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George Camel
Here's our number. So call us maybe. Actually, you already did. Because today we're cleaning out the old voicemail box to answer your honest financial questions.
Unknown
Their reliability percentage is probably about 50%.
George Camel
Oh, boy.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, no.
Gregory
What is the dumbest stupid tax you have paid?
George Camel
I had a recent one. Have I dogged Dick's Sporting Goods yet? Foreign.
Rachel Cruz
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, which are talking about everything from pop culture, current events, and money.
George Camel
But first, I know you're curious about what we're sipping on here. This is the Irish Maid, and can.
Rachel Cruz
I say, love it so far.
George Camel
Already a fan. Stick around till the end. We're going to give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass at the very end of the episode.
Rachel Cruz
Love it.
George Camel
Okay, Rachel, so when people ask you what's the best part of your job? Immediately what comes to mind? Be honest.
Rachel Cruz
I like. I like the fact that we get to interact with people like in their real life. Things that are happening, especially when we host the Ramsey show, they call in or on social, you know, I'll get Instagram dms. And they're like, hey, this is what's happening. Like, it's celebratory or questions. I don't know. I'm like, oh, yeah, we get to be with the people. And I love it.
George Camel
I. That is true. I like that people give us their little riddles and puzzles and they trust us to help them solve it.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
And they're. I'm like, oh, they're actually going to go, like, go do this stuff if I tell them to do it. So there's a weight there. But it's such an honor and privilege.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, it is. It's super, super fun. That's why I'm really excited about today's episode because we set this up. We set up the voicemail. We had this idea. This has probably been, I'm gonna say about a year ago.
George Camel
Feels like a decade ago.
Rachel Cruz
It's been a while. And we're like, it'd be so cool to do this. And we've utilized it some, but we're like, you know what? I kinda want to dedicate a whole episode to people and their questions and like, what do they have?
George Camel
We just opened it up and said, hey, call us. Leave a voicemail and maybe we'll answer it in this episode. And here we are.
Rachel Cruz
Here we are.
George Camel
Are you nervous? You just did three hours of The Ramsey show. So I feel like you're primed.
Rachel Cruz
I'm ready to take some calls. But I, I like that they're smart money happy hour listeners though.
George Camel
That true. That makes them something special about. More likable.
Rachel Cruz
I know. So, yeah, I think, I think we should dig in and, and unfiltered responses. The great thing about this show is we, we don't have to. We're not on a clock. Like, if you do when you're doing the Ramsey show, you got. You have segments and so you only get, you know, so many minutes with a caller.
George Camel
But that makes sense. George, I thought you were going to like, cuss or something. You're like unfiltered.
Rachel Cruz
Like, what is.
George Camel
Okay, sure.
Rachel Cruz
What if I did. What if I was just like, beep, beep, beep, beep, and they had to beat me right now, But I didn't really say anything.
George Camel
My mom would be upset with you.
Rachel Cruz
No, but like, you know, what if. What if in post.
George Camel
Oh, they just faked it.
Rachel Cruz
What if in post they like, just put like, censoring.
George Camel
All right, try it out. The editors can do it.
Rachel Cruz
Just censor me because you think I am cussing, but I'm not. That'd be funny.
George Camel
I really hope. Okay, here's my honest prayer. I hope the editors do nothing with that. Just leave you high and dry. That would make my day. So, editors, who are you gonna choose?
Rachel Cruz
Beat me out. Make it funny.
George Camel
That is amazing. No, I'm gonna keep this family friendly. Cause we have a surprising amount of 7 year olds that listen to this show. So I feel like I'm the role model.
Rachel Cruz
Unbelievable. All right, let's go. Voicemail, number one.
Unknown
So one thing I struggle with is how come you should pay off your house if you know you're not going to live there for a long time.
George Camel
Why should I pay off my house if it's not my forever home? Essentially, I would posit this question. Why would you pay off your car if it's not going to be your car forever? What's the point? You're going to get another car eventually. Might as well just roll over the payment to the next one.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, just keep it going. I know. Well, and the good thing about the home when you're quote, unquote, paying it off, is you're putting in equity to the home like you're still getting value. It's almost like your money is shifting from like a bank account to an asset. Do you know what I like in my head? Your money's actually may even grow right with the. With as your home goes up in value. So we get that question a lot. We also get the question of, okay, we have, you know, $20,000 and no consumer debt and emergency fund, but we have an additional, like, big chunk of money. Should we go ahead and just throw it at the mortgage? Or we might in the future move. Should we just keep it for a possible future down payment? And there's no, like, real plan in place. It's just an idea. And even in that case, I'm like, it's like a forced savings account that you can't spend when you throw it at your house. Right. So eventually, if you did move, you just roll your equity over and use that money, your equity for the down payment as you go and get a different home.
George Camel
Absolutely. That's how it works in reality. And that's what I've done with my own house. We paid it off, we sold it, took all the equity, put it into the next one. That allowed us to get debt free even faster. And I think human behavior and psychology would say having a giant pile of money or saying, well, I could put it toward the house if I wanted. I think deep down there's a justification and excuse of you saying, I'd rather not. I'd rather stay in debt longer and have this money to go spend, to.
Rachel Cruz
Go do something else.
George Camel
So just budget for the spending. Budget to pay off the house early.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
And knock it out.
Rachel Cruz
You can do both. Love it. Hope that helps. We usually. We usually have the name in the city. We don't have that.
George Camel
Oh, Brenda from Michigan.
Rachel Cruz
I had Brenda in my head, too. George Campbell.
George Camel
I literally thought Brenda.
Rachel Cruz
Her name was Brenda. Yes.
George Camel
She didn't sound like a Brenda, but I wanted. She had Brenda Vibes.
Rachel Cruz
She had Brenda Vibes. Yeah. I would have gone to New Hampshire.
George Camel
Oh, wow.
Rachel Cruz
I don't know why. Felt right.
