We Predict the Future of 2026—Money, Celebrities and More!

Summary

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Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze & George Kamel

Episode: We Predict the Future of 2026—Money, Celebrities and More!
Date: January 1, 2026

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Overview

In this lively New Year’s episode, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel don their prediction hats and forecast what 2026 holds for money, pop culture, and more. Blending their expertise as financial pros with humor and candid conversation, they share hot takes on everything from interest rates to Taylor and Travis’s wedding date. The show weaves in nostalgia, relatable stories, and the kind of friendly banter that makes Smart Money Happy Hour a fan favorite.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. New Year Vibes and Goal Setting (02:24)

• Rachel and George start with personal reflections on the New Year and their approach to resolutions.

  • Rachel: “I’m in my no goal era. I feel like I just always were making goals. And the last probably two years, there’s a level of like, hey… I just am tired, George. Tired.” (02:44)
  • Both agree: the New Year brings a sense of renewal, but also pressure; for them, it’s more about resetting habits than relentless goal-chasing.

• Discussion of how their New Year’s routines have changed with age and family, now preferring early nights and celebrating “midnight” at 10pm.

  • George: “I do think it’s over. Staying up till midnight is overrated. That’s my hot tip.” (04:38)

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2. 2026 Money Predictions (06:00)

a. Interest Rates and Housing Market (06:27)

• Mortgage rates have fallen from ~7% (early 2025) to 5.5% (as of recording).
  • George predicts: “I can see things landing in like a 4 and a half to 5% range for a while, which is actually reasonable.” (07:08)
  • Rachel adds: “It continues to be a buyer’s market, which I appreciate.” (07:26)
• Less competition for homes compared to pandemic-era chaos.
  • George: “This could be a great time as rates go down and there’s still some houses to be bought.” (07:31)

b. Sports Betting Trends Among Young Men (08:51)

• 36% of men under 30 placed a sports bet in the past year (Pew Research).
  • Rachel confesses to a $10 Kentucky Derby bet: “I socially gamble. Only if other people are around do I gamble.” (09:58)
  • They express concern over pervasive betting app ads and normalization of gambling.
  • George: “I miss the days when you could just enjoy a game and then be mad when your team lost. Now you’re mad your team lost and you lost money on top of that.” (11:35)

c. Airbnb’s Waning Popularity (11:57)

• The “Airbnb hustle” is declining; hidden fees and work for guests undermine appeal.
  • George: “I’ve seen one that was a thousand dollar pet fee per night!” (12:26)
  • Rachel prefers hotels, praising predictability and little perks like made beds.

d. Stock Market Stability & Tech Bubbles (14:49)

• Rachel: “Stock market will stay relatively consistent.”
• George’s take: The AI market looks overvalued—“It’s like Jenga right now. It takes one piece to spook people.” (16:25)
• Both stress long-term investing discipline, not jumping out on bad news.
  • Rachel: “Stay in the game. You know what game I’m staying in? The debit card game.” (17:34)

e. Self-Driving Cars to Become Mainstream (18:43)

• George predicts normalization of self-driving cars—especially Teslas.
  • George: “I have used the self driving feature and it is amazing… Do I fear for my life on occasion? Sure. But that’s part of the journey.” (20:16)
• Rachel is skeptical: “Normalized is a very big word. I just don’t think it’s going to like, suddenly every car is going to be self driving.” (18:53)

f. Buy Now, Pay Later Grows More Predatory (21:42)

• Rachel: “Buy now, pay later will become more predatory. So loan stacking, more hidden fees, late penalties… hidden in the fine print.”
• George predicts platforms will push BNPL at checkout to encourage overbuying.

g. Job Market to Stay Sluggish (23:15)

• Job openings are down; businesses invest in AI to cut costs.
  • Rachel: “Knowing someone inside the company is vital. Those days of just applying online—gone.” (24:10)
  • George: “Learn AI for your job… That makes you irreplaceable.” (24:37)

h. Housing Still a Buyer’s Market & 50-Year Mortgages (24:57)

• Houses sit longer; power shifts to buyers.
  • George warns about new “50 year mortgage” proposals: “On a $400,000 loan… over $1 million in interest alone… you’re renting from the bank.” (26:25)

i. Overarching Money Advice (27:10)

• “Don’t let fear drive your decision.” Focus on daily, positive actions. Long-term, boring finance beats flashy shortcuts.
  • Rachel: “Just be remembering the 2027 you, if you will.” (28:22)
  • George: “The more boring your financial plan is, the better off you’re going to be.” (28:33)

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3. Rapid Fire: Pop Culture Predictions (29:46)

a. Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding (30:07)

• Rachel predicts: “Let’s go June 13th.” (30:07)
• George jokes: “Livestream it for charity—pay-per-view, you could solve world hunger.” (31:24)

b. Nostalgia as a Cash Cow (31:51)

• Rachel and George detail coming reunions (Laguna Beach, Backstreet Boys at the Sphere) and how music nostalgia triggers “all these emotions that I didn’t even know were inside of me still.” (32:38)
• Science corner: Music from ages 10-16 gets hardwired in the brain.

c. High-profile Court Cases and More (34:44)

• Dissecting scandals, celebrity lawsuits, and whether trials should go pay-per-view for charity.

d. NSYNC Comeback Rumors (35:36)

• Rachel: “I don’t think they can get Justin. That’s why Backstreet Boys worked… there wasn’t, like, the one that, like…” (35:52)

e. Dolly Parton’s Post-2026 Retirement Rumors (36:31)

• George: “She’s earned the right to not have to do things anymore, but we just want it, man.” (37:06)
• Rachel: “She needs to pray for me. I mean, I feel like she’s closer to God than I am.” (37:15)

f. Revival of Faith Among Young People (37:31)

• George predicts: Rise in religion and search for community among Gen Z.
  • Rachel: “37% of Gen Zers now claim to be more spiritual than millennials did at their age.” (37:38)
  • Both see this as a hopeful trend.

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4. Champagne Review & Lighter Moments (39:11)

• Rachel and George rate their “California Champagne” a 4 out of 10.
  • “It just has that bite at the end.” - George (39:15)
  • “It’s got a little, like, sour on the back end.” - Rachel (39:33)
• Champagne-opening safety instructions: “You twist and pull and then you hear it come up.” - Rachel (41:12)
• Relatable Kroger-champagne humor.

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5. Guilty as Charged Segment (41:44)

Question: Ever banked on something happening and got let down?

