Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin - Katy Perry's Lawsuit, Swiftenomics and All Financial Ridiculousness with Steelo Brim

Episode Date: October 31, 2023

In recent weeks, there has been a ton of money news that is nothing short of… ridiculous. And to give us some comic relief around these headlines that are almost too bananas to believe, Nicole talks to someone who knows a thing or two about ridiculousness, it’s Steelo Brim. Steelo is an art collector, a comedian, a restaurant investor, a musician, and, yes - one of the hosts of MTV’s Ridiculousness. You’re going to hear from Steelo again on another Money Rehab episode all about the ROI on art investing. But for now, we’re headed to the Wild West of money news.  To learn more about Steelo's projects, keep up with him on Instagram @steelobrim

I love hosting on Airbnb. It's a great way to bring in some extra cash. But I totally get it that it might sound overwhelming to start, or even too complicated, if, say, you want to put your summer home in Maine on Airbnb, but you live full-time in San Francisco and you can't go to Maine every time you need to change sheets for your guests or something like that. If thoughts like these have been holding you back, I have great news for you. Airbnb has launched a co-host network, which is a network of high quality local co-hosts with Airbnb experience that can take care of your home and your guests. Co-hosts can do what you don't have time for, like managing your reservations, messaging your guests, giving support at the property, or even create your listing for you.

I always want to line up a reservation for my house when I'm traveling for work, but sometimes I just don't get around to it because getting ready to travel always feels like a scramble, so I don't end up making time to make my house look guest-friendly. I guess that's the best way to put it. But I'm matching with a co-host so I can still make that extra cash while also making it easy on myself. Find a co-host at airbnb.com slash host. One of the most stressful periods of my life was when I was in credit card debt. I got to a point where I just knew that I had to get it under control for my financial future and also for my mental health. We've all hit a point where we've realized it was time to make some serious money moves. So take control of your finances by using a Chime checking account with features like no

maintenance fees, fee-free overdraft up to $200, or getting paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Learn more at Chime.com slash MNN. When you check out Chime, you'll see that you can overdraft up to $200 with no fees. If you're an OG listener, you know about my infamous $35 overdraft fee that I got from buying a $7 latte and how I am still very fired up about it. If I had Chime back then, that wouldn't even be a story. Make your fall finances a little greener by working toward your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in just two minutes at Chime.com slash MNN. That's Chime.com slash MNN. Chime feels like progress. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank N.A. Members FDIC. SpotMe eligibility requirements and overdraft limits

apply. Boosts are available to eligible Chime members enrolled in SpotMe and are subject to monthly limits. Terms and conditions apply. Go to Chime.com slash disclosures for details. I'm Nicole Lappin, the only financial expert you don't need a dictionary to understand. It's time for some money rehab. Over the last few weeks, we've been covering the news coming out of the Middle East. And while my attention has been there, stateside, there's been some money news that is nothing short of ridiculous. And to give us some comic relief around these headlines that are almost too bananas to believe, I'm talking to someone who knows a thing or two about ridiculousness.

It's Stilo Brim. Stilo is an art collector, a comedian, a restaurant investor, a musician, and yes, of course, one of the hosts of MTV's Ridiculousness. You're going to hear from Stilo again on another Money Rehab episode all about the ROI of art investing. But for now, we're headed to the wild west of money news. Stilo Brim, welcome to Money Rehab. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be here. Stilo, I want to play a little ridiculousness Money Rehab edition with you. I'm going to give you the most chaotic money stories in the headlines right now, and I want you to tell me what you think is the most ridiculous thing about it. Ready?

Let's do it. SubHub just said that since Taylor Swift's appearance at the Chiefs game, there's been a 3X increase in ticket sales and ticket searches for all Chiefs home games for the rest of the season. And also, Kelsa's merchandise spiked roughly 400%. I love that.

