Ritzy vs. Regular: Reacting to Social Events in Every Class

Summary

Podcast Summary: Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

Episode: Ritzy vs. Regular: Reacting to Social Events in Every Class
Date: April 30, 2026
Host: Ramsey Network

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel trade unfiltered takes on the spectacle and spending behind social events across every social class. Witty, nostalgic, and packed with finance tips, they analyze luxe experiences like the Met Gala and Super Bowl, and also reflect on more accessible social events like concerts, family trips, and block parties. Through relatable anecdotes, sharp critiques, memorable tangents, and practical advice, Rachel and George reveal that the most meaningful—and affordable—moments are all about the people, not the price tag.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Fashion & Celebrity Events: The Super-Elite Social Scene

Met Gala Mania

• Highlight: Rachel quizzes George on Met Gala moments and celebrities, poking fun at the over-the-top fashion and exclusivity.
  • "[The] richer you are, the dumber you can dress. I've realized." — George [02:04]
  • Discussing outrageous outfits (Rihanna as the Pope, Kim Kardashian’s all-black look) and how pop culture moments become fashion statements (Friends' timeless style).
• Trivia:
  • Blake Lively matches her dress to the carpet each year [05:11].
  • Princess Diana attended Met Gala once, in 1996 [06:10].
• Costs & Access:
  • It's a fundraiser—tickets are $75,000 per person or $350,000 per table [08:28].
  • Anna Wintour handpicks the guest list [08:46].
  • 2025 event raised a record $31 million [07:17].
  • "For charity. For the arts. For the arts. That’s another level of people when you say that." — Rachel [09:13]

Oscars, Cannes, and Vanity Fair

• Oscar production budget: $57.7 million (2025). Gift bags worth $170,000+ [12:00].
• Vanity Fair party entry: $83,000 per couple [13:24].
• Cannes Film Festival: Attending ranges from $1,300 (basics) to tens of thousands (VIP) [16:08].
• Both hosts marvel at the sum celebrities spend and the insider dynamics (paparazzi, gift bag marketing, industry networking).
• Quote: "Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t need your goodie bag." — George [12:32]

Upper-Class Social Events

Masters Golf Tournament & Kentucky Derby

• Tickets: Difficult to acquire; Masters practice rounds ~$140, regular badges via lottery $525, resold up to $6,500 [19:25].
• Affordable food pricing persists—masters sandwich $1.50 [20:47].
• Kentucky Derby: Infield tickets ~$130. Reserve seating up to $1,000, premium covered seating $2,000+ [22:31].
• Discuss signature drinks (azalea, mint julep), Southern traditions, and horse betting culture.
• Quote: "It's like, I'm glad they’re finally giving these rich people a discount." — George [20:54]

Super Bowl Suites

• Single tickets: $4,100-$4,900. Private suites: $600,000 to $3 million [24:25].
• "You gotta have so much money just to schmooze." — George [13:37]
• Advice: Only budget for premium events if debt-free and with a sinking fund.

Middle-Class Social Events

Concerts & Life Milestones

• Average big-concert seats: ~$100; Harry Styles’ floor tickets up to $3,000+ [27:55].
• “Don't go into debt for these experiences. If you want to save up for it, put 100 bucks away for a year...” — George [28:46]
• Birthday parties, bachelorette trips, honeymoons, destination weddings can cost from $500 to $2,000+; cruises are a popular group splurge [29:20].
• Family Disney trips: One-day tickets ~$119/person; weeklong trips can run $5,000–$10,000 for a family of four [31:40].

Savings & Budgeting Advice

• Advocates for high-yield savings accounts, sinking funds, and intentional budgeting.
• Cautions against credit card debt for one-time fun [28:17, 31:25].

Universal & Accessible Events

Community and Family Gatherings

• Celebrating the Fourth of July, Friendsgiving, holiday block parties, and simple joys like potlucks and lake weekends.
  • "It is a unifying experience." — George [35:04]
• Rhode Island and Flag Day traditions, American nostalgia, local history, and lake trips (waterskiing stories).
• "It's the people that make it, the community." — Rachel [41:45]
• Notable exchange:
  • George: "Sometimes the cheap thing has the most joy in it." [42:11]
  • Rachel: "100%—low expectations." [42:12]

County Fairs & Theme Parks

• County and state fairs as enduring, affordable community events—suspicion of portable carnivals (“Do you trust the rides?”) [39:36].
• Memories of wooden coasters, mall fairs, and the rising appeal of theme parks like Dollywood over Disney-level prices [41:06].

The Human Side of Social Spending

• Emphasize experiences with friends and family over flashy venues or exclusivity.
• The best memories often come from simple, shared moments—a deck of cards, neighborhood gatherings, kids’ games, and laughter on the back porch [43:05].
• Quote: "Regardless of the cost..." — Rachel reflects on how community and joy matter more than extravagance [43:30].

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The richer you are, the dumber you can dress. I've realized." — George [02:04]
• "Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't need your goodie bag." — George [12:32]
• "If Dave Ramsey was like, 'Hey, hop on, we're going to the Masters.' I'm like, yeah, I'll go." — George [21:28]
• "It's the people that make it, the community." — Rachel [41:45]
• "Sometimes the cheap thing has the most joy in it." — George [42:11]
• "Regardless of the cost... it's the people you get around. Your friends, your family." — Rachel [43:25]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Met Gala Fashion & Pop Culture Trivia: 01:39–06:21
• Met Gala Finances & Invitation Only: 07:10–09:13
• Oscars & Vanity Fair Party Costs/Gift Bags: 11:25–13:34
• Cannes Film Festival & Movie Nostalgia: 13:46–17:43
• Upper-Class Social Events (Masters, Derby, Super Bowl): 19:01–26:30
• Middle-Class Social Events (Concerts, Trips, Disney): 27:31–32:11
• Community & Accessible Events (Holidays, Block Parties, County Fairs): 32:13–41:06
• Importance of Shared Experience & Budgeting Wisdom: 41:45–44:18
• Guilty as Charged Segment — Worthless Events: 44:40–48:57

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Tone & Takeaways

Rachel and George keep things light-hearted, self-deprecating, and quick to poke fun at elitism—balancing pop culture hot takes with grounded financial wisdom. Their interplay is packed with inside jokes ("I'm a peasant down here"), relatable nostalgia, and encouragement to live a fuller life within your means. Whether it’s budgeting for a Disney trip or savoring block party memories, they remind listeners that celebration isn’t about the price tag—it’s about the people.

Bottom line:
Prioritize connection, plan for big splurges, and don’t get sucked into debt for Instagram moments. Sometimes, the best nights are the cheapest ones.

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Transcript

[A]

Lifestyles of the rich and the famous and also lifestyles of the relatable regulars. Today, we're lifting the veil on the biggest social events in every social class. Wow. Good for you.

[B]

Yes, we are peers. George, stop trying to elevate me.

[A]

She's just like us.

[B]

Stop trying to elevate me. Do you trust the rides?

[A]

You don't, but that's kind of part of the fun.

[B]

Okay. Hey, guys, I'm rachel cruz.

[A]

I'm george camel, and this is smart money happy hour.

[B]

George, this is. This is a pool.

[A]

It's the heaviest drink we've had on this show so far. I mean, I lift a lot of weights. This is probably a 10 pounder.

