Surprisingly Simple Things That Make You Feel Wealthy

Summary

Smart Money Happy Hour – “Surprisingly Simple Things That Make You Feel Wealthy”

Hosts: Rachel Cruze & George Kamel
Date: June 18, 2026
Ramsey Network

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Overview

In this buoyant episode, Rachel and George dig into the surprisingly simple moments and milestones that make regular people feel “wealthy”—no Powerball jackpots required. Drawing on Facebook group stories, personal snapshots, pop culture, and listener questions, they explore how money confidence is less about million-dollar numbers and more about those small, everyday wins: paying for orange juice without guilt, splurging on groceries without checking every price, or retiring right on schedule. The hosts riff with their signature mix of practical wisdom and playful banter, sharing listener stories and their own “I’ve made it!” moments, all while keeping it real about money quirks, generosity, and contentment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “I’m Not Broke Anymore” Moment (00:00–04:12)

• The show’s theme: What was the first time you didn't feel broke?
• Discussion kicks off with stories that challenge the idea of wealth as a number, focusing instead on financial milestones that bring a feeling of abundance.

2. Listener Stories: Financial Milestones That Feel Wealthy (02:08–07:46)

• Drawing from the “Baby Steps Millionaires” Facebook group, George and Rachel read and react to real-life milestones:
  • Affording Disney tickets for grandkids:
    “When I could afford Disney World and Universal Studio tickets for six days of fun with my grandkids.”
    — [02:36]
    Rachel: “That feels wealthy to me.”
  • Hitting $15,000 in savings:
    Rachel: “That feels like a solid three months... that $15k mark, I like it.” [03:07]
  • Not packing lunch for work:
    George: “Amen. Sometimes it’s the humble side... You just need that extra for Chipotle and guac.” [03:30]
  • Retiring on schedule:
    “Being able to give my boss two months notice that I was retiring at the age of 60, as planned, right on schedule.” [04:01]
    George: “The fact that they were as planned, right on schedule is so rare in today's world.”
  • Shopping for groceries at your preferred store without worrying about price:
    “...when you’re not looking at the cart going, okay, that’s 60, 70.” — George [05:33]
  • Paying cash for an HVAC replacement:
    Rachel: “That’s a good one. Because it’s a high ticket item and it’s a need.” [06:46]
    Also includes a Dave Ramsey story on his first emergency fund use.

3. Rachel & George’s Personal “Made It” Moments (07:46–13:29)

• George:
  • Paid off townhome, hit millionaire net worth, but true moment was retiring his wife Whitney from her career.
  • Home upgrades, like epoxied garage floors:
    “Only the richest people had epoxied garage floors. So the fact that I could get it... I was like, what’s up?” [08:52]
• Rachel:
  • Vivid story of newlywed life and the luxury of ordering $7 orange juice from room service:
    “When I can just order orange juice at room service... that would be making it. Wow. And I remember when I did, George, and it felt good.” [12:25]
  • Reflections on growing up as Dave Ramsey’s kid—frugality remains, even as finances change.

4. Shifting Attitudes with Money & Spending Quirks (13:29–14:18)

• How financial comfort builds new “normals”—swiping a card doesn’t feel scary, but awareness about spending habits linger.

5. Category by Category: “I’ve Made It” Moments (14:23–29:16)

Food

• Groceries:
  • Being able to buy name brands, not second-guessing every item’s price.
• Eating Out:
  • Ordering entrees you want, not just the cheapest.
  • Getting appetizers and desserts: “That’s an ‘I’ve made it’ moment. When you start going, let’s get some apps. I go, wow, wow, you’ve made it.” — George [16:05]
  • Ordering decaf coffee with dessert and enjoying a leisurely meal.
  • Picking up the tab for the table or others—a sign of generosity.
• Where you shop:
  • Occasional splurge at Whole Foods or Publix vs. always shopping discount.

Vacation

• Staying at nicer hotels, eating out for every dinner, renting chairs at the beach rather than bringing your own.
  • “Rental chairs at the beach versus bringing your own... That’s a bougie move because it’s, like, convenient.” — Rachel [20:39]

Cars

• Buying a car you really want, with features you want.
  • Paying cash, getting the specific make and model (e.g., Tesla with self-driving).
  • George: “That’s truly the one thing I think has added the most value to my life.” [24:39]
• Family milestones: The Honda Odyssey as the “I’ve made it” vehicle for families.

Flights (25:47–27:49)

• Booking non-budget airlines, prioritizing non-stop flights, or timing (later flights rather than early/cheaper or red-eyes).
• Both are “over” domestic first class—“it’s a scam.”

6. Emergency Funds and Everyday Security (29:16–34:46)

• The importance of a three-to-six month emergency fund—true mark of “not broke anymore.”
• Team members’ real-life stories:
  • Covering new tires, vet bills (“my corgi broke her toe”), an unexpected third child (“my third kid—that was an emergency”), home renovations gone awry, and replacing a fried oven.
• Rachel: “37% of people cannot cover a $400 emergency in cash... if you can, you’re probably doing better than you think.” [34:46]

7. Contentment, Margin, and the Moving Target of “Wealthy” (35:33–36:49)

• True wealth is margin—having enough space in your budget and your life.
• George: “But really what it is, is you have some margin... You’re not worried about something happening in life...” [36:16]
• Rachel: “It’s worth the short-term sacrifice to get there... the goalpost always moves. So enjoy your life, live and give generously now. There’s always going to be a bigger, better thing you could have. So learning to be content...”

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Ordering Orange Juice:
  Rachel: “When I can just order orange juice at room service... that would be making it. Wow.” [12:25]
• On Car Judgments:
  Rachel: “I think I judge the most on cars to people... Not really judging the vacations as much. I see someone driving like a brand new Escalade and I automatically think, probably car payment.” [23:08]
• On Generosity & Tipping:
  George: “Very generous tipper... at one point, tipped like 2000% or whatever. It was a hilarious amount.” [18:21]
• On Contentment:
  Rachel: “Be present, be very much worth with what you have.” [36:45]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• First “I Didn’t Feel Broke” Stories: 00:00–04:12
• Facebook Group Wealth Moments: 02:18–07:46
• George & Rachel’s “Made It” Moments: 07:46–13:29
• Food as a Wealth Marker: 14:23–19:12
• Vacations—Upgrades & “Bougie” Moves: 19:13–21:13
• Cars—Spending & Judgement: 22:20–25:42
• Flights—Convenience Over Price: 25:47–27:49
• Emergency Funds—Team Stories: 29:16–34:46
• Contentment & Margin: 35:33–36:49
• Cheeky Confessions (Guilty as Charged): 38:02–41:01

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Notable Moments

• “Affogato” Experience: Birthday dinner with decaf espresso and gelato—a sign of luxury and living well. [17:03]
• Family Touchstone: Rachel’s childhood with Dave & Sharon Ramsey—never flashy, always “very grounded, normal people.” [10:00]
• Generous Husband: Winston Cruz is known for picking up bills for others (and Rachel for tipping big). [18:08]
• “Guilty as Charged” confessions see both hosts sheepishly admit to childhood “theft”—Rachel with a Claire’s keychain, George with a wallet, both stories ending in remorse and returning the loot. [38:02–39:47]
• Lighthearted banter on trivia weaknesses: “We should never be invited to a trivia night.” [43:26]

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Closing Thoughts

This episode is a relatable exploration of wealth as a feeling—rooted in moments of security, comfort, generosity, and freedom far more than big dollar amounts. Rachel and George’s humor and openness illustrate how “rich” can simply mean being able to say yes to orange juice, cover an emergency, or treat your loved ones. The conversation encourages gratitude and contentment whatever your stage, reminding listeners the real flex is living and giving generously—without waiting to “make it big.”

