Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel - Do We Have It Harder Financially Than Our Parents?

Episode Date: October 24, 2024

💵 Start your free budget today. Download the EveryDollar app!   We all love the ‘80s (minus the shoulder pads and neon). But were ‘80s babies better off financially? Find out how your favorite decade stacks up against today when it comes to money.   Next Steps: 💸 Invest in your future with a SmartVestor Pro! Ramsey Solutions is a paid, non-client promoter of SmartVestor Pros. 📱Submit a Guilty as Charged question for Rachel and George! Send a DM to @rachelcruze or @georgekamel on Instagram! Be sure to type “GUILTY?” at the top of your message so we don’t miss it. Connect With Our Sponsor: 🔒 Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.   Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🎃 Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Recipe: The G&M Kitchen   Ingredients: 1 1/2 ounces bourbon 1/2 ounce Baileys Irish Cream 1 1/2 ounces espresso 2 teaspoons pumpkin butter Instructions: Brew 1 shot of espresso. Add ice, bourbon and pumpkin butter to a cocktail shaker. Top with Irish cream and the shot of espresso. Shake for 30 seconds and pour into a coupe glass. Enjoy!   Listen to More From Ramsey Network: 💡 The Rachel Cruze Show 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights   🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 💼 The Ken Coleman Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy 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, wow. That is viscous. Wow.

God, that's a lot of alcohol. This may have cured COVID. We should have tested that out. I think it's still, jury's still out of it. It can do that. It's going to do something. We're not sure what this episode, but it's going to do something. Well, this 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. Rachel, have you ever felt like you were born in the wrong decade? Sometimes, yeah. What decade would you be? Ooh, Titanic, like 1912. So like fancy rich people? Yes.

Okay. Got it. Where you wear the corset and like the dress and stuff to dinner? That's nice. Sounds fun. You can ask me or? No, no, no, that's fine. George, what's like you?

George, what decade would you be in? I'm going to go in 1960s. Are you like a grease lightning kind of guy? No, I was thinking more like Don Draper, you know, big city guy with a... Is that madman? Yeah. Like you wear suits when you're going on a flight. These days, people are just wearing crocks and sweats.

And pajamas. It's disgusting. Have some class. Anyways, feels like our parents and grandparents. They paid for their houses with two nickels and a warm hug and a bushel of raspberries. Millennials are out here trying to save up, you know, $90,000 for a down payment and trying to afford therapy so we can cope. Yeah. So that's where we're at. Basically, yeah, different decades costs different things.

So we're going to talk about that. But before we talk about what we're going to sip on during this episode, George, we have someone new, but not new to us in the seat. No, very old to us, in fact. Thanks, George. Not an age. Just we've worked with her for a long time. Yeah, Kelly Hong, have you been at Ramsey? 12 and a half years.

Yes. I know. She was on the Ramsey show. She was the producer there for many years. Now you're with Dr. John Deloney. Yep. And now, what a blessing.

How do you feel? Oh, this is definitely a change of pace from the Deloney show. It's almost the same show in a sense. And the Ramsey show. In no way whatsoever. Okay. Well, if you know, if you watch all the shows on the Ramsey Network, we've got a lot of them and the Dr. John Deloney show.

An incredible show, been popping off, and that's largely in part due to Kelly's producer ship. Yeah. So we hope you bring that to our show. She's going to sit in and make us pop us. Help us out. But I'm glad to be here. We're glad you're glad you're here.

Thank you. Glad to be so glad. You're going to bring a lot to this show and this episode because we're talking about the 80s. Talking about my era. This was your guy in the 80s. I grew up in the 80s, yeah. So I was born in the 70s and then I grew up in the 80s. So you're bringing so much wisdom.

I cannot wait. Well, we'll see. Unbelievable. A lot of pressure. All right. Let's talk about what we're sipping on. It is a pumpkin spice espresso martini. Oh, man, okay.

A lot of words, and there's a lot going on in here. That's true. There's just a lot. So stick around until the end. We're going to give you our rating, reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode, and of course the recipes and the show knows, should you be so brave. So one of the things I keep seeing on social media, George, is people, you know, whether it's memes or videos talking about, oh, my gosh, in the 80s, when our parents were buying houses, life was just so much easier.

It was so much less expensive, even if you factor in inflation today and you factor in you know, price per, you know, square foot, all the things, it just feels like it's easier. And there's a lot of, a lot of that chatter out there. That's true. And can you believe it's been 40 years? Like 84? I still think it's 20 years.

Right? Isn't that funny how math words in your head? When was 84? It was probably like 20 years. Yeah, 25 years, yeah. Because I'm still in 2000. Because we were born late 80s. True. So we weren't like true 80s kids.

