IT'S THE SWAG AND THE SLIDERS

Summary

The Carpool with Kelly and Lizz

Episode: IT'S THE SWAG AND THE SLIDERS
Date: September 4, 2025

---

Overview

In this lively and relatable episode, Kelly Stumpe and Lizz St. John, known as The Car Moms, dive into their current experiences as millennial moms juggling family, business, and everyday joys. They discuss football season rituals, generational fashion debates, content creation shifts, car-buying philosophies, and practical mom-life hacks. Along the way, they infuse the conversation with humor, sisterly banter, and memorable one-liners. Automotive news gets a down-to-earth spin, and the episode rounds out with easy dinner ideas and cozy fall vibes.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Football Season Vibes: Swag, Sliders, and Memory-Making

• Lizz's Enthusiasm for Football Gear
  Lizz proudly sports her Detroit Lions sweatshirt, declaring her newfound hobby of supporting the team. She finds joy in collecting fun banners and making "Friendship Sliders" for game day.

  “I'm just a lion. We're Lions.” – Lizz (00:57)
  “We're in our memory making era.” – Lizz (02:38)

• Rituals & Family Traditions
  The sisters reflect on how memorabilia and small home traditions—like recurring game-day banners or special teapots—become treasured family heirlooms. They discuss intentionally creating moments their children will fondly remember and perhaps fight over in the future.

• Football Spouses & Ambiance
  They joke about the desire for the "ambiance" of having a husband totally engrossed in football, even if it’s mostly for the cozy home feel.

  “I almost wish I had a husband who just wanted to sit down and watch it just so I could have the ambiance... Like, mine won’t even be in the house.” – Lizz (04:55)

2. Generational Commentary: Decor, Leggings, and 'Yucking Yums'

• Home Decor Trends
  The hosts debate the resurgence and backlash against certain decor brands (like Mackenzie Child's), recalling the '90s trend of overdoing a motif and discussing the importance of moderation for sentimental collections.

• Fashion Generational Gaps
  Kelly and Lizz notice how Gen Z is dismissing beloved Millennial staples like leggings.

  “You can rip my leggings off my cold, dead body. Like, they're not going anywhere.” – Kelly (10:41)

• ‘Don’t Yuck Someone’s Yums’ Lizz shares a lesson from her son’s preschool: respecting others' likes without criticizing (yucking). She wishes this tolerance extended to home and fashion choices.

  “We need to stop yucking someone’s yums. If someone likes that, they like that.” – Lizz (08:09)

3. Influencer Culture & Content Creation Evolution

• Celebrating ‘Christian Girl Autumn’ and Brand Humor
  The sisters appreciate influencer CM Coving embracing self-parody during autumn and brands getting more playful in their sponsored content.

  “If you can just be funny, we’re going to be talking about it.” – Kelly (12:01)

• Kelly’s Approach to Car Reviews
  Kelly outlines her shift to practical, rolling reviews of her current demo vehicles (presently the Kia Carnival minivan) with authentic, long-term insights—moving away from “one and done” reviews.

4. Car Shopping Philosophy: Short-Term Flexibility

• Avoiding the '10-Year Car Trap'
  They deeply discuss misconceptions about car ownership, encouraging parents and young families to buy what fits their immediate needs, often pre-owned, rather than investing in a 'forever' vehicle prematurely.

  “Why don’t you go buy a used Ford Edge if you need a car so bad, and let’s get through the car seat phase. Let’s see how many kids you're gonna have, then let’s buy your 10-year car.” – Lizz (17:40)

• The Value of Pre-Owned Cars
  Both hosts stress that many used cars are just as safe and reliable as new, and repeat that it’s smarter (and more freeing) to swap vehicles as life stages change—especially as average car ownership is 36 months.

  “Normalize just buying pre owned and buying a new car more often. A new pre-owned car more often.” – Lizz (18:19)

5. Micro-Habits & Mom Life Hacks

• Base Model Luxury: The Clean Fridge
  Lizz introduces the “base model luxury” segment: easy, tiny tweaks that create outsized joy. Her latest is a sparkling clean fridge—calling it a modern ‘flex’ and a source of genuine satisfaction.

  “A clean fridge is a flex.” – Lizz (23:28)

• Snack Strategy and Organization
  They debate access to snacks, striving for more intentionality and less chaos in kids’ eating habits. Integrating small routines, label makers, and mindful pantry stocking is framed as self-care.

6. Catching Up on Life and the Renovation Waiting Game

• Kelly’s Home Reno Limbo
  The episode threads Kelly’s current liminal living situation (staying with her parents during renovations), and her ambition to revamp family systems—decluttering, organizing, and slowing down—once back home.

7. Auto Industry News (32:51)

• Car Mom x GM CEO Interview
  Kelly shares that The Car Mom recently interviewed Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, on YouTube—an industry milestone that's both daunting and exciting.

• Jeep Cherokee Returns with Surprising Pricing
  Lizz reviews the relaunch of the Jeep Cherokee for 2026—with a hybrid-only lineup and a decreased price from prior years, bucking industry trends.

  “You never hear that the price goes down. Ever.” – Kelly (34:54)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's the swag and the sliders." – Kelly (05:41), summing up the fun of football season.
• "We're in our memory making era." – Lizz (02:38), encapsulating the importance of family traditions.
• "Don't yuck someone's yums." – Lizz (08:09), advocating for positivity around preferences.
• "Normalize just buying pre owned and buying a new car more often." – Lizz (18:19), challenging mainstream car-buying wisdom.
• "A clean fridge is a flex." – Lizz (23:28), redefining attainable luxury.