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Related Episode:
If you enjoyed this, check out: “Reacting to ‘If I Can’t Buy a Home, Why Don’t I Just Be Gorgeous?’”—linked by the hosts at the end.

Transcript

[A]

When was the first time you didn't feel broke? Whether you have an answer to that or you're still waiting for that day, today's episode is for you.

[B]

I think I judged the most on cars to people.

[A]

Yeah. There's things that I will always be frugal on. There's things I'll always be willing to spend money on.

[B]

I think I look more at the prices at the grocery store than I do at restaurants. Hey, guys, I'm rachel cruz. I'm george camel, and this is smart money happy. Cheers, George.

[A]

Cheers. What a vibrant drink this is. You all right?

[B]

Uh.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Does that ever happen to you when you drink something and for a second, you have to, like, use your brain to think to, like, swallow, and if you don't, it, like, stays there, and then you're like, oh, my, am I about to choke? Has that ever happened to you?

[A]

No, I think it just happened to me. I think you had a stroke.

[B]

No, that's what it probably.

[A]

You don't just forget how to.

[B]

It happens on airplanes sometimes. It'll happen.

[A]

That's a you problem.

[B]

I think so.

[A]

I'm trying to think, like, mm, mm, yeah.

[B]

And then you're like, oh, God. But it's now been two seconds, and I haven't, like, naturally just swallowed my mind.

[A]

Your body's not thinking about the reaction to swallow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

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

[A]

But first, let's talk about what we're sipping on that almost killed Rachel Cruz. This is a grand mimosa. What makes it grand? None of your business. You'll find out at the end of the episode. Stick around for that. We're give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

So, Rachel, I have some news. Hot goss, if you will.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Were you aware that Facebook posts can be positive, upbeat, even optimistic?

[B]

Upbeat.

[A]

Hopeful.

[B]

Upbeat.

[A]

The Lord is at work on Facebook.

[B]

Yeah, I was gonna say there's still miracles today. I really do believe so. I do think Facebook can be positive. A positive place.

[A]

I was scrolling through one of our. Now, here's the thing. It's in a Facebook group.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So the Baby Steps millionaires Facebook group. There was a post in there, and the responses to this prompt were nothing short of inspirational. You ready for the prompt?

[B]

Go.

[A]

What was a financial milestone that made you feel wealthy?

[B]

Oh, that's a great one.

[A]

You want to hear some of the answers?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Give them to me.

[A]

Okay. These are from the wonderful people in this group who follow our.

[B]

Should we give a. Like, yes, that's so weird. Or yes, I get that. Let's give a response a little react.

[A]

Okay. When I could afford Disney World and Universal Studio tickets for six days of fun with my grandkids.

[B]

Oh, that's living the good life. That feels. That feels wealthy to me.

[A]

That's 10 grand right there.

[B]

And the joy.

[A]

So much joy with the grandkids. Is there any better way to spend your wealth?

[B]

You should tell Dave and Sharon that.

[A]

Take little Charles and Amelia and Caroline. Forget the other ones. I know you have a lot of them. No, focus on one at a time. Here's another one hitting the $15,000 mark in savings.

[B]

Oh, you know that 15,000. I do think, you know, 5,000amonth, most emergencies. Yes. And it's like, that feels like a solid three months or so for a lot of people. And that. Yeah, that 15 mark. I like it.

[A]

Outside of, like, a nice car or a house, 15,000 buys you pretty much.

[B]

Which is cash, liquid. Yep.

[A]

That's a sauna and a hot tub.

[B]

All of it. All of it.

[A]

Okay, next one. When I didn't have to pack a lunch for work. Amen.

[B]

You know?

[A]

Amen.

[B]

Sometimes it's the humble side. You don't need the 15 grand. You just need that extra for Chipotle and guac. You know?

[A]

That's right. We are. We are blessed and spoiled with a. The Ramsey Cafe cafeteria here.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

So I haven't packed a lunch because I found I can get food here as cheap.

[B]

Yes, almost. Because they subsidized some of the. The pricing. So it's very nice.

[A]

It's like 1950s pricing out here.

[B]

Real nice. Real nice.

[A]

All right, here's another one. What was a financial milestone that made you feel wealthy? Being able to give my boss two months notice that I was retiring at the age of 60, as planned, right on schedule.

[B]

Sounds very efficient. Sounds like an efficient person.

[A]

So two months, like, everyone's kind of like, all right, you can go now. Like a month in. They're like, wasn't that person leaving?

[B]

I know. I agree. Yeah, we get some retirement runways here at Ramsey, and they're here for months, you know, but you keep thinking, wait, oh, yeah, you still got a few more months.

[A]

I don't wanna overstay my welcome.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

I'll give you two weeks notice.

[B]

Not for retirement, George.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No.

[A]

Well, I guess with my job, it's a little harder. Cause if I'M here. I mean, think about it. I'm 37.

[B]

But when you retire, you're not like, rushing to get. I mean, you're like, there's a plan. And I think sharing that with the boss is a good thing.

[A]

Yeah. Who would I share with? Do you think I should tell Dave?

[B]

Tell me, George.

[A]

I should tell you first.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

As a friend. Yeah.

[B]

And a co worker and a co host.

[A]

Okay. And as an acquaintance as well.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's great. Well, by the way, I love this because it's why investing in retirement early matters. The fact that they were as planned, right on schedule is so rare in today's world.

[B]

When there's a plan, they retire without

[A]

a plan, without enough money.

[B]

Yes. So planned out this.

[A]

So we have an investing guide for those of you that are interested. We'll drop a link in the description if you want to be like this person and actually retire with dignity one day. All right, next one. You want to take this one?

[B]

Yeah. Being able to buy groceries at my preferred grocery store and not worry about the total man, that's a feeling when

[A]

you're not looking at the cart going, okay, that's 60, 70.

[B]

I know. I still will look at prices at the grocery store. You know what's weird? I think I look more at the prices at the grocery store than I do a restaurant.