• George: Dream job hosting Winter Jam fell through—“I think I cried in my childhood bedroom…” (42:55)
• Rachel: Minor disappointments (speaking gigs that don’t materialize), but floats through most risks like a “butterfly effect.”
  • She ties in Demi Lovato’s “Make a Wave” to the theme of small decisions making big changes. (44:47)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Rachel, on goals: “I feel like I just always were making goals. And the last probably two years… I just am tired, George. Tired. So I’m just enjoying it.” (02:52)
• George, on investments: “Don’t pull your money out. What happens is people jump out because they get spooked, and they forget to, like, jump back in.” (16:55)
• Rachel, on Airbnbs vs. hotels: “I just like having my bed made when I come back… There’s just like those little perks, but you pay more for it.” (14:42)
• George, on self-driving: “Does it have a few bugs here and there? Yes. Do I fear for my life on occasion? Sure. But that’s part of the journey.” (20:16)
• Rachel, on Buy Now, Pay Later: “It starts adding up… you end up spending more and… If you don’t make the payment, then it’s all this backed up fees and everything. So it’s just not a good plan.” (22:22)
• Rachel, on Dolly Parton: “I think she needs to pray for me. I mean, I feel like she’s closer to God than I am.” (37:15)
• George, on financial plans: “The more boring your financial plan is, the better off you’re going to be long term.” (28:33)
• Rachel, on the butterfly effect: “The flap of a butterfly’s wings creates a little stirring, you know, and then… all the world is different because of a butterfly’s wings.” (43:59)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• New Year reflections: 02:24–05:48
• Money predictions start: 06:00
• Interest rates/housing: 06:27–07:48
• Sports betting: 08:51–11:11
• Airbnb discussion: 11:57–14:32
• Stock market predictions: 14:49–17:34
• Self-driving cars debate: 18:43–21:04
• Buy Now, Pay Later dangers: 21:42–23:11
• Job market/AI effects: 23:15–24:57
• Housing & 50-year mortgages: 24:57–27:10
• Core money advice: 27:10–28:33
• Pop culture rapid fire: 29:46–38:06
• Champagne review: 39:11–41:44
• Guilty as charged: 41:44–46:19

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Summary

Rachel and George ring in 2026 with spirited, insightful banter and actionable money wisdom. Their predictions touch on mortgage rates, the wobbly job market, the perils of consumer loans, changing real estate trends, and cultural touchstones from superstar weddings to nostalgia-fueled reunions. Throughout, they urge listeners to focus on controllables, embrace boring-but-smart financial choices, and savor the community-building power of music, faith, and a little humor.

Transcript

[A]

Happy New Year. You know, we can't predict the future, but why not try? Here's what we think will happen to your money in 2026. Oh, boy. I put my eggs in this very specific basket. I think I cried in my childhood bedroom.

[B]

I think she needs to pray for me. I mean, I feel like she's closer to God than I am.

[A]

Higher the hair, the closer to God.

[B]

Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz.

[A]

I'm George Came.

[B]

And this is Smart Money Happy Hour. Cheers.

[A]

It's an awfully empty bottle.

[B]

We're gonna fill it up in a second. But 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 fence and money.

[A]

And today we're popping a bottle to celebrate.

[B]

Let's see if I can do it.

[A]

I'm so nervous.

[B]

Should I, like, let it. No, I won't let it fly. I don't wanna ruin everything. Ready? Woo. Happy New Year.

[A]

No sound effect needed, just a perfect pop.

[B]

Happy New Year, man. I love a champs. And that sound just makes it feel like. Pardon.

[A]

You know who loves it more? The producers who did not have to make us a cocktail today.

[B]

I know we're just doing this like.

[A]

We'Re kick off the new year by not working as hard.

[B]

Let me see. I'm going to keep. I'm going to have to. I'm going to keep refilling. So you just give me a second.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, the episode, you do the work maybe, but also just through here, where the bubbles. It's that kind of year where the bubbles go down. There we go. Whoa, you're good, George. That's a.

[A]

That's a heavy glass, George.

[B]

That's a glass of champagne.

[A]

I don't know where you come from.

[B]

But if you poured that into a wine glass, it'd be the size of glass.

[A]

We'll never financially recover from this.

[B]

Oh, George. Lord. How is it, you know, that's some.

[A]

It's okay.

[B]

It's technically. Look at the bubbles though. It's technically sparkling wines from California. So it's.

[A]

It says California Champagne.

[B]

Well, it's not.

[A]

Can they call it that?

[B]

No, they must have like trademarked that name because champagne can only come from champagne. France.

[A]

That's a fun fact for trivia night. So that's why they called it California Champagne. Comes from the rushing river valley. All right. Sonoma.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

It's okay.

[B]

So good. Anywho, feels like the new year.

[A]

If you want our rating, which I know you do, we're also gonna reveal the cost per glass, all at the end of the episode. Stick around for that. Okay, so in general, Rachel, how do you feel about the beginning of the year? Are you a person who's excited and inspired? It's just a new chapter, a new day, a new dawn? Or does it feel like a lot of pressure? Like, all right, new goals? What are the vibes?

[B]

No, remember, I don't really care for goals. I'm in my no goal era because.

[A]

Again, you've accomplished everything there is.

[B]

Accomplished everything I need to do, other.

[A]

Than going to the moon.

[B]

I think I'm just gold out, you know? Like, I just. I feel like I just always were making goals. And the last probably two years, there's a level of, like, hey, I mean, I talk. I mean, Winston and I talk about, like, what do we want to do, like, with our family? And it's not a lack of intentionality. No. And, like, we want family dinners. Like, we have values. Like, there's all of that. But this whole, like, I need a specific, specific goal that I'm trying to hit. I just am tired, George. Tired. I feel that I'm tired. So I'm just enjoying it. So the new year feels fun. It feels. It does feel. I feel like a kid where. It does feel like it's a new. A new leaf turning over a new leaf, if you will.

[A]

That's beautiful.

[B]

You know, there's something in there. It's like, oh, my gosh, when the calendar starts over and it's a new year, it just feels great. So it's very energizing to me. I don't get drained by it or overwhelmed. Do you?

[A]

I don't think so. I think there's just a lot of things that you've got to do with the new year. It just feels like, all right, we got to reset some things, some bad habits, you know, for us, that's like eating. It's like, all right. We've had way too many frozen meals and just bad habits through the holidays. So you kind of want to. It's more of a detox versus a goal. It's like, do less versus doing the most.

[B]

Yeah. Dry January is not starting off good for us right now.

[A]

I'm struggling already, but you can do, you know, apple cider, for sure. Sparkling apple cider that still hits.

[B]

Yes, for sure, for sure.

[A]

Well, yep.

[B]

What do y' all usually do on New Year's?

[A]

We used to. When we were single and free and, you know, just a married couple, we used to go out to Friends, houses and hang out there all night.

[B]

Yeah, it's fun.

[A]

Nowadays you might get some friends and hang out for a little bit, but by 9 or 10, I'm out.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I'm out.

[B]

Yep, Totally. I'm with you.

[A]

And now with babies, I feel like, you know.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Now I'm stressed out about fireworks and the dogs are barking and the baby's up.

[B]

Yeah. You got all.

[A]

I'm an old man.

[B]

It's like 4th of July all over again.

[A]

Yeah. I do think it's over. I think staying up till midnight is overrated. That's my hot tip.

[B]

Okay. You know, I used to be like that. And now there's a part of me. If I can stay up. I usually can't stay up that late anyways. If I could. One night a year. I think it's fun.

[A]

But then you regret it the next day. You feel it at this age.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. For sure.

[A]

You gotta have nothing going on the next day.

[B]

100%. I know. Because we, for the last, gosh, seven years, have been with my family over New Year's.

[A]

Your entire family?

[B]

Yeah, because we go to Mexico.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

For that week. So we're always there for New Year's. So we actually end up watching the New York ball drop, which is almost. I think it's two, sometimes three. The way that line is depending on daylight savings time. Yeah. Changes. It's either two hours, but it's either mountain time or Pacific time. But it depends on. I never can remember what time it was.

[A]

Oh, so it's like 10pm and the ball's dropping.

[B]

That's right. That's right.

[A]

Beautiful.