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|------------| | Football Sunday Vibes, Swag, and Sliders | 00:32–06:15| | Memory-Making & Cherished Family Objects | 02:09–02:38| | Decor, Gen Z, and Leggings Debate | 07:40–10:41| | Influencer Content Culture & Brand Humor | 11:01–12:33| | Minivan Life & Real-World Reviews | 14:19–15:33| | Flexible Car Buying Mentality | 17:17–22:27| | Base Model Luxury: The Clean Fridge | 22:51–24:45| | Snack Strategy and Home Organization | 26:45–29:58| | Home Renovation Updates | 30:04–31:31| | Industry News: GM Interview & Jeep Cherokee | 31:33–35:07| | Ditch the Drive Thru: Shepherd’s Pie Potatoes | 35:07–37:59| | Fall Recipes, Food Magazines & Micro-Hobbies | 38:05–43:29|

---

Ditch the Drive Thru: Easy Dinner Idea (35:07)

Shepherd’s Pie Baked Potatoes

• Roast russet potatoes and top with a ground beef, peas, and carrot filling—essentially the inside of a Shepherd's Pie—instead of traditional casserole style. Top with freshly shredded Colby Jack and bake until melty.
• Quote:

  “A clean fridge is a flex... and now suddenly I know exactly what to cook because my fridge is organized!” – Lizz (23:28)

---

Tone & Style

The episode is breezy, friendly, and comedic—full of sisterly inside jokes and authentic admissions. The hosts riff on modern motherhood, stay grounded in practical advice, and laugh at life's chaos while championing small wins and self-acceptance.

---

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

• Parenting and Homemaking: Find meaningful, manageable ways to create family memories.
• Car Shopping: Rethink assumptions about car ownership cycles and the value of pre-owned vehicles.
• Everyday Hacks: Embrace “micro hobbies” to find satisfaction in the routine—like organizing your fridge or recording dinners.
• Cultural Trends: Laugh along at the generational debates and take permission to “yuck fewer yums.”

---

Go Lions!

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to the carpool podcast with Kelly.

[B]

And at the end of the day, it's just men throwing a ball. Like, they all know that, right? Like, they all touch grass enough to realize. But it actually. It's just a game. It's for fun. I'm having fun.

[A]

And, Liz, you know what else Gen Z is? I've seen Gen Z starting to yuck, which is so annoying. And I will never let them have this leggings. Your mom time off starts now.

[B]

Welcome back to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Look at my sweatshirt.

[A]

Detroit Lions.

[B]

I'm sorry. It's such a good color. Like, it's carmine blue. And Lions is, like, a mascot. That's a real mascot. You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah, it's a good. It's a good mascot.

[B]

It's a mascot. What it is is it's a mascot. Like, what are the Steelers? What are the 49ers like? What are these things?

[A]

Couldn't tell you.

[B]

I'm just a lion. We're Lions.

[A]

You're just a Lion. We're Lions.

[B]

My micro hobby right now.

[A]

I. And you're getting me excited. Like, you are so good at getting people excited about something.

[B]

I think mom has always said that about me, and it's honestly such a compliment. I want to tell you, though. So the Lions are playing the packers again. What's a Packer going on a trip? What's a Brown? Like, like, Lions versus Ravens. Sure. Lions versus Bears. Sure. Lions versus Chiefs. Like, sure. Like, whatever. But, like, Lions, I'm gonna make the French. So anyway, games on Sunday. I'm gonna make the Friendship Sliders.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I haven't secured a football banner yet, but I do want to get one.

[A]

So are you gonna get, like, football generic, or are you gonna get Lions?

[B]

Well, and here's the thing with. Here's the thing with, like, being fun and being a decorator. It's like, you only put it up on game day. Like, it's not something that, like, lives. Like, it's not like a live in my, like, lives for the month of September. Like, it's. Oh, mom has the game day banner up. Cause it's game day.

[A]

I love. Here's what I love so much. Recently, you have been saying, I want to get these things because then my children will cherish this thing. Like, your kids are going to fight over the birthday banner. They're going to fight over your Mackenzie child's teapot. They're going to fight over these. The clip clop castle. Like, you. You are just. And you're so. Your kids are at such a good age that you're like, let's make memories. Like, we're in our memory making era.

[B]

Well, that's what I'm saying. We're in our memory making era. And I'll tell you what else really helps not make memories, but keep memories. Instill memories. Two things. One, I still love my chat books.

[A]

Love chat books.

[B]

We're going to use chat book heavy. I'm not going to like you kind of. I really don't know if I need one monthly. I. I should look if they have a seasonal option.

[A]

Yeah. Because I'm sometimes just finding my. But it's nice because I'm finding myself throwing, like, the one I would never have framed or never have kept just because they are monthly. And I'm trying to pick 30 from the month. But, yeah, I'm kind of drowning in books.

[B]

But I'd rather just have bigger books than have all these little. I have all these little books.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But the kids love them. We recently brought them from the downstairs to the upstairs. So now all of our books are in the sun room, and the kids are just frequently pulling them out.

[A]

Yeah. And now they're gonna fight over those.

[B]

No, they're not gonna fight over those. But anyway, so that's amazing. And also the skylight calendar.

[A]

Do you guys. Are you. I have a skylight. I do, but since I've been moved out of my house, I got it, like, the month before we moved out, so I have not actually used it, but I'm so excited to.

[B]

It is. I mean, I like the calendar. And Because I also. I like that, if nothing else, just all my calendars sync together. Like, I find that really helpful. But the frame aspect is so funny. You know what else you can do on the skylight that I really like is you can put videos on there. So, like, there's no sound, but, like, I have this really precious video of George and Hattie, like, running in the rain. And like, every once in a while, like, literally every, like, 750 pictures, like, that one comes up like, it was just up this morning. And it's like, a darling video. There's no sound. It's just, like, in the corner of my kitchen, it's my kids running into the rain.

[A]

It's cute.

[B]

So anyway, those are really good at, like, preserving the memories.

[A]

Yeah. No, it is. I don't know how we got here, but. Football, Football, Football. Yeah.

[B]

Does Maddie like the Lions? Like, does.

[A]

He's not an NFL guy. He's a college Football guy.

[B]

Oh, see, I don't know anything about that.

[A]

And he want. But he. Notre Dame is his team, but he wants to watch all of the games.

[B]

Like, see, that's crazy. I would have fatigue on that.

[A]

Football Sunday or football Saturday. I think it's on Saturdays. He like, let's turn it on all day.

[B]

No. And I just think I want more. Like, I almost wish I had a husband who just wanted to sit down and watch it just so I could have the ambiance of a husband sitting down and watching the game. Like, mine won't even be in the house.

