Weird Money Habits That Will Make You Rich

Summary

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

Episode: Weird Money Habits That Will Make You Rich
Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Ramsey Network

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Overview

In this lively and candid episode of Smart Money Happy Hour, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel dive into the “weird” and unconventional money habits that can actually set you up for financial success. With their trademark humor and real-life anecdotes, they unpack habits that are outside the norm, debunk some popular money myths, and encourage listeners to embrace being “weird” with money — even if it means going against what everyone else thinks is normal. The episode is designed to help listeners realize that sometimes the key to getting ahead is doing what most people won’t do.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Opening & Setting the Theme

• Rachel and George open with some friendly banter and introduce the topic: embracing “weird” habits to win with money (00:05–01:00).

  "If you're in the mood to be a little bit weird to build wealth successfully, you're in the right place." (Rachel, 00:05)

• They reminisce on how some of the most basic money advice — like living on less than you make — is now considered nearly revolutionary.

  "I'll randomly just say, live on less than you make, and I will get an audible like, gasp. Their mind is blowing." (Rachel, 01:00)

Lighthearted Personal Weird Habits

• Personal quirks: George admits to his oddly specific shower soap habit, while Rachel confesses to never finishing things like granola bars or bottles of water — a habit she theorizes is about avoiding endings (02:18–05:20).
  • Memorable moment:

    "Leave a little bit for the angels. I think that's beautiful." (George, 05:20)

Unorthodox Money Habits That Build Wealth

1. Working More Than 40 Hours (06:34–07:47)

• For a season, increasing work hours can drastically change your financial picture, especially when getting out of debt.

  "This is the number one area you can focus on because it's something you can actually control." (George, 06:37)

• It’s acknowledged as “weird” in an age where overwork is criticized, but sometimes necessary to hit financial goals.

2. Becoming a One-Car Family (07:48–08:56)

• Discusses how living with one car is more doable than people think and cites real-life examples.

  "Unorthodox. But is doable here at Ramsey. Do it." (Rachel, 08:28)

3. Not Caring About Your Credit Score (08:57–10:26)

• They debunk the myth that a high credit score is the sign of financial health and explain why deliberately having “no score” (because you use no debt) can be a positive (09:51–10:26).

  "No score is a good thing to aim for because it means you don't have debt, you don't owe anyone anything." (George, 09:52)

4. Cash or Debit Is Better Than Credit (10:27–11:25)

• Using only cash or debit gives more control and peace, while playing the credit card game often leads to more debt.

  "You spend differently." (George, 10:57)

5. Throwing All Savings Except $1,000 at Debt (12:52–14:50)

• Discusses the notorious Ramsey “baby step” of keeping only a tiny emergency fund, creating urgency to get out of debt quickly.

  "There's something to just scorched earth. Sending all of the savings to the debt except for the thousand to go." (George, 14:30)

6. Tracking Every Transaction (15:00–16:18)

• While many people resist, Rachel admits to opening her budget app multiple times daily.

  "When you get in the habit, you guys, it's addicting. Can I say that? I do it all...." (Rachel, 15:11)

7. Quitting Toxic Spending Cold Turkey (16:18–18:25)

• Going cold turkey like deleting apps or doing no-spend months can be hugely empowering and revealing.

  "Do you ever feel better than everyone else when you do something drastic?" (George, 16:39) "That's what you're paying yourself by not going through the drive through." (George, 17:22)

8. Investing Above the Company Match (21:00–22:28)

• It’s considered “weird” but investing more than the bare minimum (like 15%) transforms retirement outcomes.

  "We recommend 15% long term until your house is paid off." (George, 22:02)

9. Prioritizing Giving and Generosity (22:28–24:22)

• The habit of giving, even in small amounts, is rarely talked about. Rachel explains that when you start, it becomes part of who you are.

  "Give a little until you can give a lot." (Rachel, 23:40)

10. Paying Cash for Higher Ed (24:22–26:12)

• They challenge the student loan norm, advocating for avoiding debt, using alternatives, and only investing in education with a clear ROI.

  "Graduating with no student loan debt and starting life off on like a solid financial path ... takes years and years and years that you get ahead." (Rachel, 25:53)

11. Using the Debt Snowball Method (26:13–27:55)

• Paying off debts smallest to largest (regardless of interest rate) gives “quick wins” and keeps people motivated, even if it's not mathematically optimal.

  "Personal finance is 80% behavior, it's only 20% head knowledge." (George, 27:03)

12. Paying Off Your House Early (29:10–31:38)

• Paying off a mortgage early is “controversial,” but brings freedom and peace.

  "Paying off your house early is something most people don't do... but millionaire study paid off their home in 10.2 years on average." (George, 29:57–30:06) "If they don’t pay my bills, they don’t get a vote. This is what’s right for me and my family." (George, 38:17)

13. Buying Cars in Cash (33:22–36:10)

• Avoiding car payments, even if it means a “beater” car, is a hallmark of financially savvy people.

  "Upgrading slowly over time is very healthy and normal." (George, 34:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|---------------------------------------------|----------------| | 01:00 | "Live on less than you make... mind blown." | Rachel | | 05:20 | "Leave a little bit for the angels. I think that's beautiful." | George | | 09:52 | "No score is a good thing... you don't owe anyone anything." | George | | 10:57 | "By using your own money, you spend differently." | George | | 14:30 | "Sending all of the savings to the debt except for the thousand..." | George | | 15:11 | "When you get in the habit... it's addicting." | Rachel | | 16:39 | "Do you ever feel better than everyone else when you do something drastic?" | George | | 17:22 | "That's what you're paying yourself by not going through the drive through." | George | | 23:40 | "Give a little until you can give a lot." | Rachel | | 27:03 | "Personal finance is 80% behavior, it's only 20% head knowledge." | George | | 29:57 | "Paying off your house early is something most people don't do..." | George | | 30:06 | "Millionaire study paid off their home in 10.2 years on average." | George | | 38:17 | "If they don’t pay my bills, they don’t get a vote." | George |

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Key Timestamps for Segments

• Opening & Theme: 00:05–01:41

• Personal Weird Habits: 02:18–05:27

• Unorthodox Financial Habits (List Begins): 05:28

  • Working More Than 40 Hours: 06:34
  • One Car Family: 07:48
  • Credit Score: 08:57
  • Cash/Debit vs Credit: 10:27
  • $1,000 Emergency Fund: 12:52
  • Tracking Transactions: 15:00
  • Cold Turkey Spending: 16:18
  • Investing Above Match: 21:00
  • Giving: 22:28
  • Paying Cash Higher Ed: 24:22
  • Debt Snowball: 26:13
  • Paying Off House Early: 29:10
  • Buying Car in Cash: 33:22

• Reflections on Social Pressure & Being Weird: 37:33–38:26

  "There’s a superpower in not caring what other people think." (George, 37:33)

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Flow and Tone

• Energetic, friendly, and conversational, with plenty of mutual ribbing and real-life examples.

• Encouraging & motivational: Listeners are urged to do the “hard,” “weird” things not because it’s fun, but because they get you ahead — and only for a season if necessary.

  "We always say, live like no one else. So later you get to live and give like no one else." (Rachel, 37:29)

• The hosts are open about what habits they still practice, and which ones were necessary “for a season” as they got their financial lives on track.

