ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz: "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?" Episode Summary

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Hosts: Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John
Podcast: The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz by The Car Mom LLC / tentwentytwo Projects

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz episode titled "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?" delves into a variety of engaging topics ranging from the evolving landscape of social media content creation to personal insights on motherhood, upcoming events, and automotive industry news. Hosted by sisters Kelly and Lizz, both seasoned auto-industry experts and content creators, this episode blends lighthearted conversation with substantive discussions, making it a must-listen for automotive enthusiasts and busy parents alike.

---

1. Navigating Instagram’s Changing Landscape

[02:15 - 05:35]

Kelly and Lizz kick off their conversation by addressing significant shifts in Instagram’s content creation dynamics. As content creators with a substantial following, they express their observations and frustrations with the platform's evolving algorithms and user behavior.

Kelly reflects on the decline of polished in-feed content:

“When Instagram started, the photo that you would place had to look nice next to the last photo you placed. That is so far gone out the window, it's not even funny.” [04:07]

Lizz shares her mixed feelings about the shift:

“I have so many thoughts and it's probably more of like an offline business chat, but I just can't believe how from a creator standpoint, Instagram feels.” [03:02]

They discuss the challenge of maintaining aesthetic consistency versus embracing more casual, spontaneous posts. Both agree that while story content remains strong, the feed has become less predictable and more challenging to navigate.

---

2. Consistency in Podcasting and Personal Lives

[05:35 - 11:20]

Transitioning from social media woes, Kelly and Lizz highlight the importance of consistency in podcasting compared to other podcasters who may take extended breaks. They pride themselves on maintaining regular episodes despite the demands of motherhood.

Lizz emphasizes their dedication:

“Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode series season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls. We'll do it with a baby on our teeth. We don't care.” [01:49]

They share snippets of their personal lives, including recent family trips and the challenges of balancing work with parenting. This segment underscores their commitment to their audience and the podcast, regardless of personal circumstances.

---

3. Upcoming Event: Monster Jam and Creative Content Ideas

[11:20 - 19:23]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on their excitement for attending Monster Jam, a premier monster truck event. Lizz reveals her plans to attend with her children and even secure a behind-the-scenes tour to create engaging content for their followers.

Lizz discusses her proactive approach:

“I DM'd them on Instagram, and I was like, hey, I'm going. I'm the car on my review cars rounds. And for families, is there any way I could get a tour of a monster truck to create some content to my 568,000 followers.” [13:12]

They brainstorm ideas to tap into the kid-friendly market, considering creating specialized content that appeals to both children and parents. This includes potential videos featuring monster trucks and leveraging their automotive expertise to engage a broader audience.

Kelly muses on content diversification:

“Maybe if we say something funny, we'll clip it. Clip it in the meaning that we will edit it and post it on social media.” [06:01]

The hosts contemplate expanding their reach by incorporating more playful and less polished content, aiming to resonate with their diverse listener base.

---

4. Exploring New Content Avenues: Kid-Focused Videos

[19:23 - 21:04]

Building on their Monster Jam plans, Kelly and Lizz explore the idea of creating content specifically tailored for children. They reference the popular children’s entertainer Blippi as inspiration and consider developing similar engaging and educational videos featuring monster trucks.

Lizz envisions targeting their demographic:

“What if we tried to dip our toe into the kid market on YouTube?” [19:19]

They discuss the potential benefits of creating kid-friendly content, such as fostering a new audience segment and providing valuable entertainment for families. This segment highlights their innovative approach to content creation and willingness to adapt to audience needs.

---

5. Motherhood and the Perpetual Guilt

[17:55 - 25:43]

A heartfelt segment where Kelly and Lizz delve into the emotional aspects of motherhood, particularly the pervasive sense of guilt that accompanies parenting decisions. They share personal anecdotes about balancing work, personal fulfillment, and family responsibilities.

Lizz opens up about her experiences:

“The idea of guilt as a mom is just something you have to get comfortable with. You can't escape the guilt.” [23:10]

Kelly echoes similar sentiments:

“I feel like some moms are like, oh, I'm just a stay-at-home mom. Like, they don't like that answer. I don't like being the answer that like, I'm a working mom either.” [24:21]

The sisters discuss strategies for coping with guilt, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and recognizing that every mother's situation is unique. They encourage their listeners to prioritize their well-being and make decisions that align with their family's needs, free from external judgments.

---

6. Automotive Industry Insights: Tesla Model Y Redesign

[33:57 - 37:20]

Shifting gears, Kelly and Lizz provide updates on the automotive industry, focusing on the highly anticipated redesign of the Tesla Model Y. They analyze the changes and their implications for Tesla's market position.

Liz comments on the redesign:

“The Tesla Model Y redesign is a little bit more meat and potato... it definitely still looks like a Tesla, but it's adopting more of what every other EV is trying to do with like the one bar in front.” [34:07]

They compare the redesign to trends among other electric vehicle manufacturers, noting that while Tesla maintains its distinctive look, the updates align with broader industry aesthetics. The discussion includes reactions from automotive publications and public perception, highlighting the importance of design evolution in maintaining Tesla's competitive edge.

---

7. Used Car Shopping Tips: Insights from the Car Mom Blog

[37:30 - 43:43]

Lizz introduces a blog post from The Car Mom website centered on finding reliable family cars within a $600 monthly budget. She shares valuable tips for used car shopping, emphasizing the advantages of pre-owned vehicles over new ones.

Lizz elaborates on the blog’s recommendations:

“We give you like some good cars to try to look at within that space... you are in the pre-owned market.” [40:08]

Key takeaways include:

• Utilizing Vehicle History Reports: Understanding a car's past is crucial for making informed decisions.
• Certified Pre-Owned Options: These often come with warranties, providing added security.
• Negotiation Tactics: Asking about additional features like spare keys can serve as leverage in negotiations.

Kelly reinforces the benefits of used cars:

“Honestly get more information about a used car than you can a new car.” [41:18]

The hosts encourage listeners to visit The Car Mom website for more detailed guidance and to use the car payment estimator tool to determine affordable options based on individual financial situations.

---

8. Personal Life: Cooking Brisket and Family Dynamics

[43:43 - 50:08]

In a delightful detour from automotive discussions, Kelly and Lizz share personal stories about cooking and managing family life. Lizz recounts her experience preparing a brisket for her family, highlighting the joys and challenges of home-cooked meals amid a busy household.

Lizz describes her brisket adventure:

“It was in the oven the whole time. So I made homemade mashed potatoes, canned green beans with bacon, Hawaiian rolls. Done.” [47:29]

They discuss the importance of family dinners and the struggle to find time for sitting down together amidst hectic schedules. The conversation emphasizes the balance between personal pursuits, family responsibilities, and maintaining a semblance of normalcy.

Kelly relates to the challenges:

“I try and sit down and eat because with James is the only one who's eating. I think it's better. He eats better if someone's sitting there with him.” [48:16]

This segment adds a personal touch to the episode, allowing listeners to connect with the hosts on a more intimate level beyond their professional expertise.

---

Conclusion

In "ARE WE THE NEXT BLIPPI?", Kelly and Lizz offer a multifaceted discussion that seamlessly blends professional insights with personal narratives. From navigating the complexities of social media and maintaining podcast consistency to planning exciting events like Monster Jam and diving into automotive trends, the episode provides valuable takeaways for listeners. Their candid conversations about motherhood, content creation, and practical tips for used car shopping further enrich the episode, making it both informative and relatable.