We were more 90s kids. But yeah, it seems like, yeah, not that long ago. But it was 40 years. Here's my thing. It feels like a waste of time and you'd be like, it's not fair because in the 1950s

it was a nickel for the... I'm like, yeah, and it's not now. So move on with your life. Yes, we can't complain about the price of things today. But there are things that we have that our bet are ancestors. Not that the 80s are our ancestors.

Our great ancestors. God rest their souls. Do you actually use a daguerre type when you did your high school That's why I do selfies. The guy, he had the whole thing over his head when he took the photo in the big box. No, but I bet that we... They had to paint the color because they couldn't get it in the photo.

We did portraits. I mean, you know, you sit for a portrait. It was all watercolor back then. Exactly. Oh, my gosh. Do you know what I'm saying, though? No, I get it. We're complaining about high prices, but we also have a pretty, like, easy lifestyle these days. I mean, if you have a iPhone or an Android, but like a smartphone.

I wouldn't go that far. I think if you have an Android, I do feel bad for it. But like we have so much, right? So much ease in today's world. So that they did not have back then. Yeah, they didn't have the option of complaining on their $1,000 smartphone about how hard life is. Yes, it is true. It is true.

So we are there. But yeah, like we said earlier, we were both born in the 80s. So before we take a look at the numbers and like all of that, let's just get into the vibes of the 80s, shall we? All right. Hit me. All right. So here's a little trivia for you. What does VHS stand for?

V is definitely video. Yes. The H? Let's see. How? House? I can. Video.

Close? Yeah. Close? Basically. Okay. The S? Sist. Veeo.

Video house system? Yep. Yeah. Yeah. Video home system. Oh. Yeah. All right.

Yeah. What a fancy name for something that is not. not cool anymore. Do you ever like buy, do the rewind, do you have a little rewinder when you rented movies from like Blockbuster? No, we weren't that fancy. We just put them in and just rewound it. Oh, wow.

Like its own rewinder? Yes, you didn't have all the luxury. Wow. All right, here's one for you. Name a popular men's hairstyle from the 80s. I was going to say the buzz cut. That's, oh, oh, let's go. Oh, it's back, the mullet.

The mullet. Morgan Wallen. And, like, now I feel like it's the baseball kids. Like, baseball has, like, a hairstyle, you know? Oh, yeah. And it has, like, it's channeling a little bit of that. But this was, like, straight mall. I mean, this, like, this was a, this was a special thing.

And perms were big, right? Yes. Did you get a perm, Kelly? I was born with a perm. So you don't need one. No. Not necessary. God gave one to her.

But my prom date did have a mullet. Oh, wow. Did you marry you? Okay. That was it. That's all the trivia. Wow. Just two questions. Nailed it. I thought there was going to be a whole list.

I don't know what I was expecting. Okay. Okay, so George, let's just bring it back to today. And off the top of your head, what do we have today that maybe they didn't have when it comes to building wealth? The internet where you can just Google, like, how to build wealth and you can watch videos from Rachel Cruz and George Camel. That's an amazing thing. Like, our parents didn't have access to financial literacy. Well, any information. I think about that too. Yeah. Parenting, marriage, like all this stuff, like they're so. much information. You can listen to a podcast or check out an audiobook or watch a video and our parents

had to go to like the library. Yes. And encyclopedias. I do remember that. Having those National Geographic magazines and encyclopedias. So if you had a question, you go, yes. Oh my gosh. If you know, you know. If you know, you know. So yeah, I think our access to information today is a goldmine. The problem is we have so much information. Now it's how do you cut through the noise? Who do you trust? Yes, for sure. That's the more difficult part. Yeah, it's amazing the technology we have today. For sure. Yeah, I mean, I would say that.

And I think the ability to, you know, we recommend sitting down with like a smart vester pro or an investment professional to help you really with your long-term financial planning, which is really smart. But, and again, we don't endorse it. But I think it is so fascinating. Then I'm like, you can, like, have an app and just invest on your phone. You know what you mean?

Oh, yeah. The DIY side. The ease to be able to get into the markets, which, again, can be a curse to some people if they're not great at it. I talk to a guy actually today on their own. he lost $14,000 at a single stock on Robin Hood that he did. So it can go bad too, but just the ability to have access that most people have now, which I think is great, to a degree, right, if you're knowledgeable on it.

And just side gig economy, the ability to just go make some money just with 17,000 different ways. That's incredible. Amazing, amazing. All right, I feel better already. All right, George, let's have a little fun. I like fun. Our producer Kelly, new producer Kelly, she's going to give us some different topics and items, and we're going to have to guess how much they were in 1980 versus 2024.

Do they do this on prices, right? You ever see that when you have to guess the price of the detergent? Yeah, but they're not comparing it to the 80s, are they? But I just always wanted to play that game. I would be really good at it. I think I'm going to be good at this game. So median house price in 1980. Okay, what's your guess?

Okay, now is, what did I see the other day? $4,000, like $16,000? I want to say $417. I'll say $416. Bob. Bob. A dollar, Bob, a dollar. Okay, and then back in the 80s? Okay, I'm going to say, I'm going to say, you know, I'm going to go $86,000.

