guilt.

• Acceptance of Contradictions:
  Acknowledging that financial hypocrisy is a part of being human, but striving to make more informed and intentional financial decisions.

"If it's in the budget, that's a great thing. And if you're using every dollar, you know what's going on with your budget, and that's what's key."
— Rachel Cruze [29:15]

"It's okay to have some nice things and to want to get a deal on something else that isn't worth paying full price."
— George Kamel [29:18]

These takeaways encourage listeners to balance frugality with indulgence, ensuring a financially healthy and fulfilling life.

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Notable Quotes

1. Rachel Cruze on Financial Motivations:

   "If you want money and want to win with money, is it because you want safety or is it so that you can live like a status life?"
   — Rachel Cruze [00:09]

2. George Kamel on Cautious Personality:

   "I am the saver. I'm a very cautious, you know, anxious type personality."
   — George Kamel [04:07]

3. Rachel Cruze on Budgeting:

   "If it's in the budget, that's a great thing. And if you're using every dollar, you know what's going on with your budget, and that's what's key."
   — Rachel Cruze [29:15]

4. George Kamel on Spending Contradictions:

   "I am the opposite. I will absolutely drive extra to the cheap gas station, but I will shell out 150 bucks a month on food delivery fees."
   — George Kamel [26:02]

5. Rachel Cruze on Enjoying Life:

   "But there's also a time and a place just to enjoy the life. But we're all gonna have that hypocrisy in life, right?"
   — Rachel Cruze [27:46]

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Conclusion

"Make It Make Sense: Calling Out Money Double Standards" is a thought-provoking episode that combines humor with financial wisdom. Rachel Cruze and George Kamel successfully navigate the complexities of personal finance, shedding light on the inherent contradictions in how we manage money. By sharing personal stories, interactive segments, and practical advice, they provide listeners with a relatable and insightful exploration of financial double standards. This episode not only entertains but also empowers individuals to examine and adjust their financial behaviors for a more balanced and intentional life.

Transcript

[Rachel Cruz]

Foreign.

[George Camel]

We are calling out some financial double standards.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's like a $2,000 furniture piece. One of these moments in life that you're like, it doesn't make sense. If you want money and want to win with money, is it because you want safety or is it so that you can live like a status life? Hey guys, I'm Rachel Cruz.

[George Camel]

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

[Rachel Cruz]

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

[George Camel]

We're sipping on the illustrious citrus cardamom coffee spritzer. Mocktail. So many words for a drink that should be in prison. We will give you our rating, which spoiler, not gonna be good. And reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode. So stick around. You're gonna wanna be here for this sentencing.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right. Good. Okay. So George, you know, we talk about personal finance for a living. And we really try not to be judgmental. Cause we get people from all different situations and stories and, you know, it's a whole thing. And so we do try to be curious, Right? As Ted Lasso would say. Right.

[George Camel]

Be curious, not judgmental.

[Rachel Cruz]

Which I think was a Walt Whitman quote originally.

[George Camel]

You're telling me that Jason Sudeikis didn't come up with that on the spot?

[Rachel Cruz]

I quoted Walt Whitman in the episode. But yeah, yeah, we're not going to. Yeah, be curious, not judgmental. It's a great phrase.

[George Camel]

So you had a curious moment recently?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes, I did. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I apparently am letting you know for the first time.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I.

[George Camel]

Well, yes, in fact I did. Thank you for bringing it up. What happened here?

[Rachel Cruz]

Well, it's just funny. I am in a certain text group, shall we say? You know, they'll be like, oh, hey, here's this, you know, dresser for free if anyone wants to come pick it up. And it's from, you know, and they give the link and everything. And it's like a two thousand dollar furniture piece. So they're like, yeah, just come get it. Like we're done with it. You're like, oh my gosh. But then they're like nickel and diamond, you know, like vitamins for $12, you know, if you want to get this for $12. And I'm like, this is so funny to me because they give away like thousands of dollars an item, but the vitamins are charged, but then something else they'll just like charge for. And I'm like, I don't Know, maybe like, something is in their psyche or in them. I don't know. But it's always funny to me that I'm like, if you're going to make money, like, make it off the dresser. Right. That you're going to get.

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

Thousands of dollars for.

[George Camel]

So therein lies the double standard of, like, why would you make this free but make the $10 item.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. So again, it's one of these moments in life that you're like, that just doesn't. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense. And so there's a lot of that in this world.

[George Camel]

And that was the. The birth of this episode.

[Rachel Cruz]

Because I feel it a lot in my life. I'll do things that I'm like, oh, yeah, I'll pay for this. And then they charge me $1.99 to subscribe to a podcast to get all the episodes. I'm like, I will not. But I'll go and spend freaking, like, I don't know, $30 to get my food delivered to my house for one night, you know, and it just. It doesn't make. It doesn't make sense. So there's a lot of that out there in the world.

[George Camel]

We're gonna get into that. And, you know, humans are imperfect after the fall of man. Look it up. By the way, good story. Trying to make my mom happy. She's in the crowd. I'll make my mom happy. Look up the fall of man. Dark stuff, but helpful information. We have natural tendencies as humans.

