Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel - Ritzy vs. Regular: Reacting to Social Events in Every Class

Episode Date: April 30, 2026

 Join us on the Live Like No One Else Cruise! 🤔 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Think you’re good with money? Take our Money in America quiz!   Lifestyles of the rich and famous—and the relatable regulars. From the Met Gala to the bougie Europe trip your cousins won’t stop posting on Facebook, we’re lifting the veil on the most notorious social events in every social class.    Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode We Judge People’s Ridiculous Money Decisions for 58 Minutes. ·   🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour ·   📱 Submit a Guilty As Charged question for Rachel and George! Leave us a voicemail with your question at 877-306-1517 or 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.  ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar.   Connect With Our Sponsors: ·   Check out the FAIRWINDS Credit Union exclusive account bundle. ·   Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe. ·   Get 20% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.   Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🍹 Cranberry-Lime Mocktail Recipe by: Food Network ·   2 cups frozen cranberries ·   1 1/4 cups sugar ·   3/4 cup frozen limeade concentrate ·   1/2 cup fresh lime juice ·   Splash of seltzer water   Instructions: Combine the cranberries, sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Carefully smash the cranberries, then simmer the mixture until slightly reduced and dark red, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture into a heat-safe container, pressing on the cranberry solids to extract all the juice. Let cool for 30 minutes. Combine the cranberry syrup with the limeade and lime juice in a pitcher and stir well. Mix equal parts of the drink mix and seltzer. Serve over ice with cranberries and a lime slice.   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 🪑 Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lifestyles of the rich and the famous, and also lifestyles of the relatable regulars. Today we're lifting the veil on the biggest social events in every social class. Wow. Good for you. Yes, we are here, George. Stop trying to elevate me. Stop trying to elevate me. Do you trust the rights? You don't, but that's kind of part of the fun. Okay. Hey guys, I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel. And this is Smart Money Happy Hour.

George, this is a pool. It's the heaviest drink we've had on this. show so far. I mean, I lift a lot of weights. This is probably a 10-pounder. Well, this is the show. We're two friends who have to be money experts. Talk about what you're talking about. So everything from pop culture, current events, and money. But first, let's talk about this beautiful monstrosity. I mean, this is a cranberry lime mocktail. You wouldn't believe it. It looks like a big gulp. But there is no alcohol in it, which is probably for the best. We're going to give you our rating and reveal the cost per glass at the end of the episode.

You'll want to stick around for that. I think it's going to be a good. good one. Yeah, my knee jerk is that it's fantastic. Love a knee jerk. All right, George, you know, it's about to be May. It's gonna be May. I just gotta do the same thing, too. You have to do it. Yes, I know. It's a millennial rite of passage. So, do you know what that means? What does May bring? Free K-So all month for Cinco de Mayo. Oh. No, but that fits the glasses, though. It does. Very Cinco de Mayo. No, it's the Met Gala season. Didn't even know that was a thing? You love pop culture, the Met Gala. It's happening.

Nobody knows less about the Met Gala than me. And the, yes. Well, the fashion and the Met Gala is like... Wait, is this where Rihanna dresses up like the Pope? And we're supposed to act like it's art? Yes. Is that what happens? The fashion's crazy.

On purpose. On purpose, yes. Depending on the theme and there's like always a thing there. The richer you are, the dumber you can dress, I've realized. Is that fair? Yes. George, that's actually pretty good. Because some stuff people wear, you're like, never.

You could never like, that's not pretty. Well, we look at Harry Styles outfits. We're like, wow, he's really pulling off that sequin romper. Just, just. What? He's so fashion. I know. I go for timeless.

50 years from now, I want my kids to watch this and go, Dad looks good. That was a good jacket. Yes. Hey, do you know what TV show? Actually, I'm going to say pulled it off 75% of the time. It's friends. Oh, friends.

They have very timeless style. There's some stuff. They're like, oh, wow, that feels very 90s, early 2000s. But they did a really good job. Yes. The timeless pieces, that's the classy. Well, now kind of baggy is back in, so the 90s style of dress is on trend. Yeah, that's probably true.

Yeah, that's probably true. Okay, so the Metcalfe, you know nothing about it. Okay, so we're going to do a little fun rapid fire for you. Oh, good. You can play along at home if you also know nothing. This is the height of pop culture. I don't watch, I don't even know if it's like on TV. Like, I don't watch on TV.

This is where I go to Instagram that night and I look through every. ones, pictures, and then the other rest part is other people that critique them, like other, you know, whether they're like designers or whatever and they show like, good, good, horrible, good. And you get to see like what professional people in the fashion

industry have to say, it's my favorite. So there is an objective truth to these I love it. I mean, I don't know. Okay, you're ready for this one. Okay. Who's in this photo, George? Oh gosh, is that Kim Kardashian? George Campbell, yes!

She's wearing head-to-to-to-all-black, face-covered. Yes, we got a little comb. Wow, you know this. It's giving, like, green screen suit meets hijab. Yeah. You know what I mean? There's a lot going on there. Actually, it's pretty good.

Is that fair? Yeah, it is fair, actually, yes. It's skin-tight, but it's all black, and it has a whole, like, a head covering. Yeah. Face covering. But the poor thing, her, like, she's got no, like, no, like, no, like, I can wear that and look good, I feel like. Freedom.

Well, and all, there's all these masks in the background from the photographer, so I'm assuming 20, 2020, or probably 2021, 2022, like, is when that was. So I'm trying to think if she was with. Is that the Kanye era? Because that looks like something Kanye was like, yo, girl, you look so good. This feels, this feels extreme to me, which yay would be there. Okay, which celebrity matches the carpet of the Meg Gala every year with her dresses? Oh gosh

That's a lot of celebrities that could be doing that Oh really? No I think there's Matches the carpet? Lady Gaga? No Oh that feels like someone who would match the carpet This is going to be fun

I'm going to give you three hints If I can drink my bowl Here we go Okay I'm going to say Gossip Is clue number one Gossip Girl Is that the clue

Number two Lawsuit Blake Lively Mm-hmm Good job. You want to see? Yeah, how do you match the carpet? Oh, look at her. Classy. She did pretty great. I do think she's like one of the most beautiful people.

