Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

You’ve heard of pin the tail on the donkey, but are you familiar with pin the dollar on the bride? Join Rachel and George on a journey to learn about money traditions around the world––from the West African sou-sou to an unexpected German spending obsession that not even the pandemic could shake!   In This Episode: ·      Communal savings, questionable British accents, and “the dollar dance” ·    ...

Biden’s not feeling the junk fees and neither are we! Turns out Americans are being nickeled and dimed to the tune of $24 billion a year, which begs the question­­––what are we going to do about all the junk fees?   In This Episode:   ·     Why companies have you paying junk fees instead of raising their prices ·     The quaint way Rachel used to pay for her fav fashions at Hollister ·     A creep...

We’re covering the ins and outs of social media influencing—is it a realistic side hustle? Listen to hear Rachel and George cover popular internet lingo and find out how likely you are to make it as a successful influencer.   In This Episode:   ·      ShamWow, OxiClean and other founding fathers of modern influencer culture ·      The multiple “tiers” of influencing and how much money each one mak...

Technology, personal finance, jury duty—Rachel and George cover some hard-hitting topics as they answer the internet’s most popular “How to get out of . . .” questions (and also share a few thoughts on the Wendy’s franchise). You don’t want to miss this one!   In This Episode:   ·      George discusses fanny packs and his time in the Arabic Baptist Church. ·      You’ll hear top Google searches an...

Goooo sports! It’s almost time for the big matchup between the Eagles and the Chiefs––or as George likes to think of it: cheesesteaks vs. BBQ. Whether you’re a football fan or a Rihanna stan, we’re breaking down how this all-American tradition is bound to give you (and maybe your budget) some sticker shock.   In This Episode:   ·     The minimum amount you need for a solo trip to the big game IRL...

Rachel and George are here to unpack Prince Harry’s tell-all memoir, Spare. Find out if Meghan is really to blame for all the drama, whether or not Harry is a fan of The Crown, and what multimillion-dollar celebrity book deals have to do with you.   In This Episode:                                                        ·      Spare or Snare—Rachel quizzes George on Prince Harry trivia ·      The...

Some things––and people––are just better together! (Tomdaya, anyone? 😍) Rachel and George ask what defines a power couple and why unity is such a key ingredient in building wealth.   In This Episode:   ·     An Urban Dictionary definition that actually feels spot on 🎯 ·     What a sourdough starter and a Tamagotchi have in common ·     The rise of the “dinkwad”—and no, that’s not an insult 👰‍♀️...

A red and blue debate in this episode? No thanks. Pink? Absolutely! 💕 Rachel Cruze and George Kamel discuss the pink tax and investigate other gender-related price differences in everyday products.   In This Episode:   ·      Why women are spending $40K more than men by age 30 ·      Male versus female price comparisons (including haircuts, deodorant, razors and more!) ·      Rachel and George pr...

Last year’s iconic pop culture moments don’t just jiggle, jiggle––they fold! From Harry Styles’ world tour to Inventing Anna to the Depp-Heard trial, Rachel and George break down the money moves behind 2022’s major trends and memories.    In This Episode:   ·     The forbidden show George had to sneak-watch at Grandma’s house ·     Rachel and George name the official song of Smart Money Happy Hour...

Maybe you can slap a price tag on happiness! 🤑 Rachel and George crunch the numbers on actual budgets from people making the “ideal” salary according to science to see if we are miserable because of our mindset or our money.   In This Episode:   ·     The six-figure salary number research says we need for peak happiness   ·     Pearl snap shirts, chunky statement necklaces and other 2010s fashion...

Is Ticketmaster the reason for the teardrops on your guitar? Rachel Cruze and George Kamel reveal why concert tickets are so expensive and how you can see your favorite artists without busting your budget.   In This Episode:   ·     Rachel reveals what she would pay to see ’N Sync ·     How JOMO can help you save money ·     Why George is afraid of being canceled by the air fryer community   Helpf...

Are Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” royalties enough to crown her Little Miss Queen of Christmas? Rachel and George check out the competition and decide for themselves who the real winner is. 👸🎄💰 In This Episode:   ·     A candid comparison of the iconic divas out here making major Christmas cash ·     The Dolly Parton merch that left Rachel and George speechless ·     The unli...

Can you hear the wedding bells? Whether you’re getting married, in a bridal party, or still wondering why you didn’t get a plus one 🤔, Rachel Cruze and George Kamel talk all things weddings and how to celebrate big without going broke.    In This Episode:   ·     A hard-hitting testimony from a bachelorette partygoer on required dress code  ·     Why prematrimonial expenses cost more than a high-...