[Rachel Cruz]

Hypocrisy there, too.

[George Camel]

That are contradictory. All right. We are contradictory beings. But being intentional about this is how we grow. So we're going to get into that today. And you talk about natural money tendencies in your book Know Yourself, Know youw Money. Which one of your best kind of.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just say, oh, thanks, George. Yeah, but I do think understanding yourself, because it can maybe help explain some of the hypocrisy that we live in, because some of these. Yeah, natural tendencies. Real quick. Spender versus saver. What are you?

[George Camel]

I am the saver.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm a spender. Are you a nerd or a free spirit?

[George Camel]

The nerd.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm a free spirit. Experiences. Do you spend money on experiences or actual things?

[George Camel]

I think I'm a things person.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right. I'm gonna be honest person. George. We're so opposite. Are you quality? Get something very nice or you want a bunch of little things? A quantity. Quality quantity for me.

[George Camel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Rachel Cruz]

If you want money and want to win with money, is it because you want safety feeling like, okay, I know I'm gonna be okay. Or is it so that you can live, like, a status life? And not status in a shallow way, but in a sense of like, we get to go on the fun trip. We get to buy the fun car. Why do you want to win with money?

[George Camel]

I think I'm a safety person. I think I'm a very cautious, you know, anxious type personality. How about you?

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm status. We're perfectly opposite.

[George Camel]

We are.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, my gosh. Abundance or scarcity mindset.

[George Camel]

I think I'm scarcity.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay. I'm abundance. Wow.

[George Camel]

This is perfect.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay. And if you're giving, is there ever a situation that you're like, oh, yes, you love to give. Spontaneously you hear about something, you're like, absolutely, I'm gonna. Let's just give some money. Or do you want to, like, research the organization and make sure it's very methodical and it's real and it's legitimate? You're not getting scammed.

[George Camel]

You had me at research. Okay, so I would say I'm a planned giver, but I still have some spontaneous giving in the budget. But my natural tendency. Planned.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay. I'm spontaneous. And you know what? People will appreciate the Valentine's episode we had our spouses. You are literally Winston in so many ways, and I am Whitney in so many ways.

[George Camel]

What an honor.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know, just a second.

[George Camel]

Just call me Lil Winston. You know, Winston Jr. Winnie Jr. I'll take that. I've always thought we're so similar, except for how we look, how successful we are, the things that we do, the hobbies. No, I'm kidding, George. We're very similar.

[Rachel Cruz]

But, hey, you and I, absolute opposites.

[George Camel]

Absolutely.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know, that's why we make good, you know, good partners on the show.

[George Camel]

Absolutely nothing in common.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know, it's like Regis and Kathie Lee.

[George Camel]

I am your Regis.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know. Or Kelly and Ryan.

[George Camel]

I'm more of. I love Regis. He was everything.

[Rachel Cruz]

He was great.

[George Camel]

Rest in peace. You didn't know that? I just broke that news to you. Oh, my gosh.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, he did pass, didn't he?

[George Camel]

He did.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, man.

[George Camel]

Rest in peace. King Kathie Lee still with us.

[Rachel Cruz]

Can I tell you one of my core memories of a child is who Wants to Be a Millionaire? We were all obsessed with that show. Do you remember that season came out? Everyone in America watched it.

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

And the guy that won the first million dollars, when he had the last question, he phoned a friend, called his dad just to tell his dad he was going to win a million dollars.

[George Camel]

That was the most baller move on television ever. The rest of.

[Rachel Cruz]

And I watched it live, y'all. I mean, it was the biggest deal.

[George Camel]

Our kids will never understand. They'll be like, well, I can watch it on YouTube. I'm like, it's not the same.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, it's not the same. But Regis, man, what a national treasure.

[George Camel]

Yeah, but, yeah, I think Regis would have the same personality type as you are.

[Rachel Cruz]

100% Regis.

[George Camel]

I am than I seem.

[Rachel Cruz]

It is true, old soul. It is true. Yeah, but listen, when it comes to us and our tendencies in life, there is the double standard. You know, we can. We could be all these tendencies, but yet the way we spend and experience money may not make sense to everyone.

[George Camel]

Make it make sense. That's the theme of this episode. So we have some confessions from our team from someone we found online, but all of them are incredibly entertaining and a little too relatable.

[Rachel Cruz]

Very much so. So we have little paddles, George, for us. If you're watching. Oh, that's my phone. Got these paddles. If you're watching on video. And we'd say, I, yeah, no, would not do this or would be guilty.

[George Camel]

And remember, you have to show the camera the answer you want. Don't show it to yourself.

[Rachel Cruz]

And we'll. And we'll say it out loud for those of you just listening on podcasts.

[George Camel]

Okay, play along with us at home and drop your own money. Contradictions in the comments because it is highly entertaining, if nothing else.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right, first up. Refuses to buy a bottle of wine at Trader Joe's for more than $10.99, but will happily pay $17 for a margarita at a rooftop bar.

[George Camel]

This is my toxic trait.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I would buy the wine at Trader Joe's and buy the margarita.

