Things That Scream “I’m Pretending to Be Upper Class”

Summary

Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

Episode: Things That Scream “I’m Pretending to Be Upper Class”
Release Date: January 9, 2025
Host/Author: Ramsey Network

---

Introduction to the Episode

In this engaging episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, financial experts Rachel Cruze and George Kamel dive deep into the subtle and not-so-subtle ways individuals attempt to portray an upper-class lifestyle. Through a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, they uncover the financial habits that not only fail to convey true wealth but also hinder genuine financial growth.

---

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Culture of “Trying Too Hard”

Rachel and George kick off the conversation by addressing modern slang and behaviors aimed at flexing one's social standing:

• George: Highlights terms like "try hard," "humble brag," and introduces the Gen Z term "pick me energy" to describe those seeking attention through their actions (00:43).
• Rachel: Agrees, emphasizing how societal shifts make certain flexes less appealing and more of a turnoff (01:18).

2. Common Financial Flexes That Miss the Mark

The duo explores various behaviors individuals adopt in an attempt to appear affluent:

• Name Dropping:

  • George: Expresses disdain for those who mention famous names to elevate their status (03:20).
  • Rachel: Shares a personal anecdote about using her father's name to gain favor (05:08).

• Bragging About Kids:

  • Rachel: Criticizes parents who boast about their children's achievements, viewing it as unnecessary and shallow (07:00).
  • George: Adds humor by stating, "if you're still wet in the bed, you don't get to brag on your kids" (07:40).

• Sunglasses Indoors:

  • George: Finds it unappealing when individuals wear designer sunglasses inside as a status symbol (10:10).
  • Rachel: Agrees, questioning the necessity and authenticity of such displays (08:10).

• Ordering in Another Language to Seem Cultured:

  • Rachel: Recalls a mission trip incident where she attempted to use Hawaiian greetings ineffectively (09:09).
  • George: Shares his preference for authenticity over forced cultural expressions (09:36).

• Flaunting Wealth on Social Media:

  • George: Criticizes excessive displays of luxury on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, labeling them as superficial (16:09).
  • Rachel: Acknowledges her occasional indulgence but distinguishes between capturing moments and intentional flexing (16:22).

• Leasing Luxury Cars:

  • George: Warns against leasing as a costly way to finance vehicles, emphasizing the hidden expenses and long-term financial strain (19:06).
  • Rachel: Confirms leasing as the most expensive car financing method and advises opting for car loans instead (19:11).

• Over-Accessorizing:

  • Rachel: Discusses excessive use of accessories like flashy nails, expensive watches, and strong perfumes as attempts to appear affluent (20:15).
  • George: Points out the importance of genuine motivation behind such purchases rather than seeking validation (21:01).

3. The Influence of Social Circles on Financial Behavior

Rachel and George delve into how one's friends and social environment shape financial priorities:

• Rachel: Illustrates how being around individuals who value extravagant spending leads to similar financial behaviors (24:10).
• George: Emphasizes that surrounding oneself with the right people fosters healthier financial habits and perspectives (24:37).

4. Practical Financial Advice

The hosts offer actionable tips for listeners aiming to build genuine wealth:

• Budgeting Tools:

  • George: Recommends using the EveryDollar app for budgeting, highlighting its effectiveness in managing finances without undue stress (22:55).
  • Rachel: Echoes the sentiment, urging listeners to prioritize budgeting over unnecessary spending (23:20).

• Avoiding Debt-Fueled Status Symbols:

  • George: Advises against living beyond one's means for the sake of appearances, promoting financial freedom over societal approval (26:02).
  • Rachel: Agrees, stressing the importance of prioritizing essential spending and saving for meaningful investments (26:25).

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• George Kamel:

  • "Not caring what other people think is a superpower in today's world." (23:55)
  • "If you have a lease, I guarantee you you have debt payments all around you. It's rarely the only debt you have." (19:52)

• Rachel Cruze:

  • "I'm trying to make caring about your finances fetch." (02:08)
  • "If nobody sees it, do you still want it?" (23:29)
  • "We all have it, right?" (30:58)

---

Conclusions and Takeaways

Rachel and George wrap up the episode by reinforcing the importance of authentic financial behavior over superficial displays of wealth. They emphasize that true wealth is built through mindful spending, budgeting, and surrounding oneself with supportive and financially prudent individuals. By avoiding the traps of social media flaunting, unnecessary luxury leases, and status-driven purchases, listeners can focus on building lasting financial security and living a life they genuinely love.

---

Final Segment: Guilty As Charged

In a candid and humorous closure, Rachel and George share their personal lapses in attempting to "make it" through conspicuous consumption:

• Rachel Cruze: Admits to purchasing designer shoes purely for status, which were seldom worn and served no practical purpose (28:04).
• George Kamel: Reveals his splurge on epoxy garage floors, a luxury addition that didn’t align with his financial goals (29:06).

Both hosts encourage listeners to reflect on their own spending habits and strive for financial authenticity over societal approval.

---

Additional Resources

For those looking to implement the discussed financial strategies, both Rachel and George recommend the EveryDollar budgeting app. Visit everydollar.com/smartmoney to get started on a path toward genuine financial well-being.

---

Stay Connected:
Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok for more insights and updates.

---

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this summary are based on the podcast transcript and do not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a financial professional before making significant financial decisions.

Transcript

[George Camel]

Foreign.