[B]

So that's what we do.

[A]

Make that old.

[B]

And then we tell the kids like it's happening. Yay. And then they get to celebrate with us. Cause they're old enough now to stay up to 10 o'. Clock. And. Yeah, so it's fun. But then you go to bed at 10, so it's great.

[A]

That's what I'm all about. That's what we like, an early bedtime.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I'm an old man. Well, listen, we're not the betting kind, but just for funsies, let's make some financial predictions for the new year. And then we can look back a year from now and say, were we right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Were we wrong?

[B]

And we can do, like the. The money stuff. You know, the housing market, inflation. Inflation, all of that. But then let's also do like some, you know, pop culture and some fun. Some fun predictions in there, too, George. Not that money Predictions aren't fun, but.

[A]

They'Re fun for me. But if you want to guess what celebrities are going to who's going to date who was Trudeau and Katy Perry on your bingo card?

[B]

Never, ever, ever goes to the moon.

[A]

Once goes to the moon.

[B]

Now she's dating a prime minister. Golly, what a woman. All right, George, 2026 financial predictions. Let's start off with a little interest rates. What do you think's going to happen.

[A]

There on everyone's mind? Well, what we've seen so far is mortgage rates dipping down slower than people would like, but still a consistent drop. You know, a half percent here, a half percent there. Mortgage rates started around 6, 7% in early 2025. That's on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage now sitting at around 5 and a half percent as of this recording. So no one can predict for sure. But I think everyone's hopeful that rates will continue to lower and lower. We're not going to see 3%, but I can see things landing in like a 4 and a half to 5%.

[B]

Range for a while, which is actually reasonable, very reasonable. I mean, honestly. So, yeah, I do think the trend is still going to be ticking down slowly. I don't think we're going to like skyrocket back up.

[A]

I don't feel like it's a real slow drip from the Fed. They're not trying to make big moves fast, big changes. I know as much as Trump wants.

[B]

Them to feels good, it feels good to let's be steady. And it continues to be a buyer's market, which I appreciate.

[A]

Yeah, I mean things have been a little slow cooling down and that is good news for buyers who don't have to then fork over and mess with the all cash offers and over asking and 12 people all at once before it even hits the market. So this could be a great time as rates go down and there's still some houses to be bought.

[B]

I know there used to be so much competition when it comes to housing. You know what else is in competition out there, George?

[A]

What's that?

[B]

People are trying to get your information online.

[A]

Hot commodity. My information.

[B]

Did you know that your name, your address, your email, phone number, kids names, it's out there. But Delete me goes in and helps remove your information from the Internet to keep it away from spammers and scammers. You know, you know, when your phone rings, George, you just want it to be a loved one calling.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

A good friend, an old bff. You know, you don't want A spammer calling you. So with Delete Me, I'm telling you, those start to dwindle. Dwindle, which we appreciate.

[A]

And they even send you a report. They have the receipts to show you exactly where your info was, where they removed it, and how much time they've saved you. I'm at 108 hours already, so I'm kicking off the new year strong. Well, all that time saved, I could work out. Do I choose to work out? No. But I could with all the time Deleteme saves me.

[B]

You do so much good stuff with Delete.

[A]

So see how much time they could save you and get some digital peace of mind. Just go to joindeleteme.com smartmoney and you'll get 20% off their annual plans. Also, drop a link in the description below. You're welcome.

[B]

You are welcome. All right, next, George. Sports betting will continue sabotaging young men's lives.

[A]

Good use of sabotaging.

[B]

So 2025, Pew Research center found that. Ready for this? 36% of men under 30 had placed a sports bet within the past year.

[A]

Goodness gracious.

[B]

And this is a higher rate than any other age group.

[A]

Young men. I mean, that's the target demo.

[B]

I was gonna say I may have added to this percentage.

[A]

Oh, no. You did a sports bet?

[B]

My sports bet. $10. Did you win on a horse race?

[A]

Oh, gosh.

[B]

Yep, I did. It was the Kentucky Derby, and there was a party.

[A]

Did you do it from home or.

[B]

Were you at the Derby when I was looking up at that screen and I had no idea what I was looking at, but I was like, what's a cute horse's name? It was like, Bumblebee or something. I was like, cute 10 on Bumblebee.

[A]

How do you. How do you bet on that?

[B]

Just watch it. I don't know. They had, like, a big chart that they were like. They came up with a big chart or something.

[A]

You were like, with a group of people?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Okay. It wasn't like, an app.

[B]

That's my. No, no.

[A]

Rachel cannot be socially downloaded.

[B]

I socially gamble. Only if other people are around do I gamble.

[A]

Wow, that's true. You are competitive.

[B]

Crap. Stable.

[A]

Everyone's doing it. Rachel sucked in or.

[B]

Yeah, Kentucky Derby. That's the only one. I don't do fantasy football. I have no desire. But the horse biting, there was something kind of fun about it. And you're really rooting for that horse.

[A]

It does feel like because it's an animal, you feel differently. Okay, maybe that's it. Is that real?

[B]

Yeah. I think so.

[A]

Because it feels even more out of your control.

[B]

It felt more okay for some reason.

[A]

It's like a little jockey, like my size on the horse, just doing his best, but he doesn't have much control.

[B]

You know, maybe that's what it is. I'm rooting for an animal and I'm rooting for the little guy. You know, the little man can't get ahead. He's getting ahead now.

[A]

The little guy's finally got small.

[B]

Yeah. Instead of like some big football players, like, you know, I'm so big, there's more ego.

[A]

I've never seen ego from a jockey. They know their place.

[B]

I think so. I think there's something humble about it. Maybe that's why I liked it. Just a humble sports bet. That's what I did.

[A]

So much humility.

[B]

$10.

[A]

We're watching.

[B]

Anyways, I had to confess that because I didn't want to go through this whole point about sports betting and be like, I don't do that. I did.

[A]

I can proudly say I've never placed one. Mostly because I don't know much about sports, so therefore I don't invest in things I don't understand. And therefore I don't bet on things I don't understand.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it is an epidemic because now, if you count. Someone counted the amount of ads on like, one ESPN video had like 13 ads all tied to sports betting and FanDuel and MGM bet and all these different apps. It's insane.

[B]

It's crazy.

[A]

It is so heavily marketed.

[B]

Yes. Oh, yeah. It's so easy to fall into. And the fact that it's becoming more normal makes it not as, like, intimidating or scary for people, so it's like an easier point of entry. You know what I'm saying? Where it's like, oh, yeah, it's not that big of a deal. You're like, man, you're wasting so much money.

[A]

And I miss the days when you could just enjoy a game and then be mad when your team lost.

[B]

And that's it.

[A]

Now you're mad your team lost and you lost money on top of that.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

Dolls.

[B]

Thanks, George.

[A]

I've heard people say that.

[B]

Thanks, George.

[A]

Go big. Orange. Gbo.

[B]

Gbo.

[A]

If you know, you know, if you know, you know. All right, back to something I kind of understand. Let's talk about Airbnbs.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

Prediction. Airbnbs will continue to lose popularity and therefore be a money losing scheme.

[B]

It is on the down. Right. Isn't that right? Isn't it slowly, like, not becoming as.