[B]

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

[A]

But first, let's talk about this beautiful monstrosity.

[B]

I mean,

[A]

this is a cranberry lime mocktail. You wouldn't believe it. It looks like a Big Gulp, but there is no alcohol in it, which is probably for the best. We're gonna give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode. You wanna stick around for that? I think it's gonna be a good one.

[B]

Yeah. My knee jerk is that. It's fantastic.

[A]

Love a knee jerk.

[B]

All right, George. You know, it's about to be May. It's gon. I was gonna do the same thing, too.

[A]

You have to do it.

[B]

Yes, I know.

[A]

It's a millennial rite of passage.

[B]

So do you know what that means? What?

[A]

Does May bring free queso all month for Cinco de Mayo.

[B]

No, but that fits the glasses, though.

[A]

It does. Very Cinco de Mayo.

[B]

No, it's the Met Gala season.

[A]

Didn't even know that was a thing.

[B]

If you love pop culture, the Met Gala, it's happening.

[A]

Nobody knows less about the Met Gala than me.

[B]

And the. Yes. Well, the fashion in the Met Gala is like.

[A]

Wait, is this where Rihanna dresses up like the Pope and we're supposed to act like it's art?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Is that what happens?

[B]

The fashion's crazy on purpose? On purpose, yes. Depending on the theme. And there's always a thing there. Yeah.

[A]

The richer you are, the dumber you can dress. I've realized. Is that fair?

[B]

Yes, George. That's actually pretty good. Cause some stuff people wear, you're like, never. You could never like. That's not pretty.

[A]

Well, we look at Harry styles outfits, and we're like, wow, he's really pulling off that sequined. Romper. What? He's so fashion. I know. I go for timeless. 50 years from now, I want my kids to watch this and go, dad, looks good. That was a good jacket.

[B]

Yes. Hey, do you know what TV show actually, I'm gonna say pulled it off 75% of the time? It's Friends.

[A]

Oh, Friends.

[B]

They have very timeless style. Like, there's some stuff that you're like, oh, wow. That feels very. Especially for the guys, early 2000s. But the. Like, they did a really good job. Yes. The timeless pieces. That's the classy.

[A]

Well, now kind of baggy is back in. So the 90s style of dress.

[B]

Yeah, that's probably true. Yeah, that's probably true. Okay, so the Metcal. You know nothing about it. Okay, so we're gonna do a little fun rapid fire for you.

[A]

You can play along at home if you also know nothing about it.

[B]

That's the height of pop culture. I don't watch. I don't. I don't even know if it's, like, on tv. Like, I don't watch on tv. This is where I go to Instagram that night, and I look through everyone's pictures. And then the other best part is other people that critique them, like, other. You know, whether they're, like, designers or whatever, and they show, like, good, good, horrible good. And you get to see, like, what professional people in the fashion industry have to say. It's my favorite.

[A]

So there is an objective truth to these.

[B]

Love it. I mean, I don't know. Okay, you ready for this one?

[A]

Okay,

[B]

who's in this? Who's in this photo? George.

[A]

Oh, gosh. Is that Kim Kardashian?

[B]

George Campbell. Yes.

[A]

She's wearing head to toe, all black, face covered.

[B]

Yes. We got a little Kim. Wow. You know this.

[A]

It's giving, like, green screen suit meets hijab.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I mean?

[B]

I never went stroop.

[A]

There's a lot going on there, actually.

[B]

It's actually a pretty good.

[A]

Is that fair?

[B]

Yeah, it is fair, actually. Yes.

[A]

It's skin tight, but it's all black. And it has a whole, like, a head covering. Yeah. Face covering.

[B]

But the poor thing, she's got no, like, no, like, no, I can wear

[A]

that and look good. I feel freedom.

[B]

Well, and all. There's all these masks in the background from the photographer, so I'm assuming 2020 or probably 2021. 2022, like, is when that was. So I'm trying to think if she was with.

[A]

Is that the Kanye era? Yo, girl.

[B]

I think so. I this feels. This feels extreme to me. Which. Yay. Would be there? Okay. Which celebrity matches the carpets of the Met Gala every year with her dresses?

[A]

Oh, gosh. That's a lot of celebrities that could be doing that.

[B]

Oh, really? No, I think there's.

[A]

Matches the carpet. Lady Gaga.

[B]

No.

[A]

Oh, that feels like someone who would match the carpet.

[B]

This is gonna be fun. I'm gonna give you three hints. If I can drink my bowl. Here we go. Okay. I'm gonna say gossip is clue number one.

[A]

Gossip Girl.

[B]

Is that the clue number two? Lawsuit.

[A]

Blake Lively.

[B]

Mm. Good job. You wanna see?

[A]

Yeah, let's.

[B]

This is fun.

[A]

How do you match the carpet?

[B]

Oh, look at her. Classy. She did pretty great. I do think she's, like, one of the most beautiful people.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

Fun, huh?

[A]

I guess.

[B]

Cute. I love it. I think it's great.

[A]

Yeah, but if I was matching the curtains, you wouldn't be like, wow, what a great look. You know what I mean?

[B]

But if it was Dolce, I would.

[A]

If it was a $10,000 dress.

[B]

Yeah. I'd be like, well done, George. Well, now that I give Harry Styles feels, I probably say, george, take that off.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Give it to Whitney. All right, last trivia question about the Met Gala. George.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Which British royal family member attended the Met Gala only once, in 1996? You got Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla Parker Bowles. Okay. Megan Markle. Or Princess Diana.

[A]

Okay. Princess Di. I don't think she had passed yet in 96. Is that true? It feels. I want to say Princess Di.

[B]

Ding, ding, ding. Yes.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

Yes. She attended one time.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

The Met Gala just feels like something

[A]

she would do, man. Meghan Markle will be there for the networking. Princess Die would be there for the sheer art.

[B]

Just with those eyes.

[A]

Yeah. Rip.

[B]

I wish we could do her eyes.

[A]

Is that what she did? Did you see where she would.

[B]

She does.

[A]

She looks so good. Okay, did you see this clip where she would walk backwards to avoid paparazzi taking photos of her?

[B]

Who?

[A]

Princess Di. Oh, it was masterful.

[B]

Talk about conspiracy. Did you know there was a whole thing that she apparently knew about Prince Andrew and the old.

[A]

Whoa. You think that was part of her demise?

[B]

Possibly. There's a lot of conspiracies around her death, but that was one recently. I thought, what if she's one. What if she's the one that would have saved and they.

[A]

It would connect a few dots, that's for sure. No.

[B]

What a hero. We love her.

[A]

Wow. All right.

[B]

Love her.

[A]

Well, we've covered fashion. I'm Done with that Now I've got some financial trivia for you.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Give it to me some more in my wheelhouse. True or false. The Met Gala is an actual fundraiser.

[B]

True.

[A]

2025. It raised a record $31 million.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

In its 77 year history.

[B]

Yeah. It's for the museum.

[A]

Yeah. The proceeds go to the Met self funded costume institute.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Operations, exhibitions, acquisitions, things that rhyme with that. Conservation. There's roughly 33,000 fashion artifacts I love. These are called artifacts. Like a meat costume is an artifact.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Versus like a fossil in ancient Egypt, which is an all. You know what I mean? Let's define artifact.