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Closing Segments & Extras

• Piña Colada Review: After the main content, Rachel and George rate their "virgin pina colada" drink a perfect 10/10 ($1.12/glass) (38:28–39:45).
• Ramsey Cruise Announcement: Excitement about upcoming Ramsey Cruises and the community that comes with it (40:01–43:10).
• Guilty As Charged Segment: Rachel relays a hilarious panic-buying story regarding Backstreet Boys tickets, illustrating how impulse spending happens to pros, too (43:10–48:37).

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Conclusion

• Key Takeaway: Being "weird" with money — working more, living with less, ignoring your credit score, avoiding debt, and giving generously — is actually the path to wealth and peace of mind, even if everyone around you thinks it's strange.
• Encouragement: These habits aren't forever; they’re tools to get ahead, so you can eventually "live and give like no one else."
• Final Word: “Too many of us are influenced by the pressures we have from family and friends. And what are they going to think?... If they don’t pay my bills, they don’t get a vote. This is what’s right for me and my family.” (George, 38:17)

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[Listen to the episode and join the conversation!]

(For links and more notes, see episode show notes and Ramsey Network resources.)

Transcript

[A]

Well, if you're in the mood to be a little bit weird to build wealth successfully, you're in the right place.

[B]

Do you ever feel like you are the main character in a girl power rom com montage?

[A]

I mean, I think everything about me people would consider unusual. This is the number one area you can focus on because it's something you can actually control.

[B]

Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz.

[A]

I'm George Camel, and this is smart Money happy hour.

[B]

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

[A]

But first, Rachel, we're sipping on a virgin pina colada, and it's delicious. We're gonna give you the rating and reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode, so stick around for that. I think you're gonna like what you hear because you can't taste it.

[B]

What you see, what you hear. Okay, George. You know, one of the funniest things I have noticed about doing all this, like, money content, like, if we're ever on stage or even on a media hit, I'll randomly just say, live on less than you make, and I will get an audible like, gas.

[A]

Their mind is blowing.

[B]

Or like, Yes. I remember being doing a news segment, and I remember the anchor was like, that is so wise. Like, it's like, mind blown. And I just realized, man, you know, it's just not common. Some of the things we talk about when it comes to money. Genuinely not. Not common sense these days.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Can be a little weird, even something like that. Something that is common.

[A]

We encourage that around here at Ramsey. And for 30 years now, we've been promoting what has become controversial, weird principles like paying for things in full and not buying it if you can't afford it in full. And we got a lot of flack for that. So we thought it'd be fun to break down some of these habits behind living on less than you make and talk about the unorthodox ways you can build wealth.

[B]

Yeah, kind of the weird way, if you will, but. Okay. Before we go to the financial side, are there any unusual habits that you swear by George, that are unusual for today? Like hobbies or parenting or things?

[A]

I mean, I think everything about me people would consider unusual as far as my hab, mostly related to hygiene.

[B]

Oh. Cause it's so uppity up.

[A]

Oh, here's one that Whitney finds very odd. Whitney could give you a litany of these.

[B]

Sure, sure.

[A]

I. In the shower, I Have a bar of soap and I have to, like, wash my hands in between, like a shampoo and a conditioner, for example. I don't know why I can. I don't like the feeling.

[B]

This feels so personal to ask a friend. Is that bar of soap used at all for anything else except for hand washing?

[A]

No.

[B]

Like, you don't use it like, on your butt?

[A]

No, I have, like a loofah, some body wash. It's just like to. I don't like the feeling of that on my hands. I don't know how to explain it.

[B]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

But if you shampoo your face wash, then you go straight for the face wash. I just feel like that can't be good for your face.

[B]

So you wash your. Okay. But you said you wash your hands with it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay, so from like, shaving cream, wash your hands.

[A]

Get that. Yes. Get the gunk off.

[B]

That makes no sense. With running water. Water, like, hitting you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. That is so funny. The only time I do that, because my routine is makeup wise and I do. I use my hands a lot when I apply my makeup.

[A]

Is that not okay?

[B]

I don't know. Some people are picky about that. But I mean, like, my moisturizer.

[A]

How else do you apply makeup?

[B]

Brushes. But, like, my foundation. I'll sometimes, like, use my fingers. Like, I'll use, like, my hands a lot for my moisturizer, foundation. I don't know. Now and then I go do my hair after my makeup. Then I will in between wash, because I don't want my makeup or moisturizer greasing up my hair.

[A]

Similar concept.

[B]

No, but yours has water coming already at you.

[A]

Water. Water alone does not cleanse. I don't know if you knew that. That's how people die on the Oregon Trail. If they just had water, they would, you know, they would have been fine. They didn't have soap, I don't think.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Soap on soap, though. That's dangerous for George. Okay, that's fine.

[A]

Do you have any unusual habits you swear by?

[B]

No. That man. No. I'm not as unorthodox as you.

[A]

What kind of.

[B]

I'm sure. I'm sure I do. I'm terrible. We've talked about this on the show. I'm not. I don't swear by it, but it is a habit. I don't finish things. So, like, I'll have, like, a bite of a granola bar left and I'll, like, leave it in my car or my water bottle will always have, like, that much left and I won't drink. Like I always have like a.

[A]

You can't fin finish anything. Why it is that?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

If you went to a therapist, how would they cycle?

[B]

There would probably be something along the lines of like needing to have extra just in case.

[A]

Oh, I mean, I don't know.

[B]

I'm making that up right now. I don't know.

[A]

I thought it was because you hated for something to end so you just never let it.

[B]

No, that's much more fun. I'll take that analysis.

[A]

That's the fun in you. Well, if I eat the bar, it's gonna be gone. It's gonna be over. If I leave part of the bar.

[B]

Right now in my car, literally, I have like one bite of granola. I was going upside, you know, going to work and, and I don't finish it. I mean, I don't know.

[A]

So you've never like a. You're not part of the clean plate club where you clean off your plate?

[B]

Rarely.

[A]

You're always leaving a little bite.

[B]

Yeah, I always leave like a little something. I don't know why.

[A]

Leave a little bit for the angels. I think that's beautiful.

[B]

Just for the angels.

[A]

It's really sweet.

[B]

Yeah. That's probably the most weird, unorthodox thing ever.

[A]

Well, that was fun.

[B]

Let's talk about the money. Things that people do that are unorthodox but we would probably applaud for a season.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

All of these aren't going to be like your forever.

[A]

These are not life principles to live.

[B]

By but things that you do to get ahead for a season. First up, working more than 40 hours.

[A]

A week, you just upset a lot of people out there.

[B]

Well, yeah, I guess they don't think.

[A]

We should be working 40 hours a week. They should. They think we should be working way less.

[B]

They do.

[A]

They as in just in general.

[B]

People. The people.

[A]

Yeah. We're. We're going against the 40 hour work week.

[B]

That's true. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Part of the industrial era and Henry Ford wanted more work, you know.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

More production.

[B]

It's more like yes, work smarter, not harder mentality. And if you get it all done.

[A]

I feel like there is a case to be made that in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That America works longer hours than most countries.

[B]

Yeah. But I do think we talk to people on the show and they're easily working 50 to 60 hours. Some people we talk to and we're like woo. You know. So yeah, I do think we can get more creative. I'm not mad about that. Of how we Spend our time and the hours, but trying to cut corners constantly.

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

But the idea of working more than that. Unorthodox, a hundred percent.

[A]

But if you're trying to get out of debt, this is the number one area you can focus on. Cause it's something you can actually control is the number of hours you work, how much money you make, and if you can't do it at your full time job. We live in a side gig economy and I've proven this. I signed up for Instacart for a night and within an hour I was on the road driving. Get for better and worse. And it was mostly worse.