I mean, at the end of the day, Travis is the homie. I'm proud of Travis for doing numbers. No, I love Taylor's fan base. It's incredible. I'm not necessarily a Swiftie, but I can appreciate all Swifties. I can appreciate what they're doing out here for the economy. She is propping up the economy, like, legit. I mean, look, it's only the battle of the tails of Beyonce. They're doing numbers out here. Thank you, ladies. For sure. Look, women, they run the world. I have

no problem with that. So, yeah, but yeah, to see I date you, and now you do numbers. I haven't seen this as a rapper. This is rapper status. Rappers date girls, and they become figures. And you don't even know. They have jobs. And you're like, you're apparently a person now

because you date a rapper. Travis had a job, so I'll give him credit. He had a really good job, well-paying job. And he's done really well at his job. But still, rapper status. Travis, never forget it, that Taylor is making you into like the Lil Wayne category.

You date Lil Wayne and you become a thing. You date Taylor and you become a thing. Respect. It's humbling. It is humbling. The thing that you're a two-time like Super Bowl, I won the Super Bowl twice, and I'm possibly, if not arguably,

the greatest tight end of all time. No woman cares. I want you to remember. Nobody cares. Travis, are you a Swifty is the question. Yes. All right. Katy Perry is going to court.

She inked a deal to buy a $15 million mansion in California from entrepreneur Carl Westcott. Westcott is now trying to reverse the deal, saying that when he signed the deal, he was on major painkillers after surgery and was in no condition to enter into a contract. Now he wants his house back. How much the house worth today? That's the question. Whenever this deal was struck, 15, he must be looking at the numbers just go up or he must have watched his area go up. That house was worth like 27 million or something for him. He's like, I was on painkillers. It's like, who signs deals on painkillers?

First of all, I mean, he's just trying to get out of the deal. I don't know why he's trying to get out of the deal, but sell Katie her house. You know what I'm saying? Katie want that 15 million. I'll imagine, give it to her. I mean, isn't saying that you were on painkillers a really weak response? That's

ridiculous. It is a weak response unless you're like just trying to let us know like, hey, I do drugs. Unless you're just being like, unless you're just being like, hey, I do painkillers actually. And like, I'm not in any position to say any of you, honestly. But I'm one of you.

I'm always going to make it if we're gonna start but yeah that is a weak response but it makes me feel like it's whenever i hear a weak response i always think it's real i'm like oh that was two weeks to not be real that was real he must have really been coming out of surgery or something and he felt as though oh as i look back i don't remember that i smoke marijuana sometimes i'll smoke I look back, I don't remember that. I smoke marijuana. Sometimes I'll smoke and think to myself, I don't actually remember telling you that. But guess what? You're still responsible. Because you're a grown ass man. All right. Black China deactivated her OnlyFans account after making $2 million on the platform over a two year span.

A million a year? I mean, I don't know, but number one, tear. Secondly, I'm fine with that. Blac Chyna's been trying to get her life together. She's now known as Angela, so let's put respect on her name. She's Angela. Is her last name White? Which is just the irony. That's the ridiculousness of that. Yeah, but I think her last name is like Angela White. If I know that, that's also problematic. I should not know Black China's government. But Black China deactivating her OnlyFans. I'm fine with that. I've been seeing her try to get her life together.

At least from her perspective, I have no problem with sex working to each and all. Also, I support and want to protect sex workers. But if she wants to change her life and get off all these fans, and she feels like she made a million a year and she's good to go now, that's how she's in a new relationship. Again, why do I know any of this? I actually know the individual who she's in relationship with. Also makes me feel weird.

But I guess respect to her for trying to deactivate her OnlyFans. She also got really, really, really skinny. So I don't want to throw an ass on OnlyFans no more like she used to. So, you know, that could also be a reason she was like, I ain't throwing an ass no more. I'm going to get off OnlyFans. Y'all ain't really buying no more. It's embarrassing.

So all those things can be right at once. And also, I support Blac Chyna. She deflated her moneymaker. All right, go Angela. Tinder has revealed a new feature, Tinder Select, an invite-only membership tier that costs $500 a month.