Oh. Okay. Fun, huh? I guess. Cute. I love it. I think it's great. Yeah, but if I was matching the curtains, you wouldn't be like, wow, what a great look. You know what I mean?

But if it was Dolce, I would. If it was a $10,000 dress. Yeah, I'd be like, well done, George. Well, no, that I give Harry Stiles feels. I probably say, George, take that off. Give it to Whitney. All right, last trivia question about the Metcala, George. All right.

Which British Royal Family Member attended the Matt Gala? Only once in 1996. You got Queen Elizabeth. The second. Camilla, Parker Bowles. Okay. Megan Markle or Princess Diana. Okay, Princess Die, I don't think she had passed yet in 96.

Is that true? It feels, I want to say Princess Die. Ding, ding, ding. Correct? Yes, she attended one time. Wow. The Mac Gellon. It just feels like something she would do.

Man. Megan Markle would be there for the networking. Princess Die would be there for the sheer art. Just with those eyes. Yeah. R-I-P. I wish she could do her eyes. Is that what she did?

Did you see where she would... You know how she does. She looks down. Did you see this clip where she would walk backwards to avoid paparazzi taking photos of her? Who? Princess Die. It was masterful.

Talk about conspiracy. Did you know there was a whole thing? that she apparently knew about Prince Andrew and the old you think that was part of her demise possibly there's a lot of conspiracies

around her death but that was one recently I thought what if she's one what if she's the one that would have saved it and they it would connect a few dots that's for sure I know what a hero we love her wow all right love her well we've covered fashion I'm done with that now I've got some financial trivia for you okay give it to me some more in my wheelhouse true or false, the Met Gala is an actual fundraiser.

True. 2025, it raised a record $31 million. Yes. In its 77-year history. Yeah, it's for the museum. Yeah, the proceeds go to the Mets, self-funded costume institute. Yes. Operations, exhibitions, acquisitions, things that rhyme with that, conservation.

There's roughly 33,000 fashion artifacts. I love these are called artifacts. Like a meat costume is an artifact. I know. versus like a fossil in ancient Egypt, which is an all... You know what I mean? Let's define artifact, guys.

That's fair. Okay. True or false? There's an entertainment budget for the guests each year. I'm going to say false. I bet they give their time and everything because to say that they performed the Mechala.

It's actually true. Okay. There's an entertainment budget. Last year it was more than $1.3 million. Okay. Wicked stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Revo performed for their peers. For their peers.

Their peers. We have different peers, Rachel and I? Wow. All right. Can you guess, A, how much individual tickets cost for the Mek Gala, and B, the starting price of a table? Because the table's the big thing. Yeah. Gosh, table, I'm going to go $200 grand.

Okay. Single price of a ticket, $50, $30. You're a little under on both. $75 grand for tickets, $350,000 for a table. Oh, my gosh. So let's start saving up. Start that sinking fund in every dollar. Wait, can we can't go?

We have to be invited? Yeah, and I think Anna Winter, I think she actually handpicks. Devil Wars Prada, her, you know, the paper trade. I think I've heard she handpicks the guest list. Like, it's a very exclusive, yep, whole thing. And I think I guess if you get invited, do you have to buy a ticket then, right?

I feel like it's true not to. Yeah, I don't. It's for charity. It's for charity. For the arts. For the arts. That's another level of people when you say that. For the arts.

For the arts. For the arts. It is wild to compare how different the definition of a social event depends on a person's social class. Yes. So I think we should go through it. Let's do per social class what social events they would attend. But that would be fun. I like that a lot.

So all the way from the celebrities down to the poppers and the peasants. Let's just, yes. Go all the way. Well, me. I wouldn't say you. Here. Me? Yeah.

What? I don't attend highfalutin events. You think I do? Were you not at the inaugural ball? Yes, I was one time. This is probably the nicest event I've ever. Winston's ever rented a tux except for our wedding. He did like a rental?

He doesn't own one? No, I'm telling you. See, I'm a peasant. Down here. Now, Winston is a peasant. We don't own tuxes. How does Winston not own a tux? I don't own ball gowns, ball gown.

You went shopping for a ball gown? Rent the runway. I didn't even buy it. Wow. Good for you. See, I am, yes, we are peers, George. Stop trying to elevate me. Just.

Not trying to elevate me. That's so great. Don't try to elevate me. Okay, well, before we dive in, this is going to be a fun episode for me, selfishly. So thank you. You asked for this. Thank you, yes.

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Stay safe, keep your digital life private. Okay, so the Oscars for this year is done. It is. But back in 2025, last year, the cost estimated to be $57.7 million to produce. Wow. And again, just a fractal. of what the nominees spent on their films.

So, for example, last year, Wicked was nominated for 10 categories, but the film's budget was $150 million. Take my breath away. $1.95 million, so basically $2 million, for a 30-second spot. And then the little goodie bags, oh, have you heard about this?

I've heard about the Oscar's Goody bags. Oh, yeah. What's in there? Estimated over $170,000. So it's like luxury getaway, skincare, all the things, but you get these goodie bags at all these events that are like out of this world. When I hear a goody bag, I think like there might be a tootsie roll in there.

A tutzy roll. Not a luxury getaway. What is it? Is like a gift card for luxury getaway? Like designers and all of it? I mean, all of it. They don't need the money. See, in that funny?

They can just go take a luxury getaway. Yes. Now if it's like the assistants, the people behind the scenes, give them the goody bags. That's what they should do. Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't need your goody bag. No, he doesn't. No. But the companies do it.