[A]

Yeah. But until it kind of pisses you off and you're like, all right, well, you can't actually, like, take a nap to football in the background. Like, we got two young kids. Like, come on.

[B]

Maddie has a lot of passion because I did. We. We watched a game with him at the lake, and I was. I thought you were exaggerating. I thought he was exaggerating, like, how passionate he was gonna be, and he was not.

[A]

No, it's. You can't. You don't want to be around. Like, he kind of needs to be in a private spot to watch. To watch football.

[B]

Like, just men throwing a ball. Like, they all know that, right? Like, they all touch grass enough to realize what it. Actually. It's just a game. It's for fun. I'm having fun.

[A]

I know.

[B]

I'm with you. To me, it's the swag in the. In the sliders.

[A]

It's the swag and the sliders. And, yeah, I think I will get. I think I'll get a lot more into it. I think when James gets into it and, like, wants to watch it with Maddie, then I'm here, Then I'm there. I'm the fun mom. Like, we're gonna do the. Do the. We're gonna have fun cocktails or drinks for the kids and the sliders and the wings and, like, I'm. I'll. I'll get there. I'm not there yet, though. I'll get a banner one of these days. But speaking of things that my children are gonna fight about, I. You've inspired me.

[B]

I'm such.

[A]

You're always inspiring me. It's.

[B]

Honestly, I'm such an inspiration.

[A]

You're such an inspiration. I just been so jealous of, like, your Mackenzie child's growing collection.

[B]

Well, I have two things, and I don't want to overdo it.

[A]

No, and you don't, because we were talking about this the other day, and mom was like, you can overdo it. Like, you can't overdo it. She's like, it reminds me so much of the 90s, because I guess it was really popular in the 90s. And then she's like, people would overdo it. Like, they had too much stuff and it felt circusy. So I'm not trying to be circusy, but I want to have. I want to have my own pattern. Like, blue is yours. I want to have one. So that way. And I talked about this. Like, if you want to get me a nice gift, you can get me something within my pattern. So I think I've decided what my pattern is going to be.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I put a lot of thought into this.

[B]

No, I know. I know you have. I know you have. I know you have. Okay.

[A]

And I'm going to order. I'm going to order something I want just so I can start.

[B]

I think I know what it is, though.

[A]

I feel like you'll know what it is. It's a check pattern, obviously.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

It's the green.

[A]

No.

[B]

Or is it the light gray?

[A]

No.

[B]

Really?

[A]

I. I thought about the light gray.

[B]

But what is it? I have no idea.

[A]

It's mocha. It's like the. The neutral beige.

[B]

It's mocha. Okay.

[A]

So, okay, I haven't ordered anything yet, but I'm going to order something, and I'm gonna start my collection.

[B]

Well, here's what I. Because mackenzie Child is so interesting, because I've seen some hate on it recently. I've seen.

[A]

Really.

[B]

I've seen a little bit of hate. People being like, it's just like the Raid. It's like Rae Dunn.

[A]

I'm like, no, no, it's not.

[B]

First of all, I like Rae Dunn. So let me just say that I think that stuff is cute. I'm so tired of Gen Z's who don't have a home having an opinion.

[A]

First of all, here's what I. Yes, okay, you can continue, because I've got something to say about that.

[B]

That's what I'm saying. Like, and why, like, so something that George's. George's preschool teacher taught him that I did not. I just for. It was one of those things I just forgot to teach to my kids. But, you know, George doesn't like cheese and Hattie. What? No, that. That, that. That. That doesn't matter right now. Hold on. What am I trying to say here? George learned the phrase, don't yuck someone's yums. So sometimes when Hattie's like, ew, that looks gross. He goes, hattie, don't yuck someone's yums. And I'm like, amen. When did we start yucking yums? All the time. We need to stop yucking someone's yums. If someone likes that, they like that. So I like my blue and white. I don't want to overdo it because I don't want everything to match. But objectively, that's a beautiful teapot I have upstairs.

[A]

Yeah, it's beautiful. And it stood the test of time. I feel it stood the test of time. And it's just pretty, and it's a check. And I'm. I'm not gonna have everything all the time, but, like, I want to have something nice. God forbid. You know what else Gen Z is? I've seen Gen Z starting to yuck, which is so annoying. And I will never let them have this Leggings.

[B]

Well, yeah, they're wrong.

[A]

Have you been seeing that? They're like, leggings are out. They're going out. This is. I. This is how I imagine they speak. Gen Z says leggings are out. I think they've been saying that Gen Z has steamed. A wardrobe staple worn by busy, multitasking moms from C to signing. She is cool. Yes, ladies, our teens say our beloved leggings have to go. The go to item I wear for working. Okay, I don't want to read all of this. What are they saying?

[B]

I do think they're wearing jeans more than us. I think. I think. I think we can take inspiration from that. I'm going to be honest. I think some of us can take inspiration, but I'm not. I'm just. I'm call it maturity, but I'm. I'm not yucking yums anymore.

[A]

No, I have seen that. They're like, sweatpants instead.

[B]

Well, that feels so sloppy.

[A]

That's what I'm saying.

[B]

I want. Sorry. There I go. Yucking there. Yeah. Like, that feels. I.

[A]

Like, no, they're. No. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I don't know. And, you know, that's why. You know what else? I just like living in mid Missouri because, you know what? Like, we're just not. Things just move a little slower around here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, it's not like the fashion capital of America. Like, we're just kind of. We're just Midwestern girls in our Detroit lion sweatshirts. Just like bean girls.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know?

[A]

Yeah. So, I mean, you can rip my leggings off my cold, dead body. Like, they're not going anywhere.

[B]

Speaking of fashion capitals of the world. Okay. You Know who, what influencer I have, like, had kind of a bit of a resurgence with. And, like, I don't know her very well. Like, I've just. But you'll know exactly what I'm talking about when I show her. Do you know who CM Coving is?

[A]

Yeah, I follow her. Yeah. Okay. So, like, she's a Christian girl. Okay.