[A]

Popular I mean, depending on the area you might see, you know, it's. It's steady, but in a lot of areas, people that jumped into the Airbnb game to try to make a lot of money, they're hurting.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

While Airbnbs can be cheaper on average for multiple nights, the cleanup after yourself culture, the hidden fees, they'll still. I've seen one that was a thousand dollar pet fee per night.

[B]

Oh, my.

[A]

Per night.

[B]

Gosh.

[A]

And somebody paid it and they were like, wow, I'm making money hand over fist.

[B]

Totally, totally.

[A]

The scrappy conditions, the. You deal with, it's a lot of work for vacation.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And so I know you prefer a hotel in most cases, unless you get a big group of people.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. If it's a big group with multiple families, a house is wonderful, but.

[A]

And free breakfast at the Hampton Inn. Just saying.

[B]

There you go. You get to pour those that batter into the waffle maker.

[A]

I have trust issues with a hotel waffle maker.

[B]

Oh, do you? The cleanliness of it.

[A]

It feels like a public bathroom for your mouth. You know what I mean?

[B]

Gross.

[A]

It's just everybody using it. George. I just, I. I questioned the conditions.

[B]

Oh my gosh.

[A]

When multiple people. Thousands have used this. Thousands.

[B]

I don't know, but they clean it. I hope the.

[A]

I hope is the part that I really lean into. Fair.

[B]

Okay, fair.

[A]

That's a good one. Do you have any favorite hotel chains.

[B]

When you're traveling a Marriott?

[A]

You do love a Marriott.

[B]

Properly, I think it's. It's the pillows, the beds.

[A]

Technically, Marriott. And I don't like that it is Marriott.

[B]

You're right.

[A]

It bothers me.

[B]

I. Yes, it is Marriott. And apparently Ralph Lauren instead of Lauren. Loren Lauren. Yes. So, yes, Marriott. I've heard. I know, I know. But yeah, that, yeah, that feels safe to me. A courtyard. You know, they have a smaller city.

[A]

Scale from like budget friendly to fancy.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because they're fancy property. I think it's the Ritz. They think it's the same in that family. In the family of hotels.

[A]

It's like Toyota and Lexus, you know, you got.

[B]

That's right. What's yours?

[A]

You know, I don't go out often these days.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

When I do, well, you know my hack. So I use like a Priceline Express and then I'll find one that's just the best rated. So whatever. The best rated. Like, I love a Kimpton in a nice city.

[B]

Oh, Kimpton's are fun.

[A]

Kimpton can be really nice.

[B]

Yes, yes. They can be a little Quirky.

[A]

Yes. And I like the quirkiness.

[B]

Do you? All right, I like one night, let's.

[A]

Take some weird art on the walls, you know what I mean?

[B]

And like a weird door into the, like sometimes, like their, like, architecture is kind of funny too.

[A]

Like a random. Just red walls everywhere. Like. All right, that was a choice.

[B]

Y. Like that's what we're doing.

[A]

But for one night, I feel like I'm in an art installation.

[B]

There. That's how I view it. There you go. Yeah, I know. There's something about a hotel. I don't know. I just like. I like having my bed made when I come back.

[A]

Oh, that's true.

[B]

You know, there's just like those little perks, but you pay more for it. Yeah, that's what it is.

[A]

All right, next prediction. What do you got?

[B]

Stock market will stay relatively consistent. So it.

[A]

What a safe choice. No ups, no downs.

[B]

You know, it's done well. Like, we look back the past couple of years, the market's done great. It's done well, and I hope that it continues to. But it feels like it's done really well that I'm like, oh, can we stay that good for this?

[A]

Getting pessimistic, are we? A lot of people think everything's kind of overblown. Overvalued. The AI space is overvalued tech.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Nvidia, the guy.

[B]

Did you ever see that movie the Big Short?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Such a good movie.

[A]

Love that movie.

[B]

About where he bet on the housing markets and bet he shorted all the banks. And the banks were like, you're crazy because we're never going to fail. And then they fail in 08. And so 07 08. And that same guy, I saw a news article, he's now betting he's shorting the AI market.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So that's because everyone's rushing to it, pumping money into it. And he's like, hey, it's kind of.

[B]

Like the tech bubble, the housing bubble. I don't know. I'm not. I'm not. I'm not even smart enough to go in there and Short industries, you know what I mean? Yeah, but he's doing it. So let's just be on the lookout, people. You heard it here first.

[A]

Head on.

[B]

Swivel coat, orange coke, condition orange.

[A]

Here's my take. I have faith in the American economy above any politician. You know, I just think, like, America's resilience.

[B]

What a patriot.

[A]

That's who I am. And we've seen, you know, 20 something percent in the stock market multiple years in a row. Now, will we see a market that goes in the negative for a year?

[B]

No. Potentially, no. For a year it's gonna go in the negative.

[A]

You never know.

[B]

I don't think so. That's my prediction.

[A]

Also, the American economy is like. It's like Jenga right now. It takes one piece to spook people. So temporarily, I could see it.

[B]

Yeah. We've had a lot of spooking, though, and nothing's really moved. That's what's interesting about it. Do you know what I mean?

[A]

For a day. And then it's like, all right, we recovered.

[B]

Yeah. But nothing big like the tariffs we all thought was gonna crash. And that didn't really move. Like, the economy didn't move much. I don't know. There's been a lot of scares. The housing market was a scare for a little bit. Everyone really did think, like, oh, my gosh, is this a bubble? I don't know.

[A]

It would take like a Covid level thing to see a long dip.

[B]

Yes, I would agree with that.

[A]

I'm still investing. So that's a good reminder is you want to stay on the roller coaster. So if you are not in retirement, actively taking money out, just keep investing. No matter what, don't pull your money out. What happens is people jump out because they get spooked and they forget to, like, jump back in, or they try to time it, or they try to.

[B]

Jump back in and it's already recovered and they're buying at the top and not. Yeah, that's a good point, George. Is to stay in it. So this year, it's not our. It's not my prediction, but if it goes belly up, you just stay consistent because two, three, four, five, six, seven years from now, you get all those returns, which is great. So stay in the game. Stay in the game. You know what game I'm staying in?

[A]

What's that?

[B]

The debit card game. And I put it out. My fair winds debit card debt is normal. Be weird. The other day when I went to get my nails done and I was like, here it is. And I love it, you guys. Fairwinds Credit union is amazing. And they have a smart bundle happening right now for Ramsey listeners, where you can get a new no fees checking account, a high yield savings account, and the Ramsey debt is normal. Be weird. Debit card. And I love it, George, because they're the way that you use their bank or that on their app and everything. It's so easy. So we've plugged in, like, all of our other accounts into our Fairwinds account so we can move money into the Fairwinds account so easily. Like, it's awesome. And so whether we're traveling internationally or getting my nails done down the street, which by the way, I use it.

[A]

Now a lot, they got rid of international fees after watching my video. So shout out to them. They're challenging their process too, George. That's what I'm doing is helping save the people money. They looked up and said, do we do that? Yeah, let's get rid of that. Let's serve the Ramsey listeners and Ramsey audience and smart money happy hour folks. Even better.

[B]

Fairwinds is awesome, you guys. If you need a banking institution, check them out. You can go to Fairwinds.org Ramsey and sign up for the smart money bundle today.

[A]

All right, back to our predictions. Self driving cars will become normalized. I'm part of the problem.

[B]

I don't think that's going to be true.

[A]

Really.

[B]

Normalized is a very big word.