So that Leonardo DiCaprio and. up on the vacation and gets spotted there. Oh, paparazzi's there. You know what? Conspiracy theory. It's all an inside job. They're all in cahoots. Probably. Probably. Leo.

The publicity companies pay the paparazzi to go catch Leonardo, and they're in cahoots with the getaway company. I believe it. Who should we get into cahoots with, George? I'm in the wrong cahoots, whatever I'm in with. It ain't a good one. I wonder what would be a good... Let me think.

Ticketmaster? Yeah, well, what am I asking for from Ticketmaster? I don't know. Backstreet boys' tickets? It's as good as it gets. I can do better. Maybe, maybe. Yeah, but the Oscars, again,

it's where all the celebs go. That's a social event to be at for them. And here's, get this, the average cost to attend the Vanity Fair Oscar party, couples reportedly pay $83,000. To just shooze at the party. To go to the party. Man.

You got to have so much money. just to schmooze these days. Well, that's what it is, right? I mean, if you think about it. Yeah. They just, yeah, they don't think. They don't think about it. You just want to be in the room if you're rich enough, I guess.

Okay. Next, um, is the, is it canes? Cans. What do you think? Can't. Oh, just Cairm. If it's like the English variation. Can.

The French, I think, extended a little bit. I was in Reddit threads, Rachel. I was deep in it. I was in the, oh, it is. It's pronounced can. Con. Kahn. Yep.

You're right. Oh, wait, wait, we got a 45 second. We got a 45 second We're looking at how to pronounce the name of this film festival That takes place in this beautiful coastal city On the French Riviera In the south of France How do you say it?

Cannes film festival Can That's the official pronunciation Which is closest to can But not quite con Okay Can Can film festival

That's what we're going to say. Can. Can. Khan. Khan. That guy must make a living off of his YouTube videos. He takes 40 seconds to get to the word. That's who we should be in cahoots with.

That guy. Yeah, it's fine. It's him. I should do a pronunciation YouTube channel. So fun. And I would just get to it instead of this guy. It's in the south of France. Nobody cares.

Oh, my gosh. All right. This film festival, so pretentious. Yes, this was supposed to begin. in 1939, but war war II was happening. So it actually took place in 1946. And last about two weeks, so who attends filmmakers, actors, journalists, fans from around the world,

and many popular films have come through the cans with a popular response. So you got E.T. Pulp Fiction. Pixar's up. Who knew? Looky there. Mulan Rouge. Moonrise Kingdom.

Love that one. I don't know. I know. Wes Anderson. He's a very hipster director, probably not your speed. Okay. Yeah, I don't know him. Cowboy?

Not quite. Very symmetrical, artsy shots. No. Wimical, quirky. Not my thing. Okay. Yeah, no. I tried.

I need a murder and an affair. That might happen. I need like a... That could happen in a West Anderson. I need a mystery. I need a mystery. That's what I mean. Oh, my gosh.

Well, the money here, you're ready for this. To attend is over $1,300 after tickets, travel, food, and other costs. That feels cheap. I mean, a ticket to France alone feels like it costs. Or it could cost up to tens of thousands for the more elite access. That's what you would do. Go big or go home. Go big or go home.

Yeah, I'm not like an artsy person. Like the film festival stuff doesn't, I hear festival too and I run. You'll wait for it to be on Netflix. You're not going to go to the festival to be the first to see it. No. But I will go to a movie. movie theater. When's the last time you went? When was the last movie I saw in theaters? Zoolander 2.

What? That was an insane answer. No, not Zoolander. Zootopia! I was like, was there a Zoolander 2? Everyone's, no. Zootopia. I was like, my kids. You acted like you go to the theater all the time, and then you drop Zoolander as your reference?

Zootopia. Yeah, okay, that makes more sense. Now I need to find out, was there a Zoolander 2? With Ben Siller? Was there, oh, no. Oh, yeah, there was. In 2016, Rachel hasn't been to the movies in a decade. Ten years.

And to be fair, it got a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Yeah, I believe it. Zoolander 2. Yeah, sorry, Zootopia. And actually, as the opposite of that, Zootopia 2 was the highest-grossing Disney film. Did you all hear this? I didn't know that. It became, it was the, which is great, because it was fine, but it was not like a classic, like should be the highest grossing.

Yes. Wow. Isn't that wild? Did you watch it? Has Mia seen Zootopia? No, she hasn't even seen Frozen yet, and she's obsessed. She knows all the words to every song. Why?

You've not shown her frozen. Screen time. It's just simply too much for her little brain. It's too much for a tiny brain. She doesn't have the attention span. Oh, stop that. Show her frozen. You're going to have to deal with that monster after an hour and a half of screen time.

Stop it. She's like four years old. Well, no, she's two and a half. Okay, okay. All right. She's not even potty trained yet. I feel like you got to at least be potty trained to watch an hour and a half movie. Yeah, maybe so. I can't remember now. It's too long ago for me. Yeah, we'll get there. But I love a movie. I can't wait. Yeah, you watch a lot of like throwback movies with your kids, right? Yes. That's your thing? Like 90s movies, 2000s movies. We love like a sandlot, Dustin Shixon. Oh yeah, there's so many great. And they hold up. The kids like them. Yes. But then my girls are really. into like the Disney musical stuff.