[B]

Well, she's in on the joke this year. And it is. It was a good. From a business perspective, it's a good play. So she made this video. I don't know if it was on TikTok or just her Instagram, like, crying, being like, I can't keep up with the pressure. Like, I can't. It was all a joke. She comes out, she's doing the best ads. Like, the brands are knowing what's up. Because she's the queen of autumn.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

She's the Christian girl Autumn. So she had, like. She did one with Starbucks and the pumpkin spice latte came back. She just did one with the Philadelphia pumpkin cream cheese. I'm buying it. Don't. It's. It's. It sold me on it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

First of all, I didn't even know they made pumpkin cream cheese. And her ad is so funny. And she's just doing a good job. Like, she's in on the joke this year, and I'm here for it.

[A]

And I appreciate the brands getting in on the joke, too. Sometimes brands try and be, like, so serious, and it's like, if you can just be funny, we're going to be talking about it.

[B]

If you can just be funny. And I've even noticed that with some of the brands that we work, have worked with, like, it's kind of just. They're. They're starting to be less about. You know, you used to, like, want to, like, have to do a reel, and, like, the whole reel was about the product. Now it's like, hey, like, I like this product. I want to promote it. But, like, let's make an entertaining video with the product instead of a product about a video about the product.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, like, you kind of need to be on. Like, you want to just make an entertaining video. Like, that's advertising these days.

[A]

It's going to do better. It's going to perform better. Yeah.

[B]

So anyway, I'm happy that she's in on the joke, and she's also just. And again, here's the thing. Like, I think you need to, like, follow her with, like, I'm saying this because her content is beautiful, maybe a little unattainable. Definitely unattainable. But just look at she. She's a beautiful creator. Like, it's a good. She's just. I like to. I feel like I'm celebrating fall by just watching her video.

[A]

Yeah. Like everyone feels like they're in on it, which is.

[B]

But like, she did a cozy week at old Edwards Inn. Like, okay, I don't know what this is, but like, I'm enjoying. You captured all the right content.

[A]

Mm.

[B]

You captured all the right kind of. This is the exact kind of just cozy comfort video I want to watch right now. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, totally.

[B]

Speaking of cozy comfort, I can't wait for Ditch to the drive thru. I have a staple that I'm going to bring you.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

We can, we can. We can crawl. Walk around to that.

[A]

Well, speaking of content creation, I have kind of been for so long trying to figure out who I am in this space of. In of Instagram, and I think I have a new approach to the kind of content that I'm going to be posting in case anyone cares. So I recently got a minivan and I love it. I love it so much. I love having a minivan. In case you don't know, I drive cars from the dealership, so every. Until they sell or every 5,000 miles, I get a new car. So some of my last cars have been Nissan Pathfinder, Kia Telluride, Hyundai Palisade. A lot of the cars that we talk about on the car Mom. So what I want to do is, is just fill my feed with every little thought video that I have about my current demo, currently it being the Kia Carnival. So that way if and when you're in the market for the Kia Carnival or whatever, you can just go and see all of my thoughts as someone who's driving it for months at a time with two kids, real life, what it's working, what it's not, what I like, what I don't like. And that's just kind of what you can expect from me.

[B]

I think that's great. I think we're all very interested to hear. To hear your thoughts. And you know, you're a bit of a convert right now because you were. You're new to the minivan world.

[A]

I am. And I'm. I'm loving it. But you know what? I don't have, I don't have any qualms about minivans.

[B]

I don't have qualms.

[A]

No. Like, I, Some, some women, some moms or families are like, never saying, like, never ever will I get a minivan. I'm not. I'm not that girl. Got it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I don't care. And the Kia Carnival just happens to be the best looking minivan for sure.

[B]

It's for sure a good looking minivan. You know, I'm having a lot of contentment with my car right now. I've had my car for. This is the longest I've ever had a car for. And I was gonna look into getting a 25 expedition or maybe, you know, just like 180, surprising you with a Honda Odyssey one day. But I'm just having fun. I'm just very comfortable in it right now. And like, this sounds crazy. This sounds crazy. And like, let's be clear. Like, I think the Expedition is still, like, probably the best car. But I hate that black panel on the back trunk so bad in the 25. On the 25s.

[A]

You are so salty about that.

[B]

Well, because I've been seeing them on the road more and more and it's such a bad design decision. And I just wish they'd bring me in on these meetings a little bit because they don't think. They think it's cool. I know. I. I have seen several DMS people saying it's a deal breaker. Wow.

[A]

It's not a deal breaker for me.

[B]

It's not a deal breaker for me. But I don't love it. Like, I really think it's ugly. I think it's really ugly. And I really think they're gonna take it away for 26. Like, that's my prediction.

[A]

I love a prediction. We'll see if it happens.

[B]

That's my prediction. We also just need to get. The bench seat thing is really hard. Like, it's really hard to find bench seats of 24s, of 25s. I don't know what the deal. I don't know why people still think captain's chairs are the default. And I know that people, some. There are always. There are gonna be people that prefer cabinet chairs, of course. I would just expect it to be a bit more of a 50, 50 split in the inventory. And it's not even close to that. And yeah. So I know I may start looking. Tyler really wants. Tyler, like, only wants us to have white cars. He just loves white cars. I'm. I'm very fluid in my color. Like, I could take whatever. Like, I'm really. I. I'm genuinely for being the car mom, I'm shockingly not that picky on my exterior. Like, I don't want to. I don't want a red one, but black, white, silver, Blue, Like I don't. It wouldn't be my deciding factor, you know.

[A]

Yeah. Oh yeah, I agree.

[B]

Same thing with interior. I'm just, I'm not that, I'm not that picky on colors. I don't know.

[A]

Well, I really love what you've been saying a lot recently just of the, like, you don't have to keep a car for 10 years. Like you can keep a car to get you through this life stage that you and that, that you're in that this car seat.

[B]

Can we talk about that for a second?

[A]

Yeah, let's talk about it.

[B]

Well, I keep getting a message. People are not understanding what I'm saying. People are saying not everyone can afford to get a new car. And that's literally could not be less of what I'm saying. Like.

[A]

Right.