[Rachel Cruz]

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

[George Camel]

Cheers. Wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's a lot of flavor. 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.

[George Camel]

And today's episode is all about things that scream. I'm pretending to be upper class.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. I mean, these days it's cool to care about your money, Right? But sometimes we care about the things that we shouldn't care about, putting the.

[George Camel]

Care in all the wrong places.

[Rachel Cruz]

Done. Done. Done.

[George Camel]

So think about words like try hard. Remember when that was a thing?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Humble brag. Now the new one according to Gen Z is pick me energy. Oh, she has pick me energy.

[Rachel Cruz]

Ooh.

[George Camel]

When you're trying to sort of flex and, you know, get the attention. So we're going to talk about what showing off looks like when it comes to your money. But first, let's show off what we're sipping on. Rachel.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, we are sipping on a Japanese slipper.

[George Camel]

Well, stick around till the end. We're going to give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode.

[Rachel Cruz]

So. Great.

[George Camel]

So like we said, it's. It's cool to care about your finances, and we're trying to make that fetch. But that doesn't mean flaunting name brand stuff just to prove something. In fact, it's become kind of a social turnoff.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. People aren't liking it as much. And I, I appreciate that. It's almost like when people just use big words to feel like, oh, I'm smart, you know, like ibuprofen. Say again? Stop. Are you serious?

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's not the hardest. Yeah, but what's the hard one? Acetaminophen.

[George Camel]

Acetaminophen.

[Rachel Cruz]

Acetaminophen. Supercalifagic halitosis.

[George Camel]

There, she got that one.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know what I always mispronounce? I always say nuclear.

[George Camel]

Oh, you and George Bush. I think still strategically. And nuclear.

[Rachel Cruz]

Nuclear.

[George Camel]

Nuclear.

[Rachel Cruz]

Nuclear.

[George Camel]

Yep.

[Rachel Cruz]

Nuclear.

[George Camel]

That's why we're friends. I love correcting you more than anything. It's the only thing that gives me joy.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, my gosh. But yeah, I like the. I like the Gen Z level, though, of. Listen, we don't have to show off, Right? There's like a downplaying.

[George Camel]

It's cool to not care.

[Rachel Cruz]

In a way, it's cool not to care, but yet people are still caring about the wrong things.

[George Camel]

Let's talk about some of the pick Me moves according to the Internet and see if we agree with them.

[Rachel Cruz]

You ready for this one? Yeah.

[George Camel]

And again, this is in good fun. We've all been guilty of these. We are not above this one. Upping.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, so annoying.

[George Camel]

That's. So someone's sharing a story, and you go, oh, one time. And sometimes it's not malicious, but a lot of times, you know, the person is trying to one up you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay, can I say, I may be guilty of this, but I do. And I hope it's not a one up, But I do love, in conversation to, like, hear something that someone's saying, and I'm like, oh, my gosh. Me.

[George Camel]

You're relating to it.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's a relating thing. I don't think it's a one. I mean, it's not like, oh, we went to the store, and I was like, I went to Fiji. Like, it's not. It's not like, that level.

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

But like, I'm trying to think. Like, if you're like, yeah, I'm drinking a green drink, I'd be like, my gosh, I love green. I love wicked. Like, I don't know. I don't know. But you just try to, like, weave conversation in and relate to the person. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I think a general curiosity is the best move you can do in conversation versus, ooh, what's something I can do to steer away the conversation back to me? That's, I think, a good sort of rule of thumb.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, that's good.

[George Camel]

Another one.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Name dropping.

[Rachel Cruz]

Hate it.

[George Camel]

That one. This one personally bothers me.

[Rachel Cruz]

This one grinds my beans.

[George Camel]

Maybe because I don't know anyone. I don't know anyone, like, famous enough to name drop other than you. No offense. Sorry.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I. And you know who does? You know, the most annoying ones. Are you ready? Well, enneagram talk.

[George Camel]

Okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

Enneagram. Three males that are unhealthy. This is what they do, and it drives, so.

[George Camel]

And if you wanted to explain her of an enneagram3 male. They want to win, and they want to look good doing it. They want you to know that they're.

[Rachel Cruz]

Important, and so they will let you know all the names, all the people. It is just. And I think, have you ever been.

[George Camel]

Guilty of this that you remember? You're like, I mentioned this name, and it felt it came across this way.

[Rachel Cruz]

I hold on to my. I hold on to the name so tightly in my life that I will not.

[George Camel]

Wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

I don't. I don't like it. I don't like it.

[George Camel]

I don't like People that like, don't know anyone famous.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's just like, I don't like it.

[George Camel]

Yeah. Do you ever name drop Dave?

[Rachel Cruz]

I did twice in my life.

[George Camel]

Did it work? Did it get you what you wanted?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes, it did.

[George Camel]

That's not helping anybody.

[Rachel Cruz]

One of them was my econ class, my Econ 101 with Ken Baker at UT.

[George Camel]

I was failing and you were like my dad, because I didn't go to.

[Rachel Cruz]

Class and I had a D. And it was one of those classes at ut. It was a massive lecture hall. Massive. So, like, if you never. They don't take role. I mean, it's one of those, like, just. You're an adult and it. Your grade was literally the midterm and the final. Like, it was one of those like. And. But then all of his exams, old exams, were at the sorority dorm. So these file cabinets that you could study the old exams and be fine. Not true. The midterm, I failed. I think I got like a 60 something. And I was like, oh, no. Oh, no. And so then he had office hours you could go to. And I was like, I have to find a way in to Ken Baker's heart. I'll never forget him. Ken Baker? Professor Ken Baker.