[B]

And no one tipped you, right?

[A]

One. Well, I went to the most affluent neighborhood I could think of and it was like the weakest tip of the night.

[B]

So sad.

[A]

1. My final, final 10 tip.

[B]

And that's wild.

[A]

Yeah, that's wild. After I've been lugging these 12 packs of sodas and gallons of come on people.

[B]

Nothing.

[A]

I think it should be based on weight. That's your tip. Should be automatic. Based on how much weight I had to carry.

[B]

That's funny. I like that. That's actually pretty good.

[A]

Sign me up. But this is a big one.

[B]

And working more inc people, you know, especially entrepreneurs are getting their business off the ground. That's normal. Working way more than 40 hours to get something going. So. So yeah. For a period of time up in the income, up in the work hours, whether it's overtime with your primary job or a side gig. Yep. For a season. Getting out of debt.

[A]

It's a weird habit. And it's worth it.

[B]

You can do it. Yep.

[A]

You'll survive.

[B]

All right, here's one. People could never imagine being a one car family.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Going down to one car to be able to make money. Yep.

[A]

It doesn't work for everyone.

[B]

And a lot of people feel like it's not even doable. Like it's like there's not even a way. But I do think I'm like, if you had to, if you had to, you could. Because that was more common growing up.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like we were a one car family for years. Now if two people are working and date, I don't know, you gotta figure out schedules. I mean, yeah, it's.

[A]

It can be a little hectic.

[B]

You know who did it? Jade Warshaw and Sam.

[A]

Oh, that's right. When they were getting married.

[B]

Yeah. For years. Yes. They were a one car family because they were like, yeah, we can't afford another car and we're getting out of debt. So unorthodox. But is doable here at Ramsey. Do it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Carpool.

[A]

Either you can't afford to make the car repair. You know, it's kind of kaput. You don't have the money for the new one, or you need to sell the one. You have to get rid of the payments and go down one car while you save up for the next one. There's a lot of reasons to go down one car. And I think we should all take some stock and go. If you need to right now because of debt or other financial obligations. It's worth exploring this option.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.

[A]

This is one way to sacrifice.

[B]

All right. Next. Another or unorthodox way of looking at your money, not caring about your credit score. Oh, it's kind of a hot take these days. People love a credit score. They love to measure up, figure out where they are in the pack.

[A]

You know, because people get this mistaken all the time. They think because I don't have a score, it means I'm not financially responsible.

[B]

Yes. That. That is a mistake about credit scores. People really do think if I have a high credit score, I'm doing great with money. Where all credit score is mathematically calculated is all have to do it around debt. So it's basically you paying your debts on time. Yes. But acquiring new debt, keeping your current debt going. And it's just like a debt juggling formula. And then it's like, here's how well you are at managing debt. That's basically your credit score.

[A]

So a bad score will hurt you. I want to make that clear. There's three buckets. The bad score people, the no score people, and the really good score people who brag about it.

[B]

Yep. Yep.

[A]

I'm talking about no score is a good thing to aim for because it means you don't have debt, you don't owe anyone anything. And six to 12 months after you pay off all of your debt, close all your accounts. Your. Your score will disappear.

[B]

Yes. And it will go down while you're getting out of debt. So you may kind of see it start to go down. But then again it'll become indetermined because you can't determine the credit score if you don't have debt open, especially those accounts. So that's.

[A]

Right.

[B]

That's how dumb. Very unorthodox way of looking at it. But we love a. I'd rather that.

[A]

Than play this game where if you pay off debt, they punish you by lowering your score.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And they increase it. If you take out more Lines of credit.

[B]

Yep, Yep.

[A]

I don't want to get sucked into that matrix.

[B]

Oh, that game. How about this? Cash or debit is better than credit and debt. Ooh, that's unorthodox these days.

[A]

Yeah, well, it goes along with that credit score one. People have just gotten so used to having a credit card, having multiple credit cards, rotating their credit cards for whatever has the best cash back program that month. That's also an insane game to play.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Versus just using your own money and saving way more than the 2% you would have gotten 100. By using your own money, you spend differently.

[B]

Yeah. And just having peace that in the moment, it's done. Like you swipe the debit card, you pay with the cash and you move on.

[A]

I don't have a debit card statement at the end of the month that I have to then reconcile and pay.

[B]

And figure out and think. Yes. And hope you have the money for it and all of it. So. Yeah. And my thing always is people always have good intentions getting a credit card. It's either I'm gonna play the game and get this or that. And then you talk to people and they're racking up 12,000, 20, 40. Right. Of credit card debt. Thousands of dollars of credit card debt.

[A]

We're at a record high now, did you know that?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We have hit it 1.23 trillion in credit card debt.

[B]

So someone's winning. And it ain't you people.

[A]

It's not the American people tell you that much.

[B]

Those banks, man, they love them some credit cards.

[A]

Speaking of banks, Rachel, if you want to bank smarter, not harder, you got to check out Fairwinds Credit Union. They've been a great partner of this show and many others on the Ramsey network. And here's what I love about them. They are for you. Unlike the big banks out there who just see you as a number, Fair Winds Credit Union is owned by their members, not by Wall street, which means they can do what they want to do, which is serve the fans better. And they believe in the Ramsey principles. They want their members to become and stay debt free, which is incredible. And so they partnered with us to create a smart bundle, a no fee checking account, a high yield savings, and the Ramsey branded debit card.

[B]

Do you have it?

[A]

Which is perfect for this episode because it says debt is normal. Be weird.

[B]

See debit, not credit. You see that right there? Yeah, I know. Well, they're fantastic. And what I.

[A]

This is your card, Rachel.

[B]

Love about it. Took my card. But no, really, what I Love about it is even not only what they believe in their heart behind this credit union and wanting to help people, but all their systems are easy. The app is easy to use. Setting up these accounts, so easy. The customer service is incredible. We have it in the cruise household. I know the camels have it like all. It's just amazing. So you can check it out. You can go to Fairwinds.org Ramsey and sign up for the Smart bundle today.

[A]

We'll also leave a link in the description below. All right, next. Weird habit, throwing all savings except for $1,000 at your debt. So this is referring to the infamous baby step one of the Ramsey plan, where we tell people, save up $1,000 real quick for a starter emergency fund. And a lot of people have that and more sitting in savings.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And it's a real emotional turn to take money out of savings to apply to debt.

[B]

That's right. Yeah. Because people do feel like it's riskier to have no savings and to have a lot of debt. But the truth is, if something were to happen and you lost your job and you could only float a month maybe of that savings, then you have all these bills that you're going to get behind if you keep the debt. So the faster you can clear out other people having their name all over your finances, that's the less riskier bet. And usually for most things that you're finding that pop up, either they're under $1,000 or even if they're over, you can always pause the baby steps, save up. And if you're throwing 2 to $3,000 at debt every month, you could pause and save up that amount of cash in one month and figure out how to fix the emergency. So there's definitely options out there because I know a lot of people feel urgent with it and it is kind of scary. I was talking to a girl here at Ramsey and they're getting out of debt and she's like, oh, my gosh. They've been, I think it's almost 18 months with just $1,000.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

It always keeps me on edge, but it makes me want to get out of debt that much faster. Any extra money we have every month, like, just put at the debt. Like, I want to get out of it faster.