[A]

That makes sense.

[B]

Is that a toxic trait or something?

[A]

At a restaurant? I feel like you are so carefree. I am like, it's time to enjoy.

[B]

It's my place of happiness.

[A]

The grocery store is. It's a war zone.

[B]

It's a war zone. And we're in to make ends meet. Meaning, like, we are eating in and we are cooking, and we're going to be smart about this. We are making smart decisions at the grocery store. That just feels like a place that you don't want to be irresponsible, you know?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Grocery store feels like a responsible place.

[A]

Chili's bad decisions or bad decisions meet mediocre food. Chilies. That's good. You know, I was just at Costco yesterday, and I had the same thing where I looked at a receipt. Almost everything I bought was on sale. And I was like, why is this my toxic trait?

[B]

Cuz you look. You were, like, looking for it.

[A]

But then I thought, well, I. I got to get more because things were on sale.

[B]

Now that is fun, too.

[A]

Okay, last one on the list here from the Facebook group. A financial milestone that made you feel wealthy. The H Vac going out and being able to write a check in cash. To replace it.

[B]

Oh, that feels nice.

[A]

The H Vac is always our example of what the emergency fund. I feel like.

[B]

So on the Ramsey show today I hosted, you had an H Vac? No, we had. The question of the day was specific to Dave and it said, dave, do you remember when you were starting out the baby steps and like building the program, did you ever have to dip into the emergency fund? And he. Yeah, and he like remembered the house. It was the house that we moved in when I was 8. He like, say the exact situation, and he said it was like the first time of using an emergency fund because it was like close to 8,000. The whole, like, then where. Now it'd be like, which. This was 18, you know, 18,000.

[A]

This was the 90s.

[B]

Yeah, 96, I guess. Yeah. But anyways, we just had that and Dave talked about it. So maybe that's why he uses it as an example so much, because the

[A]

guy has a memory of an elephant. It's very impressive.

[B]

It's wild. But no, the H Vac thing is real.

[A]

That's a good one.

[B]

Because it's a high ticket item and it's a need.

[A]

You know what I mean? And what's the thing most people go into debt for or put on payments? And so to be able to write the check and be done with it and get your, your heat or air going again, that's a life changer.

[B]

Okay, George, you became a baby steps millionaire a few years ago. Do you remember a time that you were like, I feel like I'm. And it can be something as small as like being able to eat out at lunch. You know what I mean? Or something as big as like an emergency fund.

[A]

Yeah. The moment I felt like, I've made

[B]

it, you're like, that feels good.

[A]

So we paid off our townhome and then it was a little bit after that that our net worth hit the million between the house being paid off and our retirement. And so hitting that number didn't do a whole lot. It was cool.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But there wasn't like a life effect until a little bit later when we got into our next house and we got to retire Whitney from her career. That to me, that's when you can retire your spouse.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Financially, because you, you don't have debt and you have the income to support the family. I was like, that to me is making it on a like, family level was cool. And then probably the nerdier side was doing like the little home upgrades, getting the garage floors epoxied.

[B]

You love an epoxy.

[A]

I love an epoxy.

[B]

Loves a garage floor.

[A]

In my head, like, only the richest people had epoxied garage floors. So the fact that I could get it from my little home, I was like, what's up?

[B]

My friend, she just did a ton of renovations on her bottom floor. And so we just this week and we walked through her garage and I said. I was like, oh, my gosh, Katie, your garage floor looks so good. She said, it's like one of the top three things they did that she's obsessed with. She's like, I literally walk in my garage all the time, and she's like, just feels good. Just feels nice, you know? I was like, it's so true.

[A]

That is a good one.

[B]

Yep. Yeah.

[A]

But I mean, there's different stages, I feel like, and it kind of gets elevated. Like, being able to pay cash for our home was like, holy crap. It was such a monumental goal for us and years in the making. We've worked so hard for it. And then I did it, and it was like I landed a trick that I didn't know I could do. And even Whitney was like, I can't believe we did that. I'm like, I know, I know. But it's. You know, when you're on the same page with your spouse and you're just both aligned, you're willing to do anything to get there, it is amazing what can happen whether you're in baby step two or in baby step seven for sure. With a paid for house.

[B]

No.

[A]

I love that. What about you? Now, you grew up a Ramsey kid. Personal finance was always a conversation. You were born when Dave and Sharon were going through bankruptcy.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You were super young.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then they climbed out of that, Starting Ramsey, starting financial peace and all of that. But was there a moment where you were an adult, where you were like, oh, we're on our own in, like, independently. We've done this.

[B]

Well, it's funny too, because mom and dad, the way we grew up, we never. I never felt like we were like the rich kids by any stretch of the imagination. We probably weren't for a while.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I, you know, but looking back, I'm like, okay, I probably pinpoint with the company and stuff, when they were probably doing a lot better than they were, like, putting off right to us or so.

[A]

Cause they're. They're very grounded, normal people. They're not like the type to want to just.

[B]

And I went to Chinatown with my mother in New York City to get knockoff purses, so.

[A]

And she would still do that today.

[B]

That's how we roll.

[A]

I'd go with you, Sharon.

[B]

No, no. Sharon will buy the nice stuff today. But you know what's funny? I have this vivid memory because we're drinking orange juice of when Winston and I, when we got married. And we were young when we got married. Okay? So, like, I still had a semester left of college. Talk about a Southern girl.

[A]

So you were like, 21? What? 22.

[B]

I was 21, y'. All. Winston was 23. I know. We were babies. How our parents let us got married, we don't know. But Winston was working at his dad's heating and air company doing installs, and I was still in college. I mean, like. Yeah. So that was our. That was us. And it was not like my parents, by any stretch of the imagination was like, here's money every month. It was like, all right, how are you guys gonna pay bills? How are you gonna do this? So, yeah, so it was. It was. Yeah, we lived. We lived, you know, with a tight budget. So I'm saying. I'll say when we got married, the night of our honeymoon, we spent the night in a hotel in downtown Nashville at the Hermitage Hotel, which is a very, very nice. It's one of the nicer hotels for sure in Nashville. The only at that point 16 years ago, really the only super nice hotel then.

[A]

Now there's like a thousand down.

[B]

Yeah, there's like jw. Yeah. There's all these other nice hotels, but it was really like the main one before we flew out for our honeymoon. And I remember we woke up and we were like, okay, let's get room service before our flight. And we were looking at the menu and looking at the prices, and we, like, split pancakes. I remember. I think we split a pot of coffee. And then I remember seeing orange juice. I was like, gosh, orange juice kind of sounds nice, but it was $7. I mean, how much is orange juice at like a.

[A]

You know, $5, especially if it's, like, fresh.

[B]

$7. I mean, it was not, like, outrageous, but it was enough that I'm like, oh, that I would feel that we would feel that in the check.

[A]

Gave you some pause at that point.