George Camel
Okay.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah. Brenda from New Hampshire.
George Camel
She didn't have a New Hampshire accent to me.
Rachel Cruz
What's a New Hampshire accent? I don't know.
George Camel
Lean's New Englandy. It's near Boston. You know, a little bit of that Dunkin Donuts kind of, you know, attitude.
Rachel Cruz
Hey, have you seen the kid on Instagram? He keeps coming up in my feed, and he's like 12, and he's Italian, like, pure Italian from New York. And we're all saying it's like it's bologna. He's like. And he's like, listen. Oh, what was the last thing? Okay, Everyone has seen it. So it's, like, become a trend. He had. What was his Word recently.
George Camel
Mozzarella.
Rachel Cruz
Yes, Mozzarella. Yeah. Was it monster? Yeah. Was it that one that people were like mispronouncing? They weren't doing it like in the full Italian way? Yeah.
George Camel
You don't pronounce the a at the end, I don't think.
Rachel Cruz
Fantastic.
George Camel
Y', all, I gotta check him out.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, and his grandmother makes pasta. And there's a video of them hugging and she's like, oh, and she's like slapping his back, hugging. I mean, just an Italian grandmother.
George Camel
The most Italian. You can get off on that.
Rachel Cruz
It is. It's the best. Follow.
George Camel
That is the mind of Rachel Cruz. We go from let's talk about mortgages to rabbit trail to a 12 year old Italian influencer. I don't know what he is. I don't know who he's influencing. Rachel. I guess I know that's a good housing question. To kick us off, pay off your house.
Rachel Cruz
Yep. Absolutely do it.
George Camel
You will not regret it. If you do, you can always go back into debt. Very few people choose to do that.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, that's my line.
George Camel
Get rid of the biggest fixed expense of your life. And we didn't say this. When you're paying down the mortgage, you're essentially earning that interest rate. So you have a guaranteed interest rate that you're saving of that Five and a half percent.
Rachel Cruz
Yes.
George Camel
Versus saying, well, I'll invest it and maybe make money, maybe lose money in the short term for savings plan.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah. And always remember this. Always work towards being debt free. And if you become debt free, even house and all, and you absolutely hate it, you can get back in. Like, there's a whole industry out there waiting for you to get back in.
George Camel
They will be marketing heavily. Hey, tap in that home equity you.
Rachel Cruz
Got a lot of. So if you hate being debt free, you can always get back in.
George Camel
Remember that the people with the HELOCs to go do who knows what. What are you guys doing? Guys, this is the most American thing. You know, we build some wealth and we're like, hey, let's undo all of that to go on vacation.
Rachel Cruz
I know. Well, a lot of people do helocs for home renovations though, to build the.
George Camel
Pool, give them a little credit, redo the kitchen.
Rachel Cruz
They do.
George Camel
I get it.
Rachel Cruz
All right, let's go. Voicemail number two.
Unknown
Hey, George. Hey, Rachel. My name is Sally and I'm from New Jersey. I'm currently working through baby step two, and I'm down to about only $10,000 left in debt, so. Almost there. However, we just found out that my oldest Daughter needs braces on our teeth. And after shopping around, it's going to cost us about $5,000. I do have an HSA account, but I'm trying to figure out the smartest way to cover this. Should I pause my debt snowball to cash flow the braces, or is there a better way to tackle this and stay on track with the baby steps?
Rachel Cruz
Oh, man.
George Camel
Sally from New Jersey.
Rachel Cruz
We got her name. You know, she's next to Brenda. You know, they're close in the same part of the customer.
George Camel
I would have guessed Sally, maybe New Jersey.
Rachel Cruz
So nice.
George Camel
Very sweet. And then great question. So 10,000 left on the debt payoff. Journ and boom.
Rachel Cruz
Braces, braces.
George Camel
Isn't that how it always goes?
Rachel Cruz
Always happens.
George Camel
$5,000. She's got an HSA, which is a health savings account, which is awesome.
Rachel Cruz
I wonder how much she has in there, you think?
George Camel
Yeah, I imagine not. 5,000.
Rachel Cruz
No.
George Camel
She's trying to figure out how to cash flow this, so that could help. So she's wondering, do I pause the debt snowball completely and just make minimum payments in order to cash flow this?
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
I don't know what the payment plans these days are with braces. Like, if you have to pay all at once versus spreading it out.
Rachel Cruz
Right. Could you like, cash flow the process?
George Camel
Yes. Could you cash flow in your budget?
Rachel Cruz
There's probably a larger lump sum at the beginning, I would think, but yeah, I mean, I bet every single appointment. I don't know. I'll be honest. We have not intentions.
George Camel
Braces world is like these days.
Rachel Cruz
We have not. I know. Do you know I never had braces?
George Camel
People comment and they say Rachel's teeth are impeccable.
Rachel Cruz
Never had braces straight your whole life.
George Camel
Just perfect.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, I did.
George Camel
Still the same baby teeth Never fell.
Rachel Cruz
Out a year ago. Yeah. And my and mom and dad never had braces. My parents, neither of them, but Daniel and Denise did. My mom never had braces, and she has beautiful teeth. Isn't that crazy?
George Camel
That's wild.
Rachel Cruz
Yep. But all that to say I did.
George Camel
A little great humble brag on Sally. Like dunking on Sally. Good luck, Sally.
Rachel Cruz
Good luck, Sally. Some of us don't have to have brags.
George Camel
What would I do if I was in Sally's shoes? I mean, if it truly is. I'm not gonna call this an emergency, but it is necessary.
Rachel Cruz
Yes, that's what I was gonna say. And depending on what you make a year is gonna help determine, like, if it's gonna take you two years or longer to get out of the $10,000, I probably would slow that down and cash flow the braces at the same time. That's probably what I would do. But if you can like knock out the debt in nine months or something. You know what I mean?
George Camel
Yes.
Rachel Cruz
Then just do that.