As they wrap up, the hosts encourage listeners to subscribe and share the podcast, ensuring that The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz continues to be a supportive and engaging space for their audience.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Kelly: “When Instagram started, the photo that you would place had to look nice next to the last photo you placed. That is so far gone out the window, it's not even funny.” [04:07]

• Lizz: “Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode series season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls.” [01:49]

• Lizz: “The idea of guilt as a mom is just something you have to get comfortable with. You can't escape the guilt.” [23:10]

• Kelly: “Honestly get more information about a used car than you can a new car.” [41:18]

• Lizz: “I never want to, I hate the comment of like you never talk about used cars because that's like literally so far from the truth.” [41:19]

---

Whether you're an avid car enthusiast, a busy parent, or someone navigating the intricate world of social media and content creation, this episode offers something valuable for everyone. Tune in to The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz for more insightful and entertaining discussions.

Transcript

[Kelly]

And today's episode is brought to you by Quince. Guys, I am over the fast fashion. I'm over buying cheap things that just fill my closet and fall apart and I never wear. I am more about buying those sort of investment pieces that look great on me that are high quality. And Quince has really helped me do that. And I'm able to stay on budget thanks to Quince. However you choose to refresh your look this year, all Quince pieces are pretty price 50 to 80% less than similar brands. They're able to do that by partnering directly with the top factories, cutting out the cost of the middleman and passing the savings on to you. Quince only works with factories that use safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices. And of course, use premium fabrics and finishes for that luxury feel in every piece. I love my Quint sweater. Whenever I pull it out, I feel put together. It's a beautiful color. It's high quality. You can just feel the difference in their products. So upgrade your closet this year without the upgraded price tag. Go to quince.com carpool for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com carpool to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com carpool this episode is brought to.

[Liz]

You by State Farm. You might say all kinds of stuff when things go wrong, but these are the words you really need to remember. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is is there. They've got options to fit your unique insurance needs, meaning you can talk to your agent to choose the coverage you need, have coverage options to protect the things you value most, file a claim right on the State Farm mobile app, and even reach a real person when you need to talk to someone. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Kelly]

Welcome to the Carpool podcast with Kelly.

[Liz]

Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode series season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls. We'll do it with a baby on our teeth. We don't care.

[Kelly]

And Liz, I wanted to roll my window down to the girlies on a walk after their workout class on their way to get acai bowls and just say and cherish it these days. Yeah, cherish them. Your mom time off starts now.

[Liz]

Welcome back to the Carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Hey Luz.

[Kelly]

Hey Cal.

[Liz]

Well, the snow is melting. The sun is shining.

[Kelly]

The tank is clean.

[Liz]

The tank is clean. The slowest burn ever. To come back to work. To come back into work mode in general, and there's just so much on the horizon and so much to talk about. I'm currently in the middle of Pittsville, usa, which I know I want to give myself space and grace and all the things, but also when you are a content creator and you see so many of your colleagues and friends and people you follow creating so much content, you feel like a big fat loser because you haven't done anything. And I think, sorry, you react. And then I have something else I want to say.

[Kelly]

I should say you're not a big fat loser.

[Liz]

Oh, well, thanks. And even in the time we've been on maternity leave, I feel like Instagram has changed so much.

[Kelly]

I mean, really. I totally agree. I feel like it happens over night. Like Instagram is. It's. We really need to rework the way that we think about creating content.

[Liz]

Agreed. And I haven't really noticed. My, my story views are honestly better than they've ever been. So I feel good about my story content, but just people are posting so much less polished content in feed and that is going to take a lot for me to get used to. I don't know why I feel a certain way about perfecting my in feed content versus my story content. I. I don't know. I have so many thoughts and it's probably more of like an offline business chat, but I just can't believe how from a creator standpoint, Instagram feels. And I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that TikTok might be getting banned and now all the tick tockers are coming on Instagram, which is fine. I'm not like, worried. It's just we have to evolve.

[Kelly]

Well, I'm here for the less polished content. I don't think I've seen a change in like stories and the way people are doing stories, but definitely the in feed, what they're posting. And it's crazy when you think about when Instagram started. It used to be like your Instagram feed and like the photo that you would place had to look nice next to the last photo you placed. So when people looked at your feed, it looked like very aesthetically pleasing. That is so far gone out the window, it's not even funny.

[Liz]

It's so far gone. And then I used to really prioritize, like, okay, well, if someone comes to my Instagram page, like, I want them to know what we're all about. But then in the same sense, it's, it's now I find myself like, with a community that I want to nurture and like, bring good content to. I also don't want to get burnout. Like, if I don't diversify the content off cars, sometimes I get very burnt out on the cars. I don't know. I just, I'm honestly excited because I agree with you. I'm. I'm good off the cusp and I think I'm a good enough speaker and you're a good enough editor where we can post more and more in feed content. And I think people want to now. Like, they're, they're just scrolling a lot faster on feed and I think they have more of a tolerance for casual things in feed. No one cares about likes anymore because, I mean, also for a while it was like, I really want to post things that are going to perform really well now. People are just. I can't tell you how many times I watch a video, enjoy it, and don't even like it. Like, it's. I think it's more about the views even than necessarily the engage. I don't know. So many thoughts.

[Kelly]

So many thoughts. Anyway, all that to be said. Yeah, it feels like it's changed a lot since. In the last couple of months. So we'll see. We'll see where it continues to go. But we have an episode to deliver today, so let's not worry about Instagram.

[Liz]

Podcast, because one platform that hasn't changed is the podcast platform. Because she stays consistent.

[Kelly]

She is consistent.

[Liz]

We are attempting to clip this podcast episode, though.

[Kelly]

Maybe if we say something funny, we'll clip it. Clip it in the meaning that we will edit it and post it on social media. Yeah, unpolished. Luckily it's unpolished. So if it's not funny, if it doesn't look very good, maybe it'll perform just fine.

[Liz]

What content, what podcast clipped content performs best. Is it like the funny or is it like the profound? I want to go listen to that because I could go either direction today.

[Kelly]

Well, for me, what I'm consuming is funny. Like, if I see a funny one, I will then go on their page and just watch all of their old ones. Like something profound. I'm like, yeah, I get that. Sometimes it gets old.

[Liz]

I fear as though we're just not. I don't know if we're laugh out loud funny.

[Kelly]

I don't know if we're intensely profound. What are we?

[Liz]

Just a couple of average podcasters?

[Kelly]

I think. I. I fear, I fear that's the case. But. And we also, you know, don't prepare before we start talking. So we. That's not true.

[Liz]

That's not true.

[Kelly]

We prepare a little bit.

[Liz]

Mentally, I'm in a very prepared spot.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

But podcasting is not, not always the easiest gig. And I know what one thing I am proud of us for is one thing we are is consistent.

[Kelly]

If you're going to be anything, be consistent.

[Liz]

Other podcasters, they come on for a 10 episode season and then they skirt for three months. Not your girls. No, we'll do it with a baby on our teeth. We don't care.

[Kelly]

More often than not, we will do it that way. But no, I mean, I'm like, I don't feel totally prepared because I just got back from a trip because I just jet set with a baby now. We went to. Maddie and I and Sloan went to Fort Worth over the weekend for a baptism for our friends. We were the godparents. And we left James at home because, oh my gosh, on a plane with an 18 month old sounds like a nightmare. But with a three and a half month old, she might as well not have been there.