[B]

Yes. And I remember talking to mom and dad when we got home from the honeymoon and all of this. And I remember saying, like, okay, if you guys were to order room service, like, when do you just order the orange juice? And not, like, think about it. True story. Dave's like, ah, order it now. You'd be fine. You know, whatever. Whatever. My mom was like, I still don't order orange juice. They overpriced it, and it's too much. She still won't, you know, But I remember thinking, when I can just order orange juice at room service. Right. I'm not just talking about in a restaurant, like. Cause they upcharge you for room service. So that would be making it. Wow. And I remember when I did George, and it felt good, and I ordered that orange juice, and I just said, I'm doing that. Yeah. Years later.

[A]

Good for you.

[B]

So that's mine, George. Yours is paying. Paying for a house in cash. Mine is just ordering orange juice.

[A]

That's pretty good.

[B]

But I do felt like thinking, like, oh, my gosh, we. We're doing good.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Where's your own good?

[A]

Well, I do think there's a muscle built there to where, like, the first car that I bought that was not like a beater $6,000 car. It, like, scared me to write that check and to swipe that card.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And now it's. You're used to it, and so it doesn't, like, scare you as much.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Like, you're still like, that's a big number. You still understand that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But there's not that, like, we're doing it.

[B]

Do you still have your quirks of, like, when you get a thing. When you get a situation, you're like, okay, I could. I'll be fine. Like, I'm just thinking I moved my car at lunch. Actually, I left a meeting we were at. I don't even know if you knew

[A]

or I saw you skiing out real quick.

[B]

And I came back because there was an open spot to charge the Tesla.

[A]

I did wonder where you went.

[B]

Charging at work. When I get to charge at work and I'm at, like, 30 and you get to charge all day, I feel like I've won the lottery.

[A]

It's like a weird, frugal.

[B]

I have a weird thing about that. Yes, it gives me energy. I didn't pay for charge.

[A]

Charging.

[B]

Yes, it gives me such energy.

[A]

So the team gave us some categories of common things people spend money on. And we have come up with the I've made it moment within that category of how you know you're at a different level with your finances.

[B]

Okay, so first up is food. What can splurging look like when it comes to the food category of your budgets?

[A]

Okay, let's start with, like, groceries, not eating out. We'll get to eating out. Groceries, I feel like, is when you are not thinking about the price per item that you're Putting in the cart as much.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're getting what you need, maybe even a few other things. And you're no concern in the world.

[B]

Right. Lots of buffer. Yes.

[A]

You're getting like the name brand over the generic brand or the one that's on sale just because you want it.

[B]

Yes. That's fair.

[A]

That's an I've made it moment.

[B]

Yeah. I think going out to eat would be not really looking at prices.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Would you say yes to a degree. I mean, obviously if you're like at a steak.

[A]

Well, you know when you're like, well, the. The chicken is half the price or I just do the chicken even though I want the steak.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It's 25 bucks versus 50 bucks.

[B]

But when you go for the steak, it made it.

[A]

Right. The steak is how you know you've made it.

[B]

Especially if you grew up in the 90s. I swear there were no restaurants in the 90s. Did you feel like this? I talked to some other podcasters about this and yeah, we were like thinking through and I don't know if it's where we lived in Nashville. Wet, but people, you just didn't go out to eat. Like, the Olive Garden was a treat. Oh, yeah, there was an Olive Garden, there was a Shoney's, and of course, like a little bit of fast food, but nothing.

[A]

There was some like chain kind of places.

[B]

Like you drive through Brentwood Franklin right now and I'm like, I mean, restaurant after restaurant after restaurant. And I just don't think it was like that then.

[A]

Yeah, I do think the world changed where people wanted a higher end experience and you had foodies start to come on the scene.

[B]

I guess so. And that they could just make so much money in the food industry and they just started popping up everywhere. But I just don't think that there were. I don't think we eat out like we did in the 90s. I think the 90s was. Or maybe it's just because we were different. We didn't and we didn't go out. I don't know.

[A]

Oh, you know what a good one is for eating out. And I still struggle with this, as, you know, is the appetizers and desserts. That's an I've made it moment. When you start going, let's get some apps. I go, wow, wow, you've made it.

[B]

Look at you go.

[A]

Because if you grew up, like not having much, that was not even a no.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

On the table.

[B]

No. Yeah. You don't do it.

[A]

Like maybe you get an entree, but it's a lower tier for sure. Maybe you're going to split and the

[B]

kids meals free, probably.

[A]

Kids meal. You go on the Tuesdays when the kids meals are free.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So I do think when you get the appetizers, especially multiple.

[B]

Okay. You know, you know what's real bougie?

[A]

What's that?

[B]

You've really made it. When you order a decaf coffee with your dessert.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

And you go to the next course and you're still talking and having a good old time.

[A]

That's next level.

[B]

You know that is, right? A decaf. Can I get a decaf?

[A]

Yeah. I went out for my birthday with two of my guy friends, and he got decaf espresso and we got gelato. We each got our, like, ice cream for dessert, and we poured it over the ice cream to make an affogato.

[B]

What decaf?

[A]

What is that? Affogato is when you have espresso poured over ice cream, and it creates this really delicious. The bitterness and the warmth of the espresso mixed with the cold sweet of the ice cream.

[B]

It's beautiful.

[A]

It's otherworldly.

[B]

It's just wonderful. Yes.

[A]

And so that. That to me is like. That felt luxurious.

[B]

100%.

[A]

The fact that we'd already spent a good bit of money.

[B]

Are we in Italy or.

[A]

Yeah, we got like a couple cocktails, entrees, a bunch of apps. Then we're doing desserts.

[B]

Are so proud of you. Where did you go? Can you name drop the restaurant? Oh, yes, Palado's. Great.

[A]

Yeah. The new one by the Cool Springs Mall.

[B]

We had Mother's Day there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Delicious.

[A]

And you know what? So generous. They covered the whole meal for me, which I was like, guys, no, I cannot.

[B]

Oh, the friends. I think I'm at the restaurant. I was like, give me. Give me the name of the man.

[A]

No, they weren't like fans, like guys at the meals on.

[B]

I thought you meant the restaurant cover.

[A]

No, my two friends, they cover and I.

[B]

That's sweet.

[A]

It was so nice.

[B]

That is very nice. Yeah.

[A]

Outrageous generosity.

[B]

Don't worry. Don't worry.

[A]

You know, that's another how, you know you've made it. You cover the tab for the table.

[B]

For the table. Or you see someone else in the restaurant that you know and you cover the tab. You're like, hey, just. We'll pick up their bill. You know who's good at that? Winston Cruz. He thinks about that all the time.

[A]

Really?

[B]

He picks up the bill? Yes. For people? Yes.

[A]

Has that rubbed off on you to think about others?

[B]

No, but I'm usually the giver. Between us.

[A]

You are. You are.