[A]

Well, it's going to be happening all around us. You won't know it, hopefully.

[B]

No, but I, I, it has been happening. I just don't think it's going to like, suddenly every car is going to be self driving.

[A]

No one said every car.

[B]

But normalized makes it feel like more cars that not.

[A]

I see a lot of Teslas on the road now.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And my guess is at least half of them don't have their hands on the wheel. That car is driving itself.

[B]

I know. Do you feel like even in the Ramsey parking lot we have some charging stations? We only have, we have eight total.

[A]

Yep. And they're gone.

[B]

I mean, you used to. What was that three years ago, four years ago? There was always one empty. Always. So I never charged my car at home. Now you got to kind of play the game. Actually before this shoot, I went out there, saw an empty spot, and I charge him for three hours. Yeah, I know.

[A]

Free charging here at the office as your employee. So people take advantage of that.

[B]

It's worth it.

[A]

I charge at home because I'm a good person and I like to leave that.

[B]

You are always charged to the park.

[A]

There's someone out there who really can use the free charge.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I'm willing to pay.

[B]

I was parked and you were like, at the same time. George goes, rachel, there's an empty spot. And I said, I know, but I'm at 73%. Like, I don't really need it. And George was like, I would take it. And I was like, all right, I'll fill up to 80%. So I'm back in.

[A]

I was trying to be nice. I was trying to turn a new leaf.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

But no. I have used the self driving feature and it is amazing.

[B]

It's amazing.

[A]

Does it have a few bugs here and there? Yes. Do I fear for my life on occasion? Sure. But that's part of the journey. So I do think it's going to get better. And Elon just said now the time of this recording. He said it'll be a month or two where you can text and drive. So it's not going to be as. You don't need to be as attentive.

[B]

Yes. Because you normally have to look up like they know your eyes, where your eyes are. So your car will beep at you if you're not looking up, which is smart. Yeah.

[A]

They want to keep you safe.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

To make sure that you're ready to take over at a moment's notice. But I think soon it will become unsupervised. Right now it's supervised soon enough.

[B]

No, I think that that's happening.

[A]

And they got the, you know, the cyber taxi, robo taxi, all of that. Where? And it's cheaper. I saw a screenshot where no way. Instead of getting an Uber, it's like five times less expensive to just take the robo car.

[B]

But your control is nowhere to be found when you are. Well, I guess it's not even in an Uber either.

[A]

I have very little control.

[B]

You yell at the driver and be like, stop, slow down.

[A]

I don't know my guy. Last. Last time I was in an Uber, full on conversation. A foreign language loudly for 40 minutes.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

On speaker.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Like, man, can I have some peace. Luckily I had my noise canceling headphones on.

[B]

Yeah, that's a lot.

[A]

But I was like, man, at least let me into the conversation.

[B]

Oh, at least let me know what you're talking about.

[A]

No, I don't. Can't spec. I can't speak.

[B]

Hey, don't they have a new technology where you can like translate languages?

[A]

The new AirPods have that. I need to get those.

[B]

That'll be so good. All right. Buy now, play later will become more predatory. So loan stacking consumers can take multiple buy now, pay later loans at once and they are targeting low income shoppers, more hidden fees, late penalties, all of that, all hidden in the fine print. It's becoming more and more normal.

[A]

Yeah, I was scared of this years ago when it first came out. And we've had buy now, pay later in certain forms, but it Just again, became so much easier. It's just an app now and just add it to my tab and it's right under the add to cart. And so people are just making smaller and smaller purchases on Buy Now, Pay Later.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And then it just keeps adding to their tab and they can't make the full payment at the end of the month.

[B]

Yeah, it starts. Yeah, it starts adding up. And again, it's that whole psychology where you justify, oh, my gosh, that's not that much money. Well, I can just add a couple more things because I can definitely make that payment. I was expecting to pay the full thing, but if I don't, and then you end up spending more and to your point, overspending. And if you don't make the payment, then it's all this backed up fees and everything. So it's just not a good plan.

[A]

And my prediction, on top of that, apps will start pushing you to the Buy now, pay later option.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Before you even check out, they're going to go, hey, this is the smart option. Just make it on payments with our partner, Affirm or Klarna or doordash or whoever, you know, because Costco partnered with a firm. DoorDash is with Klarna. So I think you're gonna start to see that pop up more and more and more because they make more money. And the more you do Buy Now, Pay later, the more you're willing to spend on their app. And companies know this. Stay away, please, if you're listening to this. I hope you don't do that junk.

[B]

No, our listeners never would.

[A]

They're too smart.

[B]

The job market will continue to slow. So as of late September, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said job openings are down. Oh, gosh, 422,000 from a year ago.

[A]

Yikes.

[B]

That's tough.

[A]

Yeah. We're in a soft market. Will it continue to slow? I do think so. I think it's going to take. It's going to be a slow burn to ramp it back up. I don't think it's going to be one thing where we just turn the faucet back on and there's jobs.

[B]

Yes. Yeah. And I guess just businesses overall, what are becoming more conservative, watching cash flow? You know, I'm trying to utilize, you.

[A]

Know, AI and technology instead of making that next hire and spending 50 grand or whatever. Can they be more nimble with less people? And I think the sad answer is they're gonna figure out a way to do that.

[B]

To do it. Yeah. To save it.

[A]

In order to keep the Revenues up.

[B]

Yes. Yes. Oh, that's hard.

[A]

That is hard. What do you tell someone if they called into the Ramsey show and said, hey, my job is being replaced?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I think, well, yeah. And if you have to replace your job, I think more than ever, knowing someone inside the company is vital. Like, I think longer the days of just applying online and just hoping you get in. I mean, genuinely, I think that there's so much competition now. So knowing people, having relationships, putting your name out there, your story out there of like, hey, I'm looking, talking to people, I think that networking piece is gonna become more and more vital.

[A]

Yeah. And I think truly, you have to learn AI how to figure out how to use it for your job because that makes you irreplaceable. That's good because we always are gonna need people who can utilize it to do their job better and faster. Yeah, that's what's going to happen. Those are the people who I think will excel in this market. All right, next up next, prediction. Housing market will stay a buyer's market.

[B]

Oh, yeah, we just mentioned that a little bit earlier, but I think that's true.

[A]

So houses have been sitting on the market a little longer lately, which also leads to lower prices over time in general. And if it's a buyer's market, maybe it's your first house. This could be a decent time to shop around. So this is good news. Now, housing prices are still really high. I don't think we're going to see prices budge a whole lot.

[B]

No.

[A]

But I do think with interest rates coming down, more people will be letting go of their homes.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They've been sitting on sort of these golden handcuffs of like, well, I have a 3 1/2% rate. Why would I ever move?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They might be willing to. To jump to a four and a half percent.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

To finally go where they want to go. So I think that'll loosen up the housing market a little bit and buyers will be more likely to buy if the rates are a little bit lower. Helps with the payment.

[B]

Yep. And negotiations will be in play as they are now, which is so helpful. If you are buying a home, you're gonna have some power, which is great. And so that's hopefully gonna get some people in the market and get it moving.

[A]

Can I add a bonus prediction to this housing?

[B]

I love it. Yes.

[A]

Trump just talked about on Truth Social, the 50 year mortgage.

[B]

No.