George Camel
So I'd figure out the drop dead date on when we need to start braces, what that amount is gonna be, have that amount ready and figure out what the remaining payments are gonna be. And I would slow down the debt snowball so that I can cash flow it. But I don't know that I'd it if she still has money left over.
Rachel Cruz
That's what I'm wondering. Can you put braces off for six, seven, nine months? Right. And kind of be saving on the side for that while putting some extra towards the deck you two at the same time. But it's just going to be slowing down the debt snowball while you're doing that. But yeah, the kids braces thing, I don't know. And then the new thing, George, which again we've not entered, but. But kids are doing braces earlier. Did you know this? They're now doing it in two phases. So that actually may help her. I don't know. Well, not. They do a shorter amount of time earlier and then they do it a little bit later, another short amount of.
George Camel
Time, just kind of split it up.
Rachel Cruz
Versus like when we were in school, you got them in like middle school and you had them for like two to three years straight.
George Camel
I got mine off when I was a freshman in high school.
Rachel Cruz
Okay. Yeah. So there's kids right now in third, fourth, fifth grade that have braces. Because once your first four teeth come in at the top, they already know.
George Camel
That it's jacked up.
Rachel Cruz
They start doing it. Yes. Cause it's a shorter amount of time early. And then they'll have them again in middle school, but it will only be for like a year or something.
George Camel
Interesting.
Rachel Cruz
It's a different philosophy these days. I'm learning something new.
George Camel
I feel like this is my, like, is this a scam or orthodontist all in on this, you know, starting this trend. I'm not trying to go there, but.
Rachel Cruz
You love a conspiracy.
George Camel
Could it be. I know I can't dangle that in front of Rachel.
Rachel Cruz
It's dangerous, especially with teeth health.
George Camel
So this comes down to making a budget. I would use every dollar, download the app and go, okay, how much can we throw at the debt? How much do we need to cash flow each month to cover the braces and then start Splitting the difference in the budget to see what's going to work for you guys?
Rachel Cruz
Yep. I think that's a great question. But you know, it's. We talked to so many people that pay off all their debt, they become debt free. And they'll say in our debt free journey, you know, we had a baby in the process, we cash flowed. Some renovations that are like our roof needed renovate. Like life is going to happen through the baby steps. Right? Life is going to happen. So just remember that. Give yourself some grace around it. But the faster you get out of debt, the more all that cash is freed up every month versus going to payments. So let that be your motivation. George, this was not a voicemail, but I'm gonna ask you.
George Camel
Okay.
Rachel Cruz
Ring, ring.
George Camel
Hello?
Rachel Cruz
Hello, George. How do I keep all my personal information safe from the Internet?
George Camel
What an astute question, Rachel. Thank you. It's very easy because I use a service called DeleteMe. So what they do, they go in to all these data broker sites on the web, all these weird scammy looking.
Rachel Cruz
Sites, weird sites, and they delete your.
George Camel
Personal info, your email address, your name, your family's name, everything's on there. And so they'll go in, delete it, send you a report showing you what they've done. And there's real people behind the scenes doing this all year long over at Delete Me and it gives me a lot of peace of mind and saves me a ton of time.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, it's amazing, you guys, because again, it's like a billboard out there on the Internet these days with your name, your address, your email, your phone number, your kids names. So much is out there today. And so being able to protect your privacy online from phishing and scams and all the things, it is worth it.
George Camel
It's just gotten out of control.
Unknown
I know.
Rachel Cruz
And it's just not getting better, George. So getting people on your side is important. And delet me are those people you want.
George Camel
And to make it even sweeter, we've got a deal for you. You can get 20% off their annual plans by going to join delete me.com smart money. Or just click the link in the description and we will take you there.
Rachel Cruz
Love it.
Unknown
Perfect.
George Camel
Better tonight.
Rachel Cruz
All right, voicemail number three.
Unknown
I have a question about baby step three. We're about 12,000 into our emergency fund with about 30,000 to go for a full six months. And all hell breaks loose. My husband's truck window gets cracked, car issues transmission with my car, dental issues. If you're halfway through when do you start pulling from it, or do you replace the window with cardboard and figure it out until it's fully funded?
George Camel
Oh, boy, Man.
Rachel Cruz
Life happens. Well, life happens, and that's why we have an emergency fund. So we really look at an emergency three ways. Is it urgent, is it necessary, and is it unexpected? Unexpected. Thank you, George. So those are the three things to think through. And a lot of these feel that way. So it is really defeating. I feel like baby step three is one of the more defeating steps.
George Camel
We don't talk about it enough. It's grueling.
Rachel Cruz
It is. Because you're just like, oh, my God, we're continuing to put money away. And then at the same time, it feels like life happens. Like what she's describing happens all the time to people where you're like, I just saved that $5,000 extra, and now I'm gonna have to pull it out to, like, do all this stuff. So it is normal to dip into your emergency fund, but that's why it's there while it's stressful to have to take it out. Cause, you know, to replenish it, at least you're not going deeper in debt. And so there's, like, a beauty to it. So, yes, I would be using some of this as an emergency fund for sure.
George Camel
And I would also try to do as much research as I can, get as many bids and quotes as I can to minimize the damage done so that it's not as defeating when you're like, oh, gosh, it's gonna be a journey. And I don't know. You said 42,000 is the total goal. It sounds like she's 12 in 30 to go.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
So it sounds like they've got some, you know, pretty serious expenses. So if you can lower your expenses, that can also lower your emergency fund.
Rachel Cruz
Yes.
George Camel
So if there's areas you can cut out of your lifestyle, that could also help you get there faster. But the truth is, baby step three is a slog. But it's so important to build that foundation.
Rachel Cruz
That's right.