[B]

I'm more of the one to be like, here, take my money. But like, yeah.

[A]

Which we've learned in a previous episode. Very generous tipper, at one point, tipped like 2000% or whatever. It was a hilarious amount.

[B]

That's right. But a very attractive quality.

[A]

Generosity.

[B]

Yes. Be generous in front of your wife.

[A]

Well, I mean the opposite.

[B]

It's a very attractive quality.

[A]

A stingy man is not generous. Cause you go, wow, my whole life is gonna be extreme cheapskates with this guy.

[B]

Yeah. But when you have someone, they're like, hey, you're gonna live freely.

[A]

I love that. Okay, that's a good one. And where you shop as well, for food. I should mention that.

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

Like, if you're always shopping at the discount groceries.

[B]

I don't know, though. I still love an Aldi.

[A]

Oh, you don't have to get me started.

[B]

Well, that's what I'm saying, though. I think you could have made it.

[A]

When you walk into a Publix or Whole Foods once in a while, you're

[B]

like, oh, sure, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

All right.

[B]

But I'll still. I don't know the grocery level. For me, I have no. I've made it moment feeling there.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The restaurant where you're like, oh, my gosh.

[A]

That's where the real decisions happen.

[B]

Okay, the other one, George. This is like my all my favorite things vacations.

[A]

Okay. What is the I've made it moment

[B]

for me on vacation? I mean, we're talking about food. Food on vacation. I think when you. When you go out to eat on. For meals. Especially if you have a kitchen where you're staying for so long, it was like turkey sandwiches for lunches. You're making, you know, scrambled eggs in the morning. And then maybe some nights you go out, some nights you don't. But when you're like, no, every dinner we're gonna go out. That feels nice. That's a good spot.

[A]

Or a delivery to the beach condo.

[B]

Oh, I don't think I've ever done that.

[A]

Should try it.

[B]

I should go to the beach.

[A]

Yeah. Vacations have such a scale. Cause you can do vacations that are super cheap, not ritzy. And then there's. There's no ceiling for how nice of a vacation you could take. But I do feel like we used to stay at a lot of, like, Best Westerns.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, for sure. Which. No shade on Best Western. It's a quality.

[B]

See, we're a holiday Inn family.

[A]

That's a step above, I feel like.

[B]

Oh, the Best Western.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

All right, all right, I'll take it.

[A]

And so I think staying in those hotels and now when you're at like a Marriott property. Yes. You know, it's. Even a courtyard might do the trick.

[B]

At a Courtyard Marriott where they have the buffet in the morning. Yeah. You pour your own. Pour your own waffles.

[A]

That's a big one.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And even I don't know if we're going to the.

[B]

I'd say the rental chairs at the beach versus bringing your own.

[A]

That's such a perfect.

[B]

That's example. That's a. That's a bougie move because it's, like, convenient.

[A]

It's a lot of money when you think about it. But then also what you're getting for the value to not drag all that stuff out there.

[B]

Yeah. And you got some college kid with a big drill getting your umbrella.

[A]

Yes. Some super tan fit, dude. You're like, hey.

[B]

You're like, thanks, Jason, get my umbrella. Appreciate it.

[A]

And you got like a nice reserved spot. The umbrella's up. You're not having to like finagle your own umbrella on the sand.

[B]

It's nice.

[A]

The wind's taking it away for sure. That's a good one. With vacations.

[B]

Yep. I love that. But when you go on vacations, you know, you're filling out so many forms, right? You're hotels and you're booking flights, you're doing all this and all your personal information's online when that is happening. And so having delete me on your side in 2026 is so crucial.

[A]

It's like a vacation, buddy.

[B]

It is.

[A]

They're coming alongside, cleaning up after you.

[B]

You don't even know.

[A]

It's wonderful. It's like a digital house cleaner. And they will actually keep it clean. So all year long, a real digital privacy expert behind the scenes, making sure your info stays off of those data broker sites to help protect you from spam scam, phishing, and fraud.

[B]

Yes. Because I think that's what's wild when you learn about this world is that some companies will sell your data and then it goes to these data broker sites that end up, again, selling your data to other companies. It's like. And so when they can take the middleman out and say, no, your information is not there, then again, yeah, your information is not going to be all over the Internet to all these other places and you're not getting crazy, you know, emails and texts and all of this. So delete Me is amazing.

[A]

That's a good I've made it moment. Go to joindeleteme.com smart money, and you can get 20% off their annual plans.

[B]

Let's go to cars. George.

[A]

This is a great category.

[B]

Is it? See, I don't feel that as much in my bones. I felt it more on vacations. I don't know, the car thing just doesn't.

[A]

Doesn't do much. I have a Tesla.

[B]

I mean, I have a nice car, so I probably, I mean, like, I don't want to be completely like, oh my gosh, I don't care. And it's a nice car, but like, when I'm in my Honda Odyssey, I'm good too. I mean, genuinely, I'm like, yeah, hey,

[A]

the Odyssey's a sick whip, as the kids say. I think that's a. That's the I've made it vehicle for a family.

[B]

That is true. Okay.

[A]

Every family wants the Honda Odyssey. If they're in the minivan space, you

[B]

know, that's a good one.

[A]

They'll settle for a Pacifica or a

[B]

carnival or a Sienna or a Sienna.

[A]

No shade to the Sienna. They're. They're neck and neck.

[B]

But the Odyssey.

[A]

But I'm a Honda man.

[B]

Okay, that's fair. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But yeah, I don't know. I think, I think, okay, if I'm being honest, I think I judge the most on cars to people. Like, if I'm gonna be in my like evil side of Rachel judgy side, I'm not really judging the vacations as much. Like, I see someone in Italy and I'm like, good for you. Like, that's great. I see someone driving like a brand new Escalade and I automatically think, probably car payment.

[A]

Oh. Whereas vacation, you're not thinking about who pays for it.

[B]

No. Yeah. I think they probably just saved up and paid for. I don't know. It's like a subconscious weird thing to me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So cars is a hard gauge for me with people because I can be not judgy that they're driving it. I don't care. But of how they acquired it, that's important. I'm probably a little bit more judgy on that.

[A]

Well, for the Ramsey principles and what we recommend is buying a used car in cash and not buying a new car until you're a net worth millionaire, where you can stomach that hit on depreciation. And even with used cars, I think being able to pick out a specific make and model is kind of an I've made it moment. In and of itself.

[B]

Now that's a good point.

[A]

Where you can be choosier not go, well, I don't love that color.

[B]

But I'm gonna do it because it works.

[A]

It doesn't have the features I want. And so my last car. So I've had, you know, my old Tesla, which is now getting. It's up for auction pretty soon here.

[B]

Oh, it is. I thought they sold it.

[A]

Well, they're. They're in the making of selling it. But I got a newer Tesla that has the self driving.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That to me was the I've made it moment. That's truly the one thing I think has added the most value to my life.