[A]

That's the thing that actually gets people out of debt is that fire going, like, I'm not okay. And what the problem is, you get too comfortable having a pile of cash over here to where you go, well, I don't need to be that aggressive paying off the debt.

[B]

Right, right.

[A]

I want to live my life. And there's something to just scorched earth. Sending all of the savings to the debt except for the thousand to go. I mean, at this time.

[B]

And then some people want to try to save up three months before they start paying off debt. And then that slows the whole progress down again too. So. Ye. Yeah. It's just the. Like just kind of bite the bullet and do it, y' all just do it. So. Yep, the thousand dollars. But very unorthodox these days.

[A]

And it's not meant to be a long term solution. Most people get out of debt in 18 to 24 months following this Ramsey plan. So once you get out of that debt, you can stack it up to three to six months of expenses.

[B]

That's right. All right, next is tracking transactions.

[A]

Perfect.

[B]

I think a lot of people hate the details of this. They're like, I don't want to just nickel and dime myself to death. I think that's what people feel like if they're tracking transactions.

[A]

Nobody wants to track anything like a.

[B]

299 fee for this thing. And to track it it's like, wait, why is this three bucks? It's not a big deal, but when you get in the habit of you guys, it's addicting. Can I say that? I do it all y'. All. I open up my EveryDollar app genuinely. Maybe one or two times a day.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that little dot happens and it's like four transactions. The worst of is if over a weekend or something. I didn't.

[A]

They all come in Monday.

[B]

I'm like, oh my God. Give me a second, everyone. Pause the family. I gotta track my transactions. Then we can get back to reality. Yeah, there's something. There's something just so controlling about it. But it's like a good control, you know.

[A]

Well, you're actually, you know, having to reconcile the purchases you made. Which is something we don't do anymore.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We don't have our checkbooks out. Reconciling in the back of the checkbook.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

We're just swiping, swiping, swiping. And then we just hopefully make the bill at the end of the month, which is a terrible way to live. So every dollar makes this super easy. That's what Rachel's talking about. She just drags the transaction over to the correct line item and boom, it's done. And it shows you how much money you have left for that category.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

So that you don't overspend. That's the Point of tracking, it's not to nerd out. So if you want to check it out, we'll leave a link to every dollar in the description below.

[B]

All right, next is quitting toxic spending habits Cold turkey. So do you ever feel like you are the main character in a Girl Power rom com montage?

[A]

Always.

[B]

It's kind of like Elle woods on the Stairmaster, you know, and they have like all the music and all the things, you know, there is something like that. You're like, okay, I can do this. Like, I can make a change. I can make a change.

[A]

Do you ever feel better than everyone else when you do something drastic? You're like, I'm gonna delete Instagram off my phone.

[B]

Phone. Yeah. Oh, I feel like I'm a better human than everyone walking around.

[A]

It's a weird flex.

[B]

I know it is.

[A]

Nobody knows but you. Unless you post. Please don't post about it on social.

[B]

Media that you're about to.

[A]

I'm deleting Instagram. Text me if you need me. Literally nobody cares. Nobody was trying to message you on Instagram. They would have just text you if they needed something.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

But yeah, deleting apps on your phone that cost money or that temp you to spend money.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Maybe you're going to stop eating out for an entire month. That's a huge emotional thing to switch. When you're used to stopping through that drive thru after a long day at work and instead you drive past it.

[B]

Yeah. And you go home.

[A]

Think about it. If I just was like, I'll pay you $10 to drive past that drive thru, you would do it. Think about that. That's what you're paying yourself by not going through the drive through.

[B]

That's smart. That's good.

[A]

Until In N Out is finished down the street. And then I will be going through that drive through.

[B]

But hey, that's actually pretty budget friendly.

[A]

It's still like $3 a burger.

[B]

Yeah, it's pretty. It's actually pretty great.

[A]

They inflation proof over there.

[B]

I know. Yeah. I love a no spin challenge. That's always fun.

[A]

That one's kind of exciting though.

[B]

Yeah. You kind of band together. I have to have an end date though.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I've only done it a few times in my life, George. It's hard.

[A]

I think 30 days is the max.

[B]

Mine also the like, no spending on clothes for like a season. If you're like, no, I'm not buying anything for winter.

[A]

Shop your closet.

[B]

Shop your closet. I know, but yeah, those kind of things. There's Something again. It's kind of empowering. Or you're like, I'm doing something big, changing my life.

[A]

Here's an idea. Steam your clothes and put a fake tag on it and tell yourself it's.

[B]

Brand new and be like, look at this.

[A]

Because at one point it was brand new and you loved it and you.

[B]

Loved it and you felt all excited about it and then that excitement wears off.

[A]

And so then you realize, I'm not a turtleneck guy. What was I thinking?

[B]

Why did I go for that cable, that sweater?

[A]

This?

[B]

I don't know. Oh my gosh. Too good.

[A]

I do a credit card challenge. In the book to Breaking Free from Broke. I at the end of the credit card chapter, I say, hey, bet. Put your credit card in a block of ice, hide it, do something with it to where you can't use it for a whole month and see how it changes your spending.

[B]

Oh, and just look and see.

[A]

And the people who do it, they go, I saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars just by using my own money.

[B]

Isn't that crazy?

[A]

Because I was just spending more when it was other people's money and I had to pay it back later.

[B]

It is. The emotional attachment thing is so real. You know, we have a good friend who used to work here and he told me it was like confession. I was like, it's fine, I'm not judging you. But he was like, hey, I just want you to know, when I left, I did. I got a credit card. And he said, and I only kept it for like three to four months because he was like, I found myself going to like Academy Sports. And he's like, I had to pick up one thing. It's like, yeah. He was like, it is crazy how you do detach emotion. You do like. He's like, it was wild. He's like, I finally just got rid of it. I was like, okay, fine. We were right the whole time, you know, But I was like, yeah, I appreciate that. True testament right there.

[A]

That's why I don't go to Academy Sports. I'm too tempted by all the sporting goods.

[B]

All the sporting goods.

[A]

So many things I could buy so much.

[B]

Now you know where I am tempted to spend though?

[A]

Where's that?

[B]

Cozy Earth.

[A]

Now that's worth it. I put a whole line item in the budget for Cozy Earth.

[B]

I mean, because when you buy it that quality, you still get excited about it. Those pajamas, the socks, the sheets, the bedding, all of it. You still get that new exciting feeling. Cuz it's so great. It is so Great.

[A]

I bought a lot of Christmas gifts from my family from Cozier this season because it's just like, it's the thing that they don't have and wouldn't buy for themself. Cause, like, well, I don't deserve a nice PJ set. And I'm like, mom, you deserve the most.

[B]

You deserve the most.

[A]

I'm that kind of son here. That's just who I am.

[B]

The Cozy Earth. Yes.

[A]

So luxe bath towels. Their new Baja bedding collection.

[B]

I was gonna say the Baja bedding.

[A]

Gorgeous.

[B]

Beautiful, you guys.

[A]

Elegant.

[B]

Beautiful you. Do you feel like you're in combo?

[A]

I didn't know bedding could be elegant until I saw this.

[B]

Because it's simple, it's not overly busy, but it's like, it's so tasteful. It's beautiful.

[A]

Just enough.

[B]

They did great. Yep. So make sure to check it out because again, it's everything from the bedding set, you guys, the sheets, all of it. Towels, everything. It is incredible. I mean, all their products are incredible. So you can go to cozyearth.com smart money. Use the code smart money for 20% off. And if you get the post purchase survey, be sure to mention that you heard about Cozy Earth here on Smart.