I'm going to say 50. All right, so in 1980, it was $47,200. And now y'all are both very close. The median house price is $412,300. I won that one because you went over. You were closer. Yeah. Okay, so that's neck.

We're neck and neck. One to one if anyone's keeping score. Okay. Literally only you are keeping school. I want you to know that. And reminder for our audience to play along at home. And if you're with someone, you can kind of have some competition. Oh, yeah, this is good. That's good.

And if you're alone, that's fine. You can still partake. We're your friends. We are your friends. So let's break down some of these numbers, Rachel. The median home price of 1940, which is 40 years before 1980, was less than $3,000. Can you imagine that? Was this like log cabins?

What were they making back in the first? You know what I have thought before? I have like this weird, like, daydream moment of like, what if you were put back in that time? What did you say, 1940? Yes. With your money today. We would be like Jeff Bezos. But a billionaires.

We'd be like $3,000 for a home. I would own a monocle. 100%. I mean, for real, though. People would be like, who are these people? Yeah. Have you ever thought about that? I've literally never thought about it.

It's a weird thing to think about. Anyways, I have a great hypothetical. What if you like did this? you were like back in time, but with what you have today. And you're like, oh my gosh, I have the cell phone that I can like FaceTime. That is weird. Because nobody else would have a phone. Well, I text my wife yesterday because I didn't have service in a garage.

I don't carry a car key. And I said, hey, on the phone, I need you to unlock my car. So she went into an app and hit the unlock button and my car was unlocked. And I was like, this is insane that we live in this kind of world. That's true. It is true. So here's how this breaks down. 1940, a home was three grand.

By 1980, it's 47 grand. 40 years after that, now it's 412 grand. So let's look at the numbers here. An increase from 3K to 47K, that's 15 and a half times. Increased from 47 to 412 is 8.5 times. That's wow. So it's slowed down, if that's any consolation. So let's talk about size, George, because it has grown.

The average home size has grown 150% since 1980. So the median size of a home was almost, 1,600 square feet. In 2018, it was almost 2,400 square feet. And competitive markets like Nashville, I would say definitely is one of those. People are going towards the newer homes, right? The bigger layouts and all of that. So there's like this assumption, oh, you're just going to, what the average is of 2,400

square feet. If you go smaller than that, people are like, oh, wait, what, what, what? So even our expectations, I think, are different too. Yeah. We want like the marble countertops. We want, we care about aesthetic. Back then it was, there was no luxury to be had. No.

And I think social media has just, man, really taken one for the team for us on this one. I'm on TV shows and the renovation shows and Instagram and magazines. You just go like, I just want a beautiful home. Yes. And I do think, too, over time, like even the TV shows, there's a level of TV that still feels like out of reach to a degree, right? But when it's like regular people, you feel like on your feed that have these like amazing homes and stuff, then you're like, wait, what?

What? You start questioning, you know, what am I doing? So there is, I don't know, there's something to be said about the comparison culture that is very real when it comes to our homes. Yeah. And I feel like there's a group of people who feel like they're entitled to, well, I'm 25, I should just be able to buy a home. Yeah. And that may not be the case.

You might be in your 30s before you buy your first home. But it doesn't mean you can never do it. You need to get to the place where you're able to do that, which means debt-free, get the emergency fund in place, get a good down payment. and put yourself in a position to do that, even if it's not a year from now. Yep, okay, George, here's a question for you. All right.

Are you drawn to older homes with character and good bones, if you will, or newer homes that have tall ceilings and, like, more of a layout that's, like, more spacious, you know, instead of more closed off? For me personally to live in, I'm going to choose the newer home. I want it to have good bones, but when you think about good bones, it also means, like, we have to replace the entire electrical system because it was real shoddy. Right.

So bones, I feel like, is overused to be like, it's got good bones, but we need to replace and gut the entire house. Sure. Well, how good are these bones? Yeah, but like the character and stuff, like, you know what I mean when you walk in? I do think, yes. There's a fireplace that's been there since 1938 or something. I drive around the suburbs here, and I'm like, this is depressing cookie cutter.

Yeah. I do miss that character. Yep. But I also want new luxury. I don't have to maintain. Yep. Okay, how about this one? A smaller home with a big yard or a large house with super close neighbors.

Oh. Small house, big. yard, I'm not in my yard that much, to be honest. Will Mia be in your yard soon? Yes. Yeah? Yeah. I think I'm fine with a large house. I mean, we kind of have close neighbors now. It's not a large house by any means,

but I don't mind having neighbors close by as long as not a nuisance. Okay. Fair. I don't need total privacy. Like, I don't want to see a single human being. Yeah, yeah. No, I'm not that either. But I do like a good yard. I appreciate a good yard. For sure. Well, you guys are very outdoorsy. You've got a garden. You've got, you know, the kids are playing. Winston. Winston's got his rock garden.

