Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel - Affordable Gifts People Will Actually Love

Episode Date: November 28, 2024

🍸 Check out more episodes of Smart Money Happy Hour Tired of giving your dad the same pack of white socks every year for Christmas? In this episode, Rachel and George have the gift inspo you’ve been looking for—plus great ideas for the one on your list who has everything. Rachel and George’s Gift Guide: Wine and Cocktail Lovers Cocktail shaker that doesn’t freeze your hands  Vintage cocktail book People Who Love to Cook Meat chopper Citrus squeezer Tech and Gadget Lovers Cordless phone charger Extended-length phone charger cable Kids Digital camera Parents/Grandparents Neck fan Foot spa Massage gun DeleteMe Spouse Coffee subscription Flower delivery White Elephant/Dirty Santa Milk frother Wine decanter “Take the Hint” Gifts Apple AirTag Rachel’s favorite self-help book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Ramsey Solutions official store (Black Friday deals) For the One Who Has It All Customized sign/art Cozy Earth products (Use code SMARTMONEY for exclusive discount up to 45% off) Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🍷 Red Sans-Gria Recipe from Drinking for Two: Nutritious Mocktails for the Mom-to-Be Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey guys, I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel. And this is Smart Money Happy Hour. Cheers, George. Cheers. Oh, so refreshing. I'm thankful for this week. Let's just be thankful all around.

Well, this is the show. We're two friends who happen to be money experts, talk about what you're talking about. So everything from pop culture, current events, and money. And today we're talking about the gift of gifts. We're leaning into the holiday cheer. So great because today, George, right now, if you are watching when this episode releases, it is Thanksgiving.

And we're not with our families. We're here for you. That's how much we care about you guys. And I hope you're with people that you love, doing things that you love. Maybe you're in a car. Maybe you're avoiding family. I don't know. Yeah, maybe they're traveling to grandmother's house down the highway this Thanksgiving. Little Red Riding Hood. I don't know. And you're like listening to us while the kids are watching something in the back. Thank you. or maybe you're up in a bedroom at your in-laws, trying to just get away from the craziness, and you just need a little light-hearted cheer, and you have turned us on.

Either way, happy Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving. Do you? I'm a fan. There's something that's a lot, I don't know, it's not dramatic, it's not stressful. Christmas feels a little more stressful. Because we're about to get into Christmas

and we're going to talk about gift-giving in this episode, so we have you covered. But you're not hauling like a whole bunch of gifts. You're just like bringing something to the dinner maybe. Like a bottle of wine, some food. Just a good meal. So what are we sipping on, George? We're talking about this.

Speaking of wine, this is a mocktail. It's called a Red Sandsgria. You like the pun there? Sands, love it. So there's no alcohol in this, but if you, this is a great one to make on Thanksgiving, honestly. Yeah. So if you need a drink tonight, you're going to get the recipe in the show notes and the rating and the cost per glass at the end of the episode. So delicious.

Okay, George is Thanksgiving. So what is one thing you're thankful for? recently i think my daughter is the most recent thing i'm grateful for and watching whitney be the most amazing mom i tell her all the time she's great you have i tell mea i'm like you have the most amazing mom who cares about you so much every decision has so much thought and uh yeah i'm grateful for them as a package package deal yeah a package so your family how about you um i'll i'll be the same vein i think family yeah the kids Winston are like little nuclear family, extended family is great too, love y'all.

I never heard the nuclear, I never hear it spoken like that. I just like our little nuclear family, like our little, the little Winston Cruz is just all right there. They are precious. Yeah, but I would say that, you know, it's a big deal. It's things that you take for granted sometimes the day to day. That's why like Thanksgiving kind of causes you to pause and be like, man. Do you guys go around the table and do like a here's what I'm?

We do with the Ramsies. Yeah. Wow. Uh-huh. And talk about what we're grateful for. That's really nice. Yeah, that's like a Sharon tradition. And we're headed to Boston for the holidays to be with my family, so that'll be nice.