[B]

Guys, that's fair. Okay. That's fair.

[A]

True or false. There's an entertainment budget for the guests each year.

[B]

I'm going to say false. I bet they give their time and everything. Because to say that they performed at

[A]

the Met Gala, it's actually true.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

There's an entertainment budget. Last year it was more than $1.3 million. Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performed for their peers.

[B]

For their peers.

[A]

Their peers. We have different peers. Rachel and I. Wow. All right. Can you guess, A, how much individual tickets cost for the Met Gala, and B, the starting price of a table?

[B]

Because the table's the big thing.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Gosh. Table. I'm gonna go 200 grand.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Single price of a ticket. 50. 30.

[A]

You're a little under on both. 75 grand for tickets, 350 grand for a table.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

So let's start saving up. Let's start that sinking fund on every dollar. Wait, can we can't go. We have to be invited.

[B]

Yeah. And I think Anna Wintour, I think she actually handpicked several words. Prada. Her, you know, that they portrayed. I think, though. I think I've heard she handpicks the guest list. Like it's a very exclusive. Yep. Whole thing. And I think. I guess if you get invited, you have to buy a ticket then. Right?

[A]

I feel like it's not to.

[B]

Yeah. I don't.

[A]

It's for charity.

[B]

It's for charity. For the arts. For the arts. That's. That's another. That's another level of people when you say that.

[A]

For the arts.

[B]

For the arts. For the arts.

[A]

It is wild to compare how different the definition of a social event depends on a person's social class.

[B]

Yes. So I think we should go through it. Let's do per social class what social events they would attend. Would that be fun?

[A]

I like that a lot. So all the way from the Celebrities, down to the paupers and the peasants.

[B]

Let's just us go all the way.

[A]

Well, me, I wouldn't say you. Here, I'll say me, yeah.

[B]

What?

[A]

I don't attend highfalutin events.

[B]

You think I do?

[A]

Were you not at the inaugural ball?

[B]

Yes, I was. One time. This is probably the nicest event I've ever. Winston's never rented a tux. Except for our wedding, he did like a rental.

[A]

He doesn't own one.

[B]

No, I'm telling you. See, I'm a peasant down here.

[A]

No, Winston is tuxes. How does Winston want to buy ball gowns?

[B]

Ball gown.

[A]

He went shopping for a ball gown.

[B]

Rent the Runway.

[A]

Can't even buy it. Wow. Good for you.

[B]

See, I am. Yes. We are peers, George. Stop trying to elevate me.

[A]

She's just like us.

[B]

Stop trying to elevate me.

[A]

That's so great.

[B]

Don't try to elevate me. Okay, well, before we dive in, this is gonna be a fun episode for me, selfishly. So. Thank you.

[A]

You asked for this.

[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Okay, so the Oscars for this year is done.

[A]

It is.

[B]

But back in 2025, last year, the cost estimated to be $57.7 million to produce, and again, just a fraction of what the nominees spent on their films. So, for example, last year, Wicked was nominated for 10 categories, but the film's budget was $150 million. Advertisers paid.

[A]

Took my breath away.

[B]

1.95 million. So basically $2 million for a 30 second spot. And then the little goodie bags. Oh, have you heard about this?

[A]

I've heard about the Oscars. Goodie bags.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

What's in there?

[B]

Estimated over $170,000. So it's like luxury getaways, skincare, all the things. But you get these goodie bags at all these events that are, like, out of this world.

[A]

When I hear goody bag, I think, like, there might be a Tootsie Roll in there.

[B]

A Tootsie Roll.

[A]

Not a luxury getaway. What is it? Is it like a gift card for

[B]

a luxury designers and all of it.

[A]

I mean, they don't need the money, See, they can just go take a luxury getaway.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Now, if it's like the assistants, the people behind the scenes, give them the goody bag.

[B]

That's what they should do.

[A]

Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't need your goodie bag.

[B]

No, he doesn't. No. But the companies do it so that Leonardo DiCaprio ends up on the vacation and gets spotted there.

[A]

And then paparazzi's there.

[B]

This.

[A]

You know, what conspiracy theory. It's all an inside job.

[B]

They're all.

[A]

They're all in cahoots.

[B]

Probably. Probably. Leo.

[A]

The publicity companies pay the paparazzi to go catch Leonardo, and they're in cahoots with the getaway company.

[B]

I believe it. Who should we get into cahoots with? George?

[A]

I'm in the wrong cahoots. Whatever I'm in with, it ain't a good one.

[B]

I wonder what would be a good. Let me think. Ticketmaster.

[A]

Yeah. What am I asking for from Ticketmaster? Backstreet Boys tickets. It's as good as it gets. I can do better.

[B]

Maybe. Maybe. Yeah. But the Oscars, again, It's where all the celebs go. That's a social event to be at for all.

[A]

And here's. Get this. The average cost to attend the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Couples reportedly pay $83,000. To just schmooze at the party.

[B]

To go to the party, man, it's just.

[A]

You gotta have so much money just to schmooze.

[B]

Well, that's what it is, right? I mean, if you think about it. Yeah, they just. Yeah, they don't think. They don't. You just won't be in the room

[A]

if you're rich enough, I guess.

[B]

Okay, next is the. Is it canes?

[A]

Cans, Which I think can just can.

[B]

Oh, Just can.

[A]

If it's like the English variation, can French, I think, extended a little bit. I was in Reddit threads, Rachel. I was deep in it. I was in the.

[B]

Oh, it is pronounced Khan. Khan. Yep, you're right. Oh, wait, wait. We got a 45 second. We got a 45 second. You're looking at how to pronounce the

[A]

name of this film festival that takes

[B]

place in this beautiful coastal city on the French Riviera in the south of France. How do you say it? Cannes Film Festival.

[A]

That's the official pronunciation. Which is closest to can, but not quite con.

[B]

Okay, Can. Film festival. That's what we're gonna say.

[A]

Can. That guy must make a living off of his YouTube videos. It takes 40 seconds to get to the word.

[B]

He should be in cahoots with that guy. Yeah, it's fine.

[A]

I should do a pronunciation YouTube channel.

[B]

So fun.

[A]

And I would just get to it instead of this guy. It's in the south of France. Nobody cares.

[B]

Oh, my God. All right, okay.

[A]

This film festival, so pretentious.

[B]

Yes. This was supposed to begin in 1939, but World War II was happening, so it actually took place in 1946 and lasts about two weeks. So who attends? Filmmakers, actors, journalists, fans from around the world.

[A]

And.

[B]

And many popular films have come through the Cannes with a popular response. So you got ET Pulp Fiction. Pixar's up.

[A]

Who knew?

[B]

Looky there. Moulin Rouge. Moonrise Kingdom.

[A]

Love that one. I don't know if I know Wes Anderson. He's a very hipster director. Probably not your speed.

[B]

Okay. Yeah, I don't know him. Cowboy?

[A]

Not quite.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Very symmetrical, artsy shots. Whimsical, quirky.

[B]

Not my thing.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, no, I tried.

[B]

I need a. A murder and an affair that might happen. I need like a.

[A]

That could happen in a west.

[B]

Need a mystery. I need a mystery. That's what I mean. Oh, my gosh. Well, the money here. You ready for this?

[A]

Okay.