[A]

You've heard about this trend now at the time of this recording, they just put it out there and they're confirming they're working on this. That scares me because I think what's going to happen is home prices will go up because more people can afford it. So it's going to flood the market with more buyers. So that does scare me a little bit as the prediction. Here's the overall prediction.

[B]

Which would be a more terrible interest rate.

[A]

Oh, yeah, it's going to. That interest rate goes up. I did the math for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

A $400,000 loan on a 15 year, for example, will cost you like 569. So 170 grand in interest on a 50 year mortgage. It's over $1 million in interest alone on a $400,000 loan. So you're basically renting from the bank instead of a landlord. That's all we've done with this 50 year mortgage. You'll never actually own anything because you're going to be crawling to get any equity, man. But we've seen this in the car market to 7 year car loans now normalize. So what I think is going to happen overall is we're going to keep dragging out the loan terms. Yeah, it's good to lower the payment so that people can afford things.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So they can still have their nice car and their nice house and still.

[B]

Live the life they want. Please don't do that. But they're in debt that much longer. Oh, man, what a prediction, George.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Unbelievable.

[A]

That's a bonus. Didn't even pay for that one, man.

[B]

All right, well, let's end the year on a positive. Yeah, I think the goal here, don't let fear, 50 year mortgages and millions of dollars in interest paid. Don't let fear drive your decision. Actually, that one should drive your decision. Yeah, let's be fearful of that.

[A]

Yes, some things there's a healthy fear.

[B]

Of doing something really stupid. We don't want to do something stupid. But this overall sitting and wringing your hands of, oh my gosh, you know, like, is the Fed gonna lower rates? Is the housing market, what's, you know, I mean, there's so much that we cannot control. And so this year going into 2026, just have the pep talk of like, hey, the decisions I make on a day in and day out basis with my money, they're gonna affect me either in a positive light or a negative light. And the more positive light in the long term, decisions that you make when you think long term, I think is the key. So it may not feel good in the moment, you may have to say no every now and then. That's not Fun. But if you're doing that, it probably means. Cause you're staying within your means, you're sticking to a plan. And the long term, you is gonna be thankful. So just be remembering the 2027 U if you will.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Next year.

[A]

Just don't shortcut it. Like, I know it's gonna be harder, I know it's gonna take longer, it's gonna be slower, but that's the right way to do it. The more boring your financial plan is, the better off you're going to be. Long term.

[B]

That's right. All right, before we jump into our pop culture predictions, George, those are gonna be fun. Let's chat about something that we have loved this year. Cozy Earth.

[A]

That's always gonna make your year better, man. Upgrade your year. That's what I'm saying. It's tough.

[B]

It is. I mean, literally last night I had my joggers on, my sweatshirts, my Cozy Earth blanket, and a fire, and I was happy as can be. So it is amazing. Their clothes, their bedding, their sheets, their blankets. Everything that Cozy Earth has, you guys, the quality is incredible.

[A]

Can I tell you something? Honestly, I took off my Cozy Earth sweatshirt because I didn't want to get baby spit up on it. That's how much I love it. I'm like, I cannot ruin this. I don't want to have to wash this right now. So I'm going to protect it.

[B]

I'm going to protect it.

[A]

If I'm holding the baby, the Cozy Earth comes off temporarily.

[B]

Just.

[A]

I can't risk it.

[B]

No, yeah, you got to keep it. Keep it clean, you know? I know, but it is. It's incredible. So if you are looking to upgrade your life a little bit, you guys, it is worth it. The Cozy Earth products, anything that you find, again, we are fans of.

[A]

And you can take advantage of Cozy Earth's best discount right now. When you go to cozyearth.com smartmoney, use promo code smartmoney at checkout and you'll get 20% off. Not a bad deal.

[B]

Not a bad deal at all. All right, let's do some rapid fire pop culture, shall we? Predictions. Okay, I'll start us off. Taylor and Travis. When are they gonna get married? A specific wedding day I'm gonna predict. Let's go. June feels right to me. Okay. She loves the number 13, so let's go June 13th.

[A]

That's a Saturday.

[B]

Shall we? I don't know.

[A]

What more evidence do we need?

[B]

Let's check it.

[A]

She loves the number 13. Let's check. Is June special to her. Do we know?

[B]

You know, I probably should know that as a Swift dinner. Oh, it is, it is. It's my best. Oh, my gosh. One of our best friend's birthday. What if your birthday was Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey's anniversary?

[A]

Now that you could sports bet on. Rachel will be in for the pool on throw 10 bucks in the mix.

[B]

I know we at one of our conferences we had here this year, there was a sweet couple and they were talking to me and she, they're from Kansas City. She's like, are you ready for the royal wedding? And I literally went British. You know, in my head, I was like, the royal wedding. She's like, no, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. I was like, oh, my gosh, that royal wedding.

[A]

Yes, I am going to get married in Kansas City. Is that for sure?

[B]

No, no, no, no, no. But he plays for Kansas City, obviously.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, I just thought that's okay. Like we're going to go with the family oriented route in case.

[B]

No, I don't think they would. I mean, who knows?

[A]

Destination wedding to limit the amount of.

[B]

People I could see. Like, I could see them doing like a beautiful estate in like France or something, but it's all like blocked off. They don't need. They showed us their engagement pictures. I think we need one wedding picture. Trav and Tay. Just one. We don't need the whole thing. I think you keep that to yourselves. I think that's smart. I think you need to keep that.

[A]

Can we go back to my idea? Livestream it for charity. Pay per view. You could solve world hunger if you live streamed Taylor Swift's wedding.

[B]

It's so true, though. It is so true.

[A]

Like the water crisis. Sol, 20 bucks if you want to watch this thing.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

And then the amount of betting you could do on what's going to happen during the wedding and make all of that go to charity, too. We could fund public education.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We could give teachers a raise.

[B]

So much for the world.

[A]

All right, next prediction. Nostalgia will continue to make money. The Dawson's Creek reunion happened last year. We love you, James Van Der Beek. Kristen Cavallari, Lauren Conrad, Steven Colletti. Am I saying that right? Executive producers working on a two hour Laguna beach reunion special in 2026. That feels like a lot, but also not enough if you're a big Laguna beach fan. I guess. Hilary Duff is coming out with new music. Miley is working on something special for the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary.

[B]

Yeah, they're just. They're taking the Millennials. And they're just.

[A]

You're about to see Backstreet Boys at the Sphere for the second time. So nostalgia makes money and Rachel is willing to pay. Didn't you read something about nostalgia and music and how it's ingrained in our souls at that age?

[B]

Yeah, we talked about this at Ramsey show live in Chicago. But, yeah, there was, like, a study. Someone sent it to me after I went on and on about Backstreet Boys making me have all these emotions that I didn't even know were inside of me still. I was like, oh, my gosh. And they said, yeah. As your brain is forming between the ages. I think it's 10 and 16, literally, when, like, the neuro circuits are connected, like certain parts of your brain. Music specifically holds in a part of your brain than any other, like, decade or even beyond movies or TV shows. It's like music emotionally takes you to a place.

[A]

Well, it's also your most formative years. Cause you're awkward, and I think you're trying to.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Figure out who you are. You probably have your first kiss, first breakup.

[B]

Yes. I mean, all of it. It's all during those years. Yeah. It's a big deal. So I love that. And I think about that. Emilia's 10.

[A]

Oh, what is she into?