George Camel
And here's what I found. Once you have the emergency fund, you have less emergencies. You're able to do more maintenance and repair as you go on. Yeah. Keep things up more. Create sinking funds for all these things that, you know, might pop up.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah. And if there's some of those things, because you just listed out, like, five different things, if it may be, like, one out of five or two out of five, you can cash flow on the side by just cutting expenses, that'll help, right? With the blow of having to, like, take all this cash out. So.
George Camel
And I would prioritize them too. Okay. This needs to happen. I personally wouldn't go with cardboard for three months on the. I would just get it fixed.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, totally. Yeah. So. Oh, that is hard.
George Camel
It feels like life just punches you in the face when you're doing the baby steps.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah. And baby step three, for those of you that may are maybe new to all of this, baby step one is to get a thousand dollar emergency fund. Then you're going to pay off all your consumer debt, which on average it takes people about two years. And then you fully fund an emergency fund, which is baby step three to three to six months of expenses. So they've been in this. I'm not sure how long. I don't know how long baby step two took them, but it could be a solid three to four years by just getting, you know, where they are now. So it does feel like a setback because you've been in it for so long. But you've got this. You're good.
George Camel
You can do this.
Rachel Cruz
You can do it. All right, next voicemail.
Unknown
I am newly engaged and I have been starting the plant wedding planning process. My fiance and we asked both of our parents just if they had any ideas for contributing or what that looked like. And my parents kind blew us out of the water with their amount and it was much higher than we expected and they're pretty financially irresponsible. So moving forward, we're trying to make our wedding budget. And just curious, how much weight do we put into their contribution? Their reliability percentage is probably about 50% with things that they follow through with.
George Camel
Oh, boy.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, no. Okay, hold on. We gotta figure out her name. I have a name for her. Do you? And we're saying.
George Camel
Hold on, let me think. All right.
Rachel Cruz
One, two, three. Sarah. Oh, Katie's a good one.
George Camel
That's a good. Katie and Sarah are in the same family. We can all agree.
Rachel Cruz
Where are they from? City. Ready? Ready.
George Camel
Oh, gosh. I'm so an exact city, not a city.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, I got a city.
George Camel
You.
Rachel Cruz
I was thinking about it.
George Camel
Okay.
Rachel Cruz
I was thinking about it. Ready? City. Ready? One, two, three. Sacramento.
George Camel
I thought of Phoenix, west coast.
Rachel Cruz
I did. I was in the west coast area.
George Camel
Let us know. Katie, Sarah, Phoenix, Sacramento.
Rachel Cruz
Okay. Yeah. Well, the 50% follow through. If they're really offering an amount of money, then I would say, okay, thank you so much. Is there a way, Can I have it to put this in an account for it to be our wedding account so that when we're meeting with vendors and we're doing stuff and we're buying stuff online. Yeah. That you. We're not having to like go to y' all every time. And that kind of ensures that their promise is kept. Right. I don't think that's. I don't think that's bratty. I think that's being wise with someone offering you something and saying, okay, are you actually going to be able to follow through with that? So I would probably do that. And then yeah, I think that that's probably what I would do. Is that bad? I don't know why that feels selfish.
George Camel
No. I feel like if I'm, if I'm those parents, I'd be like, okay, we're going to write you a check for this amount and say, hey, if you don't use it all, use it for your future together. You know, just kind of make that the gift is what makes the most sense. Yeah.
Rachel Cruz
I probably wouldn't spend. I would not go in spending your money with the expectation they're going to pay me back. Like that whole psychology, I think is.
George Camel
Going to mess with you getting reimbursements.
Rachel Cruz
Yep. So if they don't fund it and you guys are like, we're planning, then you do have to come up with plan B. And maybe it is you ending up paying for it with the expectation they're not going to pay for it. And then maybe they come through later. That's great. But like I would not be spending money thinking on the back end that they'll end up reimbursing us. You know what I mean?
George Camel
Yeah. Like that would scary go, oh gosh, they didn't follow through. And now we.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, we hear it. Yes. This is like, it's a theme. You. We hear this a lot. And I think parents are well intentioned and I don't know if they just have really bad follow through. I don't know what it is. I think it is an interesting concept to tell somebody. Cause this happens a lot. Like, oh, we'll pay for that. And then they don't. Maybe because it's good intentions. They just don't have the money to. But it's a big promise.
George Camel
Cover the big things up front and then you kind of know, okay, the rest is on us. So they've already kind of put the skin in the game early on.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
But I wouldn't wait until the end when all the bills are due. That frightens me.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, that's fine.
George Camel
I need to come to Jesus meeting.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah. Yeah. And as you're wedding planning, you know, making sure that you're on budget and having a budget for that. Every dollar is a great place to be budgeting.
George Camel
I would create your own every dollar account for that.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, I was gonna say you can have totally different accounts. Yes, exactly. And it helps you keep up with all the expenses so, you know, you're staying on track. Because weddings can get out of hand so fast. So fast.
George Camel
I had a very intense Google sheet to where it was like, this is beyond the capability.
Rachel Cruz
I believe it, George. I think you sucked the fun out of it probably, too.
George Camel
Well, I had the estimated, then I had the actual spent, and then I had a space to where I could add the note or the link to the thing we bought, how much we paid, you know, so it was just. There was a lot going on. No one looked at the sheet but me. Nobody was interested. I try to show people I'll be out with friends, like, hey, guys, want to see my wings?
Rachel Cruz
But guess what?
George Camel
We were under budget. All right. Your boy did great. Camel rental and all.
Rachel Cruz
It's very responsible. George, I'm really proud of you.
George Camel
Thank you.
Rachel Cruz
Really proud of you. Well, if I were to have an Excel sheet of things that I love in life, not just wedding planning, I would have all the clothes that I bought from Cozy Earth just right there for me. An Excel sheet just so I could bask at the wonderfulness of all the stuff that I've bought from them.
George Camel
I'm gonna call that a style guide. It's a little more exciting.
Rachel Cruz
You should do a style guide. A cozy or a style guide.