Tinder Select users are allowed to DM people without matching first and can see and be seen by the app's most most sought after profiles. Oh, so you're just trying to get the demo straight moneymakers. That's cool. There was an app called Raya. I don't know if it's still out for a while.

I met my boyfriend on Raya. Look at that. I was on Raya for a few too. There was an app called Raya. One of my friends actually used to sell either Reddit or something. But, you know, that was more of that actual demographic. I see what Tinder is trying to do. They're probably leaving money on the table as well.

They feel like, you know, people want to be more serious about who they're pursuing and not get murdered. And that's probably, you know, great. You know, I don't know if murderers are putting down a month to murder you. If they are, that's a good investment if you're a murderer, I guess. But if you're not, then it probably weaves out the more serious candidates for people that you want to deal with. And if you're a person that already makes money, let's say you're a woman that already makes money. You're tired of dealing with individuals who don't make money. You're like, I'm end up taking care of these dudes and this is just not my speed.

At least you can weave through that. And it's like, boom. I know you're putting $500 down a month. Them bills got to be paid, playboy. How was your Raya experience? I mean, Raya. What is Raya? Honestly, what is it?

It's just Hollywood. You used it for the right reasons. Respect to you. But Raya is just where, like, either hot people or rich people go to you. But Rio is just where either hot people or rich people go to meet. And it was cool. But you didn't meet your fiancé there. I did not meet my fiancé there in Rio. I had already met her

in life before. And she didn't acknowledge me or notice me, apparently. And then I saw her again and we mingled and we talked. And from there, I slid back in them DMs. And I've met a lot of wonderful and random people already. For sure.

Well, mazel tov on the engagement. All right. Back to the game. You can now buy gold bars at Costco. The retailer is selling one ounce gold bars online for $1,900 a pop, and they have been selling out within hours. Oh, word. Costco doing numbers, huh? What can you not get at Costco? You know, I went to Costco not too long ago. I was at Topanga Mall. If you guys are from Los Angeles or live in the area, I was at Topanga Mall,

and I was valet in my car, and the valet individual was hot. It was like 110 or some shit. It was very hot outside. And I was like, bro, you're burning up. I don't like that for you. And he was like, it's okay. I was like, it's not okay, honestly. They had fans for the actual area of the valet customers, but not for the valet dude. I'm like, weird, not okay, honestly. They had fans for the actual area of the Valley customers,

but not for the Valley dude. I'm like, weird, random. Don't like it. So then I was like, I'm going to Costco, bro. I'm going to get you a fan. I'm going to get you a little AC fan that blows air and water, whatever. I'm going to be right back. So I go over to Costco, and they're like, you can't buy nothing.

You got a Costco member. I didn't like that. I didn't like that at all because I was like, you don't even, I'm doing a good deed and now you stopping my good deed right here for the day and I don't like that Costco and they was like,

well, we don't care. You got to be a Costco member. My girl used to be a Costco member apparently it expired. What I think Costco should do is at least sell like memberships for the day

at least. I don't like that Costco don't give you memberships for at least the day or something. What if I'm just trying to get in here and get a bag of chips? You leave the money on the table, Costco. I don't know, Stilo.

You're not going to get a bag of chips at Costco. You're going to get like 400 bags of chips. That's true. You're going to get a bag of chips. But still, what if I have a craving for that? What if I want that in that moment? And then Costco's like, no, you got to figure it out. You're like, that feels like, you know, terrorism.

I don't know. Feels like you're making me get a membership, Costco. Yeah, you can't try it before you buy it. Yeah, I don't like that. You know what I'm saying? They got samples all through there. Why you got samples all through there if I can't sell Costco? You know?