He's big in rocks. Rock walls. We are actually doing one. A rock wall. Building a pool. We are. Yes, we are. So I get it.

It's happening. That's important. I know. Yep. Big yard. I like a big yard. I didn't have a yard growing up really. It was kind of rocky and small.

Okay. Yeah. We went in the street and played. Yeah. Street kids. Street kids. I love it. Shoo.

Shoo. Shoo. All right, Ketley. Next up. All right. Next up. College. tuition for four years. Oh, in 1980? Oh, man. In 1980, I'm going to go $2,500 for a year. And then now I'm going

$18,000. I'll go $3,000 up to $20,000. All right, not quite as cheap as y'all thought. In 1980, annually, $10,231. Wait, really? That's a lot. Budgeting for inflation. Oh, okay. And then today, 28,775. So, George, you were closest? I won on both. How does that feel? And since we're keeping score,

I think it's important to know that I'm three to one? It's fine, whatever. It's just a stupid game. Wow. No, that is crazy. And the good news is you look at these averages and you go, that's a lot, that's a little. You get to choose.

And college choice is the number one factor. For sure. Are you going to go to school debt-free? Are you going to do it the smart way? Or are you going to go to some name brand famous school and drop a crap ton of money and go to student loan debt? That or even out of state. Because I was looking at in-state tuition for Tennessee

and then I looked up like Florida, Alabama, like neighboring states in the southeast. And it's literally double if you're an out-of-state student. Even on the Tennessee University of Tennessee tuition, it's like in-state out-of-state. And it's basically double. And it's to step over a state line. So to the point, if you don't have the money for that,

save half of the tuition by just staying in state. I don't know what it is about students where they go, I want to go away from home, I want to go across the country to this school over here. There's just this piece of you that wants to flee and get away from your home state. That's exciting, I think, to them. Yeah, a little bit of change or something.

That was part of what I did. I know I left, did a year in Boston at a state school, then I took a year off, then I went down to Mobile, Alabama, and finished school at a private Christian school over there, went to student loan debt. I have regrets. But here I am today.

I'm sort of using my degree. What was your degree in? Communication. Mine too! Look at that. George! Just two friends communicating. Oh my gosh.

So yeah, it took me a while to get out of student loan debt. If I had to do it again, I would have chosen more wisely. I would have had the conversation with my parents earlier. Can we be honest, though, for a second? Sure. Why, have we been lying this whole time? For real, though. And I don't want to, like, be unkind.

to the University of Tennessee's educational program because it's wonderful and great. But I don't know what I learned in college and literally are using today. That's fair. I agree with that. 100%. The only thing that I think was helpful

was we did a public speaking class where we had to do speeches in front of the class. Oh, I did that. No problem. You know what I mean? Like those are actually, like you're getting some real experience, get in front of people,

having a repair speech. The rest, like I had a 75-year-old guy trying to teach us about like social media and marketing in the internet. I'm like, bro, we got it. I know. Isn't that funny? So yeah, it was largely a waste. I mean, I hate to say it, but genuinely. And again, I think there are definitely some degrees that you do learn what you need. The community and network that I had there is what led me to this place. Oh, that's a good, okay. People undervalue that piece of it. They overestimate, well, the education is, no, it's about what you do with your time there,

what skills you grow, and then the people you meet. Yep, I know. I know, but I thought about that the other day. I was like, man, I don't know what communication taught me. It was like real life experience. That's what's going to teach you. It was like a small group communication theory. I'm like, I don't know what this even means. Yeah, I had to write like a 12-page paper in my Com 499 class. I remember. And I'm like, what do you? I don't know. So anyways, that was good. Okay. God bless. Is anyone using what they learned in a college class today? We got even. Oh, we have so. Okay, we got a one. We got a two. That's good. Oh, yeah. All right. All right. Well, our friend Ken Coleman, the two questions he likes to ask.

only way and is it the best way. Mm-hmm. If it is, then, sure, go to college, do it right, go debt-free. Because I do think when you're 18, 19, 20, you're young still. So, like, if you can still be in somewhat of a guided program in life, like, I think that's good. I think that's healthy. Yeah. Unless you know exactly, I want to go into this trade.

I want to go into the workforce. Totally. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I want to start this business. Yeah. But overall, I'm not like, oh, college is terrible because it's not. Yes. I think it's good.

It's just less of a waste of time if you do it debt-free. Very much so. very much so. All right. All right. Kelly. All right. Up next.

Mortgage interest rates. Well, now I know they're in the, what, six to seven percent range? No, they dropped. 15-year mortgages are now at 5.2%. We're in the fives. Yeah, we're in the fives now. We just got that update today.

Is the 30 still at six? I don't know. We were quoting the 15, so I'm not 100% sure. But I'm going to go, yeah. I think I said, 5.2, I think is we quoted on the show today. Wow.