[B]

Because you. And you wanted it before you had it. You're like, if I can get that.

[A]

And it was the specific make and model and I had to get it shipped from like a dealership in Virginia.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And deal with a shipping company.

[B]

You use the. Yeah.

[A]

The self driving all the time, I would say exclusively. It has like six cameras. And so.

[B]

Yeah, no, it's great.

[A]

I have two eyeballs and I'm a human with a lot of distractions. That car's one job is to watch. And it saved my life multiple times already.

[B]

Because you were like, I didn't see

[A]

a car coming out and it went to a full stop. And I went, what's the deal? Or it pulls me on the side of the road and I'm like, what's going on? Oh, there's an ambulance and cop coming right behind me and it pulls over to make give room.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So there's some pretty cool features.

[B]

Amazing. That's a good one.

[A]

That's a good one. Being able to like just walk into the dealership or just know you're paying cash. You have that kind of buying power is a very much. And I've made it moment because so many people, they can't fathom saving up 10 grand, 20 grand, 30 grand, 40 grand for a car. So that, to me is a great sign that you're doing really well. You have the margin to save up.

[B]

Yes, yes. That's fair.

[A]

And you don't have to worry about, you know, as much maintenance and repairs, hopefully as you get nicer cars that

[B]

you can for sure love it. Flights. When's that? I've.

[A]

I've made it RIP spirit, by the way.

[B]

No, not wild.

[A]

What a wild story.

[B]

I saw videos on Instagram, like during the, like at 8pm they like went to a gate full of people like, well, we shut down just about an hour ago. So we can't fly.

[A]

And you're the funniest thing. They were like, hey, no more flights, no more customer service. And the joke was they had customer service at what point?

[B]

But that's true.

[A]

I think like booking the non budget airline is already like a step where you go, oh wow.

[B]

You know, I felt like I made it when I chose not to connect the nonstop. The nonstop. And usually not always. Sometimes pricier. And so we would always just like, oh, just connect to get the better deal.

[A]

Have a layover. It might take a few more hours.

[B]

Mine's not so much like the time of booking. Like I, I'd still get up early to make a flight.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know what I mean? The, the time doesn't bother me as much, but the connection, that was big.

[A]

That's true. I'm a time guy. Like if I.

[B]

You are. You hate an early flight.

[A]

I hate an early flight, man.

[B]

I love an early flight because I

[A]

reverse engineer and go, okay, the flight's at 5:45. I gotta wake up at 2:30 to get to the airport by 3:45.

[B]

Wait, wait, you get to the airport at 3:45 if your flight's at 5:45?

[A]

No, I'm just saying in general.

[B]

Okay, okay.

[A]

And you got to, especially with like a family that takes even more time and you're, you're just bleary eyed exhausted.

[B]

That's true.

[A]

It can take you out nation tired. I don't sleep well on planes. And so being able to go, you know what? I'm going to get the 11am It's a little more expensive. I'm going to do it. I'm not doing the red eye.

[B]

No, I would do an early over a red eye.

[A]

That's a good one.

[B]

Well, that would not be good.

[A]

But I still think first class is a scam and I will not do that.

[B]

You know, I've started, you know, for a while, George, in our friendship I was a little pro where I was like, if that feels it's fun if you get to do it. And I started backing off that stance. I'm more with you now.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I just think most airlines, it's not enough. International, sure, international is a different story.

[B]

But if I'm flying to Dallas, why pay $700 more? Yeah, that's insane to me. Like that's pretty crazy. So I'm with you. I'm with you. Well, all I know is if I did have to take a red eye, I'd have to be comfortable, which means I'd have to be in all my Cozy Earth athleisure. Because I'd have to snuggle up in that seat, hold myself like the fetal position, and try to go to bed through the night.

[A]

You're hoping the flight's longer. You're so comfy.

[B]

So bad. That's right. That's right.

[A]

Don't bother me.

[B]

No, But Cozy Earth has amazing products. Just the quality of what they have, you guys. The sheets, the bedding, the towels might be my new favorite.

[A]

I've been rocking those.

[B]

They're amazing. I mean, so wonderful.

[A]

When I have to put the DAT towel in the laundry, I'm a little bit depressed, a little sad, until it's clean again.

[B]

Like, I want that clean and back in my drawer.

[A]

Yeah, 100%.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And the sleep sets. My wife loves the sleep sets. I got my own now.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They have a new, like, first layer lounge set. Like shorts and a tee, because I

[B]

sleep hot, especially for the summer. It's fantastic.

[A]

The best. It's got that, like, stretchy, cool feeling material.

[B]

And actually, the shorts are cute.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

For the guys and the girls, They've got the band. It's like the Calvin Klein look.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Very stylish. So go check it all out and get up to 20% off. Go to cozyearth.com smartmoney and use our code smartmoney at checkout. And when you get the post purchase survey, which I know you will, make sure to let them know that Smart Money happy hour sent you.

[B]

Okay, George, let's end on the same inspirational notes the Facebook comments gave us.

[A]

So one of the ultimate I'm not broke anymore milestones we hear is when people have an emergency fund, which is, we say, three to six months of expenses in liquid savings, like in a high yield savings account to cover those unexpected costs.

[B]

Yeah. So we asked our team around the office to share an emergency fund success story, and we Talked about that 15,001 at the beginning of the episode. So again, the amount ranges depending on stage of life, where you are, what you have, all the things.

[A]

Yeah. And the age range here is like 26 to 63. So very different places financially, but they're all working the baby steps, and if they can do it, you can, too.

[B]

Okay. So the question was, what are some emergencies you were able to cover that the past version of yourself would never have been able to afford? We had Lukew say, I had to get four new tires last week. $987. No problem.

[A]

Brilliant. What are you singing there?

[B]

No problem.

[A]

Kenny Chesney.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Feeling a Little cribby shirt, new tires. No problem.

[B]

Did you hear that hummingbird? That's how music.

[A]

That was the best I've heard from you. So stay right in that zone. I think it's a sweet spot for you. It was so good. All right. Andy B. One of my favorite guys. My daughter came home from college with quote nubs for tires. So I used my emergency fund to buy her a new set before she drove back to Knoxville.

[B]

Oh, what a day.

[A]

That's such a sweet dad thing to do.

[B]

We love an American.

[A]

Can't send her back out without new tires.

[B]

Take care of those tires. That.

[A]

Isn't that why daughters come home, for their dads to, like, fix all the things in their life?

[B]

I remember my dad filled up my gas tank one time I was home riding, and we stopped at a. At a gas station, and I remember he was like, I. I'll get it. And I thought, I. You do feel like you won the lottery at that. When you're a teenager, you're like, thank you so much for coming.

[A]

My daughter's like two, but this makes me want to do all these things for her so she knows what a real man is. So that's what's up.