[Liz]

I mean, she, she was an accessory.

[Kelly]

She's an accessory. She was so easy. We bought her a seat. I always like to buy babies a seat so I don't have. I can bring their car seat on. And then we take up a whole row and it was a breeze. And we got to go. We flew into Dallas. So we got to drive around Dallas and just think about the good old days when Maddie and I were young and dating there. And you know when you see any older person sees you public with your kids and they're like, cherish these years. They're great. I wanted to roll my window down to the girlies on a walk after their workout class on their way to get acai bowls and just say and cherish it these days. Yeah, cherish them.

[Liz]

Well, remember the advice I always gave you?

[Kelly]

Recognize this. It was infuriating when you acknowledge the.

[Liz]

Space that you're in.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

That's why I tell Sydney and Grayson with their Whole Foods money, just acknowledge the space that you're in because that Whole Foods money turns into diapers money. Real quick.

[Kelly]

Real quick.

[Liz]

Real quick. Yeah, you were jet and setting. I have actually a trip coming up next week that I've hardly spoken about. I'm back to the travel grind.

[Kelly]

I know.

[Liz]

But I am also taking Liberty and Tyler because I'm going to speak at a really big. It's the biggest dealer conference of the year. I've spoken out at the last three years. I think. No, I took one year off because I was because you had about the last four years. I've gone. I spoke in the last three, and it's one of my favorite weekends, one of my favorite times of the year. I love a dealer conference. I'm telling you, there's no more hustle and bustle than a bunch of dealers in a room.

[Kelly]

Totally.

[Liz]

They. It is just. It's fun energy, and it's fun. It's just. It's cool. So I'm excited. It's in New Orleans. That's happened to New Orleans since we went. We went one time we left from a cruise from there. Do you remember that? And we were like, what, like 15?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Taking like, artsy pictures while, you know.

[Kelly]

We had, like, with a camera or digital camera.

[Liz]

Yeah. So I'm very, very excited. And I'm taking Tyler and Libby and a babysitter. So actually, it's a full house.

[Kelly]

So actually, so many people are going.

[Liz]

But I didn't want to. First of all, my travel was covered, so. Hello. And I didn't want to leave Libby. I wanted to bring Tyler. I want tell her to watch me speak.

[Kelly]

So, yeah, I. I'm. I love it. I'm kind of bummed I'm not going. It would have been too much because, you know, Sloan's exclusively breastfeeding right now. But I do. I do want to be going back to these conferences. Like, I don't want Tyler to be permanently taking my spot.

[Liz]

Okay.

[Kelly]

Yeah, no, I'm, like, allowing this to happen.

[Liz]

Well, no, in. The last one was really fun. Why didn't you go to the One?

[Kelly]

And you guys, I think you wanted him to go. Because the first year, I went to Nada with you, and it was awesome. And I texted Tyler during your speech, and I was like, you would be so proud of your wife. She's awesome. Second year, you didn't go. Third year, you. You were like, we, Tyler and I need a vacation. Like, you want. No kids. Like, we want to do this together. And I was like, totally. He should see you speak at this event, because it's really cool. This one I get wanting to take him and Libby in a babysitter. I get that. And I probably would rather not go. But next year, I mean, hopefully I.

[Liz]

Get asked to speak. I mean, I don't know. It's like, how many times can you hear from the karma before? It's just kind of.

[Kelly]

It's just a bit repetitive. But. No, that'll be really fun. I'm excited for you.

[Liz]

Thank you. So, yeah, that's what's on the Horizon. Before that. You know what else we have coming up?

[Kelly]

I do.

[Liz]

Monster Jam.

[Kelly]

Monster Jam.

[Liz]

So leave it. So I always speak about the importance of shooting your shot. And if you take one thing from this podcast, it's, you got to shoot your shot. You just have to reach out to people. And I talk about this, like, as a way to get mentors. Like, I have so many mentors who I can like, text at a moment's notice, who are, like, big wigs, who. Because I asked. Because I. I never know how to say it in the past tense. Shooted my shot.

[Kelly]

Shot my shot.

[Liz]

Because I shot my shot. That's not right.

[Kelly]

That is right.

[Liz]

Because I shot my shot. They now talk to me. So I bought tickets to Monster Jam for Fred's birthday. Fred is so truck obsessed. Finally, I have a kid who likes cars. Finally, finally, cars. Cars and vehicles. And I think you would prefer, like, a tractor excavator show, but I'm sorry, do those not exist? Why is there no one traveling around the world rented out an arena with tractors and excavators and just hauling dirt around?

[Kelly]

Kids would eat that up.

[Liz]

Free idea.

[Kelly]

Free idea.

[Liz]

I know there's this place, I think, on the east coast that's called, like, Digger World. That is like that. But I need a traveling show. And respectfully, like, if they can take the monster. I mean, if you can do with monster trucks, you can do it with, like, heavy machinery.

[Kelly]

I mean, they move heavy, heavy machinery around all the time.

[Liz]

That's what I'm saying. I just think there could be a fun show if it was, like, a backhoe and a bulldozer.

[Kelly]

Totally.

[Liz]

But instead, we're going to Monster Jam. I've never been to Monster Jam, which is crazy, because that just feels like something I should be at first things first. Tickets weren't cheap. Tickets were a little bit more expensive than I wanted them to be. But it's for his birthday. Like, this is Fred's birthday present party. All. Everything all combined. And since I was going, but then, like, I bought the tickets, and then I thought to myself, I'm the karma. These are cars. Surely I can get my foot in the door.

[Kelly]

Yeah, surely.

[Liz]

No, I didn't, like, ask for tickets or anything, because, you know, I'm happy to support. I'm happy to support the monsters jamming. But I DM'd them on Instagram, and I was like, hey, I'm going. I'm the car on my review cars rounds. And for families, is there any way I could get a tour of a monster truck? To create some content to my568,000 followers. And they were like, yeah, for sure.

[Kelly]

Yeah. They're like, yeah, why not? They're like, yeah.

[Liz]

The new stations come at 7:30. Do you want to get here at 8? And I'm like, oh, yeah, I'll be there.

[Kelly]

Oh, is that easy?

[Liz]

It was literally that easy. And of course they weren't like, again, shoot your shot. So listen, I. On Friday morning, bright and early, because it's probably about an hour 15 from my house, we have to be there at it at 8am with bells on to capture content. Now, unlike the rest of Instagram, this has to be polished and cute and perfect.

[Kelly]

Yes.

[Liz]

So we're gonna do a tour of a monster truck. I have a couple of real concept ideas. I'll talk to you offline.

[Kelly]

We gotta talk to the monster truck drivers. They said we can what, drill a lug nut onto a wheel?

[Liz]

They said we could drill a lug nut so huge.

[Kelly]

You might be seeing us drilling some lug nuts.

[Liz]

And then I'm having a little bit of guilt because then, like, I drew my kids the next day. And like, we just like, sit in, like, the back row stands because I didn't pay for this letter ticket.

[Kelly]

Well, maybe. Maybe they can slip you some vip like, you already. You already paid. You gotta shoot your shot there. You already paid for tickets, so it's not like you're getting a total free pass.