Christmas movies are gifts that keep on . . . giving us money lessons? 🤔🎄💰 Rachel and George break down the hidden financial wisdom in all your favorites, from It’s a Wonderful Life to Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn’s Four Christmases.   In This Episode:   ·     Rachel’s best Mr. Narwhal impression (“Byyyye, Buddy . . .” 👋🏼) ·     The Christmas classic George completely missed out on as a...

Whether you know what the “clementine controversy” is or not, there are still plenty of money lessons to learn from Netflix’s reality megahit Love Is Blind! 😍 Listen in as Rachel and George serve up a candid play-by-play of the show’s best money moments.    In This Episode:   ·     Love Is Blind’s most outrageous money confessions and conversations ·     The number one Love Is Blind cast member R...

Cringey family convos with a side of dry turkey? 😵‍💫 No thanks! Rachel and George invite Dr. John Delony to happy hour so we can all learn to ask better (and safer) questions this holiday season.   In This Episode:   ·     George’s delicious Middle Eastern alternative to sweet potato casserole ·     Actual questions you can use to start fun, friendly conversations with family ·     Why those inf...

Join as Rachel Cruze and George Kamel host Smart Money Happy Hour LIVE for the first time ever! From the SMART Conference stage in Dallas, Texas, find out which common (and costly) money mistakes get the best of us and our favorite celebs.   In This Episode:   ·     A rousing game of Put a Finger Down with the audience ·     The seven-figure secret Ryan Reynolds kept from his wife ·     George’s n...

Vinyl, skin care and tequila, oh my! Rachel and George spill their thoughts on celeb products, cool kid brands and how to swap FOMO for JOMO (the joy of missing out).   In This Episode:   ·     The iconic first CDs Rachel and George bought with their own money ·     A casual battle of celebrity tequilas ·     The brilliant question Rachel asks herself to stop a spending spiral   Helpful Resources:...

Social media money advice? It can get a little sus. 🤨 Join Rachel and George as they sip, scroll and share candid reactions to the wild world of #FinTok (Financial TikTok)! Plus, they’ll share pro tips for sorting the good advice from the bad.    In This Episode:   🚩 Red flags to look for when influencers and celebs share “financial advice” 🚩 The product Kim Kardashian can’t promote for the nex...

We’re flying first class today, friends. Join as Rachel Cruze and George Kamel get vulnerable about their bougiest habits (on a budget), give their candid thoughts on what the rich and famous shamelessly spend and save on, and reveal their personal wealth-building plans.   In This Episode:   ·     The answer to who’s bougier—Rachel or George—plus the hard-hitting evidence ·     Why we low-key resp...

Fill up your Stanley cup, friends—things are about to get spicy! Join Rachel Cruze and George Kamel as they talk trash TV, why being on The Bachelor will make you broke, and the financial strategy reality stars should use if they win big.    In This Episode:   ·     Why the Real Housewives stars are actually business ninjas ·     Which reality shows George and Rachel would consider appearing on · ...

Do you want to leave a tip with that . . . and that . . . and also that? Rachel and George talk current tipping trends giving Americans anxiety and why true generosity can’t be forced.    In This Episode:   ·     The craziest places we’re being asked to tip (um, the drive-through?) ·     How to get that “giver’s glow” when leaving gratuity ·     The mortifying moment that made George give up waiti...

Join Rachel Cruze and George Kamel as they talk price hikes, megafandom, and insider savings tips for the most magical (and arguably expensive) place on earth: Disney World.   In This Episode:   ·     What it really costs the average family to take on Disney World ·     A shameless testimony from a real-life Disney adult ·     Why Disney execs are okay with pricing out the middle class   Helpful R...

’Ello, mate! Join Rachel Cruze and George Kamel as they talk royals, riches and real ways we can all leave a brighter financial legacy for our families.   In This Episode:   ·     A bird’s-eye view of the monarchy’s massive net worth   ·     The average commoner’s guide to building wealth like a royal ·     A tribute to the late Queen’s favorite adult beverage   Helpful Resources:   ·      Be ente...

Home is where the aesthetic is! Rachel Cruze and George Kamel discuss how HGTV and the rise of social media might have gotten our housing hopes up a little too high. In This Episode: ·     Middle-class cribs then and now (think bathroom—not bathrooms, people) ·     How creating a space you love living in might actually SAVE you money ·     George shares a genius Google hack for decorating on a bud...