George Camel
Have you ever wanted to do that? Where you upload all of your clothes to, like, an app and you can kind of, like, see what you have and pair outfits together? No, I think that's a thing.
Rachel Cruz
But I should. That's good. Good use. Cause the Cozy Earth, I'll have the joggers. I'll have the ribbed shirts. I'll have the robe. I got a bunch of stuff. Socks.
George Camel
I can't wait. I'm a little jealous because you have a bigger collection, but my package arrives today, so as soon as I get home.
Rachel Cruz
Are you getting your shoes?
George Camel
My clogs are coming in.
Rachel Cruz
Yes. Clog it up.
George Camel
I said. I'm not a crocs guy. I gotta be a little elevated. A little bougie.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, yeah, It's a bougie crocodile. Yeah. It's actually much better than crocs.
George Camel
So much.
Rachel Cruz
No offense. Crocs.
George Camel
No shade to crocs.
Rachel Cruz
So all of their products Are such quality. Like they do such a great job when they make their stuff. And my biggest thing too is when you wash everything, it stays intact, which is a really big deal.
George Camel
Time after time, because I will get.
Rachel Cruz
Some dupes in life, but you can always kind of tell like after a little bit, after a few washes, you know, they've had their time.
George Camel
Quality goes down.
Rachel Cruz
This stuff, man, it just, it lasts. It's great.
George Camel
And they stand behind it. They've got a 10 year bedding warranty, which is amazing. Yeah. If you want to stay cool this summer, this fall, check them out. You get up to 40% off everything on their website when you use the promo code Smart money or go to cozyearth.com smart money. We'll drop a link in the description as well.
Rachel Cruz
All right, less voicemail. George. Let's do the last one.
George Camel
Last one.
Rachel Cruz
Number five.
George Camel
Time flies.
Rachel Cruz
Time flies when you're having fun.
Unknown
Hi, Rachel and George. This is Sherry from California. I am a 50 something mom, married with two grown kids and one almost grown. A son that's 29, a daughter that's 26 and a daughter that is 17, about to graduate from high school. And my question is, when do you stop helping your children with emergencies? For example, they want to borrow money for a bill or for a sudden dental visit or whatever. When do you stop doing that?
Rachel Cruz
Oh, man, this is a hard one. I mean, my rule of thumb would be when they're out on their own like that.
George Camel
They are when you're gainfully employed and not living under my roof.
Rachel Cruz
Yes, I know. I mean, that's the hard and fast rule. But in mom's heart, you know. Yeah.
George Camel
The daughter calls and she's like, mom, I have a dental day. I know you guys. And she said borrow, which worried me a little bit.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, good catch. Yeah.
George Camel
She said, yeah, they asked to borrow some money. I'm like, well, now it's a weird loan situation.
Rachel Cruz
Now we're not family. Yep.
George Camel
But then it feels weird to like continue to gift this money and enable them.
Rachel Cruz
Yes.
George Camel
Because they go, well, I got bank of mom. Why figure out how to save for my own.
Rachel Cruz
That's right. That's right. Yeah, it is. It's such an interesting thing because I've known people in different camps in this with like, they don't have their, they don't have responsibility and they are just kind of like living as they live and they need help and the parents are there to bail them out. So I think it is one thing when parents help just bail out Irresponsible Kids, kids, adult children. That's not helpful. Right. You're not helping your child become a responsible adult. But then on the other hand, I've heard multiple stories of parents that, you know, the children are, they're great. Like they've, you know, they have work ethic, they've done great things and, but they just don't make as much. And so the parents have the ability to be like, hey, yeah, we'll treat you guys to a great vacation or we will replace your car for you. You know what I mean? Like, there's something about, as parents, it's a balance that you are able to help your kids and that's a beautiful gift if you have a great relationship with them. And you know what I mean? Like, there's something about that that I think is really noble and wonderful. But it's out of the idea that it's not because you have to bail them out. I think that's the key word. Bailing them out. That's tough.
George Camel
Yeah. Especially time and time again.
Rachel Cruz
And they expect it. Do you know what I mean? Like, there's a lot of that feeling that I think is not great. But I have known people in situations and they're awesome. They just don't have it to cover. And the parents like, hey, I'm gonna help you out this time. And it's great.
George Camel
You kind of want it to be like on the parents terms and not the kid.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, that's. You know what I mean? Yes. That's a great distinction.
George Camel
Like where I just notice it like the kid's working hard. I'm like, you know what? I could do it.
Rachel Cruz
They didn't ask.
George Camel
Yeah.
Rachel Cruz
And you're like, you know what? I'd love to do this for you.
George Camel
That's when it's like cheerful giving versus a bailout situation.
Rachel Cruz
That's a great.
George Camel
And I'd have more follow up questions. What is the work ethic? Are they. Do they have jobs? Has there been a really sudden life change where they truly need the help right now to get back on their feet, or is this an ongoing pattern of just, well, I spend everything I make and therefore I can never cover an emergency. That's a bigger problem. So we got to kind of teach them how to fish here instead of just tossing more fish over.
Rachel Cruz
That's right. Yeah. But the character of people is big when it comes to money. And that's with any kind of like relationship question, whether it's within spouses. You know, you hear crazy stuff with spouses that like, we had one today. Literally, the guy was like, wouldn't give her access, and she's a stay at home mom. It was terrible, Terrible. So I'm like, that's the character of a guy. That is not good. Right. We have the character of, you know, the children that will not work as adults and they expect their parents. Parents to bail them out of everything. That's not great character. So fixing the character issue, the heart issue, and then the money, the good habits of money will follow that. But it's so much about the person that's handling it. That's everything.