Yeah, it's like it dropped today. Hot take, hot news, hot news. The day that we're recording this. That's what they say. Hot off the press. By the time they're watching this, it could be wildly different. We're not sure.

So just don't take it. Okay, and now, again, 1988 one. I think they were nuts back then. That's when it was crazy. 18%? Yeah, I remember Dave Ramsey talking about 18% rates. So I'm going to go 18.1, Bob. Oh, man, you suck.

And he wins that because it was 18.6. six and three. Yes. You would be great at prices. I didn't make up the rules. Well, why do I always go first? I need to go second. That was your decision.

I need to go second next time. Miscommunication major. Let me communicate after I do next time. And today's, we have six to eight percent, but this was written, you know, a day or tape. I know. I think literally today they dropped. Way to have your finger on the pulse. So that's one point.

I'll give you a point for that. We'll split it. That's right. Are you up on the data of the economy, And you're not. So I get a point. So just for fun, let's walk through an example here. If you bought a house for $47,000 in 1981 at an 18.63% interest rate, and you put the standard 20% down with a 15-year fixed rate mortgage loan,

you're looking at a $625 monthly payment plus taxes and insurance. I mean, that's a, for back then, yeah, that's a hefty payment. I mean, you're probably under a grand with all that with taxes and insurance. So now you would have paid $75,000 in interest, loan over those 15 years. So that's the kicker with 18%. Even though it's not a lot, that 18% adds up. That's like a credit card interest rate at that point. Totally. And according to census.gov, median family income during that time was $22,390. So that monthly housing payment of 625, that would eat up about a third of someone's monthly income. And today we're still seeing

similar numbers. So I think it just helps to go, okay, they weren't making much. The prices were lower, but it's all kind of been graduating going up, yeah. At a similar pace. So if you bought a house today at 412,000, 6.5% interest rate, 10% down, since that's what most people can afford, throughout the same 15-year loan, you'd pay around

$3,200 a month. Dang. That's a lot. And it's roughly 51% of the average household income today, which is around 75 grand. Yeah. So it's true. We do have it harder. The percentages are more difficult. Today, yes. So sorry, boomers. Sorry, boomers. So, yeah, don't act like it was so difficult.

for you. There is, up till both ways. But it is still possible. It's just going to look different in today's numbers. It is. And the rates aren't helping

because it does add a whole lot when you've got a 7% rate versus 4%. And still, y'all, it is still reaping what was affected during COVID. I mean, honestly, when there was all that shut down,

everything was happening because of the pandemic, I mean, that slowed down housing lumber. I mean, do you remember all of that? It was a solid nine, 10 months of like just that chaos. And I mean, honestly, part of that and our housing shortage still today is if, I mean, I do. I'm like, you look at the domino effect of what happens and this is it.

So I hate that we like reap all of this because of our world today. But it is. It's part of it. You're talking about supply and demand. The other issue here is that people got a 3% rate and then went, cool, I'm not selling. Because if I sell, I got to go pick up a 6% rate now. Yes. So that's also causing less inventory on the market.

Absolutely. Yep. So the inventory, there is still a short which. It is. It is. So we're still feeling it. So that means just it may take you longer to get into a home and adjust your expectations. That's always the thing you have to remember. And that's a hard pill to swallow, but it is the reality, right? You got a compromise on where we live, what house we get, when we're going to get it, all of that. All right. All right. Last one is average car price. This is fun. In 1980? What was the average car price? For like a new car. Right. I'm going to say $6,000. I'm going to say $6,000. Bob.

You can't do that. What about now? And now the average price for a new car? I'm going $32,000. I'm going $35. All right. In 1980, it was $7,574. So Rachel gets that point.

Where'd you get that strategy from? The price is right. And Bob Barker, don't you take my credibility? Wow. And today's average car price is 48,4001. Oh my gosh. Really? What are these people buying?

It do be expensive, but that's, you don't have to buy a $48,000 car just because that's the average price of new cars. No, no. But man, that is, yeah, because that's factoring in everything from your Mercedes to the Honda City. I mean, all of it, yeah. Let's look at the numbers here. In 1980, that new car would have cost 34% of the annual household income on average.

Today, a new car is more like 65% of the average family's annual household income. Ouch. That stings. But I feel like cars have long been a scam and now it's just getting worse. Because we have more access to loans. But I also think cars are well-made. I follow the car mom. I don't know if you follow her on Instagram.

She's great. I've had her on my show before. But she says this a lot because this is all she does is car content. But she says cars last so much longer these days. They do. I thought it was one of those. They don't make them like they used to. No, she would say, like, if a car's hitting $200,000, you're fine.

Like, back then it would be like, oh, God, it's going to start, like, falling apart. She's like, but they will last. And a well-made car, right? Reliable-making model. So you just want to go to those reputable car brands, and, yeah, they will last longer. They will. But I don't know. I don't think it's the, they don't make them like they used to anymore.