Boston's a one-year-old. Boston's a great place to be Thanksgiving. It's very historical. It is. Around that time it feels like. That's how it's been said. Boston is a very historical place. And it'll be a nice chilly New England fall vibe.

So good. Another thing I'm grateful for, especially this year, is when people actually know how to give gifts that aren't a complete waste of money. Oh, yes. And I know that sounds ungrateful. but I just, I'm tired of just stuff for the sake of stuff. Yeah. If you're going to do a gift, make it thoughtful, but also I don't want to have to read your mind.

So we're going to help these people today, everyone listening and watching. Because Black Friday is tomorrow, and the shopping starts. If it's not already done, it's getting completed probably in the next week or two. And yeah, we're going to help you out because gifts are fun. Are you a great gift giver? Is that like a strength of yours? No, I'm great at if you tell me what you want, I will find you the best. deal on that gift.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Under budget. For sure. So that is my spiritual gift. Love that. It's not the thing. It's getting the deal on the thing so that you don't get screwed. What a gift that.

Which I think that is a gift. That's the gift that keeps on giving. Resourcefulness. You know, and I'm not a great gift giver either. And I wish I was because people that are and they get you that thing. They're like, well, you said this, you know, like three months ago. And I just thought. Oh, one of those.

Oh, my gosh. You mentioned it in a conversation. Yes. Yes. I wish I was better at that, but I'm not. I'm not. What's like the best gift? you've ever received.

Oh, my goodness. That's a big question. I think childhood comes to mind because as an adult, there's less, I don't know, there's less excitement around opening a gift. It's like, cool, I could have bought this, but thank you for buying it.

Sure. As a kid, the two best things I ever got were an electric guitar. Yep. And a video camera. So I think it was like fourth grade and fifth grade. Oh, that's fun. Those really, like, shaped who I am.

You know what I mean? Like, I was a musician, and I started bands, and I was in film, and I wanted to go into film. I still love video. Yeah. I'm on video today.

So those are the most formative gifts that meant the most. And probably were not cheap. Like I'm thinking back, I'm like, to buy a kid back then, it was like $700 for a video camera. Sure. And I was like, I want it. I want a video camera. Yeah. How about you?

I remember getting a boombox. Yes. That was a big deal because I had a CD player and a cassette tape. And it was like all in one. And you could just pick it up with the handle and I would carry it in the bathroom. Yeah, I have radio. We're recording songs from the radio onto the cassette. Oh, yeah. You did play and record at the same time.

And it was great. We got a puppy for Christmas one year. Oh, that's fun. When you were kids or as an adult? Yeah, when we were kids. That's fun. And it's come full circle. Came in the box and always.

You have puppies at your home right now. I do. And actually this week, they're going off to their homes. I know. How sweet. I know. We had six puppies and they are now all across the country. Now you're giving the gift.

I am. You're getting paid for it, but still, what a gift it is. What a gift it is. To bring home a puppy. I know, yeah. Okay. So, George, there's all. all these different types of gifts that we can give.

And so, again, I think it's important to help all of you out there. Have gifts that, like, are practical. Because when we're adults, you know, there's the sentimental gifts. Winston's a good gift giver. He'll do, like, jewelry. Like, I got another wedding band for last anniversary. Like, there's, like, sweet gifts that mean a lot. But there's also the practical gifts that can go a long way with people.

And you have different people in your life that value, different things, are interested in different things, and we're going to be here for the people, George. We're going to curate the best gift list you've ever seen in your entire life. All right. For free. And we each have our own under these lists. You can tell whose gift is who, if we just told you what they are.

Are you ready? We got the wine and cocktail lovers. So there is a cocktail shaker, and I will give Courtney the cheese gal credit because I follow her. And there is a cocktail shaker. Yep. That does not freeze your hands. It's like a thermal. There's like a protective covering.

Because we have a cocktail shaker. When you shake it so much with ice, you're like, your hands get frozen. Because it's just a straight up metal shaker. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right. For stainless steel. Yes, but this has like a protective covering over it

so your hands never get cold. Do you know what type of shaker you have? Is it like the Boston shaker that has two pieces that you sort of stick on top diagonally a little bit? No, no, no. No, it has a top and a lid and a strainer. Yep. but the top is also a measuring, which is great too.