George Camel
The hard truth of that is it starts when they're under your roof and they're young and you're teaching them all this to build that character, build that work ethic, because it's hard to, like, suddenly reverse that and all of a sudden be like bad cop and be like, listen, you're 26 now. I'm not bailing you out anymore. They go, whoa, whoa, what happened? You've been doing this my whole life, and all of a sudden it's a bait and switch.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
So that also feels cruel, but I think a reset conversation would be healthy to say, hey, listen, I think I've done a poor job of setting a boundary here, making it clear, helping set you up for success. That's on me. Here's what we're going to do moving forward. Maybe you give them a book or Financial Peace University to help them get on their feet and actually learn this stuff and say, this is going to be my last time, or I'm going to cut you off by this date because I love you, not because I want harm to come to you.
Rachel Cruz
Right. Right. I want you to figure this out because you can. You're a capable adult and you can do this. So that's great, George.
George Camel
Tough convo.
Rachel Cruz
I know.
George Camel
But if my little girl calls me one day, I don't. What would I do? She's like, dad, I want a pony. All right. And you get a pony.
Rachel Cruz
And you get a pony.
George Camel
Oh, my gosh, these were great. Thank you for all the voicemails.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah, y', all, thanks for telling us.
George Camel
Your names and where you're from so that we don't have to guess. Although that's fun, too.
Rachel Cruz
I know. They may have. And we may have edited them out.
George Camel
They just got right in. It was at the full voicemail.
Unknown
We heard.
Rachel Cruz
They may have edited it for time, but most did not have their name.
George Camel
Okay.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, most didn't have name. Okay, well, we will pick one for you. We will Pick one for you, Sandra. All right, well, if you have a future question that you want to ask us, call 877-306-1517 and leave us a voicemail, and we may do this episode again. It's very fun.
George Camel
I'm guessing that number is going to be on the screen. They can go back and pause it. All of the things. Okay.
Rachel Cruz
Do you remember having to listen to the radio growing up?
George Camel
And they memorize the numbers.
Rachel Cruz
Call in for these concert tickets. 492. 692. You're like, oh, gosh.
George Camel
Yeah. That's the last time I memorized the number.
Rachel Cruz
I know.
George Camel
Did you ever win those radio contests?
Rachel Cruz
You know, I called in twice, and no, never got it. I know. I know. I was a caller, though.
George Camel
You called in. Do you ever.
Rachel Cruz
The River 107.5.
George Camel
Ask for songs to be played.
Rachel Cruz
And the Party 102.5. The Party. The party was.
George Camel
It was called the Party back in the day.
Rachel Cruz
Now it's a sports station, but back when I was in high school, it's.
George Camel
Called the Party Opposite of a party. That's fun. I once got a dedication done.
Rachel Cruz
You did? On Delilah?
George Camel
Well, my version was David Allen Boucher in Boston. Magic 106.7.
Rachel Cruz
Okay.
George Camel
Soft rock, you know.
Rachel Cruz
Yes.
George Camel
Ballads.
Rachel Cruz
Yes.
George Camel
And so I dedicated. I don't remember Total Eclipse of the Heart or something to, like, my girlfriend. It was amazing. But hearing David Allen Boucher in his smooth voice.
Rachel Cruz
And you called in, and then you got on.
George Camel
Well, I said, yeah. They play a little clip of you, like, hi, I'd like to dedicate this, you know.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, my gosh.
George Camel
I think it was total. That feels like an odd song to choose in hindsight, because I think that song is about heartbreak.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, yeah.
George Camel
Foreshadowing.
Rachel Cruz
Maybe you were heartbroken, George.
George Camel
That's a good one.
Rachel Cruz
Did you ever listen to Delilah, though?
George Camel
I think that was a. I don't. I don't know that I had that. I don't know that I had access to Delilah.
Rachel Cruz
And you'd be like, falling asleep in the car, and it's like, d. Delilah loves someone Tonight. You'd be in the backseat just falling asleep as a kid, but you'd hear Delilah's voice.
George Camel
That's the most singing I've heard from you. See, that was actually not bad. I think the quieter you do it, the better it is.
Rachel Cruz
Okay.
George Camel
If you increased the projection, it would have gone dark.
Rachel Cruz
I think that's actually very true. Yeah. Defying gravity from this voice, probably not the best, but I still do it at home. Love you, Winston. Wow.
George Camel
I'm gonna get a recording from Winston on, like, the Ring cameras or whatever.
Rachel Cruz
I have a great recording of me.
George Camel
Doing that is fun.
Rachel Cruz
All right, well, okay, before we spill the tea on Guilty as Charged, what are we sipping on?
George Camel
This is the Irish Maid. The cost comes out to $3.05 per glass. No more, no less. Here's what's in it. Irish whiskey, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lemon juice, and cucumber slices to garnish.
Rachel Cruz
Ah.
George Camel
Really comes through on the nose there. I'm gonna go nine out of 10 on this one.
Rachel Cruz
I may go 10 out of 10. I think I would legitimately order this, like, with appetizers and stuff.
George Camel
If I was eating outside on a nice day, I would order this drink.
Rachel Cruz
I would also order this at a sushi restaurant. Oh, does that sound good?
George Camel
With sushi, I could see that.
Rachel Cruz
Yeah.
George Camel
With the cucumber, very fresh, light.
Rachel Cruz
There's something about it pairs well. I'm like, I need a spicy tuna roll, you know?
George Camel
All right. Hey, get the recipe in the show notes. This is one to make. Absolutely. Especially with warmer weather. So give it a try this weekend. Let us know what you think.
Rachel Cruz
Now it's time for Guilty as Charged. And this is where we ask each other guilty as charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. But playing with our voicemail theme, George, we have a Guilty as charged on the voicemail.
George Camel
Oh, they left it as a voicemail. I love that.
Rachel Cruz
So we're doing this now, you guys. You can actually call in and leave us your guilty as charge questions via voicemail, which we love. So make sure to call at 877-306-1517 and maybe it'll be next. I'm so excited about that.
George Camel
That's so cool.
Rachel Cruz
Okay, yes. Let's play Guilty as charged.