And car payments have become so prevalent. Everyone just goes, well, you'll always have a car payment. Might as well pick up another one at $600 instead of $500 to get the fancier car. Yeah, so you think that's the scam? people are willing just to go into debt so it's raising prices because people are willing to spend more and more and more. Just like what happened with college tuition. Same thing.

Student loans were easily accessible. The government backed it. So Sally Mae is like, sure, you can have 100 grand. Yeah, I know, but that's the government backing it. I mean, the auto industry, I do think is different though, because with technology, all of that, it's got to be more expensive today to build a car. It is.

But I still think there's a lot of just like, well, people are willing to pay more so we can charge more. When you look at dealerships and the fees they're adding on, it's just, I don't like it. So stick to a used car in cash. A few years old, it's going to do just fine. And unless you're a millionaire, do not buy a new car. Capish.

Capish. That's good advice. Capish. Time-tested wisdom. Okay, so let's do some rapid fire, 1980s versus today, George, shall we? Yeah, just so you know, I'm still four to two. You ready? Yep.

Gas prices. A dollar. $1.22. Good guess. Oh, not bad. All right. Next up, cost of a movie. Oh, we're going $1.75.

$269. Okay. A concert ticket. 15 bucks. 1513. Whoa. I'm not on your team, but that was really good. Thank you.

And no fees back then, I bet. Ticketmaster didn't exist yet. Boo. Cost of a TV in 1985. Okay, I think it's more expensive than it was today. I bet. I agree. God, $600?

$500. That was pretty close. For a 20-inch color TV. Wow. But you also had to buy a set at the time, which was around $1,200, which adjusted for inflation. Okay. So you got speakers, the TV, that whole bit.

Yes, all right. Today, that's a, like, a state-of-the-art purchase. Like those Samsung frames, those really fancy ones that are super expensive. Super cool. But I do feel like technology back then, like a computer costs way more. Now they're just kind of cheaply made. There's land obsolescence, so they know the technology is going to get just revamped, super quick.

So good. They don't make it like they used to. Making like they used to, George. Okay. I don't like spending a lot on technology because you know it's going to... Would you turn back time? Is this a share reference?

Maybe. Would you go... Would you live in 1980 or would you live in 2024? For mental health, I think it'd be better to be back in the 80s. For sure. I'm going 80s, y'all.

But as far as like convenience and quality of life in general, like all the amenities and accoutrements... You're going today? I'd go today. I'd go today. Kelly, what would you do? Having grown up in the 80s, I mean, it was a great time to grow up.

But I kind of like my creature comforts. Don't you think part of it is nostalgia that people just think that time was better? Yeah. Oh, 100%. Because it's their most formative moments in years? It was so simple, though. Okay, anyone else go back to 1980 or is everyone staying here? Okay, we got some.

Okay, we got some. It says the person that exclusively shops from her phone on Amazon. It was so simple. All you had to do was get in your car, go to a store, and hope they had a clothing that you liked. and you had to spend a whole day. You know, I just, I do. I think simpler times. I'd go back.

Wow. I would. I would go back before she even was alive. It's too much. It's too much. I do think humanity, we've gone too far. We have gone too far because what's crazy too, George, you think about, even just in my lifetime.

And you go back and I was re-watching Laguna Beach, came back on Netflix. Simpler times indeed. Y'all, that was like 2004, I'm going to guess. I don't know. late high school. And that was like one of the first reality shows. We had real world and road rules, I remember, still on MTV.

But like, Laguna Beach was like the first, like, I don't know, teenager, real life. I'm going to just follow you with a camera in your real life. And I remember watching it. And we thought that these kids, like, had it off. We were like, oh, my God, they are just. What was the lifestyle on that show? I don't know. I just remember feeling that way watching it.

And then you look back. And again, they're in, like, oh, my God. like probably some of the most expensive property so I'm not like saying that. But you look back and like, oh my gosh, they were like driving old cars. Like one of the episodes, one of the girls' cars breaks down in the smoking because it's old.

Like they're wearing Hollister. Like they were not boozy people. And then you go to today like Bravo and you're watching Real Housewives and they all live in like mansions and flying private jet. It's so extreme. And if you had asked me before, if you had asked me probably year ago and said was Laguna Beach

where they living the same life as like real housewives today, I'd be like, yeah, because in my head, it was so bougie. And you look back back now, like, it wasn't. Like, even back then, the bougie was not that bougie. And that was in 2006, 2004. When you think about all the new, 20 years ago, new fancy stuff that existed in the 80s, we'd look back at that now, I'm like, I don't want that for free. Even in 2004. Like, it just was not, I don't know, it's just weird. It is, it is a, it's a different, it's a different world. I just think it's harder to live in the present now than it was back then. Yes, to enjoy what you have. And we didn't have, you know, social media to go,

here's all the things you don't have, and we're going to push it in your face every single day. Yes, totally. You just had to, like, you saw what your neighbors were doing. Yep. It's about it and your friends. Mm-hmm. Now you can see the whole world at your fingertips.