[George Camel]

Is he still out there?

[Rachel Cruz]

I don't know. I don't know. That was. That was 20 years ago. And. Yeah. And I totally. In the. Yep. In the session with like, other students, I figured out a way to drop Dave's name and he was like, wait, what? And I was like, wait, what? Oh, yeah, I know. It was terrible, y'all.

[George Camel]

And then your grades suddenly went up.

[Rachel Cruz]

No, I gotta be. I took a final, so I did better on my final. But also then apparently the study sessions, he like, gave people extra credit, so I don't know if it was cause of days, but I. I don't know. I don't know if the University of Tennessee would appreciate me telling that story.

[George Camel]

That's fine.

[Rachel Cruz]

But it was true.

[George Camel]

Statute of limitations, I think is.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, it was true. So, yeah, I did. I dropped the his name then. And then there was one other time and I can't remember.

[George Camel]

Wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

But I've never done it for like a police officer or anything like that. Not that I've had many encounters with.

[George Camel]

Police officer that felt way too specific to just be an exist.

[Rachel Cruz]

I was thinking like a speeding ticket or something.

[George Camel]

I've never done it while getting pulled over on i65.

[Rachel Cruz]

I did do it one other time, so I've done it twice in my life. Yeah, okay. Yeah, it worked.

[George Camel]

Out.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'll be honest. How about you?

[George Camel]

Again, if you looked at my phone Rolodex, you'd be very unimpressed. You'd be like, I don't know any of these people. You should know cooler people. The coolest people I know are in this room. Mostly Kelly, our producer. But, no, I've never. I try to avoid name dropping at all costs.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Boo.

[George Camel]

What's next?

[Rachel Cruz]

What's another bragging about kids? So, respectfully, no one cares that John Williams Fitzpatrick V is crawling at four months.

[George Camel]

We're experiencing this now because our daughter Mia is not walking yet, and she's about 15 months.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep.

[George Camel]

So there's a lot of. Even for my own family, accidentally, they'll just be like, well, you know, Jimmy was walking when he was only nine months.

[Rachel Cruz]

The comparison.

[George Camel]

It's like, what are we doing here?

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, yeah, 100%.

[George Camel]

She'll be walking the rest of her life. She'll be fine.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Oh, she'll be good. The funniest, though, is parents. That, and I probably have done. I mean, I feel like every parent's probably guilty at some level of this. So I'm sorry to anyone that may have heard that, but you do talk to parents. And when their kid is so specialized or so smart that they can't be in that sports league or that school anymore because they're just so, so smart.

[George Camel]

They're too advanced.

[Rachel Cruz]

They're so advanced that, like, we just can't. And you're like, they're five. Like, I don't know how. Like, you. Like, really. So that's the stage of life we're in now when they're in high school and they're legitimately, like, who knows what gets. Like, there's legitimate ages of, like. No, that is, like, legitimate.

[George Camel]

My rule is, if you're still wet in the bed, you don't get to brag on your kids.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

You're not there yet.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I know. I know. So it's.

[George Camel]

Amelia had a piano recital, and you were bragging about her.

[Rachel Cruz]

She did great. Yeah, but I was not like, no.

[George Camel]

Truthfully, I was very inquisitive. She just was like, how did she do?

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, she just did a little recital. Nothing, like, out of the ordinary, but I was proud of her.

[George Camel]

But she is a prodigy.

[Rachel Cruz]

But. But if I was like, y'all should listen to this.

[George Camel]

She's a young Mozart.

[Rachel Cruz]

It is literally the best. That, like, it's just. It's unbelievable. No, another one. You're doing great.

[George Camel]

This one, personally bothers me. I don't know if it's Southern guys do this, but sunglasses inside.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh. And it's always like, what's the sunglasses that have the O on them?

[George Camel]

Oakley.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, it's always like, an Oakley guy.

[George Camel]

Yeah. That describes.

[Rachel Cruz]

And you're like, you don't need a. Or the big ones that the baseball players wear now.

[George Camel]

I haven't seen those.

[Rachel Cruz]

Have you seen those? Yeah.

[George Camel]

I don't know enough baseball players.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And you're just like, you don't need to wear sunglasses.

[George Camel]

I can see Winston Cruz accidentally keeping his sunglasses on. He wears them. Is he wear them on his head, or is he, like, a croaky guy?

[Rachel Cruz]

He's a croaky guy. Still a Knoxville.

[George Camel]

When I showed up to.

[Rachel Cruz]

You can take the man out of Knoxville. You can't take the Knoxville out of the man.

[George Camel]

I moved south from Boston, I was like, what are these?

[Rachel Cruz]

A very, very, very, very, very. It's like a wire almost.

[George Camel]

Yeah. And Winston does make it look cool, I'll give him that.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Yeah.

[George Camel]

Here's another one. Ordering in another language to sound cultured. You know, you went on that one little trip in college, and now you feel like you need to really exert the quesadilla.

[Rachel Cruz]

Can I tell you a short story? We were in Peru when we were like, gosh, when was that? That would have been, like, in high school, like, on a mission trip. And mom said aloha to one of the children.

[George Camel]

Oh, wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

True story.