[B]

To attend is over thirteen hundred dollars after tickets, travel, food, and other costs. So it could be.

[A]

It feels cheap. I mean, a ticket to France alone feels like it's.

[B]

Yeah. Or it could cost up to tens of thousands for the more elite access.

[A]

So that's what you would do. Go big or go home.

[B]

Go big or go home. Yeah. I'm not a. I'm not like an artsy person. Like, the film festival stuff doesn't. I hear festival, too, and I run.

[A]

You'll wait for it to be on Netflix. You're not going to go to the festival to be the first to see it?

[B]

No, but I will go to a movie theater.

[A]

When's the last time you went?

[B]

When was the last movie I saw in theaters? Zoolander 2.

[A]

What? That was an insane answer.

[B]

No, not Zoolander. Zootopia.

[A]

I was like, was there a Zoolander too?

[B]

Everyone's like, wait, wait, wait. No, no. Zootopia. With my kids.

[A]

You acted like you go to the theater all the time. And then you drop Zoolander as your reference.

[B]

Zootopia.

[A]

Yeah, okay, that makes more sense. Now. I need to find out. Was there a Zoolander 2 with Ben Stiller?

[B]

Was there a new.

[A]

Oh, yeah, there was. In 2016. Rachel hasn't been in the movies in a decade.

[B]

10 years.

[A]

And to be fair, it got a 21% on rotten tomatoes.

[B]

Yeah, I believe it. Zoolander 2. Zootopia. And actually, as the opposite of that, Zootopia 2 was the highest grade grossing Disney film. Did y' all hear this?

[A]

I didn't know that it became.

[B]

It was the. Which is crazy because it was fine. But it was not like a classic. Like, should be the highest grossing. Yes. Wow.

[A]

Isn't that wild? I think they're just making stuff up.

[B]

Has Mia seen Zootopia?

[A]

Oh, she hasn't even seen Frozen yet. And she's obsessed. She knows all the words, every song. Why have you not shown her frozen screen time? It's just simply too much for her little words. It's too much for a tiny brain.

[B]

Lord.

[A]

She doesn't show the attention span.

[B]

Oh, stop that. Show her Frozen.

[A]

You are gonna have to deal with that monster after an hour and a half of screen time.

[B]

Stop it. She's like four years old. Well, no, she's two. She's two and a half. Okay, okay. All right.

[A]

She's not even potty trained yet. I feel like you gotta at least be potty trained to watch an hour and a half movie.

[B]

Yeah, maybe so. I can't remember now. Too long ago for me.

[A]

Yeah, we'll get there.

[B]

But I love a movie.

[A]

I can't wait. Yeah, you watch a lot of like throwback movies with your kids, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That's your thing. Like 90s movies.

[B]

2000 movies. We love the Sandlot Dustin checks. Oh, yeah. There's so. There's so many great.

[A]

And they hold up. The kids like them.

[B]

Yes. But then my girls are really into like the Disney musical stuff. There's this new one called Teen beach on Disney. And it's like these teenagers that get sucked into a 1950s film, like, about a beach community. Anyways, it's all These songs and soundtracks.

[A]

But they love it. They're dancing to it.

[B]

Oh my gosh, they love it.

[A]

That's fun. All right, enough celeb talk, Rachel. Let's move into upper and middle class social events. Starting with the upper class. So upper class, the one that comes to mind. The Masters golf tournament.

[B]

Oh yes.

[A]

It exudes class.

[B]

Now that's. That's exclusive, right? You have to be invited.

[A]

It's really hard to get there.

[B]

Yes. Like, I mean, I guess you can get a ticket, but like you have to know someone that has like, it's like you can't just go on Ticketmaster. No, no, buy a ticket.

[A]

Cuz the price isn't that much. Daily tickets are around 140 bucks or less if it's a practice round.

[B]

Oh, that's not bad.

[A]

But there's a official master's lottery, so if you purchase it through that four day badges, 525 bucks. And then there's third party sites that can list tickets up to $6,500 even though there's a no resale policy.

[B]

Okay. But that's where it gets pricing.

[A]

But it's really hard to get tickets through the lottery. So people are willing to go for it.

[B]

So they'll get it and then they turn around and sell them. They're not supposed to, but they do.

[A]

I don't know how they enforce it, but.

[B]

And I would go for the food. Do you know they're like Pimento, all their stuff and their pricing hasn't changed.

[A]

Have you heard this? Oh, that's right. Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's like a couple.

[B]

All their menu items are like super cheap and it's all the same food that they've had for like decades there.

[A]

Like finger foods, right?

[B]

Like little sandwiches, tomato, cheese. What's all the. It's all these famous sandwiches.

[A]

There's a master's drink that I think I made.

[B]

It's.

[A]

I made one year while we were watching it.

[B]

Yes, yes, I know what you're talking about.

[A]

It was decent. I think it had like vodka and some juices in it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Pretty light, pretty fruity. I was mildly unimpressed, but I guess if you're on a hot golf course

[B]

all day, it's like a mix of something, right?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, you tell me. Masters cocktail. We should have made it.

[B]

So this is it. It's the pimento cheese sandwich and the egg salad sandwich. Those are like the two famous ones.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Famous. And then there's like the one that's together. And then you got the chicken salad. The barbecue pork sandwich.

[A]

Yeah. I'm getting hungry.

[B]

Yep. Pimento cheese sandwich, $1.50. Egg sandwich, $1.50. Yeah. Like, it's like, I'm glad they're finally

[A]

giving these rich people a discount.

[B]

It's not the time. I know. Good for them.

[A]

This is crazy.

[B]

The peach ice cream sandwich, so. Or the. Yeah. What was your drink?

[A]

Peach ice cream sandwich. That sounds delicious.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Famous Masters cocktail, if you just search that.

[B]

The azalea. Yeah.

[A]

Azalea cocktail.

[B]

What's in there? Vodka, lemonade, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine.

[A]

Grenadine. Yeah. Which is kind of like a pomegranate syrup. See, it's good. It's a little sweet because you got the pineapple juice, the granite. It's like, everything is sweet, for sure.

[B]

Okay, Masters, would you go?

[A]

Would I go if invited? Yeah. If Dave Ramsey was like, hey, hop on, we're going to the Masters. I'm like, yeah, I'll go.

[B]

I'll go.

[A]

I'll find a golf uniform.

[B]

I'll find a green collar.

[A]

I'll wear a belt and tuck in a shirt for that.

[B]

Do what I gotta do.

[A]

I love a good sandwich, so.

[B]

Okay. Very Southern. You know, the Southern. The Kentucky Derby.

[A]

I would probably rather go to that.

[B]

That would be fun. Even though I'm against betting a little horse betting would kind of be exciting.

[A]

You know, go for the horses. Stay for the sundresses and fun hats.

[B]

Stay with the hats. Yeah.

[A]

Big hats blocking my view. That's what I'm there for.

[B]

Nashville has a version of it, steeplechase, that we, like, try to be the Kentucky Derby, and it just doesn't.

[A]

No one's buying it.

[B]

It's just not.

[A]

And the Kentucky Derby has a famous drink.

[B]

Yeah, they drink.

[A]

Is it a mule? It's a mint julep.

[B]

Mint julep. Thank you.

[A]

I do love a mint julep. Now, that is a drink I can get behind.