[A]

Money, you get bonus points here and.

[B]

In heaven, more jewels on your crown.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

In eternity. All right, next on Earth, orthodox money habit is investing above the company match.

[A]

Now we're talking. Okay, so most people go, well, I mean, how much are you investing? They go, I'm investing, I don't know, 4%. And I go, why is that? Well, the company matches 4%, so I'm going to do the bare minimum.

[B]

I'm just going to do what they do and then be done. Yeah.

[A]

The problem is they get to retirement realizing I need more than this because 4% over my career was not enough to sustain a great retirement, most likely.

[B]

Yep. Well, and a lot of people don't have the margin to invest more either. Right. So that is why, with the baby steps, that's why getting out of debt and then saving up an emergency fund, you do all that first and then you have the margin to save up to that 15%. So always go up to your employer's Match Match and then go to a Roth ira. It's another great investing vehicle for retirement. And then if you still have more for that 15%, you can go back to the 401k and invest. But going above the match, not everyone does it, but it's a good plan long term.

[A]

We recommend 15% long term until your house is paid off. So while you're still got the mortgage, invest 15 once you're debt free. And for most people that's going to be a seven figure nest egg over your working lifetime. Now if you're like 58 and just getting started, this might look different. But if you're in your 20s, 30s, even 40s, you can still have a million dollar plus nest egg if you invest that 15% of the average income.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

It's very encouraging.

[B]

Right. Next is to prioritize giving and generosity.

[A]

That's a weird habit.

[B]

Yep. Because a lot of people don't think about it. And I do feel like a lot of people in the money space don't talk about it. I feel like usually like investing and crypto and interest rates and all that is talked about a lot.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But the generosity part is not as clickable. People don't. Yeah, they don't think about. But it is so important. It's a habit to get in because you do. There's something about prioritizing other people, those around you in need. There's something about that that's just really beautiful. That opening up your hand to give. And sometimes the habit, you start to do it even if you don't feel like you want to. To be honest.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then when you get into the habit, it becomes a part of who you are. And then you start to realize, oh, I do have the margin for it. Cause I'm making it a priority to do it.

[A]

Yeah. We had a group of college kids come through and they were like the sweetest, smartest kids. I was embarrassed to be in that room, but they were like, how do you prioritize generosity? I was like, who are you? Aw, that's you, you' years old. This is insane.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But I told them, just fake it till you make it, put it in the budget, force yourself to give and you'll realize how much you actually enjoy giving and how it changes your perspective on money.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And you know, I love how you say it. Give a little until you can give a lot.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Yeah. That blew their mind when I dropped that Rachel Cruz quote on that.

[B]

Oh my gosh. Really? That's very nice.

[A]

They like it because it just frees you to go, oh, it's not a certain milestone I need to hit where if I make a certain amount of money, then I'll start giving.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Because people think, well, I'm not rich enough to give or I don't make enough. So what is my contribution going to do. But it really is the thought that counts in the heart behind it. Whether it's a $100 a thousand dollars and it changes someone's day.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Even a simple gesture like you know.

[B]

People or it's just like all about them all the time. Right.

[A]

That's why giving is so shocking. You watch these videos and people are just overcome with emotion when someone gives them anything.

[B]

I love it. Yes.

[A]

That kind of kindness is much needed in today's society.

[B]

Incredible.

[A]

Prioritize it, Put it in the budget.

[B]

All right, next, paying cash for higher ed. Dun dun dun.

[A]

Say what?

[B]

I know student loans are the norm these days. You know, it's not, not even thinking of another, another path.

[A]

It literally is just the default option is, what do you mean you're going to pay for college outright? Yeah.

[B]

Or oh, I'm not going to go to that school that I always wanted to go to because I can't afford it. Like you rarely hear an 18 year old say that. Yeah, it's a smart thing to do.

[A]

And not all degrees are created equal. And so everyone just thinks, well, if I'm going to invest in my education, it's an investment, so it will have an roi. The problem is there's not always a great paying job handed to you at the end of this road and you're still carrying 100 grand of student.

[B]

I do think it's gotten harder. Do you?

[A]

Yeah. Well, especially because a lot of people are getting more kind of niche degrees or more general degrees and they don't really know what they wanted to do after. They just thought, this will be a cool thing to study.

[B]

Yes, yes.

[A]

It's like saying like, well, this will be a cool restaurant to go to, but they don't think through it all the way to go, is there a job on the other side that I want to do that pays enough to make this education worth it, cash or not.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So that's the scary part.

[B]

Yep, for sure. So thinking through that is so important. And then again just making sure that you can cash flow it. And so that may mean taking a gap year that could be going to a community college for a year or two, scholarships and grants, whatever it looks like. But man, graduating with no student loan debt and starting life off on like a solid financial path to build upon versus digging yourself out of a hole at 21. I'm telling you, it takes years and years and years and years and years that you get ahead.

[A]

On the other side, you're a different person. In that job interview when you're like, I need to make these student loan payments, man, give me the job.

[B]

Give me the job, man, give me the job.

[A]

So there's a lot of ways to go to school. Debt free trade schools, community colleges, part time. Just don't feel like the default path is take out monopoly money and hope for the best. It has not worked out.

[B]

Amen.

[A]

All right, next up on our list of weird habits using the debt snowball method.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

Controversial in the financial world.

[B]

Yep. So the debt snowball is where you pay the smallest debt first and then you go up to the largest debt regardless of the interest rate. But the debt avalanche is another way to pay off debt where you pay off the highest interest rate first because mathematically, you know, that would be correct. And what we have found over and over again is people get quick wins. You start knocking off some of those credit cards that you've had around, you start knocking off that personal loans, your parents at 10,000, like whatever it is, you knock them all off and momentum builds and you're like, oh gosh, there's just something about getting all those small ones out of the way, be done with them. And then you attack the big ones with extra margin because you don't have the payments of all the other ones. And so that's. Yeah, a lot of people like to.

[A]

Go the avalanche way, which focuses on math and knowledge. And we always say personal finance is 80% behavior, it's only 20% head knowledge. And so the debt snowball attacks behavior. And your psychology matters a lot when it comes to getting out of debt. And Time magazine did a piece on this, Harvard did a piece on this saying, Dave Ramsey is right, the debt snowball method is the best way to get out of debt.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

They did the study and went, listen, this is what actually works. And if you do the math, it's probably a wash because we're telling you to get a debt with such intensity, you're not even paying that much interest.

[B]

Right.

[A]

If you're going to hang on to it for a decade, sure, the interest matters, but we would never recommend or suggest.

[B]

And the completion rate, I think is higher. With the debt snowball versus the avalanche, people stay with it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because again, they're, they're encouraged. You know, you get this like quick wins, which is amazing.

[A]

Yeah. If we were doing math, we wouldn't be in credit card debt. That's, that's the old joke.

[B]

Amen.

[A]

So if we're now going to be like, well, the interest rate, like, well, if you, if you knew it Was that high. Why'd you go.

[B]

Why'd you go into it anyway?

[A]

You are such a smart all about it.