[B]

I know. So I'm just like. I'm trying to, like, what am I gonna listen to these days? You know, I feel a little out of the loop. I'm not sure.

[A]

Do they even listen to music? Or is it like, oh, a trending song on TikTok.

[B]

We've listened to Taylor. I mean, my kids. My girl's on TikTok. I mean. Yeah, they don't know. Yeah. I mean, Taylor's new album has a couple of cute songs. So, like, we'll listen to that. Forest Frank. Oh, they do love Forest Frank. And then randomly. This is so funny. Caroline, she got a karaoke machine for Christmas last year. So it's been a year. And it has the radio dial on it. So there's a station in Nashville called mix 92.9. It's like oldies and, like, kind of some current. But it's like. It used to be soft rock, but now it's like. Like music that was popular probably 10 years ago. I feel like they, like, play a.

[A]

Lot of that kind of vintage now. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. And she listens to the radio. She listens to Mix nine two nine. So I'll hear, like, the traffic report coming from her room sometimes. Like, the radio. The actual radio. So she, like, hears these Songs and she, like, she memorizes them. And so something will randomly come on. She'll start singing it. And I'm like, carolyn, how do you know that song? It's like, oh, well, they play it on the radio, like all the time, you know, but it's like some random song from like, no Doubt or something. I mean, like, it's like, random. And I'm like, that is so funny to me. So long answer. I don't know what the kids are.

[A]

Listening to, what their nostalgia will be like, what the 20th anniversary of Blippi will be.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Who knows?

[B]

That's frightening. Let's hope. Yeah. That there's some for my own boredom in life. So I'm sorry. People's pain I take as entertainment. But some high profile court cases. Oh, boy, is it going to be happening. So the big one that we're all kind of on pins and needles about is Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. So they're supposed to meet in Court on March 9. Really?

[A]

It's still going on?

[B]

Still going on.

[A]

I thought the whole thing got dropped.

[B]

No, his side got dropped at some point. But yeah, I don't know. So we are gonna be. I will be watching and waiting. Cause apparently I have life and I have to live through the other, like.

[A]

The crazy ones, like the Luigi Mangioni and the Charlie Kirk shooter.

[B]

Like, oh, interesting.

[A]

I think they talked about, should those be public or not? You know?

[B]

Sure. Why would they not be? Right?

[A]

I don't know. But I think that again, pay per view, make it all go to charity. Why are we not doing this, guys?

[B]

Why are we not doing this? Okay, you threw this out. But it is true. Backstreet Boys had a very successful reunion. So the prediction is NSYNC will try to compete. And I did hear this. I heard a few of them say, like, it'd be, you know, that we're gonna try. But I don't think they can get Justin.

[A]

He's too, too out of it. He's like, no, I'm not going.

[B]

That's why Backstreet Boys work. Because there wasn't like, the one that, like.

[A]

Yeah, well, can we be honest? There wasn't a lot of ego with Backstreet Boys.

[B]

I know.

[A]

You know?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

There was only like, one hot one. I mean, like, NSYNC was like, oh, okay. They're all pretty good looking. You know, Backstreet Boys are like, those are just a bunch of dudes, you know, Fair.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I thought somewhat more good looking.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But yeah, we'll see if NSync does a reunion. Be interesting.

[A]

That would be big. All right, here's the next one. Prediction. Dolly will recover, and her Vegas show will resume and be amazing.

[B]

I pray. Someone said this past weekend, I don't know if it's true or not, that she's stopping all public appearances after 2026. Like, this is, like, one of. Yes. Cause the interviews. I think we were trying to get her on the ramp. I think we have some connections. I think we've been trying to get Dolly for a while. Not on this show.

[A]

She's too big for us.

[B]

Too big for us.

[A]

But, Dolly, if you're watching, we'd love.

[B]

To have you, but. Yeah, apparently she's like. Like, a lot of her people are saying, I don't know. That may be all rumor, so please don't sue me, Dolly, if that is not true. But.

[A]

Well, she came out with rumor has. And she was like, I'm fine, guys. Like, my sister blew it out of proportion. Doing okay.

[B]

Okay. I know. Well, apparently, yeah.

[A]

She's earned the right to, like, not have to do things anymore.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But we just want it, Man.

[B]

What a jewel of a human, though. We need more dollies.

[A]

Add her to your celebrity prayer list, would you?

[B]

I don't think I need to pray for her. I think she's. I think she needs to pray for me. I mean, I feel like she's closer to God than I am.

[A]

Higher than closer to God.

[B]

I mean, she's a jewel. She is a jewel of a human.

[A]

Fun pop culture. Any bonus pop culture predictions that have been on your mind or just culture predictions?

[B]

What's gonna happen?

[A]

Well, I have a prediction. I think more young people are going to be seeking out some sort of religion and faith.

[B]

It's up. I saw this stat. It's like, 37%. Yes. Of Gen Zers now claim to be more spiritual than millennials did at their age. Yes.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

They are seeking something which I think is wonderful.

[A]

That's wonderful.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Even if it's for the sole purpose of just being around people and having a community, you know, a positive community, just that alone is so rare in today's culture and social media. So I'm here for it. I love that, George, to see more of that. There's my bonus for you.

[B]

So good. All right, well, you guys, remember this year, stay the course. Focus on your life. Don't get stressed out about everyone else's, because there's a lot going on. And like we said earlier, control what you can control. I think those are so key.

[A]

And sometimes that feels like very little. But you can control your life, and that matters to me. So your money, the decisions you make, the mistakes you avoid, all of that has serious consequences, for better and for worse. So make good decisions and avoid all the trends that are out there. Don't try to jump on the flashy thing. If it looks boring, do that thing. That's usually the right next step.

[B]

I love it. Yep. And we have an upcoming live stream called Take Back youk money in 2026 that's coming up in January 8th. And we will put a link down below so you can reserve your tickets. Because it's always great to kind of kick off with some kind of, like, milestone event just to say, okay, with my money specifically, here's what I'm gonna do. And that livestream is for you guys.

[A]

And it's free, so no reason not to sign up.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. All right, George, before we spill the tea on our Guilty as Charged segment, what do we rate it?

[A]

I'm gonna give this particular champagne. I'm gonna go 4 out of 10.

[B]

I was gonna say the same. I hate to say it.

[A]

It's fine. It just has that bite at the end.

[B]

At the. It's the after that sits on the back and it gets a little bit. Yeah.

[A]

I also think champagne needs to be, like, frosty. You know, this is cold. Don't get me wrong. It was cold, but I like it frosty.

[B]

Yeah, I know. It's got a little, like, sour on the back end.

[A]

Yes. And not in a good way, because I like sour. This is sour. Just.

[B]

It hits, you know? I do. Like, I just. I just feel like it looks festive and fun. You know, you're at a party and you're, like, talking with a glass of champagne.

[A]

You're right.

[B]

There's just something about it. I agree with you. I like the look.

[A]

So we both rated 4 out of 10.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We both drank the same amount. Terrible.

[B]

It looks pretty.

[A]

Well, that's the good news. Champagne always looks the same. You couldn't tell. And the price ranges. You know, you can get a good $8 bottle. You can spend hundreds of dollars. This one is definitely closer to the $8 range, I can tell you that much. This is definitely your Kroger pick. You know what I mean? Kroger pick. You don't like the party, you're going to bring some of this. A general $25 bottle would be about $3.50 per serving of champagne.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Per drink.