Gregory
Hey, what is going on? This is Gregory, and my question for you guys is, what is the dumbest stupid tax you have paid? Because I've only been on this Earth for 23 years, and I paid some pretty stupid tax. I hate to admit. And I mean, like you said, you learn from every lesson, but I would just like to know, some of your biggest stupid tax mistakes were. Thank you. Have a great day.
George Camel
Love it.
Rachel Cruz
That's good.
George Camel
A little Gregory.
Rachel Cruz
Solid name.
George Camel
Stupid tax mistakes.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, man.
George Camel
There's like, I had a recent one. Have I dogged Dick's Sporting Goods yet? Have I threw them in the.
Rachel Cruz
Tell us about that. That's what we want to hear.
George Camel
All right. I got a pair of shoes as a gift for Christmas, and they were, like, a size off. Like, I needed, like, a ton of shoes.
Rachel Cruz
Like Nikes.
George Camel
They were Adidas Sambas. Very cool shoes. Very hip, very in vogue. And I just needed a size up. They were a little bit tight or whatever. So I go to Dick's Sporting Goods, and this is, you know, Christmas. And now it's March by the time I go to return them because I finally get around to doing the errand. And you know me, I'm not trying to walk into Dick's Sporting Goods on my own volition.
Rachel Cruz
No, you're not.
George Camel
So I walk in and I go, hey, I'd like to return these shoes. Here is the receipt showing exactly what was paid. You can't return that. I'm sorry, why?
Rachel Cruz
Final sale.
George Camel
There's a 90 day return window, and you've missed it by 13 days. And I was like, please. Like, I literally just need to size up. I don't even want the money. Just let me do an exchange. Can't do that. This person was the most unhelpful.
Rachel Cruz
They didn't let you. Okay, I was gonna say, sometimes, George, you have to play by the rules. Not everything's around you and what you want. Like, there are no policies.
George Camel
Y.
Rachel Cruz
The exchange is different.
George Camel
I should have read the receipt and saw that there was 90 days. But I'm, you know. Yeah, who's like, reading the entirety of a receipt? They just go, I have the receipt. I'll return them in due time. It wasn't a year later, you know, it was 100 days instead of 90.
Rachel Cruz
Right.
George Camel
So this lady was the worst.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, man.
George Camel
So what they finally did was they said, well, we can do. My manager's saying, I can give you a store credit, but not for the full amount.
Rachel Cruz
For what then?
George Camel
Like, for, like, 60% of the value? No, because we don't know what was actually paid. And I was like, I'm showing you on the receipt. They're like, yeah, but the receipt's no good anymore. And so that's where I lost it. That's where I lost it, Rachel. And so I went in the car and I called the corporate number for Dicks, and I reported them to the authorities. And I said, this is not okay. And the lady was much nicer on the phone, the corporate lady. And she ended up, like, adding enough, like, rewards points to the account that it equaled the amount that I was missing.
Rachel Cruz
You went to the top.
George Camel
So I basically got, like, $40 worth of rewards points to add to my $60 gift card.
Rachel Cruz
Oh, my gosh. To make it whole amount.
George Camel
But that was.
Rachel Cruz
Hey, my question to you.
George Camel
That was a lot of work.
Rachel Cruz
Here's something we need to talk about.
George Camel
Rachel's not putting in the work.
Rachel Cruz
No, no, I'm saying yes, ma'. Am. Then I'm. And I'm just. That's okay.
George Camel
It's fine. Just trash it.
Rachel Cruz
It's fine. It's whatever. Here's my question, George. $40, okay.
George Camel
Yep.
Rachel Cruz
We're all friends here. You've shared enough of your financial journey with the people of Smart Money Happy Hour. You're fine, George. You're fine.
George Camel
You think this is about $40.
Rachel Cruz
So my question.
George Camel
Oh, you're mistaken.
Rachel Cruz
So my. That's it.
George Camel
This hearkens to childhood trauma of getting bullied and taken advantage of my ancestors, my Middle Eastern ancestors getting ripped off. And I'm like, I'm not standing. I'm changing my family tree.
Rachel Cruz
So it is a principled thing.
George Camel
Yeah.
Rachel Cruz
It could have been $10.
George Camel
Yes.
Rachel Cruz
And you would have done the exact same thing.
George Camel
The fact that I had a receipt showing exactly what was paid for these shoes and they wouldn't even exchange if it was $10.
Rachel Cruz
Would you have gone through that, all of that again?
George Camel
Yes. I still would have called corporate.
Rachel Cruz
Okay, so it is a principled thing for you.
George Camel
In a fit of rage, it could have been five cents.
Rachel Cruz
God bless.
George Camel
So there you go. That's a stupid tax that I paid for not reading the stupid receipt.
Rachel Cruz
I bought a very expensive swimsuit one time, which ended up being, like, a grandmother's sweater material. It was terrible, but it was like.
George Camel
Swimming in a swimming.
Rachel Cruz
That's what I said. I bought it from an influencer who blinked it because I was like, that's cute. And then I got it, and I was like, is it like. Oh, man.
George Camel
Did she just fake it to get some affiliate revenue?
Rachel Cruz
I'd have to be honest. They had to have. Because when you. When I put it on, I was like, this is the most uncomfortable thing ever.
George Camel
So even if it looked cute, it was still very uncomfortable.
Rachel Cruz
Horrible. Horrible. So, yeah, that was bad. But I ended. I had, like, two days to return it from when I realized I hated it and actually, like, tried, because I will get packages, George, in the mail. And I don't, like, try them on for, like, maybe, like. Because I had it for a trip. So I had it in the corner of my closet.
George Camel
Oh, you're like, well, I'll try it on later when the trip's coming up.
Rachel Cruz
Yes. And then I did. And I was like, I hate it. And then it was like two days to return and I was like, oh my gosh. But I got it in, thankfully. Oh man, I wish I had a really good one. I'm gonna be honest. I don't.
George Camel
That's okay.