[B]

I know people can't afford to get a new car all the time. That's why I'm recommending to shop more pre owned for a short, for this shorter period of time. I think it's very hard to find a car like, because basically. So I think what they think I'm saying is going out and buy a new car every couple of years. That's not what I'm saying. You're saying I'm gonna buy this expedition. I'm gonna buy. Not an expensive. I'm gonna buy a brand new Hyundai Palisade because it's gonna be my car I'm gonna keep for 10 years. And I'm telling you it might not be. So why don't you go buy a used Ford Edge if you need a car so bad and let's get, let's get through the car seat phase. Let's see how many kids you're gonna have. Let's do three across in that. And then once you like know what the family's gonna look like, then let's buy your 10 year car.

[A]

Mm.

[B]

I don't like people trying to buy their 10 year car. I don't always recommend it before they really know what their needs are actually going to be. And I, I also think normalize just buying pre owned and buying a car more often. A new car more often.

[A]

A new pre owned car more often.

[B]

A new pre owned car more often. Like. Yeah, the, the pre owned market is such a fun market because. Well, fun's not probably the right word. It's such a, it's such an interesting market because you can go. The older you go, the slower the car depreciates. So like if you're someone who just gets bored often and you like the idea of getting a new new to you car every couple of years which I'm sorry, some people do, you guys. And you just have to accept that. And I'm trying to tell people if they want to do that it is smarter to do that in the pre owned market than in the new car market. That's what I'm trying to say.

[A]

Yeah. And I, I was talking to my friend about this the other day because she needs a new car. Her car is old. She only has, she has one kid, her car is too old. Like they just need a new one. They do a lot of road trips and her and her husband are very much drive it till they die kind of people. And so that's just what they're used to. And I was like, you can do that but it's just, let's just explore and talk about what it looks like if you don't go that route, if you don't buy a new car to drive for the next 10 years, if you do buy a pre owned car to drive for the next three, five years and then we can reevaluate.

[B]

Yeah, I agree.

[A]

Anyway, I, I love that. It just, I think it's, I think it's a little bit freeing because it's, you can buy a less expensive car, not as big of a car and you don't have to put all of your eggs in one basket and make this very expensive impactful decision about your future. Like you don't have to put all that pressure on yourself right now.

[B]

Yeah, I just don't know like why. Yeah, it just, and it takes just some retraining of the mind because I mean I do these consultations and these same ones are like, you know, I budgets 50k and I'm looking, I have, you know, I'm pregnant with our second. Probably have one to two more looking for something for 10 years and I'm like okay sister, well like do you want to buy a used. Because here's the thing, you want to buy used Expedition right now or like do you want to like go have fun? Like let's not spend 50, let's spend 25.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And these new, the used cars people need to stop thinking that these used cars aren't as nice or as safe or as reliable. They are, first of all, all of those things. Look at all the new cars that are on stop sales that have recalls that are having serious issues. Like a used car, 6, 000 miles on it that hasn't had any problems. Yeah, let's put my Money on that one versus like the brand new one that just came off the lot.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

Like they just redid that car. We have no idea what that reliable. I mean like think for a second.

[A]

That's exactly also the advice I gave my sister in law because her husband needs a new car because his new car is kept having engine issues and they were dumping money into it and I was like go buy a used car. Because she's like I'm so afraid this is going to happen again. I'm like that one had issues. Go buy a used car that has proven reliability and you know the engine is good because it's been driven for years.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because if your new car had that problem like you're, you know.

[B]

Yeah. Like get a warranty and move on with your life. Like I just, I, I can't believe the like people need to retrain their mind. A car does not. A car can last you 10 years and but. Or buy a way cheaper car, pay it off sooner. Like you don't have to go buy a $25,000 car and pay it off.

[A]

It's just different ways to look at it.

[B]

It's different ways to look at. People need to be retrained and that's. And I think it's what, what is dangerous is these. What's dangerous. And what I don't like is that now these banks are allowing these super extended terms on these cars and people are getting themselves in bad situations because when you can finance their car for 96 months. Okay, first of all you're not keeping it for 96 months. Like I just know you, you're not and that's okay. You have to be able to admit that to yourself. Most of you aren't. And the data tells us the average person is in the car for market every 36 months. Okay. Like there's nothing wrong with being average girl. Like if you just want. So I'm saying if you want to give yourself the freedom of I'm. I like to get a new, you know, I like to get a new to me car every couple of years. Okay. Go buy a pre owned one. Great reliability. They're super safe. Like it has all the same tech. Tyler struck is a 2017, 2018. I don't know like 2018 or 2017 has 170000 miles on it.

[A]

And then in a few years you'll be driving the 20. The new 2025 Ford Expedition. That's new this year but was. Yeah but it's not new in 2028. You know mine.

[B]

What year's mine? 22. 23, I think.

[A]

23.

[B]

I think it ends at 23.

[A]

Anyway.

[B]

It's just fine. It's just fine.

[A]

It's fine.

[B]

It's fine.

[A]

It's fine.

[B]

Okay, what else?

[A]

Let me see what I have. What else?

[B]

Oh, I have base model luxury.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

I'm excited to bring this segment back now that we're back to our segment. So base model luxury is when we share a recent discovery. Yeah, it's something little that makes a big impact in your life. You know, it's. You could think of it like a. It's like taking care of a micro anxiety or just like something that makes you feel lux, even though it's like a very, very little, very attainable. Anyone can do it. Mm. Okay. Mine is cleaning out your fridge. A clean fridge is a flex.

[A]

Huh?

[B]

A clean fridge is a flex.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There has been times when we've had people over and they're like, hey, can I put this in your fridge? And I literally, like, clench my butt. Because I'm like, oh, my gosh, my fridge is disgusting.

[A]

Like, I'll put it in there.

[B]

Please don't look at my fridge. But I cleaned out my fridge yesterday in a big way. I'm talking wipes. I'm talking just, you know, getting the food out re. You know, you gotta figure out how to reorganize your fridge a bit. And every time I open it brings me such joy. Such now. I'm sorry. Now I have inspiration in the kitchen. Like, now suddenly I know exactly what to cook because my fridge is organized and it just feels like. Like, I love I. You open your fridge several times a day. Like, don't get me wrong, we can all have our drawers. We can all have our problem drawers. We can all have our Monica closet from friends. But that shouldn't be your fridge.