[B]

Abby W. Said, oh, I just got the first little whiff of this sentence. George, this is for you. I love this. My corgi broke her toe, and I was able to cash flow it for $700.

[A]

George, that is a tune up compared to what I had to spend. Sweet Abby. Okay, color me stupid, but I never thought about dogs having, like, toes.

[B]

Broken toes. No.

[A]

Like, I know you have a paw, like a broken paw, but, like, there's separate little bones in each.

[B]

I mean, I think so. So if it's but a human toe.

[A]

You feel nubby to me, though, because

[B]

I have broken a toe on my human foot, and all you do is just tape it together. There's nothing you really do.

[A]

Yeah, it has to heal up on its own.

[B]

Yes. So would the corgi toe be, like, taped?

[A]

Did it have a little cast? Did people. Did other dogs shine?

[B]

That's what I'm saying. There's no cast. They only wrap. They wrap your toes with your other toe.

[A]

Interesting. Maybe ask Abby about that.

[B]

Abby, we got more questions.

[A]

But those corgis, they're built different. They're very. Just low to the ground and awkward. I love it. All right. Samantha E. Said, my third kid. Oh, that was an emergency.

[B]

She's the best.

[A]

Was it a surprise?

[B]

She's the best.

[A]

What makes that an emergency?

[B]

We love her sav. One of our writers we love or our writer. Not one of.

[A]

She is the writer. What we're looking at here, it's all thanks to her.

[B]

All gold for her. I cash flowed a $40,000 home renovation. And the week I moved in, my H Vac went out. Hey, what's $5,000 more when you got it in the emergency funds?

[A]

I love this story because most people think, well, I'll just use the emergency fund for the home renovation because I have the money. And then an emergency happens.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

So it's why we say no, keep it separate. The home renovation, not an emergency Cash flow that save for if the emergency

[B]

comes up during it, you can cash flow.

[A]

And that's where a sinking fund in a budget in your every dollar app really comes in handy. All right. John V. Said one night after dinner, my oven decided to fry itself.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Melted wires and all. We replaced it on a random Tuesday and moved on with our lives. Love that.

[B]

That's a nice. That's a nice one.

[A]

Kind of frightening. Like what was going on behind the scenes?

[B]

What was happening? Who installed that?

[A]

Yeah, I feel like there's a class action lawsuit there waiting to happen.

[B]

Oh my gosh. Wow. Well, there's something else we need to talk about, George. That not really an emergency, but could be seen as an emergency is switching your bank.

[A]

Well, a good place to put your own emergency fund.

[B]

Oh, is in the bank too. That's right. Yes. At a high yield savings account with Fairwinds. So Fairwinds has a smart bundle where you have a no fee checking account. You can have up to 10 high yield savings accounts. So one of those can be your emergency funds.

[A]

One can be the home renovation fund, one can be the car fund. Great way to upgrade your life.

[B]

Yeah, just keep on saving in those high yields accounts. And then you also get the debt as normal. Be weird Ramsey debit card with it. But Fairwinds is amazing. We've switched our banking. And I love using my Fairwinds debit card. It's the best.

[A]

Have you seen the wand thing where people use a wand and put their like credit card in?

[B]

Yes, I have.

[A]

So I want to do that with my Fairwinds debit card.

[B]

Oh, that'd be amazing.

[A]

Video of me using a wand to pay at Starbucks when you used to be the most.

[B]

Because you have your own money. So you don't need to borrow money. You don't need a credit card. You just.

[A]

So that's what I'm going to do with my Ramsey themed Fairwinds card. What are you going to do? Go get one for [e-mail] Ramsey you can get that whole smart bundle with the fee, free checking and high yield savings.

[B]

Okay, here's What's Wild George. 37% of people cannot cover a $400 emergency in cash.

[A]

Woof.

[B]

So if you can, you're probably doing better than you think you are. But again, it's kind of a little bit of that wake up call of things are going to happen in life. And yes, you may. We hope you're on the Ramsey plan to have some stability with your money and actually make it so you can do these fun things we've talked about in the episode. Ordering apps at a restaurant, you know, that's living but for real, starting out wherever you are. So some of you, you are starting out with the emergency fund. So even a starter emergency fund, baby step one is $1,000. For if you have that, you're doing better than almost a fourth. Yeah, a fourth of America, which is wild.

[A]

Well, did you see my post from last night that I'm sure you don't follow me on Instagram too closely.

[B]

I. I do follow you. I don't think I saw it though.

[A]

This is what I posted. Can you read it to the audience?

[B]

Okay. It's all these different cans. You got Spin, Drift, Waterloo, Lacroix, Costco fridge stock is unrivaled. To me, this is living like no one else. Funny.

[A]

This is my most recent I've made it moment is stocking the fridge with like eight different cans all the way back from my Costco run. We'll put it on the screen for the people. I don't mind sharing that with the world.

[B]

Beautiful. Now that makes me feel safe.

[A]

It just makes me think there's such a spectrum of like fun I've made at moments. But really what it is is you have some margin.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You're not worried about something happening in life because you have the right insurance, you have the emergency fund. You've got the margin to invest and build wealth for the future. So I just want to let everyone

[B]

know and it's worth the short time sacrifice, the short term sacrifice to get there. It really is. Absolutely.

[A]

And the goalpost always moves. So if you're waiting for this, like, well, one day I'm going to know I've made it. We kind of joked today with some milestones, but the goalpost is always moving. So enjoy your life, live and give generously. Now there's always going to be a bigger Better thing you could have. And so learning to be content, which Rachel preaches a lot.

[B]

Yeah. Be, present, be. Yeah. Very much worth what you have. I love it.

[A]

Good lessons learned today.

[B]

Well, before we spill the tea on our Guilty as Charged segments, let's give the details and our rating.

[A]

George, this is the Grand Mimosa. It's got orange juice, sparkling wine, and Grand Marnier, which is like a. I don't like it.

[B]

It's pretty sweet. Maybe the orange juice.

[A]

Well, the. The Grand Marnier is a little sweet.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's like an orange liqueur.

[B]

It's a pretty sweeter drink. So I'm gonna go seven out of ten for me just. Cause it's. It feels very sweet. And I like more of a salty.

[A]

Yeah, it reminds me of an Orangina. You ever had one of those? Very classic in a cool glass bottle, but kind of a sparkling orange beverage?

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah. I'll give it a 7 out of 10 as well.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Like, I like a mimosa, but again, it's very sweet.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So I prefer, like, a more Bloody Mary. I know you hate those with a burning passion.

[B]

I do not like grass.

[A]

But if I'm gonna go for, like, a brunchy thing, I'm gonna go more bright. I mean, you like dirty martinis, which are very briny and olive. I figured you'd like very salty.

[B]

I know. And every time I try a Bloody Mary, I wanna like it because I would think I would, but I don't.

[A]

Maybe you hate tomatoes. What do they do to you?