[B]

Yes. Well, I know one thing that's all too common, George, that's not a great habit, is the fact that our information is all over the Internet. Getting your information removed is so important in today's world. And Delete Me's privacy team does that. They literally go into these data broker websites and remove your data for you and keep it going. So when you sign up for newsletters and coupon codes and all this stuff, you put your information out there. A lot of times companies will sell your data to data brokers and then they collect your data on these sketchy websites like findpeople.com, it's like really random. And that means all your information is out there. I mean, this is like, it's big business. Home addresses from the past, like two or three places you've lived, like all the way back to like your first place you ever lived. Your address is out there.

[A]

They keep scanning all year long, sending you reports along the way. And it's brought me a lot of peace of mind. So if you want that for your family, for your life, you can go check it out and get a sweet deal. Just go to JoinDeleteMe.com, smart money, and you'll get 20% off their annual plans. And that works out to around nine bucks a month. And this is a subscription that's worth having. This is not entertainment. It's not even a luxury. It's a necessity for my family.

[B]

Absolutely. All right, next is paying your house off early. Dun, dun, dun.

[A]

That's an extra weird habit today.

[B]

Yeah, I know.

[A]

There's. There was big beef on X, the social media platform that you haven't used in years. Rachel.

[B]

I know what it is.

[A]

We miss you on there. Well, this guy. This guy posted his screenshot of his mortgage with a zero balance.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And he was roasted for paying off his low interest mortgage early. That was the most financially stupid thing you could have done. So there was this whole argument on Twitter between the people who said, no, it's worth it for the peace of mind.

[B]

Under like Ramsey Solutions banner. Dave Ramsey banner or. No, just in general.

[A]

Just in general.

[B]

Funny.

[A]

Okay, so I thought I was just watching, you know, sipping my tea like Kermit off to the side, but it is interesting. Paying off your house early is something most people don't do.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And we found that millionaires in our millionaire study paid off their home in 10.2 years on average. They didn't hang on to it even if they had a quote unquote low interest rate.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And the thing is, we don't know what life's going to throw at us if there's a job loss, a health scare. You assume you'll always be able to make that mortgage payment.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But if it's gone, it's one less.

[B]

Thing to worry about. And my thing always is to pay off the house, number one. And if you hate it, if you hate having a paid off house, you can always go get a mortgage on it again. Right. So some people have the money to pay off their house. And we talk to a lot of people, and in savings they'll have like $141,000 and they have an $80,000 mortgage left. And we're like, pay it off. And they're like, I don't know, I don't know. I'm like, pay it off. And if you hate it, hate it. You can go and, you know, get a mortgage again on the house.

[A]

Or they say, well, you could invest the difference and you could be way better off. I'm like, well, I was investing the whole time. We would never advocate to pause your investing to pay off the mortgage earning.

[B]

And then go pay your. And then invest your mortgage payment every month. Yeah. See what that 2,000 bucks jump you. Yes.

[A]

Invest it every month for the rest of your life. You're gonna be okay.

[B]

You're gonna be okay. So the peace of mind and the presence is a part of money that we fight for so much. So again, it's not always about the spreadsheets and all of it. It is about you as a whole person having autonomy over your money. And that's gonna give you peace and options way more than being like, I have this over here, balancing it all. There's something that you carry when you do that. There is.

[A]

And so living in your head rent.

[B]

Free that whole time, isn't that funny? Having a paid off house is controversial. Isn't that funny? I'm like, if someone gave you a paid off house, you're like, no, no, no, no. I'm going to borrow on it to invest.

[A]

No, you would never do that.

[B]

No, you'd be like, thank you for the house.

[A]

Yeah, I'll take the no payment. Appreciate that.

[B]

Appreciate that.

[A]

Then here's my second least favorite. Well, Rachel, you still have to pay your property taxes, your house away.

[B]

That's kind of me a little bit.

[A]

You'll never actually own it.

[B]

You'll never actually own it.

[A]

They always do. This, for some reason, this motion with.

[B]

Their okay, I am a little bit like that. It is kind of creepy to think you could have a paid off house, but if you didn't pay the taxes, you still lose it.

[A]

If you don't pay your water bill, they shut off your water. Do you own the water? No. That's fine.

[B]

But I own the land. I bought that land.

[A]

That is true. And we live in a society with like, roads and firefighters and police.

[B]

I know.

[A]

And hopefully the government's using that money wisely.

[B]

Maybe that's what. Maybe that's why I want to see.

[A]

That's my only hope.

[B]

I know. I think I'd feel better about all taxes if I could see if it listed out everything where it's going. And if it was like the fire department, Engine 64, I'd be like, thank you. Love that.

[A]

Beautiful teachers. Hey, you paid 1% of Brad's salary this time.

[B]

But then it's like, hey, Congressman so and so wants to fly here and you pay for his plane ticket. I'd be like, yep, that makes me mad. That makes me mad, you know? So I think I feel better about taxes if I could control where it's going. I don't think.

[A]

Are you listening, government? We want a newsletter. We want you to report exactly where this money went.

[B]

I'd shuttle all of mine to Milo Elementary School with our teachers.

[A]

That would be fun if you could.

[B]

I wish all my property tax just went.

[A]

Send it all. Like, you had to still pay the same amount. But you could say, I want this all to go to the schools.

[B]

Yes. Wouldn't it be great?

[A]

But then, like, the police would have no funding if everyone decided, well, the teachers are more funded.

[B]

No, no. But you know what I mean, though. I think the citizens would feel better government if we knew where it was going.

[A]

Fix the potholes first.

[B]

Just saying.

[A]

All right, next up on our weird habits, Buying cars in cash.

[B]

Oh, yes, this is a hard one. This is a hard one because you get stuck in the car payment cycle. You know, you have a car payment, you drive the car, and then it's, you know, four years, five years later, and you're like, okay, I'm done with that. Now it's time to get another car. Right. So a lot of people feel like they're just like in this.

[A]

And so what you do, you trade it into the dealership and get hosed on that deal.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Sometimes rolling over negative equity to get the next loan, and you keep going. That's what we see on the Ramsey show. And it's frightening. So I always tell them, what's your car payment? 500 bucks. Okay, well, that's $6,000 a year.

[B]

Yes. 700 is now like the new average for a new car.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

It's crazy.

[A]

And the interest rates keep going up, too, on top of the prices.

[B]

Some of these interest rates that we're hearing, it's like 28% or something.

[A]

And we're like, people are just, they're just desperate and they just, they want to get out of that dealership.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

At all costs.

[B]

I know. Yep. So saving up and paying for a car in cash, again, controversial, but if you have a car payment right now, if you have a car loan, if you can't pay off that car in 12 to 18 months, or it's more than half of your annual income, the car is, then, you know, if you all that, you got to get rid of it, you got to sell it, and you may have to take out a small loan for the difference. If you're underwater, you put an extra thousand, couple thousand on that loan to get you a, you know, 3,000, $4,000 car to get you through. But getting out of that car payment, that $40,000 car payment, you know, for, I don't know, $8,000, make that trade all day.

[A]

Yeah. And that first car you get with cash, it's not going to be the prettiest car. It might be a $6,000 car.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And then the next car you get might be a $10,000 car, then maybe a 15 or 20. And so upgrading slowly over time is very healthy and normal.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Going into debt consistently to buy the latest and greatest to impress people that you don't even really like to turn heads at the school, drop off. It's not the move.

[B]

Not the move.

[A]

And again, people are just willing to pay for it because they can just afford the payment.

[B]

Well, that's it, too. It's the line of thinking of, yes, if I can afford the payment, I'm good, I can afford the car. But this whole save up and pay for it in full, or if you don't have the money, don't buy it.

