
Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel
Pull up a chair to the happy hour you wish your friends were having. Mix two money experts with some hot takes and a splash of nostalgia, and you get Rachel Cruze and George Kamel talking unfiltered about what’s going on in the world, pop culture, and how to afford a life you love.
Latest episodes

Jul 3, 2025 • 46min
We’re Talking America, Freedom and . . . Finances?
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
Ever wonder how we went from using gold coins to dollar bills? In this episode, Rachel and George celebrate America’s birthday by unpacking the wild history of U.S. currency and testing your knowledge with some fun American money trivia.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Unique Money Traditions You Won’t Find in the U.S.
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🥃 Broad Stripes and Bright Stars
Recipe: Social and Cocktail
1/2 ounce absinthe
2 ounces blueberry vodka
1/2 ounce simple syrup
1/4 ounce lemon juice
1/4 ounce raspberry liqueur
2 ounces ginger beer
3 blueberries
1 sugar cube
Instructions: Muddle fresh blueberries and add syrup, absinthe, juice and vodka. Add ice and shake and pour into highball glass. Drizzle liqueur and top with ginger beer. Garnish with one sugar cube.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 George Kamel
🎙️ The Ramsey Show
💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights
🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show
🪑 Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman
📈 EntreLeadership
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Jun 26, 2025 • 41min
Reacting to the Most Unhinged GoFundMe Campaigns
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
Is starting an online fundraiser for yourself so you can go to Yoga Teacher Training really cringy or kind of genius? In this episode, Rachel and George react to the wildest GoFundMe campaigns out there. Plus, find out why giving is actually the most fun you’ll have with money.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Dupes, Counterfeits, Scams, Oh My! Is Anyone Safe?
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
🔒 Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
🌿 Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: Love Gun 🥃Recipe: @anatomyofadrink
2 ounces light rum
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1/2 ounce raspberry syrup
1/2 simple syrup
1/4 St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
1 1/2 ounce club soda
Instructions: Add all ingredients to shaker tin, add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a glass over a large ice cube and top with club soda.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 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

Jun 19, 2025 • 47min
Is Anything Actually Cheaper in 2025? Let's Find Out!
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
Inflation is real right now . . . but we do have some things going for us. In this episode, Rachel and George reveal which things are cheaper now than they used to be, plus which purchases you can make that hold their value.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video What Will It Cost to Live in 40 Years?
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🥃 Godfather
Recipe: @moodycocktails
1 ounce amaretto
1 ounce scotch
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions: Pour all ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Stir gently.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 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

Jun 12, 2025 • 38min
Tactful or Tacky? We’re Judging the Wildest Frugal Wedding Fails
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
Swapping sparklers for potato flakes for a budget-friendly wedding send-off might seem smart—until you end up covered in mashed potato. In this episode, Rachel and George react to real “frugal wedding fails” and share their take on what’s actually worth the money when planning your big day.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Spilling the Financial Tea With Our Better Halves.
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🥃 Aperol Tequila Sour
Recipe: @cocktails
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/2 ounce Aperol
1/2 ounce strawberry syrup
3/4 ounce lemon juice
1 egg white
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake without ice and then shake again with ice. Double strain over ice and add dashes of bitters.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 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

Jun 5, 2025 • 43min
We’re Here to Judge Your Guilty Pleasures (With Love)
Dive into the world of guilty pleasures and discover how seemingly harmless treats like fancy water and manicures can impact your wallet! The hosts share their own indulgences, rating listeners' guilty purchases with laughter. Explore the balance between self-care and financial health, from luxury items to dining out. Plus, join in on nostalgic chats about boy bands and cozy clothing buys while discussing the importance of budgeting and accountability. It's an entertaining blend of fun and financial insight!