There's this new one called Teen Beach on Disney and it's like these teenagers that get sucked into a 1950s film like about a beach community. Anyways, it's all these songs and soundtracks. I don't know. But they love it. They're dancing to it. Oh my gosh. They love it. That's fun. All right, enough celeb talk, Rachel. Let's move

into upper and middle class social events, starting with the upper class. So upper class, the one that comes to mind, the Masters Golf tournament. Oh, yes. It exudes class. Now that's exclusive, right? You have to be in... It's really hard to get there. Yes. Like, I mean, I guess you can get a ticket, but like you have to know someone that

has... Like, it's like, you can't just go on Ticketmaster. No, no. Buy a ticket. Because the price isn't that much. Daily tickets are around 140 bucks or less if it's a practice round. No, that's not bad. But there's an official master's lottery. So if you purchase it through that. Four-day badges, $525. And then there's third-party

sites that can list tickets up to $6,500. Oh. Even though there's a no resale policy. Okay, but that's where it gets pricing. But it's really hard to get tickets to the lottery, so people are willing to go for it. So they'll get it, and then they turn around and sell them. They're not supposed to, but they do. I don't know how they enforce it, but.

And I would go for the food. Do you know they're like pomemino, all their stuff and their pricing hasn't changed? Oh, that's right, yeah. Yes. It's like a couple of bucks. All their menu items are like super cheap, and it's all the same food that they've had for like decades there. That's fun. Like finger foods, right?

Like little sandwiches. Yeah, it's like pomeo cheese. It's all these famous sandwiches. There's a master's drink that I think I made. I made one year while we were watching it. Yes, yes. I know what you're talking about. It was decent.

I think it had like vodka and some juices in it. Yeah. Pretty light, pretty fruity. I was mildly and impressed, but I guess if you're on a hot golf course all day. It's like a mix of something, right? Yeah. Yeah. You tell me Masters Cocktail.

We should have made it for this episode, guys. This is it. It's the Pimino cheese sandwich and the egg salad sandwich. Those are like the two famous ones. Oh, wow. Famous. And then there's like the one that's together. And then you got the chicken salad, the barbecue pork sandwich.

Yeah, I'm getting hungry. Yep. Pomeroy cheese sandwich, $1.50. Yeah, like it's like... I'm glad they're finally giving these rich people a discount. It's about time. I know. Good for them.

This is crazy. The peach ice cream sandwich. Yeah, what was your drink? Peach ice cream sandwich? That sounds delicious. Yeah, famous drink. Master's cocktail. If you just search that.

the aloozala yeah azalea cocktail there you're vodka lemonade pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine grenadine yeah which is kind of like a pinole granite

syrup so yeah that's good it's a little sweet because you got the pineapple juice the granite it's like everything is sweet for sure okay masters would you go

would I go if invited yeah if Dave Ramsey was like hey hop on we're going to the master's yeah I'll go I'll find a golf uniform I'll find a green colored shirt. I'll wear a belt and tuck in a shirt for that.

Do what I got to do. I love a good sandwich, so. Okay, very southern. You know what else is southern? The Kentucky Derby. I would probably rather go to that. That would be fun. Even though I'm against bedding, a little horse bedding would kind of be exciting. Yeah. Go for the horses. Stay for the sundresses and fun hats. Stay with the hats. Yeah. Big hats blocking my view. That's what I'm there for. Nashville has a version of it. Steeplechase that we like try to be the Kentucky Derby. Yeah. No one's buying it. It's just not. And the Kentucky Derby has a famous drink.

Yeah, they drink. Is it a mulele? It's a mint julep. The mint julep. Thank you. I do love a mint julep. Now, that is a drink I can get behind. See, that's one that I would just drink there.

I don't know if I'd make a mint julep. Well, I would make it for you, but now I won't. So if you have just like the infield general emission tickets, around $130. That's reasonable. Not terrible. Reserve seating, $700 to $1,000. That's what I would do, George. If we're going to go, I need a seat.

I don't like stand. in fields. Treat it like a Backstreet Boys concert. Yep. Now the premium covered clubhouse seating, oh, it exceeds over $2,000 a ticket. See, that would have to be like, hey, your ticket's covered on me.

You know, I get invited by somebody who has that money. Yeah, would you go $700, though? For like a seat? If I'm with my wife, I would. Solo, I would slum it. Okay. With the general admission crowd. But for her sake,

and I do think covered, if it's like a real hot day, would change your life. I know. Like, would you pay an extra $1,000 to be able to survive for a couple of days out there? Probably. Probably. And then, of course, the gambling money.

People gamble on the Kentucky Derby. How much do they gamble, you think? Thousands upon thousands. And so here's the thing. They know what they're doing, some of them. Like, they know the horses. They've studied the horses. Yes, like what they're eating, their diets, the train or the jockey.

Like, it's a whole thing. Like, to me, that feels, gosh, maybe I'm being hypocritical here. that feels almost more predictable in a way than like I'm going to bet on this game of 24 players football and hope that they make a catch and pass in all that. There's still a level of luck, but there's also you kind of know the stats and the jockeys. But there's still so many variables that could go wrong.

100%. That could skew it. Weather. Yeah, that's true. I will say I have a family member who had a, I think one, like had a horse in the derby that won. No way. And they got the little cup, a little trophy thing.

Like he had bought the horse and, like, trained it and all that. Like, I think went in with someone else maybe, and then this horse was in the derby. And it was crazy. I wonder how much you make if your horse wins. But it's a lot. That's a good question. Okay, next little high dollar, if you will, event. The Super Bowl.

And in a company suite. Yeah, that's what screams upper class. So if you're, yep, February 2026, the cheapest single ticket fell anywhere from 4100 to 4,900 on sites like Subhub and its competitors. But private sweets cost anywhere. Oh, my cheese. Ready for this? $600,000 to $3 million. That's all-inclusive, 16 to 32 guest room.

Oh, my gosh. That's still wild. I mean, that's like each guest paying 100 grand, basically, to, like, pull our money together. Yeah. I mean, if you pack it out, it's still like 20 grand plus per person. That's on the cheap end. It'd be like 100 grand, right? Cheap end.

Well, if you got 32 people, that's 600K. So that's like the best possible scenario. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah, that's fair. Yeah, and you get 16 at $3 million. That is pretty insane. That's wild. Now you're talking like $2.00.