I just think it's too much. We weren't meant to have this much information and power and technology at once. No, they're saying that. Like, scientifically it's coming out that, like, we were not supposed to know what's happening on the other side of the globe. Like, we can't handle, like, in our bodies,

and our brains, like, the world. So I just think there's still hope for people's money for a lot of reasons. There's a lot that's not in our control. And what we're talking about today is really inflation. And yes, we can't control inflation if it's going to be 2.5% or 9%

and things are more expensive. But we also have to remember that we can control going into debt and our lifestyle and our spending and how much money we make. We can improve in our careers, work extra, make compromises and sacrifices for a short period of time.

So I still think this is the greatest time to be alive in general. Sure. Because of all of those things. And yes, it's a bummer that the prices ain't like they used to be. Right, right. But move on. I think that's it too.

I think there is a level of like, here's the reality. We can kind of like mope and be like, oh, my God, this sucks right now. And then what are you going to do? Right. What are you going to do? It's the next step. The next step is what's important. And we do believe in hope around here.

And we see it every day, though, George. We see people from every demographic, every part of America. I mean, anything. And people are doing it. Like, they're getting out of debt. They're getting savings. They're paying off their house. I mean, like crazy stuff.

So it can be done because we see it. We see it every single day. No matter what generation you are. And every generation thinks they're the best and the other ones don't get it. And, you know, the millennials don't like the boomers. And Gen Z thinks the millennials are lame. And I'm like, enough with the generational wars

and stop blaming the boomers for all of your life problems because guess what? You're going to inherit all their wealth one day. So you should be real nice to them before they take you out of the will. There you go. But there's a generational wealth transfer coming as well. So there's something to be hopeful about.

There we go. If your parents... Wait for death. If your parents did the right things financially, you will benefit. And my daughter will benefit from my financial choices. Yeah. You know?

I mean... Be hopeful. It's all I'm saying. It's true. All right. Well, 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 are guilty, we take a sip. Which I have been sipping on mine. And I'm liking it more. more. I'm not going to lie. Wow. All right. Have you ever made a special request at a fast food restaurant to make sure that your food is fresh and hot? Wow. Never. I don't even know that was a thing. All right. Nope. I just go Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich and fries. Taco Bell, two soft tacos,

nachos and cheese. I can go through my whole order. Shalotskies, number one without black olives. Oh, I do that one. Firehouse? Firehouse. Firehouse. The Italian, fully involved, medium. Wheat on wheat. I can give you all our fast-grimers. You're so proud of your choices. Now, Sonic, I've switched it up, but... To what?

I won't go there. I used to get the bacon cheeseburger because it's so good. Sonic has great cheeseburgers. But I'm going chicken sandwich these days. Look at you. Yeah, they've got a chicken sandwich. I don't know. Chick-fil-A, I go wrap with fries.

Okay. And a lemonade. What do you do? I've made special. I don't call it annoying. What does that mean? I don't get it. You don't just order off the menu.

At McDonald's, if you say, hey, can I get fries, no salt? They generally have to get you a fresh batch from the friar because they already had salted their fries. You don't want salt on it, though? It's so good. Here's the deal. The ones that have the salt have been sitting there for Lord knows how long. So if you say no salt, you can add your own.

You ask for a little packet of salt. Okay, but you get some fresh fries. But they're like real fresh, real crispy. So there's one example. The other example is that chickfell. I would ask for well-done fries. They stopped doing this, I think, because they were annoyed by me. Like, globally, they don't do this.

But well-done fries would ensure that your fries were hot and crispy. Because you ever get chick-fil-a fries and, like, these are a little soggy? I know. It can happen. It's like how long these been sitting now and it's in the to-go bag and the condensation. It can happen, yeah. I'm persnickety about my... Yeah.

I don't want to eat a ton of fast food, but when I do, I'm choosy. What's your... What is acceptable to you? I'm going to say Kava. Oh, fast casual I'm a big fan of. Okay. So like a Chocololay. Kaava.

What are the other ones? Are there any drive-thru window restaurants that you're like, oh yeah, I would go there and not feel bad about it? Not feel bad about it. Health-wise? And emotionally. Oh, emotionally. I will say like higher quality, not saying like ingredients-wise. As far as quality.

It's better. It's better. Yeah. Culver's is another one that I think people sleep on. Y'all? The cheese curds at Culver's. Wow. So good.

They are so good. It looks like this changed your life. I've never seen this much joy come from you. Because I just was, I was on a road trip, and I saw a Culver's, and I was like, I'm going to swing in there. And I went in because the drive-thru was too long, and I just ordered cheese skirts and went back to my car. That's a good example. Like, what on a road trip would you be stoked to see? Because you got your standard.