[B]

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of tomatoes.

[A]

Well, hey, it comes out to $3.30 for a glass of this. And if you're a big fan of mimosas, you're love this one. So get the rec. Give it a try this weekend.

[B]

All right, now it's time for Guilty as charged. And this is where we ask each other a guilty as charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right, George, the question is, were you ever guilty of stealing something as a kid?

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Did you ever steal anything other than

[A]

the hearts of many young ladies?

[B]

Okay. Of course.

[A]

Other than that. Yeah. There was a thing that still sticks with me, is like, why did I do that? Like, that was so out of character. It's not who I am. But there was a wallet on the floor of the school in the classroom, and I grabbed it and I was like. I just took a wallet. Like, what am I doing? So I felt so bad that I had to Sneak the wallet back to the persons it was without them knowing that I took it. So I had to be like, oh, man, I think you dropped your wallet.

[B]

How long did you have it in your possession?

[A]

Like, less than the day. Within the school day. I had returned it.

[B]

But you felt so bad.

[A]

I was so overcome with guilt.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That I had to give it back. And I still think about that to this day because I'm like, why did I do that?

[B]

Yes. Yes.

[A]

What was I going to do with the $3 that were in there? You know, like, we're all. We're like, in third grade.

[B]

I'm a middle school kid. Yeah, totally, totally.

[A]

Oh, how about you?

[B]

Yes. I'm not trying to think how old I was. I was maybe, like, sixth grade. And we were in Claire's.

[A]

Oh, classic place for theft.

[B]

No. And there was a keychain. And I'm genuine. You're gonna laugh. I'm genuinely trying to remember if I, like, intentionally took it or accidentally. You know how you're, like, looking at stuff? I just remember walking. I have the memory. Cause I can't. I don't remember my motivation. I really don't. And I don't steal stuff. So I just remember thinking, like, oh, crap, I have this keychain from Claire's and I didn't pay for it. And I did. I went back.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Yes. And I may have even told the manager that, like, I have this and I didn't pay for it kind of thing.

[A]

Were they upset?

[B]

No, they just took it. Because I remember thinking, I'm gonna go to jail. Like, I was so young that you think, like, you're gonna go to jail. The police are gonna come and arrest you.

[A]

Can you imagine? Like, what are you in for? Like, Keith and Claire's. How about you?

[B]

Like, robbing a bank?

[A]

Grand larceny.

[B]

I know, I know. Yeah. That's the closest thing I can remember. I wasn't really much of a.

[A]

What were you doing?

[B]

I lied.

[A]

Oh, okay. Manipulative, pathological lying.

[B]

Exactly. Wore my cup of tea.

[A]

But no theft. Just a theft of trust.

[B]

Oh, you know what else I did? We had a T9 calculator with a case. So you'd slide the case up and I'd put math formulas in the key. So I would just raise up the case behind the calculator. Like, I'm. And I'd get my formula. Terrible, George.

[A]

That's a big one.

[B]

No, I did. Never cheated in college. Cause at ut, they said, like, they would kick you, you would get kicked out of college.

[A]

That was a big enough consequence.

[B]

Yes. I didn't feel that pressure in middle school and high school. Yeah, it's terrible. Wow. I know that. And I didn't feel bad about that one. Claire's keychain. Horrible.

[A]

That one would have stuck with you. Thank you for your honesty.

[B]

Yeah, you're welcome. Yeah. Did you cheat in high school ever?

[A]

No, but I cheated in Awana. Have you heard of Awana? It's like a little Bible school thing. But they made us memorize all the books of the Bible. And I was so stressed out, and I had this little, like, card that had the, you know, the books on it. And so I kept it, like, oh,

[B]

it's like my T9 calculator.

[A]

Yeah. So I had it on the side, and I was kind of, like. Looked like I was thinking. And I was reading off of the card. Cause I was so stressed out that I was gonna, like, fail this test. And looking back, I'm like, why did they make us do, like, what benefit is there?

[B]

I don't know. But I am jealous of this. I am jealous of the people, the kids that went to Christian school. It's like, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians. They can, like, name off the books of the Bible. I get to. Well, Romans, Ephesians, I get to some point, it's over. I don't have to, like, think through it or Old Testament.

[A]

Skip to Revelation.

[B]

You know what else I want to know? Is the presidents in order?

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Some people that can rattle off those songs.

[A]

Yeah, man. I just find that it has no utility in the real world. Unless you're on a trivia night that's themed.

[B]

No, I think it does. Cause someone's like, oh, my gosh. You know, Ulysses S. Grant. So and so. And you could be like, yeah. And the seven presidents Polk before. I don't know. Sound really smart. I think Polk and they were in very different parts of the presidency.

[A]

Polk and Grant.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Did you know this is a fun fact that we talked about in a meeting. Rosa Parks could have watched Shrek 2.

[B]

Yes. Rosa Parks, y'. All. Rosa Parks signed a book that my second grader's teacher has.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yes. And Caroline came home and was, like, flipping out about it. She's like, I literally saw Rosa Parks signature. Yes.

[A]

That's amazing.

[B]

And I think Miss. Yes. Her teacher got it from a friend or whatever the story is. Yes.

[A]

That's something worth knowing.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Forget the presidents.

[B]

Who else? Weird. Leonardo da Vinci.

[A]

What about him?

[B]

How close he was to it. Was that him? Who's the guy?

[A]

Picasso.

[B]

No, it was Picasso.

[A]

I was like da Vinci

[B]

in an earlier episode of Smart Money afterwards.

[A]

I think she was alive when the Hangover movies came out.

[B]

No, Picasso was, like, really not that far away from us, George.

[A]

Wasn't it, like, the 70s or something?

[B]

It was, like, oddly close. Cause I always put Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci in the same art category.

[A]

We should never be invited to a trivia night.

[B]

We would be the one. That would be terrible. Terrible.

[A]

That would be very specific knowledge, like Real Housewives trivia night.

[B]

And my toxic trait would be like, I would be so convincing.

[A]

You're so confident that I know it.

[B]

And then we lose.

[A]

And then she'd be like, no, sorry, that was Picasso, not da Vinci.

[B]

Sorry, guys.

[A]

That's what I. Oh, okay.

[B]

Well, we're both guilty, George. Man, rough childhood.

[A]

We're not good people. But who among us is without sin?

[B]

That's right. That's right. Well, if you have a guilty as charged question for us, make sure to DM us, Rachel Cruz and George Campbell. We get them, we screenshot them, and we send them to Jenna, our producer.

[A]

And they've been really good lately.

[B]

Thank you. Yeah, seriously, y' all have been so be creative.

[A]

If you listen to the show, you'll know which ones we've done, so don't send us any repeats.

[B]

Now, if you enjoyed this episode, you're going to love our episode on reacting to if I can't buy a home, why don't I just be gorgeous? We'll link that one for you and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.