Yeah, I'd pick Kentucky Derby. I've been to a football game. It's better at home. Can we all just admit that? Like, other than the energy, it's a better viewing experience at home. Yes. You get the commentary. You can actually see what's happening on the field.

They have all the camera shots. Yeah, but being there live is like, that's like saying I'm watching a concert. Well, just to say I was at the Super Bowl. That's what you're really there for. Yeah, if you don't like one of your teams, right? Like, if you were a die-hard, Bears fan or Bill's fan, you know what I mean? Like, one of these die-hard fans,

and they made it to the Super Bowl. I could see why you'd want to go. Like, that's kind of how I feel like you'd tee a little bit. Of, like, if they went to the national championship. You would go for the experience. I may be looking for. Yeah, just to be part of it because it's your teen. Like, you do.

You're like, you aren't bought in. So in that sense, I get it. Yeah. But also, good night. That's a lot of money. Yeah. Right? And we tell people, Rachel, on the Ramsey show,

they call in and say, hey, Rachel, can I go to the, this expensive event. And we say, well, do you have the money for it? And if you budget for it with a sinking fund and you're debt free, you've got an emergency fund, it's not a huge part of your world, then we give them the green light. Oh, 100%. Oh, yeah. So these are achievable if you're budgeting and working with a financial institution. But we're saying upper class too with this, meaning like just for the average person to go and be like, oh, I'm going to drop, you know, $8,000 on just this one day event, right? That's, that costs some money. Yeah. But the best way to save up for this or any other event is through a high-yield savings account.

And you want to do this with an institution that you can trust that actually has your best interests at heart, and that is Fairwinds Credit Union. Yeah, Fairwinds is amazing. They have a smart bundle where you get the high-yield savings account, a checking account, and the Ramsey debt-as-normal B-Weir debit card, which I love. And all of it is so great, you guys, in their app,

like their interface on just banking online, they make it so easy. And if you have another bank, you can even plug in that account to Fairwinds and transfer money over. Like, they make stuff so simple. And you can have up the 10 savings accounts for different funds. So if you're saving up for the Backstreet Boys trip or the Super Bowl, you can just set that money aside and earmark it separately.

So it's not sitting inside of your emergency fund. That's right. So you can be very specific about your savings, which is awesome. And it's high yield, so you're going to get a better rate of return. Yeah, competitive rates. Traditional savings account. You got nothing to lose. So go check it out.

Go to fairwins.org slash Ramsey to open that smart bundle today. again, it'll take you five minutes. Yes. So fast. On your phone. You can't beat that. All right. So let's step down from the upper class, George. Let's go middle class. Here we go. Concerts splurges. So for the cheapest seats at the average concert tour, you're going to pay at least $100. Harry Stiles is doing a one month residency. Ooh, in Madison Square Garden. MSG, that's a big one. Wow. And tickets at one point exceeded $3,000. For floor and pit.

That's crazy. Wow. Yeah. So. Then you tack on hotel, flight fees. Like, if you're making a trip out of it, you're talking, you know, thousands of dollars. Yes. If you're going to a exclusive event like this.

Yeah, absolutely. You know, and you're not in like the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it's still going to be. It's reasonable for a middle class family if they save over time. That's right. The problem is a lot of people just put this on a credit card and go, well, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And I just want my daughter just, she just had to do it. we didn't have the money. And so that's what stresses me out. Is people paying for this concert seven months after it's over? Yes. With the interest of a credit card. I know. Never worth it. So

never go into debt for any of these experiences. But again, if you want to save up for it, put a hundred bucks away for a year, you get $1,200 bucks in that account. Mm-hmm. It's perfect. Okay, fancy birthday parties or Bachelorette trips. Oh. Yep. So these can really get expensive. Yeah. Well, if you're going domestically, it could be anywhere from $500 to $1,000 that you're probably chipping in for your part. hotel travel Yeah, but a lot of people I mean it's bigger than that, right?

So if you go on like a week long Premium couples cruise for instance It's going to be more like $2,000 But yeah So there's going to be Some expenses when it comes to Again, people go all out for birthday parties Or these like special occasion trips

So I would put bachelor up party in there Honeymoon Even a destination wedding you could throw them here Yes, it would be expensive Yeah but that's like a that's definitely an event that for families like hey I'm going to save up and pay for that but one event actually involves

a cruise which I love is the Live Like No One Else Cruise The one we're going on Yes it's gonna actually be in March of 2027 you guys So if you are debt free If you got your emergency fund You're past baby step three

This is the Live Like No One Else Cruise So let's put a link down below George So you can check it out So we can go cruising together All social class is unvited All I was gonna say every social class As long as you pay cash and you're dead free, we're not going to yell at you.

And it is well worth it. The entire Ramsey personality crew will be there. We have special guests. And the last one we did, I'm still like on cloud nine from it. And it's only like the Ramsey people on there. So everyone you meet, everyone was like, this was the nicest attendees. Like, who are these people? So nice.

Like the Ramsey people. Yep. So if you want to go on a cruise with us. They tip well. Click the link below, y'all. That's going to be fun. Okay, another one that I love. a family Disney trip. You've done that.

I have done that. Worth it? Yes. So fun. Now there's a range of like how much you could spend at Disney. 100%. There's the budget version

where you're staying off property. Yep. You're not doing the park hopper and lightning lane. No. So the cheapest, yeah, around $119 a person. So that's like a... That's a one-day ticket.

Yep. No park hop or anything. Or you could do like a three-day, which would be $380. So depending on the days, which you add on, copper or not, yes, of what you could build out, make it more pricey or not. But for a lot of families, Disney is like a bucket list destination to go. Yeah. But sadly, a lot of people just go

into debt for it, which was like your man on the street. Oh, that's right. Yeah, I did a man on the street video on my YouTube channel at Disney and people were just telling me, yeah, we're $180,000 in debt and this trip costs us $5,000 on a credit card on top of that for the week. I'm just, everyone at home watching in the comment section is like, why are they at Disney? And then they told me, you're ruining these people's vacation. I didn't mean to.