[Liz]

I'm so. I'm telling you, I'm so bad at this. I'm so bad at that.

[Kelly]

It's very. It's awkward.

[Liz]

Well, I just don't want to feel like a mooch.

[Kelly]

It's awkward. I don't like. Yeah, it's awkward. But I'm excited to create content. I'm excited to be, like, up close and personal with a monster truck. Like, how fun are we?

[Liz]

Yeah. So then I was like, what exactly happens at the show? Because I don't even know what really happened.

[Kelly]

I think they, like, go off, like, ramps and stuff.

[Liz]

Yes. So. Well, first of all, it just looks like a family. A family affair. But there's different, like, challenges, I guess, that they do. So there's like a couple of different trucks. So there's Gravedigger, El Toro Loco, Megalodon, Spark, Sparkle Smash, who was driven by a woman. Shout out.

[Kelly]

Is that the unicorn one? That's the unicorn, yeah.

[Liz]

There's Monster Mutt, Black Pearl. I mean, wild side. Like, there's all of these monster.

[Kelly]

Oh, my gosh, I'm so excited.

[Liz]

I am so excited.

[Kelly]

How fun.

[Liz]

I know. And it says that basically you get to watch their 12,000 pound trucks stand on two wheels, fly through the air. We'll get to see them do skills, stunts, saves, and see the world's most popular trucks. I'm excited.

[Kelly]

How does one get into monster car trucking scene?

[Liz]

All good questions, all good questions. So if anyone has a question for the monster truckers, like I said, we.

[Kelly]

Will let us know. This will come out on Thursday, we're going on Friday. That does actually kind of remind me of a reel that I saw. And it's like there was this guy talking and he was like, oh, I just got. It's like a probably 30 year old guy. He's like, oh, I just got out of swimming laps, like, and you don't want to. Want to know why. I was just swimming laps when I was a kid. I told my parents that I wanted to be a dolphin trainer. And they said, okay, well, or a, I don't know if it was a dolphin trainer. Ocean. What's that? Marine biologist, something like that. He's like, classic. They're like, okay, well if you want to do that then you need to go to college and you need to become a really good swimmer. And so he adopted this mentality as a, as a child that he was going to study hard so he could go to college and he was gonna join the swim team so he could be a strong swimmer and kind of like work towards this goal. And he's like, I'm so happy that my parents like took that seriously. He's like, I didn't go. And I, I'm, I'm in marketing. Like, I did not go into that, but now I'm a strong swimmer and I went to college and like my, my, my tastes like changed over time as you're obviously an adult and you maybe become a little bit. He's like, I could have done that. I chose not to, but it did kind of like give me something to work towards and I just kind of love that. So maybe your kids, like, I want to be a monster truck driver one day. Like, okay, well you need to go to college or whatever it is, go to college. You need to really be a good bike rider and then you're going to be a really, really good car driver. Really, really practice. And it just like gives kids something to work towards. It's just like aimlessly, like, not that aimlessly plan not good, but like, give them a goal and don't dismiss their dreams.

[Liz]

I think next time because, you know, George Aldors wants to be the reptile guy. He wants to go to places. He wants to go to, like birthday parties and schools and libraries and show his reptiles. He wants to do reptile shows. I'm gonna tell me he's to go to college and to become a really good public speaker.

[Kelly]

There you go.

[Liz]

Perfect.

[Kelly]

There you go. And then he might use those opportunities to like, practice his public speaking or whatever.

[Liz]

One more thing about Monster Jam. Cause speaking. Something that I want to be. What if at. At Monster Jam, what if we tried to make like a video for kids?

[Kelly]

I have thought about this so many times, Kelly, because when I watch Blippi, like, come on. And this was. If you go back and watch Blippi from even three years ago, Blippi didn't have the science center to closed off for himself. He was doing, like, while people were there.

[Liz]

He was shooting the shot.

[Kelly]

He was shooting his shot. He just showed up dressed up like a character.

[Liz]

Confidence in that confidence.

[Kelly]

And he's going with people just like looking at the dinosaurs.

[Liz]

Yeah. Like jokes in public. So I'm just thinking like, but you know, because Blippi has a monster truck episode, and if I'm turning it on for Fred, what if I could turn on his mom? And in front of a monster truck. We're already posting on YouTube. Why? I'm just saying, what if we tried to dip our toe into the kid market on it on YouTube?

[Kelly]

Well, because who. Who in our. Who in our demographic is going to watch a monster truck video?

[Liz]

Our. Our entire demographic.

[Kelly]

The moms want to watch a monster truck video.

[Liz]

I think the. I think the moms want to support us.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I'm just saying.

[Kelly]

I'm not. I'm not opposed. Kelly.

[Liz]

If we have some extra time.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Maybe I would like to get a little silly. Get in a silly, goofy mood and maybe try my hand at a kid's video for monster.

[Kelly]

You know, what is another free idea? Free idea. Here's another idea I've had. You know when you go on YouTube and your kids really into trucks or animals, and you're just like, our animal videos. And it's like 30 minutes of animal videos and it's just scenes of animals and noises in the background. And like, that's the entire video. First of all, it'd be so easy to make. Here's how you make it. You get like a royalty free subscription to some website that has like videos and photos and sounds. We use motion array. Put all those together, upload it to YouTube, you're done. Here's the Kicker, you don't put any mid roll ads in it. So then you say, no, no ad interruptions. Animal video. So then the parent who's finding it for their kids are like, oh, sweet. There's not going to be like a random ad in between it. And. But you get the, you get the pre roll because there's got to be an ad at the beginning and maybe at the end and you get that monetization, but you don't put any in the middle.

[Liz]

Oh, you really thought. Wait, you really thought about this?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Side hustle.

[Kelly]

Side hustle. Free idea. Maybe I'll do it.

[Liz]

Add that to our list of 20, 25 goals. Maybe we're going to enter the kid zone.

[Kelly]

The kids.

[Liz]

Lol. Okay, that's what I want to say about Monster Jam. And then speaking of just like Monster Jam going back to work, I'm gonna try my hand at like a profound topic that I wanted to dive into.

[Kelly]

Oh.

[Liz]

And you know, I can't tell you how having four kids now really makes me feel, I guess like a little bit more like an expert. Not an expert, but like just a little. I feel like I have a little bit more wisdom. I've been through this four times. You know, this is my fourth time, like going back to work. And truthfully, it looks, it has looked different every single time. And I want to talk about guilt. And this is something that I've talked and spoken about on my stories. I've told it to Elizabeth a hundred times. But I think the idea of guilt as a mom is just something you have to get comfortable with. You can't escape the guilt. And I don't think you should make decisions solely based off the guilt that you're feeling. Because when I, when, when George was born, I went back to work and it was a job that I hated. I was doing like direct mail at the dealership and I hated it. It was so boring. It felt so ick. And I was dropping my baby off, watching him cry to go work a job for not a lot of money. That brought me no joy. And I felt so much guilt. Fast forward Hattie was born. I'm starting like, I'm looking at the daycare for two kids. I'm looking at my job. Then, honestly, by the grace of God, then it just so worked out that then covet happened and I was like, I'm pregnant. Not, I'm not doing this. Daycare is closed. I'm just gonna stay home for a little bit. So then I stay. I stayed home with George and then I Stayed home with when Hattie was born too, for a little bit with both of them. Felt so much guilt. Woke up every day being like, this sucks. I don't know what I'm gonna do with these kids. I'm so bored. Like, I feel like, I feel like so guilty for wasting my college degree. Felt so much guilt on that aspect. Thought of the, thought of the idea for the car mom. Went back to work. Like, then I started working like full time. Car mom. Loved it. I was like, this is amazing. Like, this is what I was made to do. Felt so guilty for looking so forward to dropping my kids off at work at, at daycare and going to work and doing something I loved. So I've had those three different experiences around working and not working. And the guilt never left any time today. Mom of four, love my job. Feel so much guilt for Libby being with a babysitter right now and not with me.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But I would feel the guilt either way. So I just think it's like, if you will, holding space for it and just like allowing you to understand that guilt is something that just comes with motherhood and it's gotten easier to cope with because I also know that like, I'm a, I'm a better, more engaged mom and I'm happier and I'm doing something that I love that I think is helping a lot of families. And I'd be, I'll be able to tell my kids that if they ever ask why I did this. But doesn't mean the guilt's gone.