[A]

It is having, like, a fridge and. Or a pantry that, like, anyone can walk into and immediately understand the organizational structure is. You're right. It's a total flex. It's like a wow. You have your life together. You're like, wow, look at you.

[B]

You're just a girl. You prioritize that. Like, you can have other things and it takes the place of things, but it does.

[A]

It does. We've talked about this.

[B]

It feels. It has a good. It has a longer payoff is, I think, my thing.

[A]

Yes, I.

[B]

A longer payoff.

[A]

I agree. I agree. That's very much one of my goals for when I move back into my house. Just on everything I am. I'm getting a label maker out. Label my pantry, label my drawers, label everything, organize my fridge. And I really want to go that extra step and really try and keep to it, because I'm. I'm very type. I guess this is type Y, where it's just like, oh, I'll just throw it in there. Like, I move quickly. I don't put things away nicely. I don't screw peanut butter lids on all the way. Like, I'm just moving so fast, and I'm just like, oh, I know. It's like Maddie's biggest complaint about me as a wife.

[B]

Mm.

[A]

It's something I need to work on.

[B]

You just need to slow down.

[A]

I need to slow down. I need to slow down. And that is one of my big, big goals. And maybe even there, I say a New Year's resolution is to slow down.

[B]

So it just feels good. And it's one of those things, like, you know, go deep, go wide, go deep on things that you open every single day. And I agree. It's not even that you need to have all the. All the great organizational bins. It's just that it's organized enough that it makes sense.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that also, I'm also. I'm trying to be very mindful about, like, using up things because a part of it is just. And it sounds like such a personal problem, like, it's having less food. So it's just like, it's having, like, you know, so if we opened up the barbecue trips from the weekend, okay, everyone's getting barbecue chips in their lunch because, like, that's the open bag of chips. Like, we're not. We're not buying more chips. We got barbecue chips. You want to snap. We have barbecue chips.

[A]

There is something so rewarding about finishing a jar, a bag like my Israeli.

[B]

Couscous that I finally finished. Praise.

[A]

Using all of it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Finishing a thing of lotion. Eight years. It feels good.

[B]

Finishing a thing of lotion is top notch. So here's another thing that I kind of my. This is not. Sure this is a base monologue. I'm gonna file this under, like, mom hack or something. But we've talked about this. I don't really like being much of a snack household for a couple of reasons. One, I like my kids eat their meals. Two, you know, even if you're, like, thrive marketing stuff, like, it's still a snack. It's still, like, not. I mean, they can't just eat chopsticks for everything. So it's still not going to be, like, the most high Protein, freshness, ingredients all of the time. Now of course, we need snacks in our life. Like George, George and Hattie have to take a snack to school. Like, I'm not anti snack by any means, but I don't like my kids having access to snacks for a couple reasons. So I recently we moved our snack bin and I put it in a cabinet, like where my plates are. Like, the kids can't get to it now. I get them a snack out of there. Like, I'm in control of it. But that way, like when they ask me for a snack, you know what it does? It gets my butt off the couch. And I'm like, yes, let me make you a snack. Let me cut you up an apple with peanut butter. Let me get you a cheese stick and some salami. Let me like get you some carrots and ranch. I find that like, if I don't have like that quick access to like grab, you know, the Scooby cookies or like the granola bars, like, I will, I will, I will be less lazy and my kids will eat a better snack. I don't, I'm not saying no snacks. I'm saying like, we just, we. And we didn't grow up in a house where we had a lot of prepared snack, like packaged snacks. We just didn't. And you know, I'm kind of like a hot lunch mom. So like we're, I'm not like packing a lot of lunches every day, but I like, I, we. I started that yesterday. I took the snacks out of the pantry because they were just becoming a problem. They, they honestly were.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And now when they're not there, the kids don't even like know they exist. And then they're more likely to just eat, eat something else that I give them.

[A]

Yeah, I, that's, that's another big goal of mine. When I move back into my house, I gotta cut the snacks. I gotta cut the snacks. I, I am just such a first time mom, it feels like, because like James goes from a baby where you, you meet their every need because when they're crying they need to be changed, fed, you know, or whatever. And then they become a toddler one day and when they're crying for something, you want to give them something to make them stop crying. And I got in such a bad rut of doing that and trying to just like, please him because that as a baby, that's what you're supposed to do. And then he became a toddler and I was kind of spoiling him. And I'm trying To like backtrack a little bit on that because he doesn't like, I'm the adult in this situation. Like, if you don't want to wear that shirt, like, okay, like, you don't need to choose. I can choose. And I was giving him too many choices. Like, do you want to wear this shirt? This shirt doesn't matter. I was just trying to make him happy. Like, I was trying to make it fun. And I just realized that, like, he doesn't need that meant that much control in his life. He can be in control of the paw patrol tower. So anyway, I'm going to really cut back on. And he doesn't need his meals, so I'm really cutting back on the snacks. I'm going to be a little bit more strict and just kind of try and reach.

[B]

When is the ETA of like, when are we getting in the house? It sounds like your whole life is going to change when that happens.

[A]

No, I know, I know. I am so up in the air in my life right now. We just are. We're looking at it. Probably a month left. I was. I'm hoping to be in by Sloan's birthday, which is the 20th, but I. I don't know.

[B]

Can I tell you something?

[A]

What?

[B]

I think you should move in without countertops.

[A]

I can't do my appliances until my countertops are done, so. You want to move in without appliances?

[B]

Can't you just put your fridge in?

[A]

I don't know. Maybe.

[B]

I think if you can get a fridge, you put your air fryer on your kitchen table and you just kind of roll with it for a little bit. That is. That is my advice.

[A]

We'll see. That. That is one train of thought. But then the other train of thought is like, you're in a. You're. I'm not. I'm living in a free place. I'm living at my parents. I'm not paying for anything. Wouldn't it also just be nice to. Without everyone living in the house? Get it organized, get it set up so that way I can start all these new life changing systems that I'm going to put in place Apparently. We'll see. I don't know.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I really getting quite desperate though, so that might be the case.