Rachel Cruz
Well, if you guys have any guilty as charged questions, make sure to DM us at Rachel Cruz and at GeorgeCamel. And if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to leave a review. And also you will like the vibe of our other episode responding to your complicated money questions. We'll put it in the link below so you can check it out next. And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.
Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel
Episode Summary: "Our Unfiltered Takes on Your Real-Life Money Dilemmas"
Released on July 31, 2025 by Ramsey Network
In this lively and insightful episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, hosts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel tackle real-life financial challenges submitted by their listeners via voicemails. Blending financial expertise with candid conversations, Rachel and George provide practical advice on managing debt, budgeting for unexpected expenses, and navigating financial assistance within families. Their unfiltered takes and relatable banter make complex financial topics accessible and engaging for listeners seeking to build a life they love without the stress of money woes.
The episode begins with Rachel and George announcing their plan to address listener voicemails, setting an encouraging tone for audience participation. At [00:05], George humorously says, “Here’s our number. So call us maybe. Actually, you already did,” inviting listeners to share their financial dilemmas.
Caller: Unnamed caller questions the necessity of paying off a mortgage if it’s not their forever home ([03:29]).
Rachel and George delve into the benefits of accelerating mortgage payments. George likens it to paying off a car loan, emphasizing that building equity in a home transforms money from a liability into an asset. Rachel adds, “[...], you're putting in equity to the home like you're still getting value. It's almost like your money is shifting from a bank account to an asset” ([03:39]).
George shares his personal experience, stating, “We paid it off, we sold it, took all the equity, put it into the next one. That allowed us to get debt free even faster” ([03:55]). They conclude that paying off a mortgage early can lead to financial freedom and increased flexibility for future home purchases.
Caller: Sally from New Jersey seeks advice on balancing debt repayment with unexpected dental expenses for her daughter’s braces ([08:03]).
Rachel suggests assessing the urgency and necessity of the expense, advising, “If you can knock out the debt in nine months or something, then just do that” ([10:31]). George emphasizes the importance of budgeting, saying, “Make a budget. I would use every dollar, download the app and go, okay, how much can we throw at the debt?” ([12:01]).
They acknowledge that life’s unpredictability can disrupt financial plans and encourage flexibility while maintaining progress toward debt elimination. Rachel reassures Sally by highlighting the importance of not falling deeper into debt: “It is really important... the faster you get out of debt, the more all that cash is freed up every month versus going to payments” ([15:54]).
Caller: Newly engaged couple questions how to incorporate unreliable parental financial contributions into their wedding budget ([17:04]).
Rachel advises securing commitments by requesting that parental funds be placed into a designated wedding account to ensure they are used appropriately: “Is there a way, Can I have it to put this in an account for it to be our wedding account so that when we're meeting with vendors... that ensures that their promise is kept” ([18:20]).
George supports this by suggesting treating parental contributions as gifts rather than loans: “If they're really offering an amount of money, then I would say, okay, thank you so much” ([19:04]). They recommend creating separate accounts and meticulous budgeting to keep wedding expenses on track, emphasizing the importance of not relying solely on potentially unreliable support.
Caller: Sherry from California asks when to stop assisting her adult children with emergency expenses, such as sudden bills or medical costs ([23:00]).
Rachel sets a boundary based on independence, stating, “My rule of thumb would be when they're out on their own like that” ([23:35]). George highlights the need to distinguish between genuine emergencies and habitual dependency: “Do they have jobs? Has there been a really sudden life change where they truly need the help right now to get back on their feet, or is this an ongoing pattern?” ([25:20]).
They stress the importance of fostering financial responsibility in adult children while providing support when truly necessary, ensuring that assistance doesn’t become an enabling pattern.
Guest Caller: Gregory asks, “What is the dumbest stupid tax you have paid?” ([31:53]).
George recounts a frustrating experience with Dick’s Sporting Goods, where he missed the 90-day return window by 13 days and struggled to get a satisfactory resolution ([32:30]). Rachel shares her own misstep in purchasing an expensive yet uncomfortable swimsuit based on an influencer’s recommendation, only to regret it shortly after ([35:40]).
Their honest stories highlight the importance of understanding purchase terms and being cautious with impulse buys. They emphasize learning from such mistakes to avoid unnecessary financial pitfalls.
Before concluding, Rachel and George review their featured drink, the "Irish Maid." George rates it a “nine out of ten” for its fresh and balanced flavors ([30:34]), while Rachel contemplates giving it a perfect score, praising its suitability for pairing with appetizers or sushi ([30:47]). They provide the recipe and encourage listeners to try making it at home for a refreshing experience.
The episode wraps up with Rachel and George inviting listeners to submit their voicemails for future episodes, fostering an interactive community. They reflect on the importance of addressing financial challenges with honesty and practicality, encouraging listeners to take actionable steps toward financial well-being.
Notable Quotes:
George ([03:55]): “We paid it off, we sold it, took all the equity, put it into the next one. That allowed us to get debt free even faster.”
Rachel ([03:39]): “[...] you're putting in equity to the home like you're still getting value. It's almost like your money is shifting from a bank account to an asset.”
George ([12:01]): “Make a budget. I would use every dollar, download the app and go, okay, how much can we throw at the debt?”
Rachel ([18:20]): “Is there a way, Can I have it to put this in an account for it to be our wedding account so that when we're meeting with vendors... that ensures that their promise is kept.”
George ([25:20]): “Do they have jobs? Has there been a really sudden life change where they truly need the help right now to get back on their feet, or is this an ongoing pattern?”
George ([32:30]): “This lady was the most unhelpful.”
Rachel ([35:40]): “I bought an expensive swimsuit one time, which ended up being like a grandmother's sweater material. It was terrible...”
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, listener questions, and practical financial advice provided by Rachel Cruze and George Kamel. Whether you're seeking guidance on debt management, budgeting for big life events, or setting boundaries with family finances, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate your financial journey with confidence.