[Kelly]

Yeah, it's, it's Clip that It's so. Kelly, it's so, so hard. I mean, I'm in the same boat and I'm excited to be. I even hate, like, talking to people about it because it's like, oh, do you work? It's like, yeah, I just, I, I feel I, I the same way that some, I feel like some moms are like, oh, I'm just a stay at home mom. Like, they don't like that answer. I don't like being the answer that like, I'm a working mom either. Because it's like, well, then could I can I not cut. Stay with my kids all day? It's just, it's so, it's when you.

[Liz]

Choose to work and you don't, it's when you choose to work and you don't necessarily have to work.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And you know, with. That's just. Yeah.

[Kelly]

I think, I think it, I think you're right. And it just like really boils down to you Being able to look your kids in the eyes one day and be like, I made this decision to work for these reasons for you or I made the decision to not work for these decisions, like, with you in mind. And it's going to be individual for everyone. There's no right way to do it. And you just have to do what works. Because everyone is in such. We need to remember that, like, everyone is in such a different place. Even though we're all moms and we're all. We're each mom. Just because you have kids doesn't mean you're the same as the next mom next door to you. Like, everyone is in such a different place in their life and in their career and in their marriages. And just like, no one is this. Everyone's different. So there's not a cookie cutter answer for what you should do.

[Liz]

Yeah. And I think it's also important to remember that we're all doing our best.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Like, and just say that. Like, say that out loud. Like, I am doing my best. And then let go of anything else. And you're. And let me be clear, Your best is amazing.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

And your best is plenty for those kids and plenty for everybody else too.

[Kelly]

Yeah. Sheesh.

[Liz]

Anyway, anyway, I be honest. When's the last time you had a homemade meal? We get it. Between meetings, workout classes, and the kids after school sports, who's got time to cook? That's where hellofresh comes in. No matter how busy you get, HelloFresh has everything you need to get an easy home cooked meal on the table. With flavor packed recipes like Parmesan herb crusted salmon. You'll be filling your kitchen with the cozy aromas of a homemade meal in no time. So go ahead, try hellofresh. It's homemade made easy. Learn [e-mail] oh, such a clutch off season pickup, Dave.

[Kelly]

I was worried we'd bring back the same team. I meant Those blackout motorized shades. Lines.com made it crazy affordable to replace our old blinds. Hard to install. No, it's easy. I installed these and then got some for my mom. She talked to a design consultant for free and scheduled a professional measure and install hall of fame son. They're the number one online retailer of custom window coverings in the world.

[Liz]

Blinds.com is the go to blinds.com for 40% off site wide. Blinds.com rules and restrictions may apply. Facebook marketplace is such an interesting place.

[Kelly]

Oh, okay. Yeah. Let's just. How do you transition out of that one?

[Liz]

Well, do those people feel no guilt for just never Responding. Do you know what I mean?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I need a little more accountability.

[Kelly]

Okay, so what are you. What are you working on?

[Liz]

Well, first of all, I think we need to. Facebook Marketplace needs to be a little more like Poshmark. So first of all, justice or Poshmark? I'm kind of back on my Poshmark grind because I really wanted these. I think those little Ralph Lauren knit vests are really cute. I found one at a thrift store a couple of years ago for George, and then, like, Fred wore it this year. It's like a navy Ralph Lauren vest. And, like, it's just cute for a toddler. I'm like, oh, my gosh, next Christmas, I want the boys to have matching red ones. Like, that'd be so cute. I go on Ralph Lauren's website thinking, red, it's a Christmas color. $55 a pop. I'm just not doing that. I'm just absolutely not doing that for a vest. It's not even a shirt. It's not even a dress. It's. It's one part of an outfit that I need two other pieces for.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Not doing it.

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

And it's not like they've changed the style. So I go on Poshmark and I find a 3T and a 5D for $20 a pop.

[Kelly]

Perfect.

[Liz]

Done. Add to cart. I didn't even bother. I didn't even bother with the, with the negotiating. And I like that. You can just pay for it and then Poshmark is going to make those people do it. And if they don't ship it out, I think get like two warnings and they're done.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And you're not charged.

[Liz]

And they're not charged. But then also, like, then they're gonna. They just can't ignore people or it's not ship things out.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Eventually they're not gonna be allowed to post on Poshmark anymore.

[Kelly]

There's accountability.

[Liz]

There's accountability. There is not a lick of accountability on Facebook Marketplace.

[Kelly]

No.

[Liz]

Not a lick.

[Kelly]

No. And it's scams too.

[Liz]

And they're scams.

[Kelly]

So you gotta kind of watch out.

[Liz]

They're scams. And people are getting so tricky lately because they post these crazy pictures and it makes me click on it because I'm like, what the heck is this? And now the algorithm is too sensitive to.

[Kelly]

The algorithm is so sensitive. I clicked on one bunk bed because I'm like, oh, that's kind of a funny looking bunk bed. Bunk beds. I'm not in the market for bunk beds. I was just scrolling. Okay.

[Liz]

It is. It's so sensitive. I feel like all other social media algorithms are perfect. It's. They know what I want to see before I want to do it. Facebook Marketplace is like, hey, we noticed that you kind of, like, looked at this. You didn't even click on it, but you kind of, like, scrolled this photo of this reborn baby doll. That's the side that's reborn.

[Kelly]

I've been on. I've been on that before you. I get off.

[Liz]

I clicked on it because I'm like.

[Kelly]

Is this a baby? Yeah.

[Liz]

Next thing you know, I. I'm. Every third picture is stupid reborn baby doll.

[Kelly]

And they're so. They're so creepy to look at.

[Liz]

I'm tired of it. So I'm trying to find a chest of drawers. I have. I want to buy a chest of drawers for my keeping corner in my kitchen. I got my two nice chairs. I want a chest of drawers, a lamp, a piece of art. I'm. Surely. I found one that I liked, but it was a thousand dollars for, like, an antique chest of drawers. And I'm like, surely I can find this cheaper. That was buying it new. I said, surely I can find the cheaper because that looks like a used one.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I have been looking for months. Finally, I found one that I like. Ghost. Ghost City won't respond.

[Kelly]

Here's what you have to do. Here's what I think you have to do. I mean, maybe they won't respond, but you can't just say, hey, is this still available?

[Liz]

I've learned my lesson. I don't do.