Feels like false advertising. I don't know. Jack in the box. Employees shot at a drive through customer after a dispute over missing curly fries. The family of the customer is now suing Jack in the box for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in damages. I hate when people sue for a number that you're like, that is not the number you should be going after. You were just shot at, at Jack in the Box. Go for the gusto. What are you talking about? Become Jack. Be Jack. What are you thinking? Like, don't go for $250,000

when you're shot at. Go for $250 million when you're shot at. Are you crazy? If I was shot at go for 250 million dollars when you're shot at are you crazy if i was shot at and i was not hit i would feel blessed i'd be like oh my god that was crazy i'm jacked now and i'm not in the box no more because i'm gonna sue you immediately like that's crazy 250 is not enough if i'm shot also are the employees required to carry what is going on at Jack in the Box? So much in the drive-thru that somebody was like, nah, I'm off. I got to bring my gun because it get hot in that drive-thru. Jack in the Box do better because y'all are causing problems in the drive-thru

and inside the actual facility as well. And then pay your employees better because they don't even know that $250,000 is not enough to be asking for. I want to represent this person. And also make sure people have curly fries. Make sure people have curly fries

because the curly fries are hitting. They are amazing. And I might be angry as well. I don't know what the conversation was like either before that person was like, I got to pull my gun out for sure. This is like,

I got to obviously grab my gun. This is getting out of control. What was that conversation like? If it was just like, yo, I was missing Charlie Fries. I came back around because I was missing Charlie Fries. And then you guys shot at it. That's crazy. That's not customer service. It's not the customer

service that we would like. But if you was like, yo, motherfucker, I'll kill you. And what time you get off? And the person was like, you know what yo motherfucker i kill you and what time you get off and then the person was like you know what you ain't gotta wait for me to get off i'm on right now and they get the good then you like okay that makes sense but like i would love to know what the conversation was like was that person just like hey you left my fries out can you bring the fries and that person's like i'm bringing going to bring something better than fries. They grab the gun because that's crazy. All right.

I feel like this is a Netflix show waiting to happen. It is. I'll produce this. A trailer actually just dropped for Netflix's reality version of Squid Game. Netflix has assured the world that this reality version isn't a matter of life or death. Thank you, Netflix. But there's still a lot on the line. The trailer shows 456 people risking it all

for $4.56 million, the largest cash prize in reality television history. Hate it. Hate it all. Netflix, like, come up with better ideas. Why can't big studios and stuff come up with their own ideas? Everything is either a reboot or everything is like,

we're going to steal this. Because like Mr. Beast did this on YouTube in front of us. The exact same thing. I don't know if he gave out 4 point whatever million dollars. He gave out a million dollars. But still, he did this exact same thing. So why is Netflix trying to act like this is proprietary

or like, oh, we're going to do this thing that you've all seen done in fiction and nonfiction. It's like, it's weird. Or what do you think about giving that money to the writers instead? The writer's strike is up now, so we can at least clap. They

should give the writers something to act through. I think the creator of Squid Game was speaking out, don't quote me on this it's definitely not on verbatim but i think he was saying he was paid all out around like ten thousand dollars something that was insane based on obviously the popularity of the show and the numbers that netflix is doing i think that's been great for the writers and for them to figure out a solutions to all of this as residuals and different things have

changed seeing that television has changed. I think it's comparative to Napster, so to speak, when Napster was out and people were like, oh, streaming music and no one's being paid and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And you're like, well, how are we going to navigate this?

And still, music has a lot of work to do to actually navigate this. I think Spotify, around a million streams, is still equivalent to $5,000, which is crazy. But yeah, they should definitely pay the writers. And I guess their plan now is to pay the writers. But yeah, for $4.5 million, and just to have people do a little speak, and you're like, ain't no writers.