[B]

Yeah, I'm sorry.

[A]

No, it's fine. And again, like, I have a great setup. Like, my parents are awesome. I shouldn't complain, but I just love my house so much and I love being here.

[B]

Yeah. We're homebodies.

[A]

Yeah. So.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But we're close this month, hopefully.

[B]

Well, you're ready for industry news. Rise by the hot tea going on in the auto industry.

[A]

Sure am.

[B]

Really just one big story kind of going on, and I'm just.

[A]

I have a big story.

[B]

Oh, okay. Well, you go first. Oh, I wasn't expecting this.

[A]

Live on YouTube is the Car Mom X Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors. General Motors interview. Wow. It's the talk of the automotive industry. It's quite the interview.

[B]

Please go check it out. Just. Just for us. Just for us and our support. It was a little out of our comfort zone. We talked about it. Like, I needed to work on my interviewing skills.

[A]

We really weren't totally sure what to expect.

[B]

No, I'm proud of what. I'm proud of what we did. I just wish I could have. I also wish we would have had more time.

[A]

Yeah, it was. It was very quick from like, hello, my name is Kelly to the end. We had 30 minutes. So that included the interview. That included any reels. That included the pleasantries. Like, 30 minutes. That's it. Like, she was a very, very busy woman. So we didn't have a lot of time.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, you can go check it out on The Car Moms. YouTube. What's your story? Can I top that?

[B]

It might be able to. No, I can't top that. I want to talk about the Jeep Cherokee. Okay, so the Jeep announced the Cherokee. Now I'm a little confused with Jeep right now. And that's kind of why I have, like, their build your own pulled up right now, because now we have. Okay, so the Jeep Cherokee took a. Took like two years off. Like, they put it on hiatus, but, like, they still had the Grand Cherokee and they still had the Grand Cherokee L. Okay. The horse. Have the Wagoneer and the Grand Wagoneer. They're honestly exhausting me. Like, I can't. I don't. They're. It's. I find them exhausting. And then we have, like, the Grand Highlander and the Highlander. Like, what is. I don't. Like, I don't. I don't love the grand adjective. If I'm being. If I'm just. If I'm being honest. So the Cherokee, though, came out. It says Jeep's Pricing for the 20, 26 Cherokee SUV should be popular. And I think Jeep is getting their life together. And I've. No one wants you to get their life together more than me. Like, I'm. I'm always, like, just trying. I'm always. I'm always rooting for them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. The Jeep Grand Cherokee is back for the 2026 model year. And while the dimensions of the once popular SUV have grown, the price has not. The now hybrid only SUV starts at 36. 9 with top trim stretching to 45. 9. So it's bigger. It has a hybrid, but it's not more expensive. Okay, like that's what I'm saying.

[A]

That's a win.

[B]

It says despite the three year gap in the Cherokee's resume, the price actually lowered for the 2026 model year than it was for 2023. There are four trim levels. There are the four trim levels. All four trims come equipped with the hybrid powertrain. It's a four cylinder engine, 145, 177 horsepower. And they should be in dealerships in late 2025. They're just going to be prioritizing the limited overland trims. But the less expensive trips trims will come in 2026. I studied the bench. It's looking three across, friendly. Okay, so it's kind of all coming up Jeep.

[A]

All right, well then you never hear that the price goes down. Ever.

[B]

The price goes down. It's bigger. It's a hybrid. I'm sad. I'm sad.

[A]

I'm. I'm here for it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Well, Kel, you mentioned that you had a ditch to the drive through that was going to be so good. So let's get into ditch the drive thru where we give you an easy dinner recipe to mix it up to get you out of your dinner rut.

[B]

Sure, sure, sure, sure, sure, sure, sure. So again, I was clean up my recipe binder the other day and my phone keeps. Is your phone like blowing up? I have like the freaking fraud bank is calling me. My Etsy transaction didn't go through. Things are just. My life's falling.

[A]

Yeah, my phone's blowing up. Yeah.

[B]

My life's falling apart. And I'm just trying to bring the carpoolers that it's just the drive through that they deserve. So I was cleaning out my recipe binder and I used to love to buy like Food Network, the Food Network magazines just because I didn't have like a printer set up at home. So, like, that was my only way to like take a recipe and like put it in my binder.

[A]

Okay, first of all, how was it? 2025, I was like, I'm gonna buy a nice printer. I'm gonna spend 200 on a printer because I always buy cheaper printers and they never work. So it's gonna connect to Wi Fi. It's gonna work. I'm gonna be able to print doesn't work. Why do printers never work?

[B]

They. Why do printers never work? I don't know. Mine does work. Now I can't figure out the WI fi, so I do have to plug it in, which is.

[A]

I need a plug. I'm fine with plugging in as long as it's gonna work.

[B]

As long as I don't have a.

[A]

Plug, I need a plug.

[B]

No, totally. Totally. And mine is still annoying because it's like, it's downstairs in our storage room because, like, I don't know, like, where do you put it?

[A]

Right. Where do you put a printer? So then, can someone come up with free idea? An aesthetically pleasing printer that is hardwired and actually works.

[B]

It needs, like, double or something. Like, just. Yeah, yeah. What is that about? Anyway, so I found in my recipe binder a recipe that I used to make all the time when we were first married. So, like, it's really, like, it was so nostalgic. And of course, it's a ground beef recipe, because, like, that's the best. And it is. Have I ever shared this one before? Shepherd's pie baked potatoes.

[A]

Oh, I don't think so.

[B]

I used to make it all the time when we were first married. So here's the recipe. Shepherd's pie baked potatoes. You get four russet potatoes, and then you make. You, like, just make them, like a regular baked potato. Like, zhuzh it up however you want. If you want to do the olive oil wrap and foil salt. Sure. Make baked potatoes. And then you make the shepherd's pie filling. So you do 12 ounces of ground beef, beef broth, ketchup, Worcestershire, 1 cup of frozen peas, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, like, you know, mouths peppering. We can post this. You make a Shepherd's pie filling, basically. And then you. Once your potatoes are done, you take them out of the oven, you slice them, you open them up, you put the filling on top, and then you top it with shredded. It's gotta be, like. It's got to be. It has to be a block of cheese that you shred. Like, that's just how you.