So two and one. It's fantastic. You know the brand? I'll link it down below. Oh, that's right. We should tell the people. We're going to link all of these. Yeah, we'll link all of it.

So check it out. It's a great one. It's a great one. If you have a wine or a cocktail. This one, I think, is very thoughtful. And I've given this gift to cocktail lovers in my life. And that is a vintage cocktail book. That's fun.

So you can go on eBay and search for, like, 1950s or vintage cocktail book or a secondhand bookstore, sometimes we'll have the, and there's something about like a classic vintage cocktail book and making a drink out of that that transports you. I think that's what a good drink does. And I think the old-timey drinks are so cool. Yes. Like the speakeasy days.

Even like the fonts were cool. Everything was just like classic. I know. Go back to like what, the 30s, 20s. So that's a thoughtful gift. That's not your standard. I'm going to go buy a cocktail book on Amazon. So good.

All right. Next is for the people who love to cook in your life. My favorite cooking utensil. and I use it probably twice a week. It is a meat grinder. It's actually, I think, a pampered chef, but I'm sure there's like an Amazon dupe. But the way it is, it's like a spatula,

but it's up and it has these like grooves in it. But you spin it in your ground beef, and it makes the finest, like Taco Bell fine ground beef. So you're recreating Taco Bell meat at home? It's what we're going for, people. But with real meat. It is what we're going for with real meat. How cool is that?

But it makes it really thing because when I do spaghetti sauce or tacos or chili or all that, I don't like chunky chunks of meat. Like, I'm not a meatball fan. Oh, I didn't know that about you. Yeah, I don't need like a chunk of meat. I got to cancel the gift I got you. I'm a meatball maker.

She's a meatball maker. Yep. So this finally grounds your ground beef, and it is fantastic, not expensive. It's wonderful. Can I ask a dumb question? Sure. Why do you like burgers? Isn't that just a meatball that has been flattened?

You know what? That is true, George. Fair. But I actually like my burgers more thin. I don't like. Like a smash patty. Yes. Smash burgers all day.

I don't like, like, like mom and dad when they cook burgers at their house, it's like really thick. And I don't like that. I don't like the like, it's like a ball of meat on a burger. And it just, it doesn't work. So you got to push your thumb in. I've learned that trick. You know, it kind of spreads it out.

So it's not too high on the top and around it. Yeah. David Sharon's high. Wow. It's like a ball. Well, hey, David and Sharon, if you're listening, I just want to say, I'll be happy to show up. and eat your delicious burger instead of Rachel, who's ungrateful.

I know. So, no, I don't like it. Like, I don't like when it's thick like that. It's not good. So thin. All right. Thin, thin, thin. So maybe I like McDonald's, just thin.

Thin. Low quality. That's what Rachel's here for. That's what I'm here for. Whispy. My gift for people who love to cook, a high quality citrus squeezer. Underrated. Oh, good one.

Because most people have these dinky citrus squeezers they've had forever. And I got one, I believe it was on Amazon. It has like a metal extra piece. and you get 20% extra juice. Wow. And so I like to get the most out of my citrus. 100%. So this is a great gift.

If you're still squeezing limes with your arthritis-ridden hands, it's time to upgrade. Okay, where do you get yours? Is it like on Amazon? Yeah, mine was from Amazon. Okay. But I remember the selling point was up to 20% more juice, and I was like, you had me.