[George Camel]

Was it, like, in a Southern accent?

[Rachel Cruz]

Probably. Yeah.

[George Camel]

That makes it even better.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Or. But if you're at a Mexican restaurant and you're like, hola, Como estas? Mi a llama Rachel. No queso, por favor. You know, and you're just like, you don't.

[George Camel]

Yeah, I try not to offend. I just. I point and I say, this one. And they go, okay, cool.

[Rachel Cruz]

This one.

[George Camel]

I don't want to mess it up.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, it's true. That's true. It is fun to go to restaurants, though. And you're like, I don't know how to pronounce this. I don't know what this is. Will you and the general, like, genuinely curious. And if you have a great server and they're like, love the food, and you can, like, sit there and have a big conversation and learn about it. Love. It just happened to us recently. I loved it.

[George Camel]

All right, what's next?

[Rachel Cruz]

Giving expert advice when you're not qualified.

[George Camel]

Oh, a lot of armchair experts out there. They listen to one podcast about the microbiome, and now all of a Sudden, they are expert nutritionists.

[Rachel Cruz]

They know everything.

[George Camel]

I think opinion people have gotten more staunch about their takes on things.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes.

[George Camel]

Because of their media sources. Whatever they listen to or read, it's now, like, they kind of jump on the trend.

[Rachel Cruz]

For sure.

[George Camel]

They're very like, well, if you don't do it this way, you're so wrong.

[Rachel Cruz]

You're so wrong. Yes, I agree. I agree with that.

[George Camel]

This is another one. Waiters trying too hard to be your friend. I like a waiter who plays it cool, who's funny, uninterested in me, and wants to just do the job. I don't need the whole, like, hey, like, they get down on the table. You know, when they kneel down on the table, I'm like, oh, Brad, we're. We're not that.

[Rachel Cruz]

We got. We got them proud.

[George Camel]

Or they slip into the booth with you. You ever had one of those?

[Rachel Cruz]

No.

[George Camel]

They slide onto the bench and they ride on the table like they're just hanging out with us. Like, no. What are we doing today? What are we thinking?

[Rachel Cruz]

What are we thinking?

[George Camel]

I don't like that energy.

[Rachel Cruz]

That is so funny. Captains of the four way, stop.

[George Camel]

Oh.

[Rachel Cruz]

What happens here when someone gets there first, but they gesture that you go first?

[George Camel]

Oh, wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, That's a funny one.

[George Camel]

I guess I've done that, but mostly out of, like, I don't know who got there first. So I give benefit of the doubt that they were there first.

[Rachel Cruz]

A distracted driver.

[George Camel]

To me, it's not worth the road rage for me to assume that I was there first to go.

[Rachel Cruz]

Sure, sure.

[George Camel]

So sometimes I'll do that.

[Rachel Cruz]

And then lastly, stuck in the glory days.

[George Camel]

Oh, these people bother me.

[Rachel Cruz]

Do you hear it a lot? Do you hear this a lot? I don't hear it as much anymore of, like, people.

[George Camel]

Well, like, back in college, like, yeah, I almost went pro, but, you know, I got an injury and I was like, did you, though.

[Rachel Cruz]

Did you.

[George Camel]

Did you almost go pro? But no, honestly, I don't think I had glory days, so that helps. Like, I don't. I can't be stuck in my glory days. That never happened.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right.

[George Camel]

You know, I will do that with skateboarding because I'm very proud of my skateboard heritage, and I was decently good at a very specific skill set in skateboarding. So sometimes I'll be like, hey, do you want to see my skate video? I did this. You know what you saw?

[Rachel Cruz]

You saw a skate video?

[George Camel]

I ran into a. A kid skateboarding the other day. I ran into this kid skateboarding and he landed this trick, Rachel, it was incredible. It was four stairs. And he did something called a hard flip. And it was first try. He landed it so smoothly. And I had to go up to him and I went, hey, man, like I just saw you from over there. That was incredible. And I saw he was filming on his phone. I said, do you mind if I watch that with you? So we watched the footage and I said, I used to skate. And I. So then I pulled up my phone and I pulled up. We watched my entire skate park, four and a half minutes. I made this, this teenager watch 15 year old George watch me. And halfway through I went, I shouldn't have done this. What am I doing? So I'm so guilty of this. Okay, let's focus on money now. Let's talk about the financial habits that are trying to be upper class but are actually a waste of money. More often than not, I'm going, you could build so much more wealth if you just stopped caring what other people think.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Because there's a lot of these.

[George Camel]

All right, here's the financial habits that people use to try to look upper class.

[Rachel Cruz]

First up, we got flashy designer logos.

[George Camel]

So big logos plastered on there. Trying to say, look at me, look at the brands I wear.

[Rachel Cruz]

Look at this. Where in fact, some of the nicer brands are like, you know, very understated, if you will, but it's like a really nice bag. Right? So like a Celine bag. There's not Celine everywhere on the bag.

[George Camel]

I'm learning it is.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Very chic, Very nice.

[George Camel]

Very demure.

[Rachel Cruz]

Very demure, yeah.

[George Camel]

So that's the key when you meet real wealthy people who aren't trying to flex. You wouldn't know the brands they wear.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right. Yes. But they're very nice if you know, very nice. Like a real cashmere, cashmere sweater. But I don't have like labels all over it, you know?