[George Camel]

Oh, here. This is an improv. It's not. Yes. And it's okay. You know, it's like, are you at risk for falling for this? Would you. Are you this person? You're not guilty of this. No, I. Yeah, yeah. For some reason, Trader Joe's like $8. There's a $7 bottle. It looks mighty fine. Like, I'm just. Why am I doing this?

[Rachel Cruz]

You're nitpicking a dollar.

[George Camel]

But I will pay good money for a high end cocktail at a cocktail bar.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep, that's right.

[George Camel]

So therefore, this is a toxic trait. All right, next one. Squeezes out the last bit of toothpaste for a solid week and a half, but throws away a full bottle of face cream if unable to See results in three days.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, that's funny. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

How far are you going with the toothpaste?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, you know, my toothpaste situation. It's not great in life. I'm not a great.

[George Camel]

Are you brushing?

[Rachel Cruz]

I am a. I do brush. Yes. I use an electric toothbrush. I don't go to the dentist, as everyone knows, but I use an electric toothbrush. Yeah. I'm a child with toothpaste.

[George Camel]

No. Are you, like, squeezing from the middle, like a psychopath middle?

[Rachel Cruz]

And it dries on top.

[George Camel]

Do you and Winston share toothpaste, or does he have his own?

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, he has his own. That's perfectly clean in his drawer.

[George Camel]

Good.

[Rachel Cruz]

Mine looks like a. Mine is. Yeah. No, not great.

[George Camel]

Like an intruder was coming in just to try to squeeze toothpaste in a rush. They didn't have a lot of time. Just squeeze and ask questions later, y'all. Why is it, like, all gunked up on the. On the.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, for sure. Y'all. I am terrible.

[George Camel]

I gotta take a drink of this drink, and it's gross enough that that tells you how I feel about your toothpaste.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, y'all, I think. Cause I lose the lids of my toothpastes. They're so small.

[George Camel]

That's. That's the excuse.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right.

[George Camel]

What toothpaste do you use, by the way? I think people want to know.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's red.

[George Camel]

Is it like Crest? Give us a brand.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know.

[George Camel]

I'm not convinced.

[Rachel Cruz]

Colgate. I think it's Colgate.

[George Camel]

Okay. I was like, I'm not convinced. You brush your teeth if you don't know the brand of toothpaste you use.

[Rachel Cruz]

I just know it's red. For sure. Colgate. I'm pretty sure it's. Who reads it?

[George Camel]

I know down to the flavor. No Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening. Thank you. Kelly has taste. Will has taste.

[Rachel Cruz]

Y'all, if I even have to. This is how not detailed I am. This is my free spirit coming out. If I have to replace my. Every day. Every day I use this moisturizer on my face. I don't really know what it's called. I have to go look at it to Amazon it. I genuinely don't know if I can tell you what it looks like. It's a white bottle, and I don't really even know the name of it. Wow.

[George Camel]

The freedom in which you live your life is frightening. I'm a lot of peace.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm very relaxed in life.

[George Camel]

So relaxed. You know, you put the stress on everyone else in your Life to figure it out. All right. I'm definitely not guilty of this. I will not. In fact, I would return the face cream for what I paid for it if I don't see results in three, which, by the way, who's looking for results in three days? What promise did they make on three days?

[Rachel Cruz]

They make a lot of promises in the beauty world, George.

[George Camel]

I don't fall for it. I've used the same.

[Rachel Cruz]

You're so smart, so great.

[George Camel]

Wasn't looking for affirmation, but thank you. Means a lot.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right. Up next, insists of using a library card instead of buying a Kindle, but owns a beachfront vacation home in Cabo.

[George Camel]

This one feels very specific to Sharon Ramsey, my mom.

[Rachel Cruz]

God bless you, Sharon.

[George Camel]

I guess I'll give your mom a thumbs up.

[Rachel Cruz]

I buy a Kindle, y'all, for the longest time, even know if she still owns one. But she's a reader. She reads all the times where I love. Give my love for reading. And she still will check books out at the library.

[George Camel]

She's going to the Library Physically?

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, 100%. And I'm like, hey, mom, did you get this book? And she's like, I don't know. I'm on the wait list at the library. And I'm like, I mean, she could.

[George Camel]

Amazon it, but she doesn't want anything digital to read. She wants a physical book.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. You know, in the past year, she may have got. I've never seen her with a Kindle. She's a. She reads actual physical books, and she's still. She will not buy those.

[George Camel]

And Dave. Dave Ramsey is a physical book guy, right?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. So is dad.

[George Camel]

I've never seen him read a Kindle.

[Rachel Cruz]

Not saying he and I. And I'm the same way. Toxic trait. But yet they, like, are doing great in life, you know, Sharon, you can buy books from Amazon, but yes, the.

[George Camel]

Fact that she won't buy a Kindle, won't even buy the book. Uses a library card to save on the $10, $15 the book costs.

[Rachel Cruz]

Loves the library, and she goes on wait lists for the books while in.

[George Camel]

Cabo, which, by the way, is where she is at as of this taping, as we speak.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right.