You got me. Got me on that investment. And most people, they don't have a good one, and that's what makes it a great gift. Yes, that's fair. That's fair. All right, next is for the tech and gadget lovers out there. one of my favorite things George is a wireless phone charger

Oh where do you just put it on the back of the phone Yep I have it on my nightstand now I will say there may be in a total There's still a wire involved but it's not connected to your phone Not connected to your phone you just lay it on top But you gotta wait for the green to light up because there have maybe like 10 times Where you think it's charging and it's not and that's a bummer So you do have to like watch for it My beef with those is you can't have a phone case that is blocking the back

I have a phone case What does yours look like? not blocking. Like if you have a wallet on the back or something like that. Oh, yeah, yeah. Yours is clean. Yep. You just set it right there and it, yeah. Wow. So great. My gift is tied to that for the tech lovers out there and that's an extended phone charger. So we're talking like a six footer. Now that is nice. You can get these cheap on Amazon and get a pack of them. They even have like a 12, if you really need a long, if this is going around a couch or something, you can get them even longer. But I think we live in a world world. Why are you reaching over to use your phone? Yeah, I know. It's fair. Yeah, yeah.

Life's too short to be rocking the like three foot iPhone cable. Yeah, we don't need to do that. I went home, I saw my dad's iPhone cable. All of the metal was showing from inside the wild. Oh, no. Yeah. Upgrade, Mr. Campbell. Like the rubber was like all coming off and I went, dude, you need a better cable.

So at that Christmas I got them upgraded iPhone cables. That's a great gift. It's one of those things you're just like, I'm not going to go get new iPhone cables. It's working. It's fine. I'm like, why are you risking getting electrocuted over this? Yeah, life is too short. That's good.

I like that one, George. All right, next is for your kids. Okay, so this was a gift. Both of my girls got at different times, and they just love it so much. It's so funny to me. And it's so cheap. Like, you can get a really cheap one on Amazon.

But it's a kid digital camera. And so, like, it's just like this, like, little cheap digital camera, and it's terrible quality. I mean, like, you can barely see it, but it has, like, a unicorn case on it. I mean, it's just, like, this cheap little thing. But they wear it around their neck,

and they'll, like, literally wear it out. They think it's so cool to take pictures and have a screen, probably because they don't have, like, phones and stuff. But they just, they loved it. And it's like 20 bucks. But yeah, so if you have, like, an older kid. How do you get the photos? Forgive my ignorance.

I don't even think you do. I mean, I think it's just the fact they can. They don't know. They don't get to see the photos. I'm sure there's a card. I'm sure there's some, like. An SD card? SD.

S-D. I was going to say a USPS card. Nope. Not a USPS. Oh, whatever that card is in there. I'm sure you can take it out. But they don't even want the pictures. It's just the idea that they get to, like, have this instant gratification of their own, like, I get to take a picture and it shows up on this.

They got to be artists and creative and have some fun. That's cute. And they think it's, like, so fun. I like that one. Yeah. Okay. It's cheap, but it's fun. I go with a timeless gift for kids.

And I, this depends on age. This is not for a two-year-old, but as they get older, there's something about a crisp $20 bill that just you protect it. Yes. George. Let's get a little bit more creative than that. And as they get older, can I tell you, one of my uncles would always give me a $50 bill. And it's so rare even back then that I would see a $50 bill.

So it was like life-changing to me, both the amount of money and just seeing the bill. I protected that thing with all my life. Where is it now? And that's the most memorable. I spent it. Yeah, but you do. Probably on a Game Boy or something back then. Totally.

But you know, you can do this in different ways or you can put it in the piggy bank or the college fund or whatever. But I like this one. All right. Well, speaking of just cash and money for teens, you know, the big thing is gas gift cards. So as we get to driving age. Yep. And so that's what I've heard from a lot of people. Because no one wants to spend money on gas.

So it's a nice blessing to be like, hey, I don't have to think about it. It's not coming out of my bank account. That's a good one. That's right. And, I mean, gift cards are a great one for teens because you know that's really what they want. Amazon, Target, wherever their favorite store is, Starbucks, I don't know where they get coffee these days. These kids out here. These kids out here.

Getting their moccalates. All right, parents and grandparents. This one's tougher. You know what's a good one is a thorough gun? Therogun. Therogun? Therogun. The massage gun that's like...