[Kelly]

Oh, you, like, send a personalized message.

[Liz]

I say, hey, this is great. My husband could come to tonight. Does that work?

[Kelly]

Oh, yeah.

[Liz]

I didn't even try.

[Kelly]

You're doing all the things.

[Liz]

It's just interesting to me.

[Kelly]

It is interesting.

[Liz]

But then I look, I almost gave up, but then Tyler reminded me, like, we got our bunk beds off Facebook Marketplace. Incredible deal. Those are $5,000 bunk beds we got for a lot, like, thousands of dollars less.

[Kelly]

Wow. And.

[Liz]

And our kitchen table, which is stunning, is from Facebook Marketplace, too. So they are out there.

[Kelly]

They are out there. You just have to be. You have to find the right one. I. And people are starting to scam now on Facebook groups. I almost got scammed.

[Liz]

What?

[Kelly]

I almost got scammed. I'm in this, like, mom's Facebook group, and this woman posted this full outdoor set, and she said, my doing, like, my mother died trying to get rid of her stuff. This is, like, brand new. 400. I'm, like, done. $400 for, like, two chairs, a love seat, and, like, a fireplace. I'm like, done. A chair would be $400. And she's like, great. When can you come pick up? I'm like, I can come pick up, like, tomorrow. Where are they from? And she tells me where they're from. So I go to try and find this set on the website. It's. They're not from there. Like, they. It doesn't even. They don't have anything close. She's like, I bought it. I bought it a few months ago, so certainly it would still be on this website. Not on there. So I'm like, they're not from there. And then she's like, would you be. How much would you be comfortable putting down for me to reserve them? And I'm like, I thought you were pretty desperate to get rid of them. And I can come tomorrow, so I'm not going to send you any money. So I didn't send any money, and I ghosted her sus. It was definitely a scam, because then people were posting, like, hey, watch out for scams. This check my. Was almost.

[Liz]

You almost got got. She was shooting her shot, I guess.

[Kelly]

I don't even know if it was a woman.

[Liz]

Well, anyway, I'm on my chest of drawers hunt.

[Kelly]

Okay, well, best of luck.

[Liz]

Thanks. If between the reborn baby dolls and the bunk beds, maybe one will pop up.

[Kelly]

Yeah. You could always try a thrift store, but who has. Who has the time?

[Liz]

I don't know. Not I.

[Kelly]

Not I.

[Liz]

Okay, well, are you ready for.

[Kelly]

Wait. Don't you remember when we were going through our antiquing phase? You should try an antique store.

[Liz]

We should get back to that.

[Kelly]

I really liked that face.

[Liz]

Yes. My problem with an antique store is I don't like antique prices.

[Kelly]

Some of them. Well, the thing with an antique store is some people, like, they're. They're booths. So some people are selling a flower pot for 250. Some people are selling a flower pot for 30 bucks, and you just kind of have to. You got to do some dancing.

[Liz]

You got it. You got it. So it's Facebook marketplace in person, but.

[Kelly]

It'S in person, and you're not gonna get scammed. And, like, when you see it, you're like, I will take it.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Here you go.

[Liz]

Gosh. I just also feel like. So I just. I really need to, like, work on my, like, my independence as a woman, because I feel like I couldn't, like, buy a chest of drawers and put it in my car. My life depended on it. And there's no reason. There's no reason to think that way because I drive a giant car, and we. We would be capable.

[Kelly]

Well, I think that there's some. There's sometimes where you can be like, I think I could be more capable to do that. Anything that requires extreme heavy lifting or, like, tie downs. I. That. I reserve that for my husband.

[Liz]

Yeah, it's a boy job. Can we put that on our agenda?

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

It's, like, so hard to go antiquing. Like, what. With the kids.

[Kelly]

No, we could never. They would break things. I know. We just have to, like, do it on all those opportunities that we're not with them.

[Liz]

Yeah, totally.

[Kelly]

You know, whenever that happens.

[Liz]

Well, do you have anything else? Do I have anything else before we, like, kind of move on to industry news?

[Kelly]

No, I'm kind of ready for industry news.

[Liz]

It's the drive through.

[Kelly]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Liz]

Okay. Well, here's something so exciting. The Tesla Model Y finally got redesigned. Yeah.

[Kelly]

So exciting.

[Liz]

It's like, a really big deal is because if you've been listening to this podcast, you know that, like, one thing about Tesla is, like, they just can't be bothered to do an update where, like, Hyundai and Kia are like, hey, guys, Hyundai and Kia are the girls who get an inch off their trim and they're mad that their husband didn't notice their haircut. Do you know what I mean, honey? And Kia comes is like, look at us. We did a thing. And you were like, with a microscope. Or Honda's the same way with the Honda Odyssey. And I've got a microscope being like, babe, I don't see it. This. The Tesla Model Y redesign is a little bit more meat and potato.

[Kelly]

We love meat and taters.

[Liz]

They're not like, it's not a. It's not a massive overhaul. Like, it definitely still. Like, it's not. Not to bring up Hyundai again, but, like, it's not a Hyundai Santa Fe vibe, but it's definitely a sleeker look. And I actually think it looks really good. They were kind of getting dragged was. I think I was reading who's it was. Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Straight pipes. I don't know. It was like, some Instagram publication, and the comments were like, that looks like a Hyundai. There's no way.

[Kelly]

Like.

[Liz]

But I just think if people love a common enemy, like, people just always want to hate on a car. I think it looks good. Google a picture of it.

[Kelly]

Yeah, I think it looks good too.

[Liz]

It's just, like, a little fresher, you know, if anything you know what it really kind of looks like? What kind of looks like a Buick, because you know how Buick's gone, like really squinty with their headlines headlights.

[Kelly]

I still think it looks like a Tesla, but it's definitely. It's definitely kind of adopting more of what I feel like every other EV is trying to do with like the one bar in front. It's. It's definitely kind of giving more of the, like, modern ev.

[Liz]

Yeah.

[Kelly]

Look. Which it is a modern ev, so that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Liz]

And I. Well, I think it's interesting because, you know, when I think when the Tesla first came out, like, it was head turning, like, look at that car. And then, I mean, what we did this on, like the last episode, like, Tesla Model Y is one of the best selling cars in the United States. Like, it was. It's a huge car. So now they're everywhere.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

But I was expecting. I think when they did do a redesign, it's crazy to have the Cyber Truck in this. In the same category.

[Kelly]

Well, it's crazy to have the Cybertruck in the same category of anything.

[Liz]

Right. For sure. Cybertruck should be at Monster Jam.

[Kelly]

Cybertruck would, I feel like, crush the Monster Jam cars?

[Liz]

Not. I'd love to see that.

[Kelly]

I would love to see that. They just feel indestructible to me. I think that the redesign. I'm seeing them next to each other. They kept a lot of the similar. Like, like the, the door handles look the same. They have like this. There's things that are the same. Like their roof is kind. Or not. The, the long windshield is kind of the same. So it definitely still looks like a Tesla. Yeah, it is slightly updated and I think that it was starting to look outdated.

[Liz]

It for sure was. I mean, I don't think. I think it came out in 2014.

[Kelly]

It's been looking out.

[Liz]

Let me tell you when it came out. I want to get that right. When did the.

[Kelly]

There's no way it came out in 2014.