[George Camel]

Yeah. We've talked about this idea of stealth wealth, quiet luxury where it's not as flashy.

[Rachel Cruz]

And I think what's hard too is, you know, in today's world with money, right, like you look at big wealth purchases of like a house, for instance. But if you can't afford a $50,000 down payment, but you can afford, you know, or buy a $2,000 bag, there's kind of that like quick hit of like feeling luxurious without like looking actual.

[George Camel]

Real net worth priorities are out of whack.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes, so true. So true.

[George Camel]

Next up, ordering expensive wine when everyone knows you have a beer budget. You ever Heard the old champagne taste on a beer budget.

[Rachel Cruz]

I have.

[George Camel]

That's a great one.

[Rachel Cruz]

I have. Yeah, that's a. That's a great one.

[George Camel]

We prefer affordable cocktails.

[Rachel Cruz]

For sure.

[George Camel]

This is why, I mean, you know, we were out to dinner this past weekend, and you're paying 20 bucks for cocktails these days. And I go, take me back to Smart Money Happy Hour.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Where the cocktails are 1 77. It's like the 1950s over here.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just such a. Such a bougie, bougie, stealth wealth way to live.

[George Camel]

Absolutely.

[Rachel Cruz]

Smart Money Happy Hour life. Okay, next is talking about money too much.

[George Camel]

Ooh.

[Rachel Cruz]

This is real. There's just some people and they. And again, it's. I don't know what it is, but we just did not grow up talking about dollar amounts with people. Maybe, like, the idea of, like, as a family. Like, we talk about, you know, budgeting or, like, concepts. The people that, like, ask very point blank how much something costs in your life. You're, like, strange, but it's not weird to them sometimes. Maybe it is weird, but then to some people, it's just like, oh, yeah, doing this. Oh, yeah, how much paid for that? And they're just wheeling and dealing, but I just. I get like deer in the headlights. I'm like, you can't ask that.

[George Camel]

I don't know. It makes me feel.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Well, it's funny because we talk about money for a living, and outside of work, we never bring up money in conversation.

[Rachel Cruz]

Right.

[George Camel]

You know, maybe with our close friends, if they bring it up first, I'll be as open as I, you know, as I can. But other than that, it's a weird thing to constantly talk about. And this is why the Crypto bros are exhausting. They have bitcoin in their, like, Twitter bio. You're not. Okay. If you do, I want you to know that if Rachel had mutual fund in her Instagram bio, it'd be like, rachel, contact a therapist.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just simmer down, Simmer down.

[George Camel]

It's just odd.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I agree. I agree. Next, one of our favorite topics, flaunting wealth on social media. You got that, like, you know, nice dinner out and you're posting the meal. I may have done that recently, actually.

[George Camel]

Well, you had a great trip to New York recently that I was impressed by. Little jealous I do love, but I didn't think, wow, Rachel's trying to. Can't hide money.

[Rachel Cruz]

Can't hide money.

[George Camel]

You just wanted to capture a moment.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I was just capturing the weekend.

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

I didn't read into It.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. Okay. Well, thank you. I just saw.

[George Camel]

Now, Winston, on the other hand, always trying to flex on social media, and I'm sick of it. It's always in the background going, tell.

[Rachel Cruz]

Him to send me.

[George Camel]

Put the camera on me. Yeah, yeah. Giant. Like, if you got a vacation, people flex with that. Cars.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

If you take a pic in front of a private jet, I already don't like you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay.

[George Camel]

Like, there's no way we're ever going to be friends.

[Rachel Cruz]

I think that's the worst. That's.

[George Camel]

Or worse. You're on the private jet and you rented it by the hour to get a social media pic. You need.

[Rachel Cruz]

I heard that's a thing you need. Better do.

[George Camel]

Yes. They'll like, make videos.

[Rachel Cruz]

Crazy.

[George Camel]

To make it look like, you know, they're really successful so that people buy their course or whatever.

[Rachel Cruz]

Totally.

[George Camel]

It's gross.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay. Do you think you could have, you know, let's just say Sally and Sarah on Instagram.

[George Camel]

Okay.

[Rachel Cruz]

They both take the same vacation, but depending on how they post, what they post about. Can you feel a difference with people's spirits via, like, a situation?

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

Do you know what I mean?

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Is it bad? I don't want to be judgy, but there are people that. I'm like, oh, my God. They're just trying. Like, it's real hard. The pose, the. I mean, the whole thing. It's just a whole thing.

[George Camel]

I like the. If you're posting the, like, funny moments behind the scenes, the drama, then I know you're a real one.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes.

[George Camel]

But if you're only posting, like, beautiful, manicured highlights.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes, I know.

[George Camel]

It's kind of just gross.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I agree. And then on the other end, as a cons, as a consumer of social media, there are a few people that I follow that I genuinely like, stalk when they're on a trip. Because they post and I'm like, oh, I want to see, like, if they go to Disney or something. I'm like, I, like, I intentionally go to their stories because I want to watch their vacation.

[George Camel]

Wow.

[Rachel Cruz]

What does that say about me?

[George Camel]

It sounds like you. You're the problem, not them. They're living their life.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And I'm not mad at them, though. Like, they're like, it's not like a. Oh, they're annoying. It's actually, I'm, like, weirdly interested.

[George Camel]

That's fine. I think you have a.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know what I mean?

[George Camel]

A dark curiosity. That's human.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know. And some of them are nice.