It's the free fall. It's the hunger game. And you're like, all right, I guess we'll see how it is. I mean, if nothing else, Netflix, I don't like you for this, but we'll be watching. Hold on to your wallets. Money Rehab will be right back. I love hosting on Airbnb. It's a great way to bring in some extra cash, but I totally get it that it might sound overwhelming to start or even too complicated

if, say, you want to put your summer home in Maine on Airbnb, but you live full time in San Francisco and you can't go to Maine every time you need to change sheets for your guests or something like that. If thoughts like these have been holding you back, I have great news for you. Airbnb has launched a co-host network, which is a network of high quality local co-hosts with Airbnb experience that can take care of your home and your guests. Co-hosts can do what you don't have time for, like managing your reservations, messaging your guests, giving support at the property, or even create your listing for you. I always want to line up a reservation for my house when I'm traveling for work, but sometimes I just don't get around to it because getting ready to travel always feels like

a scramble, so I don't end up making time to make my house look guest-friendly. I guess that's the best way to put it. But I'm matching with a co-host, so I can still make that extra cash while also making it easy on myself. Find a co-host at Airbnb.com slash host. One of the most stressful periods of my life was when I was in credit card debt. I got to a point where I just knew that I had to get it under control for my financial future and also for my mental health. We've all hit a point where we've realized it was time to make some serious money moves. So take control of your finances by using a Chime checking account with features like no maintenance fees, fee-free overdraft up to $200, or getting paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Learn more at Chime.com slash MNN.

When you check out Chime, you'll see that you can overdraft up to $200 with no fees. If you're an OG listener, you know about my infamous $35 overdraft fee that I got from buying a $7 latte and how I am still very fired up about it. If I had Chime back then, that wouldn't even be a story. Make your fall finances a little greener by working toward your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in just two minutes at Chime.com slash MNN. That's Chime.com slash MNN. Chime. Feels like progress. Banking services and debit card provided by the Bancorp Bank N.A. or Stride Bank N.A. Members FDIC. SpotMe eligibility requirements and overdraft

limits apply. Boosts are available to eligible Chime members enrolled in SpotMe and are subject to monthly limits. Terms and conditions apply. Go to Chime.com slash disclosures for details. And now for some more money rehab. A woman is going viral after posting a TikTok of an encounter with a DoorDash delivery driver who yelled at her for not tipping more. In this clip, which has been viewed over 26 million times, a delivery driver tells her that she lives in a nice house for a five dollar tip before swearing at her. I mean, I don't know. Is a tip not based on whatever you got? I don't know what you got. Well, that's the question. Do you tip based on the food amount? What you don't do is tip based on your house. That's not what you should be doing out here. I tipped you a million dollars because i have a

it's like well that's one way to not have a million dollars anymore i try to tip 20 regardless i mean you know when it comes to delivery drivers you do feel like this weird tug of war between like the actual corporations and how much they pay they're charging so many taxes and fees. And you're like, oh, you're not covering your driver. You're not covering the person who's actually doing the work in this. That's not fair. But I try to make sure I tip. But again, I'm privileged.

And I'm very aware of that. To tip like that. But yeah, I don't think you go to somebody's house and be like, you got a Starbucks cup and you didn't tip me. Like, I only got a Starbucks cup. I got something small. I don't think I need to tip you a million dollars based on my venti. But I guess the question is whether or not you tip based on the amount, because like the delivery guy will hold the bag no matter whether or not there's like a Starbucks cup

or a bunch of Nobu in there, right? Like the delivery dude is doing the same work. You do tip based on people knowing where you live. Tell me more. Well, in my head, I'm like, I gave you a tip also because I'm trusting you to do your job, get it done and get out of here. Not like, oh, if I don't tip, then becomes a conversation. People are more mad. People are judging you and saying you live in this nice house and you didn't tip me.

Actually, I know your address. I'll be back. You're like, all of this because you didn't tip $5 or $6 or whatever. Then you're protecting yourself as well within your tip. In my head, you're like, oh, I am buying you off my property as well. I am purchasing my meal and I'm also purchasing you to get the fuck off my property. So it's security. Yeah. If you're like, oh, I live in a $20 million mansion and I didn't tip at all, then expect someone to be a little mad at that. You're probably cheating others and in finances as well. So this is new to you. You're not mad at it. If you're that person, you're not mad at it.