[Liz]

No, I literally think 2019.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

I was going to say the first Teslas came out. The first Teslas came out like the Model 3.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

Came out earlier than that.

[Kelly]

Okay. Well, I kind of would have thought it would have came out earlier than I knew. 2014 was late 2019 scenes.

[Liz]

Yeah, I thought it was like 2018. 2017 should be the answer.

[Kelly]

That's weird. Yeah.

[Liz]

Okay. Well, anyway, that's exciting news. Okay, Next story is from. Have you ever heard of the blog called the Car Mom?

[Kelly]

I have. It's fantastic.

[Liz]

Okay, well she posted an incredible blog about family cars for 600amonth. So we recent or not recently, probably like over a year ago, we did one for family cars for 400amonth in less. And I wanted to go just a little, I wanted to just give another variation of it. This is family cars for $600. So in the blog we give a lot of tips just for like used car shopping in general. And then I give four recommendations. Now obviously there could be hundreds of different recommendations because so much of like used car shopping is finding that level of condition, year, miles, model, trim, like there's no used car factory as I like to say. So so much of it is like whatever you can find for that price. But I give you like some good cars to try to like look at within that space. Because a lot of being a 600amonth car, unfortunately for like a quote unquote SUV family car, you are looking in the pre owned market. Don't forget that. You can always go to our website, the Car mom and at the very top we have a car payment estimator. It's like one of my most proud things we've ever done that we just don't talk about enough. Yeah, I don't think because it gives you the ability to work backwards and basically calculate do you have in your monthly payment, you fill out like what apr, you have how long you want to finance it for. If you have a trade in down payment and then it tells you your max vehicle price. So to be at 600amonth with let's say honestly 10 interest financing it for six, let's say five years, you're at a $28,000 car. So I mean the average new SUV, I mean you're pushing average new through SUV. You're pushing like mid-40s to low 50s. So we're in. So all that, all that say is to be at $600 a month, you're in the pre owned market. I don't think a lot of people realize that. But like that is okay. I love pre owned cars. I can't say this enough either. You want a reliable car, we'll get a pre owned one. It has proven reliability. You're freaking rolling the dice on a brand new one. That's crazy.

[Kelly]

And you're not, you're not totally buying blind. Like there are vehicle history reports where you can how any maintenance records on the car. You can see if it was in an accident. You can see, you can look at.

[Liz]

Consumer reports data, you can look at.

[Kelly]

The consumer Reports, data, you can see how many miles there are on the car. Like there are context clues that you can take to kind of get a general idea of the life that this car has lived. And some of them, yeah, don't buy that one. But if it's like, oh, it hasn't been in an accident, it's been reliable, it has one owner, like, okay, they just wanted something new. People don't trade in cars. And as you know, because you, you might be trading your car, you're not trading in your car because it's a bad car. You're trading in your car because your family grew. You're trading in your car because you want something new and you're, you're bored. Like people are trading cars for the smallest reason. Oh, my wife didn't like the way that the headlights locked. People do literally go trade in a car for that reason.

[Liz]

People are so impulsive and people forget that non impulsive people forget that we have seen some, I have seen some crazy things. And so yeah, don't worry about why a car's there, just worry about the vehicle history report. You know, I and I share a lot of this in the car buying course. We talk about, you know, how you can ask for the dro, which is the repair order of the car so you can see what the dealership did to fix it before they retailed it. Because if you're used car shopping, like, oh, what a hack. Hey, can I just see the repair order? Like I'm just wondering like what you guys did to recondition the car. Oh great, you put new brakes and tires on it. Like now I know that you can.

[Kelly]

Honestly get more information about a used car than you can a new car.

[Liz]

Literally.

[Kelly]

Literally.

[Liz]

It's honestly a saver buy. Honestly, if you had to find a car to have no problems at a hundred thousand miles, would you rather drive a brand new one off the lottery one with 50,000 miles? If you're a betting woman, you're taking the one that already has 50, 000 miles with no problems.

[Kelly]

Yeah. And if you buy a certified pre owned car, a lot of those will have warranty still. So if you're like, but the warranty.

[Liz]

Also you can buy a warranty with all the money you're saving. You can buy the best warranty in the world.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Also say is I'm a big used car stand and if I never, I never want. I hate the comment of like you never talk about used cars because that's like literally so far from the truth. I have New cars in my driveway. We're talking about new cars. But you have to remember like those new cars are so applicable. So like one of the big things in this blog is I talk about how I think the Honda Odyssey is a great car for families who need a big car on a budget. And I like the Honda Odyssey because it's a car seat machine. It's got good reliability and they haven't changed it. Like you should go buy. Truthfully, the oldest, lowest mileage Honda Odyssey you could buy because it's the exact same. You could not show. I could not show. I could show you a 2018 and a 2024 and if they were both spic and span, you wouldn't. You can't hardly spot the difference.

[Kelly]

Crazy.

[Liz]

So I go by so that that's like a big car. So anyway, the blog, I'm clickbait because that's what we do here. But the blogs on the Website, Cars under 600 use the car payment calculator. That's free.

[Kelly]

The blog's free, the blog's free.

[Liz]

And if you want more help on just like how to crush your used car purchase, I'll give you one more tip. Oh, you also have to make sure that you ask what comes with the vehicle because if a car gets traded in with one key, it gets sold with one key. And you know what? I'm not gonna that right, wrong or indifferent, most of the time, that's what's going to happen. Now, the dealership may, if they decide to order a second key, they will. But like if you're buying a Honda Odyssey at a Ford store and it has one key, they're not going to eat another 400 to make sure you have two keys. And a lot of people don't think to ask that and don't find that out until after they sign the paperwork. So first, I'm also not saying that it's a deal breaker if it only has one key, but be prepared for that. And if that's the case, I would use that as a negotiation tactic. So I we cover that much more in detail with the course on, like what else to ask for and how to do this properly. But yeah, that's a good one.

[Kelly]

That's a good tip. Hack.

[Liz]

Clip it, clip it, clip it.

[Kelly]

Okay, Kyle. Well, I am ready for a Ditch the Drive thru where we share an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut.

[Liz]

No, I'm so excited about this one.

[Kelly]

I don't even know what it is.

[Liz]

Well, as I'm sure, you know, we have a lot of meat in our freezers because we got a quarter cow, half a hog. And, you know, my husband, he's honestly, he's kind of starting to annoy me again, his milk crate system, because he just messed everything up. And I'm honestly trying to think of a respectful way to approach him about this because he's being unhinged by it. But basically, we don't know. Tyler wants us to make sure we're using all the cuts of meat that we buy, which is smart. I respect that part about it. So he puts everything in a milk crate, and I'm not allowed to open the next milk crate until I finish a milk crate. Okay. Well, the problem is it's like I need to cook six pork steaks at once to feed my family.

[Kelly]

Yeah, yeah.

[Liz]

So, like, we have to group. We have to group the things a little bit better.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

So, like, anyway, all that to say is there was this big hunk of meat in the left in the beef thing, and it was a brisket. I've never made a brisket before in my life. Seemed so intimidating.

[Kelly]

I don't even know how to make a brisket.

[Liz]

Well, I didn't either. But you know who does?

[Kelly]

Pioneer woman.

[Liz]

The pioneer woman. Because I'm telling you, don't reinvent the wheel.

[Kelly]

She has.