[George Camel]

Just don't let it consume you.

[Rachel Cruz]

Thank you, George.

[George Camel]

I'm here for you.

[Rachel Cruz]

What a great friend.

[George Camel]

Next one. Leasing luxury cars. This is a big one. It's another status symbol. And I feel bad for those that lease. Like I truly. It's not like a judgment thing. I feel bad for how much money they have wasted while thinking they're winning. Because you're prepaying all of the depreciation for that car. The dealership is winning. It's why they push leases so hard. Especially in the bros out there who have to have the nicest. And they go, rachel, I'm saving money because I don't pay the insurance. They cover all the maintenance and I get to have this really nice car for a low payment. And I'm like, bro, they really hosed you. Yeah, that salesman did a great job.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. Leasing is the most expensive way to finance a vehicle. You would be better as the consumer to go get a car loan.

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

I mean if you're sink. But that's it.

[George Camel]

The car products out there, leases are the worst.

[Rachel Cruz]

You know what I heard? This isn't fact checked, but I heard Dallas, Texas is the number one city of leased cars.

[George Camel]

I believe that. Think about who's in Dallas. I mean all the like bros. Crypto bros who are like driving fast, taking chances.

[Rachel Cruz]

Southern bougie city. I don't know. But isn't that interesting? Yeah.

[George Camel]

I don't know why.

[Rachel Cruz]

And I. And do you think majority of lease cars are luxury? More on the higher end?

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Because they can quote, afford the payment while they have this great income. And they usually are people who are doing fairly well for themselves. They could be doing a lot better because they're drowning in payments. Usually.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

If you've got a lease, I guarantee you you have debt payments all around you. It's rarely the only debt you have.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's right. That's right. Totally, totally.

[George Camel]

So don't do it. Just save up, pay cash. I know it's painful. Go for the used luxury car if you really want that luxury car. And until you're a millionaire, do not buy new. It's too much of your world wrapped up in that thing going down in value.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes, 100% agree. 100% agree.

[George Camel]

You got one more for us?

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay, last is like the over accessorizing flashy nails, expensive watches, loud makeup, strong perfume extensions. Like you get the whole spray tan. I mean it is the whole oh, kitten caboodle. I don't know. What do you think?

[George Camel]

I think this is a pot calling the kettle black situation.

[Rachel Cruz]

I might have nails and I might have an.

[George Camel]

How many of those are you guilty of?

[Rachel Cruz]

I have a watch from Amazon.

[George Camel]

Okay. That's fair.

[Rachel Cruz]

My nails are real. I don't have tips on them.

[George Camel]

Okay, I didn't know what you meant by that.

[Rachel Cruz]

Those are my real nails.

[George Camel]

Okay. Versus, like, a stick on nail situation or tips. I don't know what this is. Why are we doing this to ourselves?

[Rachel Cruz]

None of these are bad. Though I would say having a good.

[George Camel]

Perfume over, accessorizing, it's not bad. And if you're chewing it to try to be flashy, this is it.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's all about the motivation.

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's the heart behind all of this.

[George Camel]

Although strong perfume I don't think is ever like, a great thing. If it's like, whoa, I can smell.

[Rachel Cruz]

Her from a mile away, you know, Winston Cruz. Winston Cruz loves smells. Like, he loves candles, he loves incense. He loves perfumes, colognes. Like, it's like his thing. It's funny. He always has.

[George Camel]

Can you tell us what cologne he's like his.

[Rachel Cruz]

Go to some new one. A new one when we were on our trip, and I can't remember what it is. Wow. But he wanted, like, a nice cologne. But. And it's not a cologne. It's a perfume.

[George Camel]

Oh. De parfum.

[Rachel Cruz]

Parfum. Parfum.

[George Camel]

Parfum.

[Rachel Cruz]

Parfum. Parfum. That's it.

[George Camel]

That's it.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's it. That's it. But he said, you should never be announced. You should always be discovered.

[George Camel]

Oh, that's right. You want to discover the smell.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. It's like, huh, I smell. That's. I need to discover what that is. Versus, like, wow, Hollister, like, we got you.

[George Camel]

Those were the days.

[Rachel Cruz]

We got you.

[George Camel]

Yeah. I walked into Hollister just to get refreshed and go, hey, they'll deodorize me just if I walk in, get a little buzz. Yeah. It's good, though. Yeah. I will say this. This one's for the ladies. A lot of overdone makeup out there where I'm like, I don't even know what your real face looks like, homegirl. Yeah, like, we need to tone.

[Rachel Cruz]

It would be interesting. Again, no judgment. I just. I don't want to be judging. I don't want to be judgy. But there are people that you're like, okay, if you took out all your. If I saw your real hair, your real face, no spray tan, real complexion. Like, let's, like, strip it all away. How do you feel? Right? And if you can feel comfortable in your skin.

[George Camel]

Yes.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's great. Like, I'm like, you know what I mean? I don't know. That's what I want for women.

[George Camel]

That's what Rachel wants for women.

[Rachel Cruz]

And then if you're like, yeah, I want longer hair this season, I'm gonna get. That's great. Again, none of these things are in of themselves wrong. But it's portraying yourself as maybe trying.

[George Camel]

To look just like yourself first, and then let's build from there.

[Rachel Cruz]

That's a great.