[George Camel]

I got nothing but respect for our queen Sharon Ramsey. But she is remarkably frugal. She had a very, you know, very humble upbringing. And I think that has stuck with her of just like, don't be wasteful. Don't buy things you.

[Rachel Cruz]

That still send you home with a little dollop of, you know, sweet potato casserole. Cuz we don't throw that away.

[George Camel]

Saving it in the freezer a little bit there.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. So pull it out. We'll eat desserts and she'll give us the year the dessert was given to her that she freezes.

[George Camel]

God bless.

[Rachel Cruz]

God bless.

[George Camel]

Here's your reminder. Go watch the Sharon Ramsey episode of Smart Money Happy hour right after this. Because it's so good.

[Rachel Cruz]

So good.

[George Camel]

All right, here's a new one. Won't buy a new winter coat for 20 years, but will burn through a thousand bucks on a new shotgun every hunting season. This one's for Southern dads everywhere. I'm going to go. I'm not guilty of this one.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep. But is Winston. Wow.

[George Camel]

So he's like, my winter coat from 20 years ago is fine. Still fits from college.

[Rachel Cruz]

Y'all, this is so weird. This is exactly the conversation I had with him this week. Because last week he was on a duck trip to Arkansas.

[George Camel]

He needed a new shotgun.

[Rachel Cruz]

Literally said no. Well, he did. Yeah, that's true. He did not buy a new gun for that trip. But he said he's like, yeah, all the guys have all the great gear and stuff because he's a different. He's a pheasant hunter, which is a different type of gear than duck. I don't know. It's a whole thing.

[George Camel]

We get it.

[Rachel Cruz]

George gets it for sure. Yeah, but he said it was his coat from college. He's like, I still just got my coat from college, you know, just wearing it. He still works, so it's kind of Winston. But he didn't buy a new shotgun. But he still will just wear what he wears.

[George Camel]

Does he have the full, like, water waiter out there?

[Rachel Cruz]

Waiters. Good for you, George. A waiter? Yeah. He's got waiters. Yeah.

[George Camel]

No, I have a lot of respect for hunting. I just don't want to do it.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's fair. You know what? Yeah. I don't get it.

[George Camel]

I don't need to be out there in the elements at 5am to prove something.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know what else I don't need to prove?

[George Camel]

What's that?

[Rachel Cruz]

My online information. Because it's out there already, which is.

[George Camel]

So what a transition. Some of your best work.

[Rachel Cruz]

That was pretty good. Y'all were there.

[George Camel]

That was pretty good. Yeah. Why would you need to prove your online information? I think you have a good point.

[Rachel Cruz]

Because it's out there for everyone to see.

[George Camel]

That's why we need especially yours.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's why we.

[George Camel]

If anyone needs delete me, it is Rachel Cruz. This product was invented for you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Seriously though, Delete Me goes in and removes all your information. Because we do so much of our lives online, from banking right to our email, everything. I mean, we're shopping, it's there's so much. So our names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, everything's out there. And so Delete Me goes in and removes all that information from data broker websites that sell your information to other companies. They make money off of you and Delete Me goes in and removes it.

[George Camel]

And they send you a report showing you what they've done, how much time they've saved you. I'm currently at 77 hours, feeling real good on my high horse because that's time it would have taken me to. Number one, find all of these sites that have my information. Number two, find the invisible link to go, request to remove it, fill out the form, which by the way requires more information and Delete Me does all of that for you at a very, very affordable price. You can do this for the whole family and you'll get 20% off as a smart money happy hour viewer by going to joindeleteme.com smartmoney or use the link in the description.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep, it's amazing. The best next is only buys economy plane tickets but valet's car at airport.

[George Camel]

Oh, that's a Rachel Cruz moment. I'm going to go halfway. It's not that I've never done the valet, but I also am so angry when I have to pay that amount of money.

[Rachel Cruz]

Really? Here's the thing, it does save you.

[George Camel]

Here's where I will say Rachel wins. Last time we traveled with a baby, mind you, but it was like five or six days, which is a lot. It's a lot of LA money.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's a long time. That's a long time.

[George Camel]

So we did the like self park but the garage next to the airport so it's not a far walk. Forgot where we parked. Ended up in the wrong area with the baby in the freezing cold.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, George.

[George Camel]

With all the luggage we're lugging. And this is when I was like, Rachel was right. Rachel was right. Should have allayed.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know, but it's funny because Hudson's like an anti first class. Like he thinks it's the most wasted amount of money.

[George Camel]

He's the everyman.

[Rachel Cruz]

But genuinely he's like that makes no sense to pay for that.

[George Camel]

Truthfully, the amount of money.

[Rachel Cruz]

And we pay south and we fly southwest 95 of the time. I mean rarely am I getting second.

[George Camel]

Class, let me tell you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, but southwest, there's no option like you're just, you're just, you know, getting on when you're getting on.

[George Camel]

If you're a list that's basically first class.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And it's hard to get to.

[George Camel]

I'll never get there again.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know.

[George Camel]

You need 20 something flights a year.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's a lot. It's a lot. But valet. I will. Yep.

[George Camel]

For a short trip. I'm with Rachel at the Nashville airport. I think it's 40 bucks.