Yes. Yeah, I've got one of those. I never use it, but I need to because I pulled a muscle on my shoulder sleeping last night. They're great. And my parents love them. So, like, it's a good grandparent gift. Yeah, and there's a range of, you know,

budgetary options here. You can get the cheaper one on Amazon. you can spring for the nicer one. Anything from Brookstone or Brookstone that store? Yeah. A massage chair. Has anyone, did you know anyone that owns one of those actual massage chairs like in their house? No, I was at someone's house once.

It was like a friend of a relative, like a friend of a relative and they had like one of those $4,000 massage chairs. Like the really nice ones. And I was like I get it. That's pretty cool. That's pretty cool. What we did get from my mom is like the foot, you put your feet in it like you can have water and it's a most foot massager type thing. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. So she appreciated that.

That was a good one. See, those are good. The new one is the neck fans, like the cooling neck fan thing. Have you seen people wear these? Oh, yes. They weren't a lot at sports. Oh, Kelly's a fan. Yeah.

You love it? You seem like Disney World and the summertime of the games and all that. Do they work? They really do. Yeah. And it keeps you cool. It just kind of like. I wasn't sold on it.

It's like this is kind of cheesy. But it was when it was so hot over Fourth of July weekend and we were doing the whole firework thing. And man, I love it. Wow. I want to try it. But truthfully, they just look dorky. And I'm not like, it's not like I'm too cool for it.

I just. I feel like I just get made fun of it. There's a certain look when you wear a neck fan. If I won't one into the office, I'd never hear the end of it. No, you wouldn't. You got to do outdoor events, George. Thank you. I wish you don't go to many of those, but it's good.

All right, so when you are married, your spouse, do you guys do Christmas gifts? We decided, I think, pretty soon into our marriage that we were not going to get Christmas gifts for each other. It was already a stressful time, a lot going on. So we decided to just say no to that. Same here. Really? Yeah, we don't do. Christmas gifts either. What do you get gifts for each other? Like, what are the occasions? Anniversary,

is a birthday? Yeah, anniversary. We'll do stuff. A birthday every now and then, but we're not, neither of us are like really big gift people. Yeah. We stopped anniversary too for the most part. We decided we'd rather have an experience together, like a really nice meal versus like I bought her a thing or jewelry. Totally. And so birthdays are the only one that we really go, I want to get her something fun and sweet. Yep. I did get Winston early on. Gosh, I think this was before kids. Gavin de Grau tickets. Wow. Is that his favorite artist?

He does love Gavin, the piano part of Gavin. He's very talented. Yes. What is the other part of Gavin? I don't know. He likes the piano. He smashes the ivory. And it is fun when you know there's something that they would love

and you surprise them with it. It's like that's a fun. That's a fun gesture for sure. So the surprise element is still fun. And I feel like we're leaning toward experiences more than stuff these days. So a concert for an artist I love. I love it. But you can get creative.

I mean, and the experiences, you know, you can do like a pickleball lesson or a pasta making class. Or a cocktail making class. That's a new one. That would be fun. Yes, but to do something together, I think it's always exciting. And like subscription boxes or like a coffee subscription where they get a new local bag or whatever.

You know, your level of connection actually does go up when you have a shared experience together. Oh. Yeah, I remember that. We used to do money and marriage together. He would talk about that. That study show. from like even, you know, brain activity

when you're doing something with someone. That's why on The Bachelor, you know, that show? They always do something wild. Like bungee jumping. There it is. Yes. Did you say that too? Yeah.

Jinks. You want me a Coke? Y'emoke. But they do this like crazy shared experience together and it bonds them. What's the craziest thing, like, experience you in Winston have done that you feel like was bonding?

Oh, that's a great question. We've, like, hiked. I'm trying to think if we've done like a really high thing, like the heights thing is always like a oh oh you're both a little leery of heights don't care for the heights geez george i'm not sure you guys well i can think of one for you you guys went to seattle to see taylor swift

oh yeah that's not scary though no but i feel like that's a bonding experience oh totally i drug him wearing the t swift he enjoyed it more than you did secretly yeah he was uh he was he was he was confused half the time of like what is happening around here but it was so fun the fans are the confusing you're like what They're on something. Oh, it's like a whole other experience. This is a spiritual experience for them. Oh, for sure.