It's my job to inquire. You don't have the money to be? But it was a lot of fun. I met a lot of nice people. But yeah, travel costs, flights, gas, hotel stays, food costs, all of that on top can really add some pain. But for a week, yeah, for multiple day a week,

I mean, it could be anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000. I mean, it's a chunk of change. For a family of four. Yeah, like if it's you and a spouse and a couple of kids, like you're paying for it for sure. But that is a trip that a lot of people, they look forward to. And having been now as an adult, I will say if you're going to do it, it's worth doing it well. Even though it's going to be pricier, I don't want to spend my day standing in lines.

Yeah, like pay for the lightning lanes and that kind of thing. Yeah, totally. So if you can stomach it and budget for it, well worth it. I love it. All right, George, let's encompass everyone. You're ready? People at any paycheck. Any paycheck level, some events that we love.

We love a good holiday celebration. So throw in the 4th of July, your friends giving potluck out. We'll have an Easter egg hunt, right? Block party, neighborhood. Yes. You have Flag Day growing up? That was a big one for us. I don't know why, but...

Wait, are you kidding? No, dead in Massachusetts, we celebrated Flag Day. We got the day off school and everything. No, you didn't? Yes. Really? Yeah. Is that where...

Who sewed the first American flag? What was her name? What's her name? Betsy Ross. Was she from... I feel like she's a Massachusetts gal. Maybe that's why. Because in hindsight, I'm like, were we the only town doing Flag Day?

Massachusetts feels old... There was a little flag day parade. Old American history. It feels like Plymouth Rock, you know what I mean? Yeah. We're going to celebrate... You ever been to Plymouth Rock? No, I heard it's just a rock.

Nothing could be more disappointing. I know, that's what I've heard. That's what I've heard. It's the saddest. It's not even a big rock. You don't have never done either is the Liberty Bell. Oh, that one I think would be cooler. Oh, there it is.

You know? Yeah. There's only so much we got. Oh, we got a bell. There's a bell. No, I feel like I feel like y'all appreciate American, like, colonial.

Yeah, we were closer to it, I feel like. Yes, we were. Founding fathers. I think we were one of the 13 original colonies, though, Tennessee. Oh, didn't know that. We got a thumbs down. Is that not true?

No, we weren't. One of the 13 original colonies? I feel like it was more of the Northeast. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Was Tennessee one of the 13 original colonies? Oh, yeah. 13 out of 50. It was considered one of the...

Yes, y'all, it was. Oh, no. Nope. Right? Tennessee was considered one of the original states, though, but that is slightly different than the original 13.

Man, we got people all around us, though. We got the Carolinas, we got Georgia. Like, they're all right there. Yeah, I feel closer to the coast, the better as far as... We're the 16th. Okay, I was off by three. Well, you don't get a trophy for being 16th place.

Sorry. Now, if you could be considered a Commonwealth, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Commonwealth of Kentucky. Yeah, that's pretty cool. And what does Louisiana have parishes? I want to perish. Oh, yeah. I wish we were parishes.

Wouldn't that be cool? I'm in this parish. Chicago's like that, too. Didn't Chicago? Didn't they have parishes? How their cities divided up? The Pope's from there, so. He is.

We got an American Pope. Yes, we do. To the Nicene Creed, George. Don't know what that is. But I'll cheers to it if Rachel co-signs it. Not a huge fan of Creed, but I'll go for it. That's good. Yeah, I like these holiday celebrations are, like, I feel like it is a,

it's a unifying experience. Oh, for sure, yes. Because anybody celebrates this. Well, not everybody, George. Americans. Well, friends get, okay, there we go. Not the world. We have international listeners and watchers.

But I feel like if you're not even from here, You should be celebrating America's independence. Do they do Thanksgiving, though? A lot of, I think a lot of countries do Thanksgiving. They do for America? Just their own version. Like, I feel like the UK probably does a version of Thanksgiving. With fish and chips.

They have their own dates for it. For fish and chips. But similar holidays. You know what? I think I'd really have fish and chips and tartar sauce. Oh, yeah. I bet they have better food. In the UK?

I'm not a good, I'm not a big Thanksgiving food person. Turkey's not for you. Not really. What about that nice spiral ham? Now, no, but give me a. Italian. When was Italy found? Oh my gosh. Could you imagine pizza and pasta for your like Thanksgiving? Yes. Make that happen to your house. Yes. It's America. You can do what you want. That's right. Land of the Free. Home of the Brave. Who's going to stop you? I dare them to stop you. Don't tread on me.

Who's going to stop me? That dry turkey. Oh man. Okay, lake weekends. This is this is maybe, well, I wouldn't say it's southern. This is probably America. But like, it depends if you have a lake. Yeah, but like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day. You got your, You guys spent most holidays on the lake if it was warmer. Yes, we went at, yeah, so much. So much of the lake. So that is fun. A barefoot skiing?

I did not barefoot ski. Oh. No. You're not cable? But Dave did. I've never tried. Don't want to. You have to go.

What's the one you did? I slalom. What's the one where you're like two feet in front of each other on one ski? That's slalom? I can slalom. That's impressive. Mom of three? That's what I always think.

I get up once a year now. That's all I do. And you're like, I'm a mom. It's even more impressive. I do. I do. Just like me go almost 40. Even seeing Dave Ramsey out there, I mean, he was majestic.

It's the only word for it. It was like he was in another person's body. It is a smooth water. And when you cut solemn and the sprit, you know, the fan of the water goes up, it's pretty fun. Yeah. Pretty. He taught me. I got up first time.