[Rachel Cruz]

Especially with kids.

[George Camel]

With kids.

[Rachel Cruz]

I mean, it's.

[George Camel]

If it's a short trip, I would do it. But for a long trip, like a.

[Rachel Cruz]

Week, I would say that's harder. I get that. I get that. Yeah.

[George Camel]

God gave me legs. I can walk an extra.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. That's fair. I know. 78. Convenience.

[George Camel]

It is convenient convenience. But then they ask for a tip, and I know they're not going far. You know what I mean?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

I struggle with a tip on the valet that already charged me 40 bucks a day.

[Rachel Cruz]

Sure. I don't do it by a percentage because their effort wasn't.

[George Camel]

It was a one time effort.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

They weren't doing this every day hoping you'd show up.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah. No, they're not like moving the car.

[George Camel]

That's good. All right, next one. Claims there's no margin in the budget for retirement investing, but pays $250 every month for the gym membership. Never made. Your boy invests.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And Rachel would, you know we just canceled our gym membership. We had one. I know.

[George Camel]

Well, now you have like an at home situation, right? Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

So we do it in our garage. And so. Yep, we're done. We're done with the gym, y'all. But you know what's crazy is we paid that y'all for probably nine to 10 months and never used it.

[George Camel]

Did it hurt at all?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. I mean, every month and every dollar, I'm tracking it, the ymca, putting it in, and I'm like, we never go.

[George Camel]

So I went to the YMCA recently. I did the day pass. Do you know about this?

[Rachel Cruz]

Wow. Give me the day pass.

[George Camel]

Here's why I did it. I did it to go to the skate park to see if I still got it.

[Rachel Cruz]

And how did that end up?

[George Camel]

20 minutes later, found out I still got it. I just don't have the endurance.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay. Are you nervous when you're like, the board is. I don't even know skateboarding. But you have a big hill.

[George Camel]

Okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

And you're at the top and that board is just. And you gotta really commit to go down. Yeah.

[George Camel]

Like dropping in on a quarter pipe or half pipe.

[Rachel Cruz]

Scary.

[George Camel]

It is, yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

How you. How you. It's scarier nowadays.

[George Camel]

It is scarier now because I pay for my own insurance. And once you do that, I will say it changes. Like the 14 year old kids at the skate park. I was like, God bless you guys and your mom's insurance. Like you're out here doing the most. I was very concerned the whole time. I was like, if I roll an ankle, what does this mean for my family? So I was very cautious, but I was the best. And the 14 year old kids were like, wow, that guy. I was like, yeah, your boy used to skate, George. So after 20 minutes of impressing the children, I left and I paid my 15 for the YMCA and I was very happy. I would do it again.

[Rachel Cruz]

Take pass.

[George Camel]

Yeah. But I do not currently have a gym membership because I was Rachel and I paid too much for it. Didn't go enough. Not really into the gym atmosphere.

[Rachel Cruz]

I realized it's very intimidating.

[George Camel]

Yeah. People that go to the gym really want you to know they go to the gym. And I need like a Planet Fitness level where it's like, hey, we're all just trying our best out here.

[Rachel Cruz]

Is that Planet Fitness?

[George Camel]

Yeah. Planet fitness is like $10 a month. A lot of people who are not in shape, who want to be in shape. The gym I was going to, which is lifetime Fitness, is meant for people who live at the gym, their hobbies.

[Rachel Cruz]

Lifetime at the gym.

[George Camel]

Gym. That's it. They go to work, they go to the gym, they go home, they go to the gym.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Not for me.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. All right, next, we'll tip 20% for a manicure that you hate. But we'll stand in line at Target to return a $7 vase from last spring.

[George Camel]

Wow. I guess I'm guilty of this. Even though I've Never paid tip 20% for a manicure I hate.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. But the idea.

[George Camel]

Often I've never got my nails done.

[Rachel Cruz]

In a sense, I've gotten my. Yeah, I've gotten a couple of colors and I'm like, wow, that was just not what I wanted. But you never want to tell her because she's mostly done with it. You're like, so you just live with it.

[George Camel]

I did. I was on the business end of this with a massage. Oh, so you know, you know the place, the massage place. It's by the minute. Which Red flag number one.

[Rachel Cruz]

The reflexology place.

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, Jesus.

[George Camel]

Generous to call it reflexology.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, I know that.

[George Camel]

Anyways, I tipped 15% one time because it's a mediocre chair massage.

[Rachel Cruz]

Sure.

[George Camel]

You know, and I tipped 15% and the guy literally pointed at, no, no, no, no. 20. 20%.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, we didn't 20%. And I was like, no, George, are you serious?

[George Camel]

Okay, sure. Like, I was like, I. I don't want to be a part. Like, I want to get out of this. You know what I mean? So that was an awkward moment where I learned, even if it's not great.

[Rachel Cruz]

Tip 20% tip the service. Tip the service. I'm a 20% across the board probably regardless of the service. Wow.

[George Camel]

I know. You're so generous, George.

[Rachel Cruz]

You're so stingy. It'd be like two extra dollars.