For sure. So much. So, so much. All right. The next one, which I think is always a fun one, it's like the white elephant gift. Oh, I love these. This is just like the random,

kind of like less expensive. What's the thing that you love? If I could do this for all Christmases, for all families, I would. I think it would just relieve the pressure. Everyone would be under budget, because we're not all, everyone buying a gift for every single person,

and what do you want? Well, it hurts of $200. I'm tired of that. For sure. I love the idea of the white elephant, dirty Santa gift swab. So fun. Okay, so what I would buy is a milk frother.

Oh, that's a good one. I know. It's about $10. Yeah. My kids use it to, like, make chocolate milk. Like, they'll, like, put chocolate syrup and milk, and they'll do that. Winston uses it for, like, milk for coffee and all of that. It's just a great little gadget to have.

I use it all the time, and I use it for, my new thing is instant coffee. Wait, Kuregg? No. Trader Joe's has an instant. coffee. So it's ground coffee. It's instant. All you do is mix it with water or milk, and I used a little frother and it foams up really nicely. George, I feel like that's like below you. I thought so too, but I found a recipe that makes it bougie where you add some brown sugar in there with instant coffee and it becomes this very decadent experience. This whole thing. Oh my gosh. I

know. I love it. So there you go, a frother. My white elephant go to, this is going to sound unlike me. Scratch tickets. I don't recommend people play the lottery, but I think for like a fun gift that we all do together. Just like a stack of them and just see it if you make some. Yeah, I did it for the cousins one year because we were all like grown adults buying each other gift cards for the same amounts,

and I was like, this isn't fun. So I bought the crossword one that's like $5. Yeah. And it takes like 20 minutes to cross off every single letter and see if you got any words. Did people get stuff? And some people won like 20 bucks off a $5 crossword. So you never know.

It's kind of a little game element to it. Exactly. There's some competition there. So that's a, fun one that maybe you didn't think of Ramsey when you thought scratch tickets no you did not no I did not um all right I love the take a hint kind of gift what's that mean it's like when people like give you like a vacuum cleaner like hey probably you probably need a lot of your house is disgusting or like I don't know whatever it is some extra sponges because yours are gross like whatever the thing is it's like

here's like a little um so there's a couple of those I mean like the total money makeover book could be that oh and the great thing is George The Total Money Makeover book is one of our Black Friday sales here at Ramsey Solutions. And actually all the books are, your books, my book. So go to Ramsey Solutions.com, make sure to check it out because we have some great deals this Christmas on all of our products. So they actually make really great gifts. That's not just a hint of like, hey, you should do better with your money, but it actually

will help people. And you can pair it with a little $20 bill in Chapter 1. There's a little surprise. Maybe it's sticking out. You do you. That's good. That's good. I've got one that's practical for people who lose everything that you love,

and that's an Apple Air Tag or any of these tags that track things. That's good. Track your kids, track your phones, track your keys. I've got it everywhere. Yeah. So I love an air tag. We put that in our suitcases sometimes. Here's a take-the-hint gift.

Bought someone a fridge. What? Because when we'd go hang out, and there would be a cooler that stored everything. And it was kind of a nightmare. Oh, gosh, yeah. store everything in this cooler in the garage, so we're like, let's just go in and get a fridge so that whenever we're over there,

we can store our Krispy Boys. You know I love a little sparkling water. Yeah, and people... I need a cold. I'm sure everyone appreciated that. Have you realized that you cannot drink room temperature sparkling water? See, I actually kind of like it.

When my Topo Chikos go kind of like just room temperature does not bother me. Why? I don't know, kind of like heats everything up when it goes down. It's kind of nice. You need help. It's kind of nice.

I'm going to get you a better help subscription. That's kind of nice. That's a good one. All right, here's some gifts for the person that has it all. And you've got to go sentimental. You got to go like the picture out, the homemade calendar. So this is like a Dave Ramsey. That's who I think of like the person who has it all.