[B]

See, that's one that I would just drink there. I don't know if I'd make a mint julep.

[A]

Well, I would make it for you, but now I won't.

[B]

So if you have just, like, the infield general admission tickets, around $130.

[A]

That's reasonable.

[B]

That's terrible. Reserve seating, 700 to 1,000. That's what I would do. George, if we're gonna go, I need a seat. I don't like standing in fields.

[A]

Treat it like a Backstreet Boys concert.

[B]

Yep. Now, the premium covered clubhouse seating. Oh. It exceeds over $2,000 a ticket.

[A]

See, that Would have to be like, hey, your ticket's covered on me. You know, I get invited by somebody who.

[B]

To get that. Yeah. Would you go $700, though, for, like, a seat?

[A]

If I'm with my wife, I would solo. I would slum it.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

With the general admission crowd, but for her sake. And I do think covered. If it's like a real hot day.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Would change your life.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Like, would you pay an extra thousand bucks to be able to survive for a couple of days out there? Probably.

[B]

Probably.

[A]

And then, of course, the gambling money. People gamble on the Kentucky.

[B]

How much do they gamble, you think?

[A]

Thousands upon thousands.

[B]

And so here's the thing. They know what they're doing. Some of them, like, they've, like. They know the horses. Yes. Like, what they're eating, their diets, the trainer, the jockey. Like, it's a whole thing. Like, to me, that feels. Gosh, maybe I'm being hypocritical here. That feels almost more predictable in a way than like, I'm going to bet on this game of 24 players football and hope that they make it.

[A]

Like, there's still a level of luck, but there's also. You kind of know the stats.

[B]

I don't know. You think.

[A]

But there's still so many variables. I could go wrong 100%. I could skew it.

[B]

Weather.

[A]

Yeah, that's true. What if I will say I have a family member who had a. I think one, like, had a horse in the Derby. That one.

[B]

No way. And they got the little cup.

[A]

I think. So, like, he had bought the horse and, like, trained it and all that, like, I think went in with someone else maybe. And then this horse was in the Derby and it was crazy.

[B]

I wonder how much you make if your horse wins, but it's a lot.

[A]

Question.

[B]

Okay, next little high dollar, if you will, event the super bowl. And in a company suite.

[A]

Yeah. That's what screams upper class.

[B]

So if you're. Yep. February 2026, the cheapest single ticket fell anywhere from 4,100 to 4,900 on sites like Subhub and its competitors. But private suites cost anywhere. Oh, my cheese. Ready for this? 600,000 to $3 million.

[A]

That's all inclusive. 16 to 32 guest room.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

That's still wild.

[B]

I mean, that's like each guest paying 100 grand, basically to, like, pull our money together.

[A]

Yeah. I mean, if you pack it out, it's still like 20 grand plus per person. That's on the cheap.

[B]

It'd be like 100 grand, right?

[A]

Cheap end. Well, if you got 32 people at 600k, so that's like the, the best possible scenario.

[B]

3 million. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's fair. Yeah.

[A]

And you get 16 at 3 million. That is pretty insane.

[B]

That's wild. Now you're talking like, yeah, I'd pick Kentucky Derby.

[A]

I've been to a football game. It's better at home. Can we all just admit that, like, other than the energy, it's a better viewing experience at home?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You get the commentary. You can actually see what's happening on the field. They have all the camera shots.

[B]

Yeah. But being there live is like, that's like saying watching a concert.

[A]

Well, it's just to say, I was at the Super Bowl. That's what you're really there for.

[B]

Yeah. If you don't like one of your teams. Right. Like if you are a die hard Bears fan or Bills fan. You know what I mean? Like one of these die hard fans and they made it to the Super Bowl, I could see why you'd want to go. Like, that's kind of how I feel about ut. A little bit of like, if they went to the national championship, you would

[A]

go for the experience.

[B]

I made it.

[A]

I was there.

[B]

Yeah. Just to be part of it. Because it's your team. Like you do, you like, you are bought in. So in that sense, I get it. But also, good night. That's a lot of money.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And we tell people, Rachel, on the Ramsey show, they call in and say, hey, Rachel, can I go to this, this expensive event? And we say, well, do you have the money for it?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And if you budget for it with a sinking fund and you're debt free, you've got an emergency fund, it's not a huge part of your world. Then we give them the green light.

[B]

Oh, 100%. Oh, yeah.

[A]

So these are achievable if you're budgeting and working with a financial institution or

[B]

say an upper class too, with this meaning, like just for the average person to go and be like, oh, I'm gonna drop, you know, $8,000 on just this one day event. Right. That costs some money.

[A]

Yeah. But the best way to save up for this or any other event is through a high yield savings account. And you want to do this with an institution that you can trust that actually has your best interests at heart. And that is Fairwinds Credit Union.

[B]

Yeah. Fairwinds is amazing. They have a smart bundle where you get the high yield savings account, a checking account, and the Ramsey debt As normal, Beware debit card, which I love. And all of it is so great. You guys and their app like their, their interface on just banking online. They make it so easy. And if you have another bank, you can even plug in that account to Fair ones and transfer money over. Like, they make stuff so simple.

[A]

And you can have up to 10 savings accounts for different funds. So if you're saving up for the Backstreet Boys trip or the super bowl, you can just set that money aside and earmark it separately so it's not sitting inside of your emergency fund.

[B]

That's right. So you can be very specific about your savings, which is awesome. And it's high yield. So you're going to get a better rate of return. Traditional savings account.

[A]

You got nothing to lose. So go check it out. Go to Fairwinds.org Ramsey to open that Smart bundle today again. It'll take you five minutes.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Top on your phone. You can't beat that.

[B]

All right, let's step down from the upper class, George. Let's go middle class. Here we go. Concert splurges. So for the cheapest seats at the average concert tour, you're going to pay at least 100 bucks. Harry Styles is doing a one month residency. Ooh. In Madison Square Garden.

[A]

MSG. That's a big one. Wow.

[B]

And tickets at one point exceeded $3,000

[A]

for floor and pit.

[B]

That's crazy. Yep.

[A]

So then you tack on hotel flight fees. Like you're, you're. If you're making a trip out of it, you're talking, you know, thousands of dollars going to an exclusive event like this.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. You know, and you're not in like the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it's still going to be, it's reasonable

[A]

for a middle class family if they save over time. The problem is a lot of people just put this on a credit card and go, well, it's a once in a lifetime experience. And I just want my daughter just, she just had to do it. We didn't have the money. And so that's what stresses me out is people paying for this concert seven months after it's over.

[B]

Yes. With the 24% APR.

[A]

I know, never worth it. So never go into debt for any of these experiences. But again, if you want to save up for it, put 100 bucks away for a year, you get 1200 bucks in that account.

[B]

That's perfect. Okay. Fancy birthday parties or bachelorette trips.

[A]

Oh, yep. So these can really get expensive.

[B]

Yeah. Well, if you're going domestically, it could be anywhere from 500 to 1,000 that you're probably chipping in for your parts.

[A]

Hotel travel.

[B]

Yeah, but a lot of people, I mean, it's bigger than that. Right. So if you go on like a week long premium couples cruise, for instance, it's gonna be more like $2,000. But yeah, so there's gonna be some expenses when it comes to. Again, people go all out for birthday parties or these like special occasion trips. So I would put bachelorette party in there.