[George Camel]

Be a healthy person, the right motives, and then add on and do it with cash. And if you want to know the right way to do this, it's with a budget. And that's how you know you're not living beyond your means. You're not doing it for the flex. You save up, pay cash for things that are reasonable. And I use EveryDollar to do that. Rachel uses EveryDollar as well. And it's a free app. You can go download in the App Store or go to everydollar.com smartmoney and. And get started today. And that will give you the confidence.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah. And one of my, I think a great filter. I always say it, but it's so true. If nobody sees it, do you still want it? Ooh. Do you know what I mean?

[George Camel]

Have you ever said no to something? Because, like, you've asked yourself that and you went, I guess I wasn't.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah, sure. Well, mine's. Mine over the years has gotten less actually about people as you go. Like, that was a strong, like, late 20s Rachel. Yeah. Yeah. Now it's more like it just is exciting and feels good. And I'm like, yeah, I don't. I can. You know, I probably don't need that dopamine hit, like, I'll just move on.

[George Camel]

Just move on.

[Rachel Cruz]

Just move on.

[George Camel]

So here's my. My final takeaway.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay.

[George Camel]

Not caring what other people think is a superpower in today's world.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes.

[George Camel]

The people who are going to build wealth, be their healthiest selves, accomplish what they want to accomplish. They don't care about other people's opinions, and therefore, they don't need to strive for that with their purchases.

[Rachel Cruz]

Cause you end up spending so much money living that life.

[George Camel]

It's exhausting.

[Rachel Cruz]

So much money to keep up.

[George Camel]

You gotta wake up and go, this is so exhausting to keep up this facade.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. I mean, I think it would be hard. It would be very hard. And I think it is too. Let me say this. There's another little thing. It's who you're around to your friends and Your people. That shapes so much of your life and the way you view things and the expectation and I mean all of it.

[George Camel]

Seriously, you're like a chameleon. You sort of become those people you hang around.

[Rachel Cruz]

Very much so and start to value what they value. I mean like, yeah, I mean it's.

[George Camel]

And so if they're toxic in vain, you will become toxic in vain.

[Rachel Cruz]

I know.

[George Camel]

It's like a survival thing as humans. We do.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. I was, we were at a change your friend group. We were at a store with some friends on this last trip we were on and the guy asked one of the salespeople just out of fun, like what's the most expensive like purchase someone's made? Like what's the thing that like someone like walked out and you were like dang. And the guy said, I think it was like $129,000 bag. It was six figure bag. And they bought it. It was like a seasonal whatever, leather, whatever. I don't even know. I don't even know. And afterwards I was like, oh my gosh, number one, you have to have God awful amounts of money just to like spend on that.

[George Camel]

Was that a flip? Do they even ask the price with those? I don't know.

[Rachel Cruz]

And then number two made me think like in order for you to like genuinely want that bag, you, number one, have to know what that bag even is. And I'm sure that level of.

[George Camel]

I personally didn't know that hundred thousand dollar bags existed.

[Rachel Cruz]

Apparently you know, but, but apparently you. They will, they know some level of it, which means the people around them or the information they get, you know what, what the conversations are probably around that level of living. Does that make sense?

[George Camel]

Yeah.

[Rachel Cruz]

So then naturally you. It's gonna shape the way you think about life and all of it.

[George Camel]

So that's a good, that's a good word. I hope my wife never finds out. That $100,000 bag.

[Rachel Cruz]

Is that not, is that not crazy though? I mean, crazy crazy. But all that to say have good people in your life and they can have extensions, like that's fine. But just know that like, yeah, the people you're around and what they value over time will start to shape your worldview and what you value.

[George Camel]

Yes. And if you are going into debt for any purchase.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes. Please don't get it out of there.

[George Camel]

Like don't live beyond your means. Don't use it as a flex and then make payments on it. That's a really sad way to live your life when you could be free and making your own Decisions, owning your own life. And, you know, follow the baby steps, get out of debt, get an emergency fund, be investing for the future, and then budget for the things that you want because you want them and for no other reason.

[Rachel Cruz]

Absolutely. Amen. Hallelujah.

[George Camel]

We did it.

[Rachel Cruz]

So before we spill the tea on our guilty as charged part of the episode, give us the details on the drink. The Japanese slipper.

[George Camel]

Yeah. Let's reveal our ratings as well. So this was the Japanese slipper. I'm going to give this. I'm going to give it a 10 out of 10.

[Rachel Cruz]

Wow, George, that's.

[George Camel]

I like sour candy, and it tastes just like sour green candy. It's the only way I know how to explain it.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, I may go 9 out of 10.

[George Camel]

And it looks nuclear. This is a very nuclear green color, which is really fun.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yes.

[George Camel]

Here's what's in it, in case you're curious. Cost breakdown is $1.82 per glass, so very affordable.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

It's got midori, which explains the green color. Yeah, it's kind of a sour liqueur, lemon juice and triple sec. So it's just a very sour with a little bit sweet.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's really good. Yeah.

[George Camel]

I like it citrusy. Delicious. The recipe's in the show notes if you want to give it a try this weekend.

[Rachel Cruz]

All right, now it's time for Guilty As Charged. And this is where our producer, Kelly, gives us a new Guilty as charged question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. Kelly.

[George Camel]

All right. Have you ever made a purchase that made you feel like you had made it? Ooh, yes. Can you tell us what it is.

[Rachel Cruz]

Or no, I'll take my sip first. Yeah, I bought a pair of shoes.