[A]

It melts better.

[B]

Some just have to. And then you do shredded Colby Jack cheese on top, and you put it in the oven till the cheese gets melty. And that's a Shepherd's pie baked potato.

[A]

That sounds delicious. We've done a Shepherd's pie. Shepherd's pie is just a great fall one. I'm so excited to get into fall recipes.

[B]

Well, September is in full swing for me. I was going through all my soup recipes Soup timber. And I won't do a formal one, but I am going to be doing soup timber because I've got beef soup bones that I have to use up from our cow. I don't even know what those are.

[A]

She gonna find out.

[B]

I mean, I have a great beef stew recipe, but I guess I gotta figure out if the soup bones have enough meat on them or, like, if I'm just supposed, like, make a stock out of them. Like, I have no idea.

[A]

Okay, so you've got some stuff.

[B]

I. Oh, first of all. I always do, but I'm gonna make. First of all, we gotta have a chili. Maybe I'll do that on a football game. That feels like a good.

[A]

That's a total football day.

[B]

That's a total football day. A great chili. A. Um, I'm going to do. You know, of course, I got to get the cabbage in there. I have a ham and bean soup. Unbelievable. Unbelievable. Sausage, sauerkraut soup, taco soup.

[A]

I kind of got to go and go back and revisit that. You used to subscribe to food magazines. Because that's a really good idea, and I kind of want to do that.

[B]

No, I didn't subscribe to them. I would buy them at the grocery store.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

I would just buy. Because here's what a food magazine does well. And I'm sure just like, the influencers do it well, too. But so there's something about a printed material.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Is it gets you in a seasonal mood? So, like, if you want to partake in, like, you know, sometimes when I'm just like, what to make for dinner? Well, I mean, they're pulling up. You know, I don't want a peach recipe in January. They're not in season.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I am really trying to be more mindful about, like, cooking with what's in season for a couple of reasons. It's just better quality, it's cheaper. And the vibes, like, I. I like to be aligned with the vibes. So I think that magazines because. Because, you know, they. They come out monthly or seasonally. So I think that they do a good job of making it vibey, if you will.

[A]

It's a qvc.

[B]

And you know what else?

[A]

Quality, value and Wait. Quality value and no quality. Cost and Vibes. Qvc.

[B]

I never heard that.

[A]

I'm just making that up.

[B]

Is that what that stands for?

[A]

No, you just said it's vibes. It's cost and it's quality. And so then I was trying to think of an acronym. I thought of qvc.

[B]

What does QVC stand for? Quality, value, convenience. Same thing.

[A]

Oh, does it? Okay, there you go.

[B]

Something else I'm doing now. I don't know. I'm hesitant to share this because I'm only on day three, and, like, I hate to. I hate to share things that I don't finish.

[A]

Like, I do.

[B]

But I was like. And since I'm so into, like, all the fall vibes right now for, like, the meals and stuff, specifically the dinners, I'm like, it would be fun if I kept track of everything I made for the month of September. And, like, I started. I started doing this, and then I kept it, and it, like, made me a calendar for next year.

[A]

Okay. Love it. So what are you doing? You're taking photos or writing down?

[B]

I'm sending to Chat GPT every day, so Chat GBT is programmed to ask me what I made for dinner, and it's keeping track.

[A]

You can program them to ask you questions?

[B]

Well, kind of. Me and Chassis had to figure out a workaround for us, but I. I asked if she could send me a text or, like, send me a notification every day to let you know what I made for dinner, and she said, I can't do that. But tell me what you make every night, and if you skip a night or you forget, I'll prompt you to remind.

[A]

I'll.

[B]

I'll remind you. So I have done it for, like, the first three days of September so far.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then every time I say it, she then adds it to the list. So she's like. She's made up my September 20th. Oh, you can't see it. September 2025 dinner log.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

And then we'll see. It might just be fun to be like, okay, then maybe I'll post the log, and then I'm gonna take notes on it, because I'm just ever looking to improve in my life. Like, what. What weird trauma do I have where I take notes? Such detailed notes?

[A]

Everything in your life on my personal life. Yeah, we. On your. Yeah, we might need to unpack that. But I do think it's. I don't think it's hurting anyone.

[B]

Well, and I treat. I think it actually. I treat being a mom and a wife like a job.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But not in, like, a toxic kind of way. You know, like, in a Vibey kind of way.

[A]

No, and I. I think that's. I think that actually makes it more fun and easier to swallow, because if you're just like, every day I take. Change diapers and prepare dinner and clean up, you will drive yourself crazy. But if you're trying to figure out ways that you can make it fun or make it better or get excited about it, then you're going to do a better job and you're going to have less burnout.

[B]

Yeah. And, like, I just really want to. Especially now that Libby's one.

[A]

I just.

[B]

Want to be, like, really present in more ways, and I just want to be enjoying and relaxing more. And for me to enjoy and relax things, I like to have a plan. I like to talk about things. I like to figure out what I could do better about things. And not in like a I'm not satisfied with it kind of way. I just. I like to.

[A]

Well, you are. You are taking the mundane of your life, which is preparing dinner and turning it into a micro hobby and. And thinking about it and just figuring out ways you can hack it.

[B]

Like, we.

[A]

We are not in the phase of our lives where we can have hobbies. So you have to take what you are doing every day, which is preparing dinner, and turn it into a hobby, and then you have hobbies, and then you're bettering yourself. It's. Everyone wins, no one loses. It's good.

[B]

I'm just micro hobbying these days. So, anyway, I think that's our episode.

[A]

Okay. So that's gonna be our episode. So thank you so much for listening to the carpool podcast. We'll talk to you next time. And go, lions.

[B]

See ya.

[A]

Thank you for listening to the carpool podcast with Kelly and Liz. Make sure you're subscribed so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed riding with us, tell everybody you know, there's room in the car for everyone.