[A]

Honeymoon, even a destination wedding you could throw in there.

[B]

Yes. Would be expensive. Yeah, but that's like a. That's definitely an event that for families. Like, hey, I'm gonna save up and pay for that. But one event actually involves a cruise, which I love is the live, like no one else cruise.

[A]

The one we're going on.

[B]

Yes. It's gonna actually be in March of 2027, you guys. So if you are debt free, if you got your emergency fund, you're past baby step three. This is the live, like no one else cruise. So let's put a link down below George so y' all can check it out so we can go cruising together.

[A]

All social classes are invited.

[B]

I was gonna say every social class.

[A]

As long as you pay cash and you're debt free, we're not gonna yell at you. And it is well worth it. The entire Ramsey personality crew will be there.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We have special guests. And the last one we did, I'm still like on cloud nine from it.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And it's only like the Ramsey people on there. So everyone you meet. Everyone was like, this was the nicest attendees. Like, even the staff was like, who are these people? Like the Ramsey people.

[B]

Yep. So if you want to go on a cruise with us, Tipwell, click the link below, y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

It's gonna be fun. Okay. Another one that I love. A family Disney trip.

[A]

You've done that?

[B]

I have done that.

[A]

Worth it. Yes.

[B]

So fun.

[A]

Now there's a range of like how much you could spend at Disney.

[B]

100.

[A]

There's the budget version where you're staying off property.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

You're not doing the park hopper and lightning Lane.

[B]

No. So the cheapest. Yeah. Around 119 a person.

[A]

So that's like it's a one day ticket.

[B]

Yep. No park hopper or anything. Or you could do like a three day, which would be $380. So different depending on the days, what you add on. Park hopper or not. Yes. Of what you could build out. Make it more pricey or not. But for a lot of families Disney is like a bucket list destination to go.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But sadly, a lot of people just go into debt for it, which was like your man on the street, remember?

[A]

Oh, that's right. Yeah. I did a man on the street video on my YouTube channel at Disney, and people were just telling me, yeah, we're $180,000 in debt, and this trip costs us $5,000 on a credit card on top of that for the week. And I'm just. Everyone at home watching in the comments section is like, why are they at Disney?

[B]

I know.

[A]

And then they told me, you're ruining these people's vacation. I didn't mean to. It's my job to hire you don't

[B]

have the money to be here.

[A]

But it was a lot of fun. I met a lot of nice people. But, yeah, travel costs, flights, gas, hotel stays, food costs. All of that, on top of. Can really add some pain.

[B]

But for a week. Yeah, for a. For multiple day a week. I mean, it could be anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000. I mean, it's a chunk of change

[A]

for a family of four.

[B]

Yeah. Like, if you. If it's you and a spouse and a couple kids, like, you're paying for it for sure. But that is a trip that a lot of people, they look forward to.

[A]

And having been now, as an adult, I will say it's. If you're going to do it, it's worth doing it well, even though it's going to be pricier, I don't want to spend my day standing in lines.

[B]

Yeah. Like, pay for the lightning lanes and that kind of thing. Yeah, totally.

[A]

So if you can stomach it and budget for it, well worth it.

[B]

I love it. All right, George, let's encompass everyone. You ready?

[A]

People at any paycheck, any paycheck level.

[B]

Some events that we love. We love a good holiday celebration. So throw in the Fourth of July, a friendsgiving potluck. We love an Easter egg hunt. Right.

[A]

Block party, neighborhood.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You have Flag Day. Growing up, that was a big one for us. I don't know why, but.

[B]

Wait, are you kidding?

[A]

No. Dedham, Massachusetts. We celebrated Flag Day. We got the day off school and everything.

[B]

No, you didn't.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Is that where. Who sewed the first American flag? What was her name?

[A]

What's her name?

[B]

What was her name? Betsy Ross. I feel like she's a Massachusetts guy.

[A]

Maybe that's why. Because in hindsight, I'm like, were we the only town doing Flag Day?

[B]

Massachusetts feels old.

[A]

There was a little Flag Day parade.

[B]

Old American history. It feels like Plymouth Rock. You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

We're gonna celebrate.

[A]

You ever been to Plymouth Rock?

[B]

No. I heard it's just a rock.

[A]

Nothing could be more disappointing.

[B]

I know. That's what I've heard. That's what I've heard.

[A]

It's the saddest. It's not even a.

[B]

You know, I've never either. Is the Liberty Bell.

[A]

Oh, that one, I think would be cooler.

[B]

Oh, there it is. You know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There's only so much. We got. Oh, we got a bell.

[A]

There's a bell.

[B]

No, I feel like Massachusetts. I feel like y' all appreciate American. Like, colonial.

[A]

Yeah, we were closer to it. I feel like.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, Founding fathers.

[B]

We were one of the 13 original colonies, though. Tennessee.

[A]

Oh, didn't know that. We got a thumbs down. Is that not true?

[B]

No, we weren't one of the 13 original colonies.

[A]

I feel like it was more in the Northeast.

[B]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. Was Tennessee One of the 13 original colonies? Oh, yeah. 13 out of 50. It was considered one of the. Yes, y'. All. It was. Oh, no, no, right. Tennessee was considered one of the original states, though. But that is slightly different than the original 13, man. We have people all around us, though. We got the Carolinas. We got Georgia. Like, they're all right there. Yeah.

[A]

I feel like closer to the coast, the better.

[B]

We are 16th. Okay. I was off by three.

[A]

Well, you don't get a trophy for being 16th place. Sorry. Now, if you could be considered a Commonwealth. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Yeah.

[B]

That's pretty cool. Now, what does Louisiana have? Parishes. I want to perish.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

I wish we were parishes. Wouldn't that be cool? I'm in this parish. Chicago's like that, too. Doesn't Chicago.

[A]

They have parishes?

[B]

Don't they have parishes? How Their city's divided up.

[A]

The Pope's from there, so.

[B]

He is. We got an American Pope. Yes, we do.

[A]

That's something.

[B]

To the Nicene Creed, George.

[A]

Don't know what that is, but I'll cheers to it if Rachel CO Signs it. Not a huge fan of Creed, but I'll go for it. Mm, that's good. Yeah, I like these. These holiday celebrations are like. I feel like it is a. It's a unifying experience.

[B]

Oh, for sure. Yes.

[A]

Cause anybody. Everybody celebrates this.

[B]

Well, not everybody, George.

[A]

Americans.

[B]

Well, friends get. Okay, there we go. Not the world. We have international listeners and watchers.

[A]

But I feel like if you're not even from here.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

You should be celebrating America's independence.

[B]

Do they do Thanksgiving, though.

[A]

A lot of. I think a lot of countries do Thanksgiving.

[B]

They do for America.

[A]

Just their own version. Like, I feel like the UK probably does a version of Thanksgiving with fish and chips. They have their own dates for it, but similar holidays.

[B]

You know what? I think I'd rather have fish and chips and tartar sauce.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

I bet they have better food in the uk. I'm not a good. I'm not a big Thanksgiving food person.

[A]

Turkey's not for you. What about a nice spiral hand now a.

[B]

No, but give me Italian. When was Italy found? Oh, my gosh. Could you imagine? Pizza and pasta.

[A]

You want an Italian Thanksgiving?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Make that happen at your house.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's America. You can do what you want.