[George Camel]

A pair of shoes after.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep. Gosh. This was probably seven, eight years ago that were designer, because I'd never owned a pair of designer shoes. And I was like, I'm gonna buy a pair of red bottoms. Because, like, why not, right? And, yeah, saved up bottom. And I've worn them, like, four times.

[George Camel]

Why is that? Are they too fancy? Are they uncomfortable? Are they all of the above.

[Rachel Cruz]

Not comfortable?

[George Camel]

I'd be afraid to, like, destroy, like, a fraction of using them. It's kind of like really fancy sneakers.

[Rachel Cruz]

But see, these are what. This is the thing. This was my ill motivation. This was, again, early 20s Rachel or late 20s Rachel. It's a. They're a very obvious, like, shoe. Like, people.

[George Camel]

Like, people go, oh, that's the shoe.

[Rachel Cruz]

Terrible. And I also had extensions once.

[George Camel]

Oh, no. This is confessional. I'M guessing they weren't great.

[Rachel Cruz]

What's it called when you're like, oh no. And then you spill the tea about yourself, but you're like masking it for other people.

[George Camel]

Mine are lame because they're not to impress anyone, only to impress my. Because here's my thing. The thing that makes me think I made it is what I see like wealthy people have in their house or whatever. And I go, if I have that, I will now consider myself wealthy. So here's what it was. Two sets of sheets, we moved into our new house. Two sets of sheets is number one 64 pack of Crayola with the sharpener built in. That's another Then third was this as a kid. This is now. And as a kid.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay.

[George Camel]

Epoxy garage floors.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh yes, we got that done.

[George Camel]

We moved into the new house. I was like, this is my splurge. I'm gonna get a epoxy garage floors. And I was like, this is the 1%.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah.

[George Camel]

Most people's garage floors just concrete oil stains. Not me.

[Rachel Cruz]

Not George.

[George Camel]

I've got little bespeckled, beautiful floors.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's great that I, you know, Swiffer.

[George Camel]

Wet jet to keep clean. No, I don't know how else to do it.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's good though.

[George Camel]

But it's great. Every time I walk in my garage, I'm like, I might work out in here one day. It's that nice. The workout bench is there. It has been sitting idle. It's ready for you.

[Rachel Cruz]

For you. There you go. The throne away, calling your name.

[George Camel]

So that's the thing. I thought when we got that done, I was like, you made it. Yeah. Cuz it's. It's a luxury purchase. It's something nobody needs.

[Rachel Cruz]

It's. Yeah.

[George Camel]

Not a necessity generally, just aesthetic. Well, I will say we. Whitney's car was just draining oil out, just dripping oil. And it was so easy to clean.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh, that's good.

[George Camel]

Versus a normal garage floor. It would have just stained forever for sure.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yeah, yeah.

[George Camel]

One point for me.

[Rachel Cruz]

I'll come wear my shoes on the garage floor and we can just feel like we've made it.

[George Camel]

I have not posted a pic in my garage. I don't think anyone cares.

[Rachel Cruz]

But I did not post a pic in my shoes.

[George Camel]

I think now it's time we should both be vulnerable. Post pics.

[Rachel Cruz]

Oh man. So good. So good. Well, both guilty. It happens.

[George Camel]

You are too. America.

[Rachel Cruz]

We all have it, right?

[George Camel]

You know what? Let us know in the comments on this guilty as charge. What your thing is when you bought something. You thought I've made it.

[Rachel Cruz]

You thought I made it.

[George Camel]

I'm curious to know.

[Rachel Cruz]

I I've really arrived.

[George Camel]

And stay connected. Do you know we're on Tik Tok now. We have a Smart Money happy hour Tik Tok account.

[Rachel Cruz]

Okay?

[George Camel]

So if you're on there, the proud, the few, go check it out. Go hit the follow button on Tik Tok.

[Rachel Cruz]

I had two young girls at the airport in the security line say, oh my gosh, we follow you on TikTok. And I thought, wow, never heard that yet. And there they were.

[George Camel]

So that's how you know you've made it, Rachel.

[Rachel Cruz]

Maybe so. Maybe so.

[George Camel]

Well, hey, if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. And for more consumerism traps to avoid, be sure to check out our episode on ridiculous things people spend money on. That's up next.

[Rachel Cruz]

Yep. And make sure to subscribe, you guys. Cause we launch a new episode every Thursday. So we'll see you then on Smart Money Happy Hour.

[George Camel]

What's up guys? George Camel here. I know there's lots of influencers on social media telling you which cryptocurrency to invest in for your star sign or which tech startup is definitely maybe going to be the next Microsoft. But seriously, investing can feel confusing and stressful and it doesn't have to be that way. That's why I'm pumped to be hosting Investing Essentials with the man himself, Dave Ramsey. This is a two night virtual event where we're gonna deep dive into investing. We're gonna talk about how to get the most out of your 401k and mutual funds and share strategies for staying confident in your investments. Plus, we'll give you the inside scoop on popular investment trends to follow and the ones you need to avoid. It's also the only event where you're gonna hear Dave Ramsey unpack his personal playbook for how he made millions in real estate investing. Now, I know what you're thinking. How could this possibly get better? Well, it's virtual, so you don't even have to leave your house to watch. Join us live on March 4th and 5th to start investing with confidence. Tickets start at 199 bucks. Get [e-mail] events.