[George Camel]

I thought 15% was a totally fine tip for an okay massage in a chair that they got 38 years ago that smells like cigarettes. Just one man's take. Just one man's take.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just throwing it out there. Yeah.

[George Camel]

You got the fluorescent light on. I'm three feet from a bathroom that an employee just used without washing their hands. How do I know? Never heard a sink, but heard the toilet. But no, no, no, you're right, you're right. I should be generous. Okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's a real experience strip mall. Like, you know what you're walking.

[George Camel]

This one was in the. Yeah, agreed. Fine.

[Rachel Cruz]

If it's next subway.

[George Camel]

If it's next to a subway and a CBD store, you know what you're getting to.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

No excuse.

[Rachel Cruz]

Like a check. Give the. Draw your blood and check your levels, please.

[George Camel]

Makes me more uncomfortable. They're talking behind my back the whole time, always. And I know, I know. And I can't do anything about it.

[Rachel Cruz]

You should start like saying Arabic stuff.

[George Camel]

That would be a good power move because they won't know what I'm saying either. I have no one to talk to, but I'll say it. I'll talk to myself so they know I'm not okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, my gosh.

[George Camel]

But yes, I am guilty of the standing in line at Target to return a seven dollar vase from last year.

[Rachel Cruz]

I can see that.

[George Camel]

Been there, done that.

[Rachel Cruz]

How about this? Owns 0 name brand belongings, but saves up cash to buy a personal sauna, cold plunge tub, home gym and backyard pool.

[George Camel]

This one is suspiciously similar to something Winston Cruz would do.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's a Winston.

[George Camel]

Is this true?

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm gonna throw him up for that one. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I can't. I. I'm not guilty of this. I wish I was. Truthfully.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No.

[George Camel]

This is. The dream is to own zero name brand belongings but have a backyard pool.

[Rachel Cruz]

Cold plunge.

[George Camel]

You know what that tells me all the way? Winston does not care about your opinion. Isn't that his superpower?

[Rachel Cruz]

So true. Doesn't. Yeah. Doesn't know much about current because he.

[George Camel]

Does nothing to flex.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

If he does anything, it's for Winston.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. As we sat down, Winston has this jacket that, that he. That George has on, but Winston's is more waxed. And Winston found this small little shop in this small little town outside of Nashville.

[George Camel]

And he was like, columbia, Tennessee.

[Rachel Cruz]

This is Enneagram 4 style. He's a hard Enneagram 4, which is funny. 5 and 4. And he was like, oh, no, I was gonna see that. And then he came to Ramsey to visit me for lunch, and he saw someone wear it and he was like, people know about this. And then I just saw you had it.

[George Camel]

It's ruined. Now when Winston finds out I have the same jacket as him, he's like, let me. Can I return this still?

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I don't. But yeah, that's. That's.

[George Camel]

We shop local. It's what we do.

[Rachel Cruz]

Rachel, that's a good one. But, you know, one thing that Winston does love is Cozy Earth. That is one name brand stuff. Honestly, that he has the hoodie, the socks, and it's because of quality, because it is so soft. Like, genuinely. I actually got my brother in law a pair of joggers for Christmas from Cozy Earth, and he just text me the other day. He was like, hey, I want to make sure this is the type. This is the brand.

[George Camel]

Such great stuff. The camel family has a lot of Cozy Earth in the house, and we love it all. Go check it out. They're giving our viewers and listeners up to 40% off if you use the promo code smart money at checkout, go to cozyearth.com or click the link in the show notes.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right, George next won't step foot into a Whole Foods to buy organic groceries, but we'll spend $120 on the latest Lululemon drop because of hashtag wellness. Oh, this is funny, y'all. I could. I'm gonna say it guilty because I kind of relate. I'm like, it's. I. I can get there, but I'm like, yeah, I would spend money on like a Cozy Earth or a Viori.

[George Camel]

You're not a Whole Foods fan.

[Rachel Cruz]

And then I'm like, I'll just buy Publix milk. Like, I'm fine with my life.

[George Camel]

You know, my wife just yesterday was like, hey, buy the organic one if you can. And I was like, I can, but it's double the price and our baby won't know.

[Rachel Cruz]

So your baby's gut will know, though. That's what they say.

[George Camel]

I'm pretty sure she ate Lindt. So, like, I don't know. I'm not that concerned at this stage of the game, but I do respect it. I do respect her.

[Rachel Cruz]

Give us your last one, George.

[George Camel]

We'll drive an extra 10 minutes on the way home to fill up at the cheap gas station, but we'll shell out 150 bucks a month on food delivery fees.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm not guilty because I won't drive the extra, but I will do the delivery fees. Probably.

[George Camel]

I am the opposite. I will absolutely drive extra to the cheap gas station, which for me would be like a Sam's Club or Costco in most cases. They have the best price. We'll drive extra. But the delivery fees. I am.

[Rachel Cruz]

You hate delivery fees.

[George Camel]

Nothing makes me more angry.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know.

[George Camel]

Because here's the thing. You're not paying for the fees, but every item you purchase is 20% more expensive.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I know. I hear you.

[George Camel]

It makes me so angry that I'm like, you know what? I'm gonna get in my car and drive there myself to show them a lesson. I'm gonna pay retail price for that.