[A]

My latest car purchase, it was unbearable. You always have to talk to the finance office, no matter what to complete the purchase.

[B]

What do they kept saying? They just kept saying.

[A]

And he kept me on the line, I mean, even after I convinced him, listen, dude, I am not taking out a loan. So stop. He went, well, the warranty, you really need the warranty. So then he pitched the warranty for another seven minutes. It Was exhausting.

[B]

You gotta stay on that phone.

[A]

And at some point, I just wanted to say, hey, man, Google me. Just Google me. Just Google me. We can end this call early. We save your time to go pedal this to someone else.

[B]

Yes, that's right. That's right.

[A]

But you have to really be firm because they will. They're really good at sales. They will talk you into pretty much anything unless you have your principles laid out early.

[B]

100%. Oh, man. So just some crazy habits, George. Some weird habits in today's world.

[A]

And you live by these habits?

[B]

I do. So do you mean not the, you.

[A]

Know, getting out of debt for the season and having to work more than 40 hours a week? I don't miss that.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

The one car, family life, we got more than that now.

[B]

Sure. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. But I still do all these other ones. Like, I have an indeterminable credit score. I use cash or debit only.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

I have quit some toxic spending habits cold turkey.

[B]

Look at you doing it all. Yeah. And I think always the moral of the story is these harder ones, like you were saying, one car, family, more than 40 hours a week, it's for a season. If you feel like you're just doing it to do it, then that feels hopeless to me. Right. We're not telling people to sacrifice and do these things for nothing. You're doing it to get ahead. And it's only for a period of time. It's not your whole life. So that's the encouraging part. So have a date out there to be like, okay, we can do all of this for 14 months. You know, for 14 months we can do anything. Or nine months. Whatever. The thing is, whatever the timeline is, have it out there for a goal to shoot for. Cause that always gives you an end date. And again, you're gonna be better off financially for it. So we always say, live like no one else. So later you get to live and give like no one else. And these habits are weird. They're not normal. So people may be like, what? What are you doing? You're paying off your house. You're trying to pay off your house. That's a weird goal. You could be doing X, Y and Z. They may throw math. That's just spreadsheets, all of it. But there's something about the common sense approach to money that gives peace of mind and it allows you to build wealth.

[A]

Beautifully said. I do think there's. There's a superpower in not caring what other people think.

[B]

That's true, too.

[A]

Too many of us are influenced by the pressures we have from family and friends. And what are they going to think? And. Well, it's just easier to make them.

[B]

The ego, George.

[A]

There's ego involved.

[B]

It is to go down, to go backwards, what feels like backwards in lifestyle for some of us.

[A]

To sell your $52,000 SUV and drive a beater and the family's now like, what are you driving?

[B]

What are you driving? What happened in ice, y'? All. That is. It is.

[A]

You hate your family. This is not safe to be driving around your toddler in this car. There's all kinds of things you're gonna face as you do weird things. And you have to just put blinders on and go. If they don't pay my bills, they don't get a vote. This is what's right for me and my family. And it's for a season or it's forever. If you're gonna be a cash and debit person and you're gonna get flack for it from the people who, you know, maybe love you most sometimes.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

But you gotta stick to your guns.

[B]

I love it. Great job, George.

[A]

That was fun.

[B]

Okay, before we spill the tea, on our guiltiest charge segments, who's. I think you.

[A]

May I beat you to it?

[B]

I think you did beat me. Can I say this stayed frozen. Well done. I don't even know what the combination was, but it just stayed frozen.

[A]

They used some really high quality ice in here. This was a virgin pina colada. Very simple ingredients. You'll be shocked. Pineapple juice, cream of coconut, plus ice.

[B]

Is that it?

[A]

In a blender. $1.12 and not a penny.

[B]

My kids would chug this.

[A]

This is a great. I'm going 10 out of 10.

[B]

I may, too. I mean, genuinely. Yes. 10 out of 10. So good.

[A]

Take me to the all inclusive.

[B]

You know one of my favorite videos? Have you seen it? Well, they have an alcohol version of this video I'm about to talk about where it's like, hi, it's girls night. And this is my first drink. And then it's like, hi, it's girls night. This is my second. Whatever. They have a kid version. We're like, this is my first pina colada. It's like a little kid.

[A]

And then it's like, this is me.

[B]

After my second pina colada. And he the way up to, like 12 on his trip with his family. It's so cute.

[A]

Until he just has, like a sugar.

[B]

I know already, like, freaks out on the sugar. I don't know, but it's so funny.

[A]

Four peas are pants. That's more likely to happen, I guess, at that point. That's just. That's a lot of liquid for a little kid to get.

[B]

A lot of liquid going into the 12 year old.

[A]

Yeah, I've been there.

[B]

Oh, that's so funny.

[A]

Well, yeah, you're 10 out of 10, too.

[B]

Yeah, for sure.

[A]

All right, shout out. The producers have been on it. I know.

[B]

Gosh. So, yeah, this.

[A]

And this is one you can make for the kids, too, which is fun.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

So the recipe is in the show notes. Give it a try this weekend. And if you want to spice it up and spike it, that's your prerogative. You're an adult. You do what you want to do.

[B]

Okay. This feels very Caribbean to me, George.

[A]

Yes, it does. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[B]

I know. Are you thinking Ramsay Cruise, 2027?

[A]

I think we should do it.

[B]

I think we should. Did you know we did a Smart Money happy hour twice at sea on the last Ramsey cruise.

[A]

So epic. With a special. We had a special commemorative Smart Money happy hour. Tiki glass.

[B]

Yeah. And people got to buy it. Yeah. Okay. Some people don't even know. You may not even know. We did a Ramsey cruise. Did you know that? I feel like sometimes it's news to people. They didn't know.

[A]

March of 2025.

[B]

Yes. So we did a Ramsey cruise with everyone that was on baby steps 4, 5, 6, and 7. So debt free, all the things. An entire cruise ship of Ramsey people.

[A]

Can you picture it? Like 2,500 of our closest friends.

[B]

Yes. And, yeah. And for a week, we took sail around the Caribbean, and it was so fun. We got to speak at night. We did live podcast episodes, like Smart Money Happy Hour. There was comedians and musical guests, magic shows, fun entertainment, good food and drink. Like, it was so fun. All the Ramsey personalities were there. Dave and Sharon were there.

[A]

And everyone was so kind. I was like this. And even the staff was like, who are these?

[B]

No, seriously, y'. All? It was, these are the kind. They were the nicest people cruisers we've ever dealt with. Yes. So, like, yeah, I was in the spa one day and the lady doing my massage was like, I don't know who you all are. She's like, but we've never been tipped more.

[A]

That's right.

[B]

So the general generosity was amazing. All of it. And other cruisers were saying that they're like, we're just so glad to be in an environment like. Like, who are you? Where's my positive? Yeah. It was like a utopia it was so good. So the invitation has already gone out to those cruisers and it's filling up quick because they're all wanting to go again because it was.

[A]

It's now become a tradition. They want to come back.

[B]

Yes. So we are going. I think it's what, the western Caribbean this time. Sure, we're going to different islands, but.

[A]

It is going to be fool me with some white sand and a beautiful ocean.

[B]

Yeah, I know. Yeah.

[A]

It's all the same.

[B]

So we are. Yeah. Hitting the seas again, you guys. March of 2027. So we'll put a link down below if to join us.