Yes, you did, George. Because he was a good coach. Now, he's like, he's a coach. He's yelling at you. Oh, yeah. Get up, get up. Get your legs up. I'm like, oh, yes, sir.

So you're scared into doing it right the first time. That is true. But Dave Ramsey, he has taught more people because he took our youth, like when he was within the youth group of like, when he was like a youth group leader back when I was a kid. I mean, he's taught so many people to skate because he really does believe it's the boat driver.

You have a good boat driver. You can get almost anyone up. It's the boat driver that's like the big player, not the skier. So he can hold the world record for getting the most people debt free and coaching the most people into water ski. Ask him next time. So Dave, how many people do you think you've taught to water ski? That's a legacy right there.

That's what he has to say. I love this. Well, all these celebrations, what's great is you can keep them real cheap. You can potluck style, prepare a dish, contribute, and, you know, 20 to 50 bucks will do it in most cases. So fun. Yep, I love it. But you know where I don't want to go cheap? Where?

Cozy Earth. Why would you? We wouldn't. We want quality products, and that is what they deliver people. So whether it is blankets, bed sheets, whether it is sweaters, joggers, socks, like all of. of their products, y'all, I'm telling you, I mean, and I wash them over and over again, and they stay. The fabric stays consistent. The fit stays consistent. We just, we love cozier. Now, it's getting a little bit warmer, so I had to take that cuddle blanket from that

massive, I did, and I did put that in our hall closet, because we're probably not going to use that for a few months. Until it gets cold out. Yep. But that thing, I had to lift it out of the basket again. I was like, man, it's heavy. It's my only workout I do. It's carrying that blanket around. It's so big. So if you want to feel upper class, at middle class prices. Cozy Earth is the place to go. You can get 20% off when you go to CozyEarth.com slash smart money

and use promo code smart money at checkout. And if you get the post-purchase survey, make sure you let them know. Smart Money Happy Hour sent you. All right. Last event, George, we'll chat about. All right. The old county fair.

That might be the last bastion of community we have. What's the state that has? It's the one that's like the massive Iowa State Fair. Oh, that's a state fair, not a county fair. The Iowa State Fair that's like the huge one. We've got the Williamson County Fair here. We do. Which is decent.

Yeah, it's crawling with a bunch of high schoolers though. I went, yeah, I thought this will be fun. We should go. And so I took Whitney last time and never again. Because of all the teenagers? Yeah, it's like rude high schoolers. But the county fair without the teenagers is a good time. You got the funnel cakes, the ride tickets.

Do you trust the rides? You don't, but that's kind of part of the fun. Okay. It's like, this could be it. This could have. I'm choosing to live on that like the pirate ride that one's pretty wild the pirate ride that is pretty fun that's in the rollercoaster you're like this was put together by a guy who has not slept in days might be under the influence is living off a monster and a prayer

and he put this thing together in a couple of hours it's so crazy and we just trust it i know i know george i'm with you the fair stuff makes it or you know the you know it's even a step down from that what's that he's like in the mall the mall parking lot fairs that come in oh Yeah. And they set those up in the mall parking lot and you're like, I don't know. Yeah. Then I guess a lot of people don't pass away. You make a fair point.

Or they would like mix it. The ratio of people are dying at a county fair pretty low. Pretty low. So I think we're good. Yeah. Yeah. I did see that a great seal show with a live seals. You know?

They were doing like back at this Williamson County Fair. No way. That was the best part of the whole thing. They like bring in like tapes. Oh, stop. And the seals are doing back flips. and they're really putting on a show. Oh, no, it's like Blackfish.

Should we free the seals? They seemed happy, but, you know, we don't know what's going on inside. No, we don't. Only God knows. Only God knows. Okay, so then let me go. Okay, I'm going to keep going for just a second.

But the step up of the county fair is like a theme park that's not Disney. Like a Dollywood. Yes. Now we're talking. Now I trust that. I trust Dolly. I will get on any ride that Dolly endorses.

I will say that. We had one locally in Massachusetts. Well, it was near Massachusetts. It's called Canaby Lake Park. Oh, that beautiful. And it was like the old wooden rickety coasters. Oh, those are fun. Which are really fun.

Yeah, those are fun. So that was our theme park we'd go to if we're not going to go to like a six flags over the England. So we had Opry land when I was a kid in Nashville. That's right. And Nate Margetsi's bringing his own back. Oh, I heard that. He said it's too late. He can't turn back.

Like the investors are involved. Listen, if it's good roller coasters, I'll be there. So I think it's going to be called Nate Land. I love him. I guess. Wow. Rachel land. Racheland.

I mean, he's got enough money. Hopefully it's great. I would go. And he wanted to be this family-friendly experience. Well, let me just say this, George. Whether you're at the MetGala or the county fair, I think it's the people that make it. The community.

It's so true. Do you know what I mean? With your family, your friends, like there is something about a Friendsgiving to go into the Masters. Like, whatever it is, like, doing it with people you love. Honestly, it's going to be the best part.

I think it actually could be better than the MacGala. Some of these up-outy events, you go, and you expect a certain thing, and it disappoints. And sometimes the cheap thing has the most joy in it. 100%, low expectations. Yes.

Yeah, no, I'm with you. I love it. But yeah, so whether you're planning the Met Gala or getting the funnel cake at the county fair, budgeting, like we said earlier, though, like Disney, all these things, whether it's like a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a trip that you take every other year,

whatever the thing is, be budgeting for it. Every dollar is a great budgeting app that we use. But, yeah, just being intentional about it. I think that's what's important. And I think when money's stress doesn't play in, you actually can enjoy the experience more. Yeah. I do think we tend to go toward, well, if it's going to cost a lot of money, it must be awesome.

But then the most fun is like we had a mahjong night at my house. Yes. They already had the board. And like that kind of stuff, I think, is where real life happens. I'm with you. Yep. We celebrated Winston's birthday. And so we had some families over last night to the porch because it was beautiful.