[Rachel Cruz]

No more on my prayer list.

[George Camel]

I'm on there.

[Rachel Cruz]

I have Amanda Bynes now. I've added her.

[George Camel]

Oh, good. Okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

Because Lindsay Lohan is off of my prayer list. Because she's doing great.

[George Camel]

She's thriving.

[Rachel Cruz]

She is thriving.

[George Camel]

Bieber, Is he still on there?

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I think him and Haley are doing great with the new baby and stuff. It feels.

[George Camel]

You've already saved two people with your prayer list.

[Rachel Cruz]

And I'm gonna add you, George, to it.

[George Camel]

Thank you. Wait, do I get to replace Bieber?

[Rachel Cruz]

Cause even what you just said, George, you know, I just think you need to loosen up a little bit. I just think you need to enjoy a delivery fee.

[George Camel]

I am my father's son. What can I say, George? My parents didn't immigrate to this country to get screwed on delivery fees. They got screwed enough on the way in. They're not getting screwed on the way out, too. It's simply too much, don't you think? We have to put a stop to this.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay, here's the thing.

[George Camel]

We need a delivery fee revolution. This is what people should be campaigning on.

[Rachel Cruz]

I hear you. I get it. It is stupid. It's crazy.

[George Camel]

Even Biden, who can't download an app to save his life, had a whole thing about junk fees. He was trying to get rid of the junk fees, as he called them, because back in Scranton, when he was, you know, on the train traveling with Corn Pop, the man doesn't know it's the last time the guy paid a fee.

[Rachel Cruz]

George. Okay. But listen, my prayer for you is just to kind of, like, loosen up a little bit, you know?

[George Camel]

That's good advice.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just enjoy a few delivery fees in your lifetime, and you're gonna be okay.

[George Camel]

Thank you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Because here's the. Here's the truth of it all. So we all value different things. We're going to spend money and effort on things that we just, you know, it's our natural bent. And not that they're right or wrong. And again, I think there's a time and a place to save the money, but there's also a time and a place just to enjoy the life. But we're all gonna have that hypocrisy in life, right?

[George Camel]

That's always gonna be, would Sharon Ramsey pay delivery fees? Left to her own devices, no.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, she wouldn't.

[George Camel]

Would Dave Ramsey pay the delivery fee unbeknownst to Sharon? Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. Yes. Dad would. Yes.

[George Camel]

But if it was up to Sharon to order the meal, she'd be like, well, I would just go.

[Rachel Cruz]

Sharon not paying attention. So many stories of my mom. This one came to mind. We were on vacation, like, last year, and she all tried to talk us out of buying breakfast because she's like, lunch is coming soon. We don't need to pay breakfast. But, mom, we're so, so hungry.

[George Camel]

You can wait. Patience.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, because she's like, it's a way, you know, she's like, it's fine. Just grab that banana from the lobby.

[George Camel]

That's why I like it. It harkens trauma from your childhood, and therefore, you don't want me to live that long. I can't help it.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, my gosh. Too good.

[George Camel]

Too good. What's the takeaway here?

[Rachel Cruz]

Well, I think, again, it's about that we all place value on different things. I think if we do have unhealthy habits, that needs to be addressed. Right. This isn't to, like, cover up and laugh about that. Like, we need to talk about that.

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

But also, if it's in the budget, that's a great thing. And if you're using every dollar, you know what's going on with your budget, and that's what's key.

[George Camel]

And it's okay to be like me, bougie, frugal.

[Rachel Cruz]

That is true.

[George Camel]

It's okay to have Some nice things and to want to get a deal on something else that isn't worth paying full price. And it's okay to be Rachel and to put it in the budget and just spend and enjoy your life. And don't go to Costco on a. And tip well and be grateful.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right. There's on a right or wrong way.

[George Camel]

That's a great life too.

[Rachel Cruz]

Thank you, George. All right, before we get to our guiltiest charge, tell us about this drink that we did not drink.

[George Camel]

This drink that I think will be serving time. I think this is the drink you see on the side of the highway picking up trash. And you go, kids, this is why you stay in school. Don't end up like this drink. This drink is the citrus cardamom coffee spritzer Mocktail, which by the way, are five things that I love on their own, but when put together are a hate crime towards mocktails. Here's my rating. Negative 10 out of 10.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay, I don't give it that. I give it a two.

[George Camel]

Well, look at Ms. Generous over here. You did a spit take when you first tried it. Try it again and tell me it doesn't taste like sweet tea with espresso through a Waffle House filter that sat out for days, then got put in the fridge and then you put a lim little peel on it, a little lemon on it.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I mean, it's bad.

[George Camel]

Is that accurate?

[Rachel Cruz]

It's bad. Yeah, it's bad. A one.

[George Camel]

It's like water.

[Rachel Cruz]

Give it a zero.

[George Camel]

Water down cheese with espresso poured over.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, it's not good.

[George Camel]

Is that fair?

[Rachel Cruz]

It's not good. Okay, we got it.

[George Camel]

All right, but here's.

[Rachel Cruz]

Don't try it at home.