[Liz]

The thing about the pioneer woman is, like, you're not gonna find a, you know, an Israeli couscous date arugula goat cheese salad in her cookbook. You're not gonna find that. You're not even gonna find, like, a healthy thing in her cookbook. But what you're gonna find is the classics. And she does the classics incredibly well. So I said, what's your brisket recipe? I had it in my cookbook. I used my new cookbook stand, and something I did that was kind of like a low lift luxury for the family was. I was making this on a Sunday. It was like a big, like, Sunday brisket I felt like such a homemaker. Had my apron on. I was just running around hustling and bustling, but I opened up the thing and I put that on there. Sunday morning teller comes out. He's like, oh, that looks good. I'm like, yeah, that's our supper. Now, he doesn't know that it's literally a set and forget, but I'm like, yeah, that's our supper. And he just was looking by and he's like, I'm so excited for this brisket. It smells so good. The picture looks Great. Yeah. So he's getting excited about the brisket slaving over.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

Anyway, also say it's such an easy recipe and I will be making it a lot.

[Kelly]

Okay, how do you make it?

[Liz]

Well, you have to get, you know, you need. You need some equipment, so you have to get a metal, like a disposable pan.

[Kelly]

Okay.

[Liz]

You put your brisket in there, and then you do beef consummate, which I didn't know what that was, but you can find at the grocery store, liquid smoke, which is an insane ingredient. Soy sauce, lemon juice. You have to let it marinate for 24 hours. So you see how it's like a weekend thing. So. But here's what I like about it, is you start talking about this dang brisket on freaking Friday. Like, well, you know, I'm gonna do a brisket on Sunday, so tomorrow I gotta get it marinated. I mean, it was the talk of the town. Even George was like.

[Kelly]

Okay, so you had it frozen, so you let it thaw and then marinate.

[Liz]

I had been working on this thing for days, so I let it thaw.

[Kelly]

Oh, my goodness.

[Liz]

And then I marinated it in the fridge for 24 hours. And then I popped in the oven and had to cook at 300. It's a low oven temp. 300 for 40 minutes a pound.

[Kelly]

Oh, my gosh. Well, mine was only four, which is one time. And then that's it.

[Liz]

And that's it.

[Kelly]

Trimming the fat slice, Easy day, easy brisket.

[Liz]

And it was. And the whole house smelled good. I was gonna, like, light a candle because I was like, to light a candle when I'm cleaning on Sundays. But I'm like, well, you don't need to smell lavender and brisket. That's great. Oh, no, the candle is the brisket.

[Kelly]

Yeah, that sounds excellent.

[Liz]

And it was really incredible. What did you serve with mashed potatoes? Homemade? Because I had to do. Honestly, I had. Well, I had to do something to the kitchen. It didn't do anything to this brisket. It was just in the oven the whole time. So I made homemade mashed potatoes, canned green beads with bacon, Hawaiian rolls. Done.

[Kelly]

Wow.

[Liz]

And it was giving Sunday dinner, except, you know, something that I need to do better at, like, new 2025. Goal.

[Kelly]

What?

[Liz]

I have to start sitting down to eat.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

That is crazy. I. I got in a bad habit over Christmas break because we, like, we feed the kids at the bar, which is fine. I'm not gonna, like, put the pressure on myself to like, have a sit down family dinner. Every night. Like, I'm not gonna do that. I'm gonna put the pressure on myself to, like, after you feed the kids, can you sit down and eat for a second? Like, do you have to eat open?

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

I'm telling you, like, there was days where I didn't eat a single meal standing down. That's crazy.

[Kelly]

I know. You're putting in so much work for it. And I try and sit down and eat because with James is the only one who's eating. I think it's better. Like, he eats better if someone's sitting there with him. So I've been trying to do that, but. Yeah, I mean, it can get really hard when you're just, like, picking at it as you go. And then you sit down for dinner and you're like, I'm not even hungry anymore because I've been picking. And you didn't enjoy. Like, you didn't have a bio with brisket and also your homemade potatoes and also green beans. Like, you didn't get the cut.

[Liz]

I didn't.

[Kelly]

And that's what makes it.

[Liz]

No, I didn't. And that is so sad.

[Kelly]

Okay, Prioritize sitting down to eat. Channel your inner brief Andy camp. I'm loving Desperate Housewives.

[Liz]

It's the best show on television.

[Kelly]

It's so good.

[Liz]

I'm. I only have one season left, and I'm.

[Kelly]

How many seasons is it? Eight.

[Liz]

Liz, you gotta.

[Kelly]

I'm on, like, I'm on season two. I'm so.

[Liz]

Liz, you're set. It's so good. Honestly, it's the best. It would be the best maternity leave show in the world. I wish I would have it. I'm. I'm not being dramatic when I say this in the slightest. It would have made my hospital stay with Libby significantly easier.

[Kelly]

It so would have.

[Liz]

It's not. I'm not even being funny. Like, if. Honestly, if you know someone who is in the hospital or, like, alone or, like, has a lot of time to watch tv, it is the perfect show. It takes you out of your own world. You can't even scroll. It's what I like about it is you can't even scroll your phone because you'll miss something.

[Kelly]

Your rear pit. Your sat.

[Liz]

Your sat. And there's just not enough shows that, like. And to think that was back in 2004. I was that. That's when it was filmed. You were that sat for something.

[Kelly]

Yeah.

[Liz]

Like, justice for the women who had to watch that live on tv. I mean, their mental health. I can't imagine, like, these huge bombshells drop and you have to wait a week for an episode.

[Kelly]

I can't imagine.

[Liz]

I can't imagine. I know it would consume me.

[Kelly]

I know it's already consuming me.

[Liz]

Such a good show. You have to.

[Kelly]

You know what? They just don't make. I. When we were on the plane, I was wanting to watch a free movie through Southwest. They had all these new movies out. Didn't want to watch any of them. They had Bring it On original number one.

[Liz]

So good.

[Kelly]

Where. Okay, here's my petition. Free idea. Not really a free idea, but it is a free idea. Take it and do it. Make another Bring it On movie. There's. Make another cheerleading movie. I love the outfits. I love the drama. I love the stunts. I love the final routine. I love everything. The cheer. Some things they overdo. I. I will say that a cheerleading movie. Who. Who. Who doesn't want to. Who doesn't want to watch a cheerleader movie? What woman doesn't want to watch. Watch a cheerleading movie?

[Liz]

We all do.

[Kelly]

Bring it on. Bring. Bring back. Bring it on. So.

[Liz]

And bring back Desperate housewives and bring back desert.

[Kelly]

You know what? They'd screw it up. I say that, but then I'm like, I take it back because they'd screw it up.

[Liz]

I don't know.

[Kelly]

I don't.

[Liz]

Baby.

[Kelly]

It was just desperate. Oh, God. Desperate how? All the. The things that they. That they say in these, like, old teen. Teen college girl movies, like, oh, my gosh, they would be so beyond canceled. But. But the recipe is there. Just make another Bring it on movie.

[Liz]

Well, I think that's our episode, Liz.

[Kelly]

I think that's it. I think I've said all the things I need to say. So thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast, and we will talk to you next time.

[Liz]

See ya.

[Kelly]

Thank you for listening to the carpool.

[Liz]

Podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode.

[Kelly]

And if you enjoyed riding with us.

[Liz]

Tell everybody you know, there's room in the car for everyone.