[B]

Yep. So ours was probably like closer to a dollar. Yeah. Which is great.

[A]

Is that fair?

[B]

Hey, maybe.

[A]

Well, the way Rachel poured it, that's probably about a two or three dollars.

[B]

That's a glass of champagne, George. If you're at a restaurant, they fill your champagne glass.

[A]

I've never got champagne at a restaurant, so. Way to be unrelatable. I just look at the price of a champagne at a restaurant.

[B]

George, stop.

[A]

Highway.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

I could have bought a whole bottle of corn horrible for the same price of this one glass. But if I'm with the cruises, I would buy. I'll celebrate.

[B]

Champagne. Champagne.

[A]

All right, get the recipe in the show notes. It's called buying a bottle of champagne and pouring it out. But the hardest part, which Rachel did effortlessly, was opening it. I have a decent feeling.

[B]

Do you want me to tell you the trick of it?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Everyone thinks you pop it. You twist.

[A]

It's a twist.

[B]

You twist and pull and then you hear it come up and it.

[A]

Yep, yep.

[B]

So if you need to cork a bottle of champagne. Yes. Undo it all. And then you twist. You don't. That. That is crazy.

[A]

I just have a weird final destination fear that. Like. What happened to George? Yeah, he passed away. Got hit with a champagne cork. Just hit him.

[B]

Right. What a way to go down, though.

[A]

I know.

[B]

Partying party, you know, but it would.

[A]

Like, right in the eye or something. You know what I mean?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I can't risk it. That's why I wear glasses. Gotta have protective eyewear.

[B]

Protect it all so good. All right, all right. Now it's time for Guilty as charged. And this is where we ask each other gu. Charge question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right. George, have you ever made a decision after banking on something but then it didn't happen?

[A]

Oh, boy. I put my eggs in this very specific basket. You did tell me it was a job after college.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And it was with the college.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

So the college sponsored an event called Winter Jam, which is like a big Christian rock concert and arenas.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

And so they had like a host that would get on stage and pitched the scholarship.

[B]

Were you gonna be.

[A]

And I was gonna be the host. Which I thought was a perfect job for me.

[B]

That's a pretty big deal. Yeah.

[A]

And I banked on it all summer long. So I went back home for the summer. But I was like, well, I'm going back to Mobile, Alabama. Cause I'm gonna be the host of Winter Jam. On behalf of University of Mobile, shout out. Go Rams. And I got an email the end of August, and they were like, hello, we have. We're seeking other candidates for this opportunity. Thank you for applying, George. I think I cried in my childhood bedroom in Massachusetts. Like, well, I guess I need to, like, find a job after spending all summer not searching.

[B]

Oh, no, because I thought it was a shooter. So you didn't even have, like, a formal.

[A]

Like, Like, So I thought.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The previous conversation I had, it was like, oh, yeah, you'd be great. You know, and I had. I had some stage skills. Like, they've seen that. So in hindsight, Bullet, man.

[B]

That's a great story. Yeah. Would you have traveled around with them?

[A]

Yes, you would travel with Winter Jam, and you get up on stage each night and you do the big pitch for why the school's so great and how we have a scholarship, and. Dang, it would have been perfect. Now, knowing what I do now, that was before us at Ramsey, so.

[B]

Man.

[A]

But now here I am, so I feel like it worked out.

[B]

Yeah. It all Roads.

[A]

Do you ever wonder, like, the alternative universe, if you had just done one thing different in life?

[B]

Yes. You think about the school you go to, whatever it is.

[A]

You wouldn't have met Winston.

[B]

You wouldn't have had to think. Your family, all of it. Yeah. Your kids, what do they call it? Is that like the butterfly effect? Like one decision, like the ripples out?

[A]

You tell me. Is that a movie? I think that's a movie, the butterfly effect called the Butterfly effect. You know?

[B]

You've heard the butterfly effect, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's beautiful, actually. The flap of a butterfly's wings creates a little stirring, you know, and then it moves some pollen, and then that pollen grows that flower, and that bee that happens to pollinate there, and that bee stings that person that has to then go here, and then they meet this person, and then all of a sudden, all the world is different because of a butterfly's wings. You believe that flap of a butterfly's wings.

[A]

You don't believe that we landed on the moon, but you believe a butterfly changed the trajectory of your life.

[B]

All right, it's just the idea, to your point, that small decisions could change everything.

[A]

Okay, no, you had me with that part. It was the whole butterfly wings flapping.

[B]

But then that's the idea.

[A]

Changes in ecosystem. All right.

[B]

Do you know what song always comes in my head? This is a throwback.

[A]

Is it a Samantha Mumble song?

[B]

No. Close to it, though. Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas had a song together, and I wish I could sing And I would, but I can't.

[A]

Just say the lyrics.

[B]

Did you know that the flap of a butterfly's wings. Oh, man. Hold on. I gotta. Do y' all know what I'm talking about? It was like a random.

[A]

Was this a hit song?

[B]

No, apparently not. Nobody knows it, but I. But me. But Demi Lovato. Y' all know it.

[A]

Hold on.

[B]

She Gun to My Head.

[A]

Couldn't name a Demi Lovato song, so you're really overestimating my knowledge of Demi. Give me some songs.

[B]

I know. We gotta go. We gotta go, but sorry.

[A]

Not sorry. Don't know it.

[B]

Here. Oh, Make a Wave. Hold on. From Disney Channel.

[A]

Oh, man, I didn't have Disney Channel.

[B]

Wait, I know. And this is when I was older. I think they were on American Idol at one point.

[A]

I had to go to Grandma's house to watch the Disney.

[B]

Channel throw a pebble in the water. So it's like, the idea. What a. What a Disney.

[A]

Why does it sound like a 2025 worship song? Are you kidding me? Switch it to Make a Way. Like, Make a Wave. Make a Way would be a hit in every church in America. Yeah.

[B]

Hill Song, if you're listening. You got a. You got a little. You got a writer. You got a writer.

[A]

I'm here. Call me up.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Anyways, I don't know where we are.

[A]

Off Brandon Lake. Where you at, bro?

[B]

We got it.

[A]

We got to bring jelly roll. Call me.

[B]

We got to bring it back. Okay.

[A]

All right. Do you have a story?

[B]

I don't think I do. I'm not coming up with one in my head. I'm sorry.

[A]

You took the K. You've never banked on anything. I feel like I'm sure it's all just happened. It's like, didn't have to really bank just sort of, you know, you were a butterfly just floating to a life.

[B]

Changing the course of the universe.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

If anything, it would be like a per. Like if I had a speaking gig and it was like, oh, you're gonna get paid this much on this date? And then when you complete it, and I'm like, oh, my gosh. Okay. I'm probably gonna get that. You know, I make something up in my head of what I'm gonna do with that, and then it never goes to contract, and you're like, crap.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Thought I was gonna make that money, and I did.

[A]

That is frustrating.

[B]

It's kind of like I would take it.

[A]

You're gonna get a bonus. And it just didn't come through.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, it would be along those lines, but all right, well, if you have a guilty as charged question, make sure to DM us at Rachel Cruz and GeorgeCamel. We love getting them. And if you enjoyed this episode, you will love our episode where we debunk your top excuses for not budgeting. So we'll put a link for you and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour. Day.