What am I going to buy Dave Ramsey? Handprints from all the grandkids. I got my parents for their lake house a yard, like a sign in the yard. And it had these like wooden arrows pointing different ways. And one said like Mimi's kitchen. And it points inside the house. Papa Dave's Doc. that way the dog part because they have this big dog area.

And it's customized for their life. Yeah, yeah, I got off Etsy. And I was like, that's a great gift. That's a good one. That they can, yeah, put the yard at the lake. So personalized. Yeah. Getting the socks with a picture of their dog on it. It was so funny.

Or their kids on it. That's a fun one. That's a good one. Handwritten notes, homemade artwork, a book about something that they're interested in, a photo session with the family, something that's a little more heartfelt and personal. Yeah.

Or an experience. If you know they're into art, let's get them a membership to the art gallery. town or the museum or a spa visit. Uh-huh. That's a good one, guys. I don't think that's very sentimental, though. Well, it's thoughtful for someone who could use a de-stressor.

Maybe so. Moms. Moms on the moms out there. I think Whitney would take a spa gift card. So those are some really thoughtful gifts that I don't think are a waste of money, and people will actually appreciate them and not return them. We've all been there. Hope we helped you guys out with your list.

And I think gift-giving expectations around the holidays, it can easily get out of hand. And the last thing you want is to kick off the new year financially behind resentful in debt. So please don't do that. Yeah, and I think like ask why are we doing this, right? If you're all adults buying adults gifts and the family, like just ask. Have a hard conversation. Do we like really need to be doing this, right? Or if there was a certain dollar amount that was always spent, like question why.

Or is your motivation so people, you know, could see all of this and how fun it is. Like just again, the motivation and, and. challenging what used to be the norm, I think is really good. And setting the boundaries. And today's a good day to set them. Don't wait until Christmas to then get resentful. Because some people like genuinely were like, I hope someone else speaks up, right?

And you could be the hero. Just say, hey, can we limit the gifts? No gifts over $50 or whatever the limit is. Or draw names. And you're each going to get one person. So much better. And I love the question that you have people ask before they buy something. Oh, that if nobody sees this purchase, do I still want it?

There it is. Yeah. That's a good one. Because honestly, a lot of the times around the holidays, I'll buy things for myself. Yes. There's a piece of me that's a really good deal. I might as well stock up. So there's a piece that we've got to also look in the mirror.

Yes. And stay under control. Yeah, don't shop for yourself. This is the season to give. And that's where the budget comes in handy. And I love, I'll make a little budget separately for Christmas and go, all right, here's what we're going to spend on each person. And I'm going to make sure we stay under that budget.

Yes. And every dollar is a great way to do that. This is our budgeting app. You can set all of your line items for each person. You can have one line item for all of Christmas. Yeah, I do a Christmas one, and then I go into my notes app and have everyone's in there and drag and drop all the transactions into that one. Or if you want to be even more detailed, list everybody out in every dollar for December.

Yeah. And you can have it all there or November if you're shopping. And that's what I love about every dollar is you just, you can duplicate November, and then you can make tweaks to December, add all the people. And then in January, delete those categories. And then you're done. And you've moved on without debt. So please don't go into debt.

for any gifts, for anyone for any reason. Not worth it. We'll put a link down below so you can check out every dollar if you haven't already. Well, all right, George, it's almost the end of the episode. And we close out every episode with Guilty as charged. And this is where our producer Kelly gives us a new guilty-a-charge question every week. And if we're guilty, we take a sip. Kelly?

All right. Have you ever been given a gift by someone and you didn't have one for them? So you lied about not having it by saying like, Oh, I left your gift at home or that kind of thing so that you don't feel bad. 100%. I've done that. This happens with friends that I realize are gift givers, and I'm not. And then I realize, oh, like, I have to reciprocate.

This can't be a one-way street. So there's been, I have- Do you always reciprocate? Because I have learned throughout the years, I'll just receive and just say thank you and not feel the pressure. But I feel like I used to feel, and I would write their name down. I'm like, I have to buy them something. Well, how random are these people?