[George Camel]

Here's the good news. It's only a dollar and eleven cents per glass. So worst case, you also wasted money while making a terrible drink. Here's what's in it in case you have a dark mind. It's got sugar water, cardamom pods, cold coffee, fresh lemon juice, plain seltzer, and I imagine the middle finger of your worst enemy stirring it all together just to go. This will really add to the flavor. This will really get em. But honestly, I triple dog dare you to try it with the recipe in the show notes. Give it a try this weekend. The kids cannot enjoy it too. So this is a fun one for the whole family to suffer through. And if you make it and you enjoy it, we're not friends, we're not gonna get along in life. But I wish you the best.

[Rachel Cruz]

Wish you the best in life. Well, now it's time for it can't all be banished. You know that's true. You can't win them all, people.

[George Camel]

You gotta have the valleys to really appreciate the peaks quote that. That's excellent.

[Rachel Cruz]

As I walk through the valley of the shadow and death.

[George Camel]

Yeah. They should rename this drink the Shadow of Death.

[Rachel Cruz]

And the worst is the aftertaste. I'm not gonna lie. I think it's even worse than the actual drink.

[George Camel]

Okay, somehow the before taste also bad.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's just bad all around. All right, now it's time for guilty. Guilty as charged. And this is where our producer, Kelly, gives the same new guilty charge question every week. And for guilty, we have to take a sip, which is terrible.

[George Camel]

Now that's a punishment.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'm so sorry. If either of you are guilty of this, have you ever been a quote, unquote Karen about something money related and it paid off?

[George Camel]

Yes. Immediate. Yes. I can think of seven stories. I'll go with one. AT&T. Internet Bill. Your boy's budgeting. He sees that bill come through normally $80.36, but for some reason this month, Rachel, it was $85.36. And I said, not on my watch. No, no, no, no, no. My Internet service didn't get better. What's happening here?

[Rachel Cruz]

Not $3.29 better.

[George Camel]

I contact the customer chat because that's where I can be a full Karen without needing to feel bad about it. With no tone, they won't recognize my voice. And they ended up not only reverting me back to the $80 after I was very inquisitive and they said, well, prices went up. I went, no, they didn't. Not for me. Been a customer for 85 years. They reverted my price back to $80 and gave me a hundred dollar Visa gift card. What? George, if that isn't full Karen. And it paid off, I don't know what is.

[Rachel Cruz]

Well, Karen paid off.

[George Camel]

Can you beat that?

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I can't. But I used to look at clothing in stores before I bought, and if I found any snag, little dot, anything off, I would go to the register and say, oh, do you see this? Like, mm. And they would usually get like 15% off or something, which isn't a ton, but at least you get like taxes off. So I would do that every now and then. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I'm proud of you, Karen. Hey, we're both guilty.

[Rachel Cruz]

To you.

[George Camel]

Cheers.

[Rachel Cruz]

Cheers.

[George Camel]

And can I also.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know what's so funny is Sharon's twin, his name Is Karen.

[George Camel]

I was gonna say shout out to Sharon's sister. Karen.

[Rachel Cruz]

Karen. I know. I was gonna say. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I feel like Karen's out there. They get a bad rap. Every Karen I've ever met is the nicest person.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, my. And Karen's the best.

[George Camel]

Who wants nothing more than to get rid of this personal brand.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know. Sorry, Karen.

[George Camel]

I don't know how, but it was good. It's like the mom, Bob, you know, like from the 2000s.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know. Yeah. You know Karen. Yeah, I know. I have another terrible thought with a Karen. I threw up on the bus in third grade on Karen Cruiser. That's my other Karen.

[George Camel]

Directly onto another human being.

[Rachel Cruz]

I did a toaster strudel.

[George Camel]

Was there. Follow up. Was there no floor nearby?

[Rachel Cruz]

I was in the third grade.

[George Camel]

I don't know.

[Rachel Cruz]

I was riding the bus. Didn't feel great. And Karen Crozier.

[George Camel]

Really? Okay, next question. Were you in the window seat?

[Rachel Cruz]

Nope. Karen was.

[George Camel]

Hold on. You were in the aisle seat and you turned left to throw up on Karen.

[Rachel Cruz]

Turned right.

[George Camel]

Oh, got it. You're on the right side of the bus.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know.

[George Camel]

Couldn't I turn left onto the floor?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And then I remember my sweet dad picked me up from school because I thought I was sick. Got. Got in his car. He was like, hey, Rachel. I know. You know, it's kind of embarrassing, all this. I was like, it was embarrassing.

[George Camel]

Not bad for Karen, but embarrassing for Karen. She's got vomit all over.

[Rachel Cruz]

But dad really tried, you know, that was a boomer trying to empathize. I remember that. Very sweet of him. But I wasn't. I wasn't embarrassed. Anyways, all the Karens out there, we love you. God bless you.

[George Camel]

Shout out.

[Rachel Cruz]

Subscribe if you're a Karen. To the. To the channel, because you're not Karen.

[George Camel]

Keep scrolling. It's not for you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Make sure to check out our next episode on our most viral advice because it's so great. And we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money.