[A]

The Ramsey Live like no one else cruise is upon us. You can book your cabin now and save up to 200 bucks online only. So go to ramseysolutions.comcruise to book your cabin today or click the link in the show notes. And again, it'll be the entirety of the Ramsey team. All the Ramsey personalities. Rachel, myself, Dave, Del, we'll do Smart.

[B]

Money Happy Hour live again. That was so fun.

[A]

It really is.

[B]

Do you know the best part was we started and it was like, hi, I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel. And this is. And the whole audience went. Went Smart Money Happy Hour.

[A]

It was so epic. I was like, I could die happy. This is the best.

[B]

It was so good, so fun.

[A]

Have you ever felt more like a rock star than 2500 people who are like, I'm here for this podcast.

[B]

We love this podcast.

[A]

We love a good podcast. They were ready to learn. They were like. I was like, guys, that was the other funny. Let your hair down. And they're like, no, we want to learn about mutual.

[B]

Every session was packed Q&As. Are y' all not gonna go?

[A]

We have to do something in case people want to learn. Then they all flooded every single day.

[B]

There was an insurance Q and A, and it was full. They had to turn people away. I was like, what is happening?

[A]

So fun. Can't wait to see you all there. Let us know in the comments if you plan on coming. If you're on a YouTube Spotify, leave a comment. Let us know.

[B]

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

[A]

Can I ask this one?

[B]

Oh, sure.

[A]

All right. Have you ever gone into full panic mode thinking you accidentally bought way too much of something, Rachel? I don't know. Maybe it was Backstreet Boys tickets. Could have Been anything. You wouldn't happen to have a story like that, would you? You never panic bought.

[B]

Oh, my.

[A]

Is that a thing you would do, my Lord.

[B]

Jeez.

[A]

That you've been guilty of.

[B]

I can't believe you're right. Yeah, okay.

[A]

That I had to pull you from the depths out of to save you. He did.

[B]

He did. You were a great friend in that moment to me. Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. So guilty.

[A]

I'm gonna take a sip just for entertainment's sake.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Okay. So I went to Backstreet Boys last year, and it changed my life. It genuinely was the closest to heaven I might have ever been. I felt so alive.

[A]

God would like to have a word, so.

[B]

No, he gets it. He created them. We're all created in his image, so he knows.

[A]

Just because they wore all white once doesn't mean they're angels. Rachel.

[B]

No, it was honestly such a fun experience. And so I was chatting up with some other friends, and two of them were turning 40. Back to the 40th. This is, like, where I'm at. And they were like, I want to go to the backstory. I was like, I'll go again. And they're like, you up? So then we finally, like, she texts. She followed up with the text, and she was like, no, seriously, these dates? And then it gets serious, right? People start throwing out dates, and you're like, oh, my gosh, this is real. Okay, I could go here. So we're like. We're doing it. And I was like, okay, well, I'll get the tickets. Since I've been. And I can try to find the sections that are good with a good price point. So I always do Ticketmaster to buy my tickets. So I'm going, and I find four, and it's actually a pretty good. Like, I was like, okay, this is good. I go. And it's like, sorry, it went through. And it was, like, unavailable. And then it would take me to this weird ad pop up, and I'm like, what is going on? And I seriously sat in my car. I did it, like, three or four times. Then you start sweating because you're like, why is it not working? Why is it not working? Someone's gonna get these tickets. Oh, my God. And I start panicking. Well, I have to do the show. I'm in the parking lot at Ramsey, and it's like, 1252, and I have to be on air in, like, I.

[A]

Don'T know, 12 minutes with me.

[B]

George is hosting with me that day. So I get up and I'm Like, George, I'm so stressed. I've got to get these Backstreet Boys tickets, and it's not letting me look. This is what keeps popping up. And I'm showing them. And you're like, that looks like a scam. I'm like, I know, but it's coming from ticket. I was like, I don't get it. And then George was like, okay, next break. So then the next break comes. We have to go out and take pictures, and we come back, and I still haven't need another break to do this. Then we get to the next break, and George was like, did you know about tick pick tick pic? And I'm like, never heard of tick pic. Sounds like I'm picking off a tick. But no, I'm not heard of tick pic. And you were like, it's a great place to buy tickets. I was like, okay, George is my. He's my deal maker. He's my friend that does all the. All the weird websites. So I'm like. So then I go, tick pic legitimately.

[A]

Was cheaper for the same seats.

[B]

Yes. So I was like, oh, my gosh, I'm gonna. I'm gonna buy em. And I found the same four seats. That was. I was trying. I was like. And so I do it. My card doesn't go through, remember? So then I'm like, having to call Winston on the next break. Long story short, I get the tickets, but then I go and refresh my Gmail. Ticketmaster has emailed me, like, six times to claim.

[A]

Confirmed.

[B]

Confirmed to claim my ticket. And I thought, oh, my goodness. Oh, my gosh. I just bought. I just bought 18 tickets to Backstreet Boys. Like, I. Every time you were recording 16 tickets of Backstreet Boys, I just spent thousands of dollars. So then I start panicking because I was like, oh, my God, George. Oh, my gosh, what am I gonna do? And he's like, it's okay. You can resell them. You can resell them. And I was like, oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God, do I have enough of my check? Like, am I gonna bounce it?

[A]

Like, gonna overdraft?

[B]

I mean, seriously. And then we have to go back on air. So now I'm talking to Sally about her car payment, and I'm just sweating, thinking, oh, my gosh, I've just gone bankrupt on Backstreet Boys tickets. But it felt like then it turned out. So I'm so dramatic that. No, it is. That's not true. Tick pic just sent me through Ticketmaster. Each individual ticket and confirmation Email. So it was all just a jump scare. How about you, George? Anything?

[A]

When I buy something, it's so intentional. So if it's ever something I'm not sure about, like, I get transaction alerts, so it's always something outrageous. And I'm just immediately text. Whitney. Hey, was this you? Yes, it was me.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I sleep soundly at night knowing it's my wife and not a. Although I do think if we got hacked, the hacker would spend less than my wife does. So I'm like, should we try it?

[B]

Maybe we should. Maybe we should get the card shut down. Because of a hacker, I only buy.

[A]

A lot of things that I know I'm going to use. I famously bought a box of bar soap because they were gonna. It was gonna get discontinued.

[B]

Oh, so you're like, I need like a bottle.

[A]

So I need to stock up.

[B]

I need a powder.

[A]

They'll never make it again.

[B]

What kind of soap?

[A]

It was like an Irish Spring. Did like an oat bar situation. I don't know.

[B]

And you loved it?

[A]

I was a young man, you know.

[B]

They said, discontinue the soap. And George said, I think not. I need to wash my hands a lot with this soap in the shower.

[A]

Someone at Walmart really packed a box full of soap going, someone really needs these bowls, but I used them for years.

[B]

Okay, that's good. That's a good one.

[A]

Better than no panic, though.

[B]

Okay, cool as a cucumber. See, that's me. I'm so urgent. I will do things like that.

[A]

Well, you are. You tend to be impulsive, which is why I think you need the budget more than anything.

[B]

It might be true, you know, but we live on the edge. I have more fun.

[A]

That's right. And you're gonna have a great time at Backstreet Boys coming up here soon. So we'll report back.

[B]

So if you have a guilty as charged question, make sure to DM us Ichlcruz and oregocamel. We would love to use it. And if you enjoyed this episode, you are going to love the episode that we did on. Are these common money habits broke, average or wealthy? So we'll put the link down below for you and make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don't miss an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.