[B]

That's right. Land of the free, home of the brave.

[A]

Who's going to stop you? I dare them to stop you. Don't tread on me. Who's going to stop? Dry turkey.

[B]

Oh, man. Okay. Lake weekends. This is. This is maybe. Well, I wouldn't say it's southern. This is probably America, but, like, it

[A]

depends if you have a lake.

[B]

Yeah, but like Memorial Day, fourth of July, Labor Day, you got your.

[A]

You guys spent most holidays on the lake.

[B]

If it was warm, yes.

[A]

We went.

[B]

Yeah. So much. So much of the lake.

[A]

So that is skiing.

[B]

I did not barefoot ski.

[A]

Oh, no, you're not capable.

[B]

But Dave did. I've never tried. Don't worry. Really. You have to go. I saw.

[A]

What's the one you did? Slalom. What's the one where you're on. You're like two feet in front of each other on one ski. That's slalom.

[B]

I can slalom.

[A]

That's impressive.

[B]

Mom of three. That's what I always think. I get up once a year now. That's all I do.

[A]

And you're like, I'm a mom. It's even more impressive.

[B]

I do. I do. Just look at me go. Almost four.

[A]

Even seeing Dave Ramsey out there, I mean, he was majestic. That's the only word for. Was like he was in another person's body.

[B]

He had smooth water, and when you cut solemn and the spray, you know, the fan of the water goes up. It's pretty fun. Yeah, pretty.

[A]

He taught me. I got up first time.

[B]

Yes, you did.

[A]

Because he was a good coach. Now he's like. He's a coach. He's yelling at you.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Get up.

[B]

Get up. Up.

[A]

Get your legs up. Get your. I'm like, oh, yes, sir. So you're scared into doing it right the first time.

[B]

That is true. But Dave Ramsey, he has taught more people because he took our youth. Like when he was within the youth group of, like when he was like a youth group leader back when I was a kid. I mean, he's taught so many people to skate because he really does believe it's the boat driver. If you have a good boat driver

[A]

you can get, and he is the

[B]

best, you can get almost anyone up. It's the boat driver that's like the big player, not the skier.

[A]

So he can hold the world record for getting the most people debt free and coaching the most people to water ski.

[B]

Ask them next time. How many people do you think you've talked to?

[A]

Waterski? That's a legacy right there.

[B]

I'm curious what he has to say.

[A]

I love this. Well, all these celebrations, what's great is you can keep them real cheap. You know, you can potluck style, prepare a dish, contribute, and you know, 20 to 50 bucks will do it in most cases.

[B]

So fun. Yep. I love it. But you know where I don't want to go cheap?

[A]

Where?

[B]

Cozy Earth.

[A]

Why would you?

[B]

We wouldn't. We want quality products. And that is what they deliver people. So whether it is blankets, bed sheets, whether it is sweaters, joggers, socks, like all of their products, y', all, I'm telling you. I mean, and I wash them over and over again and they stay. The fabric stays consistent, the fit stays consistent. We just, we love Cozy Earth. Now it's getting a little bit warmer. So I had to take that cuddle blanket from that massive. I did. And I did put that in our hall closet because we're probably not going to use that for a few months

[A]

until it gets cold out.

[B]

Yep. But that thing, I had to lift it out of the basket again. I was like, man, it's heavy.

[A]

It's my only workout I do is carrying that blanket around.

[B]

It's so big.

[A]

So if you want to feel upper class at middle class prices, Cozy Earth is the place to go. You can get 20% off when you go to cozyearth.com smartmoney and use promo code smartmoney at checkout. And if you get the post purchase survey, make sure you let them know Smart Money happy hour sent you.

[B]

All right, last event George will chat about. All right, the old county fair.

[A]

That might be the last bastion of community we have.

[B]

What's the state that has. It's the one that's like the massive Iowa State Fair. Oh, that's a state fair, not a county fair. The Iowa State Fair.

[A]

That's like we've got the Williamson county fair here.

[B]

We do.

[A]

Which is decent.

[B]

Yeah. It's crawling with a bunch of high schoolers, though.

[A]

I went, yeah, I thought, this will be fun. We should go. And so I took Whitney last time

[B]

and never again because of all the teenagers.

[A]

Yeah, it's like rude high schoolers. But the county fair without the teenagers is a good time. You got the funnel cakes. The rides.

[B]

Do you trust the rides?

[A]

You don't, but that's kind of part of the fun.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's like, this could be it.

[B]

I'm choosing to on that.

[A]

Like, the pirate ride. That one's pretty wild.

[B]

The pirate ride. That is pretty wild.

[A]

And the roller coaster, you're like, this was put together by a guy who has not slept in days. Might be under the influence of. Is living off a monster and a prayer. And he put this thing together in a couple of hours. This is crazy. And we just trust it.

[B]

I know, George. I'm with you. The fair stuff makes it or, you know, it's even a step down from that.

[A]

What's that?

[B]

He's like in the mall. The mall parking lot fairs that come in.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And they set those up in the mall parking lot. And you're like, I don't know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Then I guess a lot of people don't pass away.

[A]

You make a fair point.

[B]

Or they would.

[A]

Like the ratio. People dying at a county fair, pretty low.

[B]

Pretty low. So I think we're good. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. I did see that. A great seal show with a live seals. You know, they were doing, like, back at this Williamson County Fair. No way. That was the best part.

[B]

It's the water.

[A]

They, like, bring in, like, tanks.

[B]

Oh, stop.

[A]

And the seals are doing backflips. And they're. They're really putting on a show.

[B]

Oh, no. It's like blackfish. We free the seals.

[A]

They seemed happy. But, you know, we don't know what's going on inside.

[B]

No, we don't. No, we don't.

[A]

Only God knows.

[B]

Only God knows. Okay, so then let me go. Okay. I'm gonna keep going for just a second. But the step up of the county fair is like a theme park that's not Disney. Like a Dollywood. Yes. Now I trust that. I trust Dolly. I will get on any ride that Dolly endorses.

[A]

I will say that we had one locally in Massachusetts. Well, it was near Massachusetts called Canobie Lake Park.

[B]

Oh, that beautiful.

[A]

And it was like the old wooden rickety coasters.

[B]

Oh, those are fun.

[A]

Which are really fun.

[B]

Yeah, those are fun.

[A]

So that was our theme park. We'd go if we're not going to go to like a Six Flags Over.

[B]

So we had Opry Land when I was a kid in Nashville.

[A]

That's right. And Nate Margetz is bringing his own back.

[B]

Oh, I heard that.

[A]

He said he's. It's too late. He can't turn back. Like the investor is already involved, so he's good.

[B]

Roller coasters. I'll be there.

[A]

So I think it's going to be called N Land. I love him, I guess.

[B]

Wow. Rachel lands. Racheland.

[A]

I mean, he's got enough money. Hopefully it's great. I would go. And he wants it to be this family friendly experience.

[B]

Well, let me just say this, George. Whether you're at the Met Gala or the county fair, I think it's the people that make it the community.

[A]

So true.

[B]

Do you know what I mean? With your family, your friends. Like there is something about a friendsgiving to go into the Masters. Like whatever it is, like doing it with people you love. Honestly, it's gonna be the best part.