You're like, I did what I did for a living, actually. I wake up each day and make sure the non-1% is suffering more. So you're used to it and you probably like are used to getting loogies in your food. But like at the end of the day, you're not going to know regardless if that loogie is cooked in there, if that loogie is cooked in your burger. Like you're not ever at any point going to bite it and be like, this one's different. Like you're going to eat your burger. How many loogies do you think you've taken in over the years is the real question because we've all taken in loogies. It's just about how many and if you're a good person.

Some may not be about you. You know, some loogies may have been there regardless. You may have been like, that person's having a really bad day and I just so happen to inherit a loogie. That's not good. Then there are other loogies that you earned. You're like, oh, I actually worked for that loogie. If I'm being real with you, if I ever get into it with an individual that works at somewhere and they're cooking, I quit. I walk out. I decide if I got into it with you, it's over because I don't trust you enough to not

put a loogie in my meal. And I don't trust myself enough to eat this and not think about loogies the whole time. So it's just a lose-lose. So I'm going to get out of here. Alright, last one. Neuralink, Elon Musk's brain implant company, announced that it's recruiting participants for the first inhuman clinical trial. Would you let

Elon Musk inside your brain? What's interesting about this is that I think they tested either monkeys or rats before this, obviously, in the trials, and they're all dead. They have not necessarily had successful tests. that we're ready to accept the human, which is scary. Because, I mean, I'm not a musketeer, so to speak. You know, I can appreciate what Elon does in the world, but I'm also a Gemini, so I'm very aware of ourselves and Elon's and Kanye's and Donald Trump's.

They're all the exact same person, if you ask me. One of them is black, so he doesn't have as much access. But the others are the exact same people if you ask me and I don't always agree with their perspectives I understand it because I'm a Gemini but I also I understand and I'm aware that we are crazy we're insane

and we are not to be trusted and as long as you can be aware you do have a balance but Elon and being a Musketeer I don't like this because I think it scares me as far as a power move and stuff. It's like, why if none of the trials have worked on animals, are we now testing human beings? And I'm not against animals by any means, but when I think about souls and individuals, I'm like, if all the animals have died, then it feels inevitable for something bad to happen as well with the human being. So I would absolutely not allow Elon to test me out.

And I'm a little, you know, I used to be a Christian. I'm still a Christian. So I went back and started being a Christian. So, you know, part of me feels like this feels like the mark of the beast. And I'm just like, oh, this feels crazy. But no, to answer your question, long story long, but then we'll make it short. I would not allow Elon to test me out. All right, Zilo, I end all episodes by asking our guests for one tip listeners can take straight to the bank. Do you have a money tip to share?

Like it could be anything from tips on budgeting to tips tipping, to buying a big old rock for your fiance. Oh, it sounds horrible. It's not even an actual money tip. But yeah, I try to always look at the end goal of anything and look at if it's going to appreciate. And then if it can't appreciate it, I ask myself, do I love it? Do I love it, love it, love it, love it, love it?

Do I dee-dee-dee-dee-dee-dee? And if those answers are no, I don't invest or I don't buy. But if it is, then yeah, I'll stomach that. So that's why you got your fiance a big old rock. I got my fiance a big old rock because she deserves it. She's the best ever. And she's my love of my life. And it's not that big. Maybe it looks bigger than that. I don't know. Money Rehab is a production of Money News Network. I'm your host, Nicole Lappin.

Money Rehab's executive producer is Morgan Lavoie. Our researcher is Emily Holmes. Do you need some money rehab? And let's be honest, we all do. So email us your money questions, moneyrehab at moneynewsnetwork.com to potentially have your questions answered on the show or even have a one-on-one intervention with me. And follow us on Instagram at Money News and TikTok at Money News Network for exclusive video content. And lastly, thank you. No, seriously, thank you. Thank you for listening

and for investing in yourself, which is the most important investment you can make.