Oh, my gosh. Because we don't have an hour. And now we don't have an hour. We're getting one down the street next year. It's happening. It's happening. It's another great example. It's so good.

Like quality, the taste, the price, it's all there for me in and out. But other than that, I'm just, I try to, it's nothing excites me. You don't go sub. I'll do a sub, but being gluten-free now, you've got to find the place that has a gluten-free sub, or you do a lettuce wrap and it's just this like weird, wet, mess. You know? Yeah, thank you. Have some empathy for me.

So that's one reason it's harder to eat fast food. It's just, there's not a lot I can eat. And I'll say this, I don't eat a ton of it. I just sounded like I did. You made it clear. You can start your own account. I do like fast food, but I eat a lot of protein. I eat two eggs in the morning.

Like I mostly eat. You don't need to defend your life choices. Help me. But I do like fast food. It does not bother me. I'm proud of you. I do, I think the Chick-fil-A-Kids meal is still up there for me. Do grilled nuggets, fries.

I swap the toy for an ice cream. And then there you go. That's a big heck. So great. All right, George. I finished first. I just kept sipping. And it got better.

I cannot believe. It got better. How? I don't know. Or did the ingredient just really hit eventually? This is good. I don't know. I did like it.

The pumpkin was not very strong, which I was thankful for, because I am not a pumpkin fan. Let me get a second opinion before I give you my thoughts. Have you not taken a sip at all? This whole... I have. It's fine. I would never order this, but it's a pumpkin spice espresso martini. What is your rating?

Six out of ten. Wow, that's generous. Mm-hmm. It was more than I thought. One out of ten. Wow. Wow, really? Yeah. Okay. It's just harsh. It's got bourbon, Bailey's Irish cream, espresso, and pumpkin butter. The cost breakdown is $4.6 per glass, which that ain't cheap for our drinks. I mean, that's a pretty...

That's up there. Yeah, that is. That is. But I think it's the Bailey's Irish cream has like a... That's got some harshness. Yeah. Bourbon's got some harshness to it. Espresso's bitter. The pumpkin butter is probably what's sweetening this up. It's just not what I'm all about. It's just too thick. I don't like a thick, viscous drink. It's not an eight, nine or ten for me because I would not order it at a restaurant. But if I was at a friend's house and they were like, oh yeah, here's like a fall-themed party.

And we have these, I would drink one. A one, two, three, or four in the rating scale for me, I would say I'll pass. I'll make something else. I would take a few sets. So I would take it. I'd go to the bathroom and I would dump it, rinse the sink. And I'd come back and be like, hmm, that was so good. That's so good. Thanks for making that espresso martini. Pumpkin.

You did such a good job, Rachel. Oh, my gosh. Well, hey, if you trust Rachel, go get the recipe in the show notes. And if you trust me, just skip it. Just skip it. I prefer a normal espresso martini. I would agree with that. That's a 10 out of 10 for me.

All right, George is closing time. So if you guys have enjoyed this episode, thanks always for listening and watching. We appreciate you. Staying to the end. Share it with friends, with family. people that you think would enjoy this show. Share with people that don't like you.

I think it's even better. You know what I mean? No. You never done that before? People that don't like me and I like share the show with them? Yeah. Wait, what? No.

I do it all the time. Wait. It's called a hate share. All right, I thought I was, I thought other people did this. Wait, wait. It's an echo chamber. If you just share with people that you like, that like the show, you're not going to spread the word that way. Do you genuinely

have people in your phone that don't like you and you share episodes of podcasts and YouTube shows with them? Not specifically podcasts, but like pictures, a video, a link to an article. Okay, this was a trend that happened. People would send, like, if I knew that you were a big Trump fan,

I can send you fake mail that says, like, thanks for supporting the Biden campaign. You know what I mean? Like, it's trolling. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's what I'm talking about. it's in that vein I'm just saying try it I don't know anyone who doesn't like me

I'm okay so you're meaning okay I hear what you're saying now you're saying to the listener or viewer send it to someone that doesn't like us potentially oh I thought you made like that doesn't like them I don't know I don't know a lot of people how would you know if someone doesn't like you

unless they've told you do you know people who don't like you in the twilight zone no everyone likes me I'm nice she's so nice everyone loves a Rachel No, okay, if you have people in your life that don't like you, send them this episode. Well, then maybe they'll like you. They're like, oh, wow, they sent me a podcast they enjoyed. That's cool of them, you know?

Build a bridge. Build a bridge is all I'm saying. This makes no sense. Be the podcast you want to see in the world. All right. Subscribe, like it, comment, anything just to help us out. If you like this one, we have a lot of other episodes. We've done over a hundred.

Somehow the show has survived. So watch the other ones. Yep. And we have a new one out every Thursday. So we'll see you next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.