[A]

I think it actually could be better than the Met Gala. Some of these uppity events, you go and you expect a certain thing and it disappoints. And sometimes the cheap thing has the. The most Joy in it.

[B]

100% low expectations.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah. No, I'm with you. I love it. But yeah. So whether you're planning the Met Gala or getting the funnel cake at the county fair, budgeting, like we said earlier though, like Disney, all these place, all these things, whether it's like a once in a lifetime trip or a trip that you take every other year, whatever the thing is, be budgeting for it. Every dollar is a great budgeting app that we use. But yeah, just being intentional about it. I think that's what's important. And I think when money stress doesn't play in, you actually can enjoy the experience more.

[A]

Yes. I do think we tend to go toward. Well, if it's going to cost a lot of money, it must be awesome. But then the most fun is like, we had a mahjong night at my house.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They already had the board and like that kind of stuff I think is where real life happens.

[B]

I'm with you. Yep. We celebrated Winston's birthday and so we had some families over last night to the porch because it was beautiful. We had great weather last night and we played with all the kids because all the kids are now a little bit older. They're like third, fourth, fifth grade, you know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So they can Play games with the adults because they can hang. So we played Mafia. Have you played mafia before?

[A]

Wait, is this the one where someone's the Mafia?

[B]

Yeah, there's like two Mafia, two Night Watch. It's like a whole thing. Anyways, the kids would not stop playing. I mean, like, we'd get done with the round. Like, one more time. One more time. All of it.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

Something, I'd say a deck of cards and it's the people you get around.

[A]

It's the people you get around.

[B]

Your friends, your family. It is. It's so enjoyable. So that's my.

[A]

Beautifully said.

[B]

I love it. That's what you just remind me of. That's so true.

[A]

That's what I'm here for.

[B]

Regardless of the cost. That costs a lot. Okay, well, before we spill the tea on our guiltiest charge segments, what do you think about the drink? I liked it. I just couldn't pick it up, honestly.

[A]

It's just the glass alone is a couple of pounds.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I mean, it just was without any liquid in it. This was the cranberry lime mocktail. It's got frozen cranberries, sugar, fresh lime juice, frozen limeade concentrate, and some seltzer water.

[B]

So good.

[A]

Which hot take? I think every mocktail needs a little seltzer water. So you give it a little zip, and it only costs $1.35.

[B]

I'm going eight out of ten. 8.5. I'm gonna give it 8.5. Wow.

[A]

Generous.

[B]

It's a little too sweet for me. Like, it feels like a dessert almost.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But nothing is like, ah. You know, sometimes you have a drink

[A]

and you're like, oh, God, that I'm. Give it an 8. I think it's really solid. I want a little more punch from the lime. I think the limeade concentrates. Left to my own devices, I try to go as fresh as possible versus, like, the old can, a minute maid. But, you know, left to your own devices, this is a killer drink that you can make a whole batch of for the whole family. So give it a try this weekend. The recipe is in the show notes for this cranberry lime mocktail.

[B]

Love it. All right, now it's time for guilty as charged. And this is where we ask each other a guilty as charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right, George, Question is, what's the last event? No amount of money could have ever made it worth it.

[A]

Oh, wow. That's a Them fighting words.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

So an event I didn't go to.

[B]

I'll tell you.

[A]

Or event you did go to that you regret.

[B]

I think it's the regret. What's the last event? No amount of money you could have made it worth it. Like, what was a flop of an event?

[A]

This is mean because I have a lot of friends with babies, but any infant or toddler's birthday party, I can do without.

[B]

That's fair.

[A]

I escaped the latest one, which was a petting zoo in someone's backyard with, like, camels. Many.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I think a Shetland pony was back there. So Whitney took Mia on her own.

[B]

Okay. And you did not go. You stayed with Henry.

[A]

I was a hero. I stayed with my boy. She took the girl and. But she had a great time. It was great, but just the chaos, you know, the screams, the. The awkward small talk with other parents.

[B]

Well, no one can con you. Can't be in a conversation.

[A]

You're watching the kid making sure they don't get mauled by a camel. Those things are mean.

[B]

I agree.

[A]

So, yeah, that one I could do without. And I know they're only gonna get more complicated when we go to the trampoline park. And now I gotta fill out a waiver saying, hey, your kid's probably gonna go to the hospital today. Hope you're okay with that.

[B]

Yes. And you can't sue us, so here you go.

[A]

Must be nice.

[B]

Must be nice.

[A]

How about you?

[B]

I'm gonna say Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam.

[A]

You went to that? Was that a Bridgestone arena thing?

[B]

Terrible. Yes. Charles loves monster trucks, but specifically Hot Wheels monster trucks. Like, it's very specific.

[A]

Like, branded.

[B]

It's a brand. He's a branded guy.

[A]

Okay. Even name brand kid.

[B]

He really is. Even his little cars, y', all, he'll turn over. It's like a matchbox. He's like, no, he needs Hot Wheels. Hot Wheels. Hot Wheels. Hot Wheels. Hot Wheels pajamas. Hot. He's like a Hot Wheels kid, and he loves Hot Wheels monster trucks. Like, that specific brand. Well, I, as being the fun mom, sees that they're coming. Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam. Like, the exact same ones. And it's like the Boneshaker. Like, these, like, specific monster trucks that have names are coming. Real life monster trucks coming.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

And I thought, I'm amazing. I'm about to buy five tickets to Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam at Brimstone Arena. It was terrible, George. It was terrible.

[A]

Were they, like, launching them off ramps?

[B]

No.

[A]

No. What's the point?

[B]

No, I know that. One did jump over a car. One did jump Over a car.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Then they were like boneshaker. And it was like. Like a little fire came up. Beep. And then the boneshaker comes and it just drives around, goes in a circle. I'm not kidding. Like, that was boneshaker.

[A]

Pretty intense name.

[B]

And then it drives off and you're like. And then the other one. I mean, nothing. Like, it was like, we left early. Like, we left early.

[A]

Was Charles upset?

[B]

And the worst was it was a week after my backstreet boys concert.

[A]

Oh, that.

[B]

So I just went from the top of my game to this. And it was so horrible. It was just horrible. It was horrible.

[A]

Was it cheap at least? Was like 20 bucks a ticket.

[B]

No, no, that was the other. I bet I could find the price. No, it was like. Yeah, yeah. I mean, we paid a couple hundred bucks.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So anyways, that was it. Never again. Never again. That's sad that I've done a dinosaur thing. That was really bad too.

[A]

Oh, that's right.

[B]

Really? All for Charles, too. Everything. My son. I do this all for my son.

[A]

You know what I sent Whitney and Mia was a frozen. Like a little theater production of frozen.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

That's like a 30 minute Saturday morning type thing. Apparently. It was terrible.

[B]

Oh, gosh.

[A]

But I think Mia had a good time.

[B]

We try.

[A]

We try see some princesses and oh, my gosh, the things we do as parents, really, it all comes down to if they're not on our own volition.

[B]

That's right. We're doing it for them. Well, if you have a guilty discharge question for us, make sure to DM us, Rachel Cruz and georgecamo. Because we get them, we appreciate them, and if you love this episode, you're gonna love our next episode. We judge people's ridiculous money decisions for 58 minutes. So that's coming up next. And make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an all new episode of

[A]

smart money happy hour. It.