That's the question. Yeah, some of them, I think a couple have been like, oh my gosh. It's a loose relationship. Yeah, I was not expecting a gift from this person. Yeah. Well, do you give, like, do you give and receive gifts from friends around Christmas? No, not a ton. We've kind of stopped doing that.

I feel like we did that more when we were younger. That's kind of stopped more. But I feel like I'll randomly get a gift. And I'm like, oh, crap. Like, geez. Yeah. Yeah, no, I've been there. I can think of two friends in particular, who are really good friends.

Yeah. But I didn't know we were at... We're not like giving gifts for Christmas kind of friends. Yeah, totally. And as a child, my parents would give gifts to my best friend's parents. And they kept doing this, and so they would give us a gift, so we would give them the gift. So next year, they would give us a gift, and then we would have to give them a gift. Even long after me and this guy were friends.

Oh, stop it. It had been here since I had even seen the guy. And they finally just say, hey, we're going to, we're not. doing this anymore. They're like, okay, good, thank you. Thank you. Someone has to break the chain. It's like a pay it forward.

Yes, just to say we've got to stop it, even though it's been a tradition. We don't need it. You know what this has me thinking, Rachel, this guilty charge question? If I got you a gift, would you then lie and be like, oh, my gosh, I'm getting, yeah. Oh, you'd be a good, yes, George. This is a good relationship where that could happen. I feel like you would be like, oh, that's so nice. You didn't have to.

I didn't get you anything. Maybe I would. Maybe I would. Yeah, you're right, you're right, you're right. Because you can't hurt my feelings. You don't have that power over me. Yeah. If Michael Reddish got me a gift.

Yes. Mixologist Michael Reddish. If you don't know, Michael is one of the best gift givers I've ever met. So you cannot top his gift. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. He's very difficult. I usually do group gifts for Michael because you have to go big and make it very thoughtful and personal.

Oh, he's a high maintenance gift receiver. He's just, it's got to be something like with some weight behind it. Crazy, yes. It can't just be like a gadget I got on Amazon. And I'm trying to think of somebody that I would be like, like, oh, shoot, your gift's coming. I may say that to you, George. Wow.

I know. Would you be honest with me? Or would you feel like... If you got me a gift, would I feel like I have to get you one? No, but I would go, oh, you know what? I should get the cruise as a gift. That'd be a night. You know, I got Dave and Sharon a gift one year. I don't remember why.

What? But I got Sharon mostly for Sharon. It was a bourbon maple syrup from Trader Joe's. Like a bourbon-aged, barrel-aged maple syrup. Look at you. Just the gift. And I think she enjoyed it. There's probably something else on there.

Yeah, so kind. All right, who finished her drink first? I think we're about equal on this. But it was a really good one. It was. It was a mocktail. And it's a red sands gria. Very clever.

Whoever came up with that. Good name. Good name. And it's a dollar 56 cents per glass. It's got a few things in it, but I think it's a great one to try. Pomegranate juice, grape juice, tart cherry juice, coconut water, orange juice, lime juice. And then, of course, with sangria, you want to put some fruits in there.

So you can slice up a whole lemon, slice up a whole lime, slice up an orange, slice up an apple, and throw it all in there. Get it all there. It's a great batch recipe to make for the holidays. Yes, that would be a good one. I'm going to give this one a 10 out of 10. Wow. I'm going to 8 out of 10.

It was a little tart. I like tart. Yep. Look that pomegranate juice. I'm a huge fan of pomegranate. Love it. You'll love it. So go check out the recipe in the show notes.

Make it for all of your family and friends. Even the kids can enjoy this one. Yeah, for sure. They can partake. Well, you guys, it's closing time. So thanks so much for Listening and watching, make sure to review, comment below. We love to hear from you guys. So if you enjoyed this episode and you're traveling this holiday season, make sure to check out our episode on why short-term rentals are no vacation.

And we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all-new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.