May 29, 2025 • 40min
Are You a Quality or a Quantity Person? (And How That Affects Your Money)
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
Would you rather buy one pair of expensive designer shoes or get five cheap pairs in every color? In this episode, Rachel and George make their case for quality vs. quantity, plus help you decide when it’s best to splurge or save.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video “Harmless” Purchases That Drain Your Bank Account.
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🍹 Woo Woo Cocktail
Recipe: Difford’s Guide
1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce peach schnapps
2 1/3 ounces cranberry juice
Instructions: Select and pre-chill an old-fashioned glass. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 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

May 22, 2025 • 42min
’90s Status Symbols That Screamed “We’re Rich!”
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.
From Abercrombie jeans to Juicy Couture tracksuits, some things just felt fancier in the ’90s. In this episode, Rachel and George invite you to play along as they reveal the price of nostalgic status symbols and decide if they’re still worth the splurge today.
Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Do We Have It Harder Financially Than Our Parents?
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 The simplest way to budget. Download the EveryDollar app for free!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
🔒 Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
🌿 Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🍹Coconut Mojito Mocktail
Recipe: Kale Junkie
1/4 cup light canned coconut milk
1/2 lime
2 ounces ginger beer
2 ounces sparkling water
10 mint leaves
Sea salt for rimming the glass
Instructions: Cut the lime into slices and rub one of the slices along the rim of a tall glass, so that the lime juice coats it. Place the glass rim-down into the sea salt and rotate until the sea salt sticks to the rim. Add the mint leaves to a
tall glass , then, using a muddler or a spoon, muddle the mint leaves together until the minty smell begins to release. Add all the ingredients and stir.
Explore More From Ramsey Network:
💡 The Rachel Cruze Show
💰 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

May 15, 2025 • 35min
Reacting to the Wildest “Am I the Jerk?” Reddit Threads
Tune in as the hosts tackle hilarious and cringe-worthy 'Am I the jerk?' scenarios from Reddit. They discuss the ethics of family dynamics after an accident involving a moose and the complexities of income disparities in relationships. The conversation veers into budgeting for family trips while emphasizing open communication about finances. Parenting anecdotes add a light-hearted touch, contrasting the serious issues of financial trust and unexpected income. It's a blend of laughter and valuable insights into navigating sticky financial situations!

8 snips
May 8, 2025 • 45min
We Dedicated an Entire Episode to Respond to the Haters
Join Rachel and George as they tackle criticism from online commenters while enjoying a refreshing mocktail. They share personal anecdotes about the emotional toll of negative feedback and reflect on their controversial financial advice. Dive into humorous discussions about vacation screen time, online privacy, and their unique wine traditions. With witty insights into customer service frustrations and quirky dental debates, they blend humor with relatable experiences, all while reminding listeners of the reality behind social media. It's a fun ride of personal stories and lively banter!

May 1, 2025 • 41min
The DUMBEST Things People Actually Spend Money On!
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.Dropping $10 on latte art . . . Waste of money or totally worth it? In this episode, Rachel and George call out the dumbest things people spend money on, plus you’ll find out what questions to ask next time you’re tempted to splurge.Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Frugal Fails That Might Actually Ruin You.
🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour
📱 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.
💵 Start your free budget today. Download the EveryDollar app!
Connect With Our Sponsors:
🔒 Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe.
🌿 Get up to 40% off with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.
Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🍹 Sparkling Pear MocktailRecipe: Cotter Crunch
3 Anjou pears
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon mulling spices
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup maple syrup
24 ounces sparkling apple juice
Instructions: Place the peeled, sliced pears and water in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth. Add the pear puree in a small pot along with the mulling spices, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla. Mix together and let the pot simmer for 15 minutes on medium low. Remove from heat, mix in the maple syrup and cool. Once cool, strain and store the remaining syrup in a sealed jar. Place in the fridge until ready to use. To make the mocktails, place sugar on a large plate. Coat the rim of a wine or cocktail glass with egg white then dip in the plate of sugar. Add 1/4 cup pear syrup followed by 5–6 ounces of sparkling apple juice. Stir then add ice, if desired, and garnish with herbs. Repeat to get 4–6 mocktails.Explore More From Ramsey Network:💡 The Rachel Cruze Show💰 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