We had great weather last night. And we played with all the kids because all the kids are not a little bit older. They're like third, fourth, fifth grade, you know. Yeah. So they can play games with the adults because they can hang. So we played mafia. Have you played mafia before? Wait, is this the one where someone's the mafia and you have to figure it out? Two-Night watch. It's like a whole thing. Anyways, we, the kids would not stop playing.

I mean, like we'd get done with the round. Like, one more time, one more time, all of it. That's awesome. Something I'd say a deck of cards and it's the people. You get around. It's the people. You get around your friends, your family. It is. It's so enjoyable. So that's my... Beautifully said. I love it. That's what you just remind me of. That's so true. That's what I'm here for.

Regardless of the cost. It costs a lot. Okay. Well, before we spill the team. on our Guiltyess Charge segments. What do you think about the drink? I liked it. I just couldn't pick it up, honestly. It's just, the glass alone is a couple of pounds. Yes, I mean, it just was.

Without any liquid in it. This was the cranberry lime macktail. It's got frozen cranberries, sugar, fresh lime juice, frozen lime made concentrate and some seltzer water. So good. Which, hot take, I think every moktail needs a little seltzer water. So give a little zip. And it only costs $1.35.

I'm going to $8.10. 8.5. I'm going to give a minute. Wow, generous. It's a little too sweet for me. Like, it feels like a dessert almost. Yeah. But nothing is like, ah.

You know, it's nice. You have a drink and you're like, oh, God, that parts bad. I'm going to give it an eight. I think it's really solid. I want a little more punch from the lime. I think the lime made concentrate. Left to my own devices, I try to go as fresh as possible, versus, like, the old can a minute made.

But, you know, left your own devices. This is a killer drink that you can make a whole batch of for the whole family. So give it a try this weekend. the recipe is in the show notes for this cranberry lime mocktail. Love it. All right. Now it's time for guilty as charged. And this is where we ask each other a guilty-charged question every week.

And if we're guilty, we take a sip. All right, George. Question is, what's the last event? No amount of money could have ever made it worth it. Oh, wow. That's a, I'm fighting words. Oh, man. So an event I didn't go to?

I'll tell you. Or event you did go to that you regret. I think it's the regret What's the last event No amount of money You could have made it worth it Like what was a flop of an event This is mean because I have a lot of friends with babies

But any infant or toddler's birthday party I can do without Oh, that's fair I escaped the latest one Which was a petting zoo in someone's backyard With like camels Mini pigs Oh my gosh

I think a Shetland pony was back there So Whitney took Mia On her own Okay And you did not go You stayed with Henry I was a hero. I stayed with my boy. She took the girl, but she had a great time.

And it's great. But just the chaos, you know, the screams, the awkward small talk with other parents. Well, no one can con, you can't be in a conversation. You're watching the kid, making sure they don't get mauled by a camel. Those things are mean. I agree. So yeah, that one I could do without, and I know they're only going to get more complicated when we go to the trampoline park and now I've got to fill out a waiver saying,

hey, your kid's probably going to go to the hospital today. Hope you're okay with that. Yes, and you can't sue us. So here you go. Must be nice. Must be nice. How about you? I'm going to say,

Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam. You went to that. Was that a Bridgestone Arena thing? Terrible. Yes. Charles loves monster trucks, but specifically Hot Wheels Monster Trucks. Like, it's very specific.

Like branded? He's a branded guy. Okay. He's a main brand kid. He really is. Even his little cars, y'all, he'll turn him over and it's like a matchbox. He's like, no.

He needs Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels, Hot Wheels Pajamas, he's like a Hot Wheels Kid. And he loves Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, like that specific brand. Well, I, as being the fun mom, sees that they're coming. Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam, like the exact same ones. And it's like the bone shaker, like these like specific monster trucks that have names are coming real-life monster trucks coming. Oh, wow.

And I thought, I'm amazing. I'm about to buy five tickets to Hot Wheels Monster Truck Jam. at Brinstone Arena It's terrible, George It's terrible. Were they like launching them off ramps? No! No!

What's the point? No, I know. One did jump over a car. One did jump over a car. Okay. Then they were like, bone shaker, and it was like, like a little fire came up,

and then the bone shaker comes and it just... Drives around? Goes in a circle. I'm not kidding. Like, that was bones. Shaker. Pretty intense name.

And then it drives up and you're like, and then the other one, I mean, nothing. Like it was, like we left early. Like we left early. Was Charles upset? And the worst was, it was a week after my backstreet boys concert. Oh, that's why. So I just went from the top of my game to this.

And it was so horrible. It was just horrible. It was horrible. Was it cheap at least? Was like 20 bucks a ticket or something? No, that was the other, I bet I could find the prize. No, it was like, yeah, yeah. I mean, we paid a couple hundred bucks.

Oh, no. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So anyways, that was it. Never again. Never again. That's sad. That, I've done a dinosaur thing.

That was really bad, too. Oh, that's right. You talked about that. All for Charles, too. I do this all for my son. I do this all for my son. You know what I sent Whitney and Mia was a frozen, like a little theater production, a frozen. Okay, that's cute.

That's like a 30-minute Saturday morning type thing. Yeah. Apparently it was terrible. Oh, gosh. I don't know. I think we had a good time. We try. We try.

We try. See some princesses. Oh, my gosh. The things we do as parents. Really, it all comes down to, if they're not on our own volition. That's right. We're doing it for them. Well, if you have a guilty charge question for us, make sure to DM us at Rachel Cruz and at George Camel,

because we get them, we appreciate them. And if you love this episode, you're going to love our next episode. We judge people's ridiculous money decisions for 58 minutes. So that's coming up next. And make sure to subscribe, so you don't miss an all-new episode of. Smart Money Happy Hour.