
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

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

4 snips
Apr 24, 2025 • 46min
Disney Reality Check: The Good, the Bad and the Magical
Dive into the magical yet expensive world of Disney! The hosts share hilarious debates on the costs of trips versus the joyful memories created. Discover budget-friendly hacks for visits, choosing between character hotels or more economical options. They explore the emotional impact of experiences over material goods and offer savvy planning tips for dining and activities. Join in on the laughter as they navigate family dynamics at the parks while keeping budgets in check!

Apr 17, 2025 • 36min
Putting Our Financial Knowledge to the Test (With Special Guests!)
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.Today’s special guests may not be old enough to drive a car, but they’ve got some serious money chops. In this episode, test your knowledge as Rachel and George quiz each other (and the Cruze kids!) on personal finance.Next Steps:
🎥 Watch our video Surprising Money Facts Everyone Should Know.
👩🏫 Enter for a chance to win the Ramsey Teacher Appreciation Giveaway!
👦 Get the Financial Peace Kids toolkit.
📘 Get Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze.
🍸 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: 🍋 Lavender LemonadeRecipe: @theenikj
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
1 1/2 ounces butterfly pea flower tea
3 ounces lemonade
Instructions:Lavender simple syrup: Place sugar, water and lavender buds in a small, covered saucepan on medium heat. Once it’s at a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain into an airtight container and store in the fridge.Mocktail: Brew the butterfly pea flower tea. Then, add lavender simple syrup to the bottom of a highball glass. Add ice and pour in lemonade. Garnish with fresh lemon slices before adding more ice and topping with butterfly pea flower tea. 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

Apr 10, 2025 • 37min
Answering Your Top Housing Questions
The hosts dive into the complexities of homeownership versus renting, emphasizing financial strategies and personal stories to navigate today’s housing market. They caution against using HELOCs for renovations and highlight the emotional aspects tied to home choices. Key insights on the impact of unique home features on resale value are shared, alongside practical upgrade advice. The conversation lightens up with favorite nighttime routines and a delightful tart cherry mocktail recipe, adding a touch of warmth and fun!

Apr 3, 2025 • 40min
The Internet Came for Us . . . Here’s Our Response
The hosts tackle online criticism with humor and facts, defending their unique financial advice. They explore the importance of homeownership for wealth building and share tips on protecting personal data. Misconceptions about credit scores take center stage, alongside the dilemma of balancing financial responsibility and life experiences, like concert tickets. They emphasize unity in financial planning within marriage while reminiscing about the joy of youth sports and parenting. Plus, a delightful cocktail recipe keeps the mood light!

Mar 27, 2025 • 37min
Make It Make Sense: Calling Out Money Double Standards
Join two hosts as they tackle the quirky world of financial double standards with a humorous twist! They dive into their amusing spending habits, sharing wild anecdotes from hunting gear to valet versus self-parking debates. Explore the tensions of paying for convenience like delivery fees, while also pondering premium-brand groceries versus daily essentials. With playful banter and a cheeky review of a unique mocktail, this lively discussion invites listeners to reflect on their own money habits in a fun way!

4 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 45min
Side Hustles That Are (and Aren’t) Worth It
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan. Whether you’re a weekend DJ or assembling boxed furniture, extra money is extra money. In this episode, find out how to pick a good side hustle that makes the most of your time and talents. Next Steps:
💸 Take the quiz to find out what side hustles are best for you!
💰 Take the Money Finder challenge and uncover extra cash today!
🎥 Watch our video Habits Wasting Your Time (and Money) in 2024.
🍸 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: 🥃 Kentucky ColonelRecipe: Difford’s Guide
2 ounces Bourbon whiskey
1/2 ounce Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur
Instructions: Select and pre-chill an old-fashioned glass. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist. Stir all ingredients with ice. Strain into ice-filled glass. Express lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as a garnish.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

Mar 13, 2025 • 38min
Our Ultimate Guide to Budget-Friendly Travel
Discover budget-friendly travel strategies with insights that make packing light and navigating airports a breeze. Explore quirky tales of house sitting for pets and how to save on travel costs post-COVID. Get the scoop on essential comfort items and the best booking tools for finding hidden deals. Learn practical hacks for affordable flights and aspire to luxurious experiences without breaking the bank. Embrace how effective budgeting creates memorable travel adventures while sharing lighthearted anecdotes about frugal fails.

Mar 6, 2025 • 41min
The Money Strategies That Are NOT Dave Ramsey Approved!
📈 Are you on track with the Baby Steps? Get a free personalized plan.If you’re debt-free but holding onto that Disney credit card, you might be “Ramsey-ish.” In this episode, find out what that means for you and your finances.Next Steps:
🍸 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.
📗 Order George Kamel’s new book, Breaking Free From Broke.
📚 Get Rachel Cruze’s Kids Book Bundle.
💵 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: 🍹 Cranberry Fizz MocktailRecipe: @holisticrendezvous
1 ounce cranberry juice
1/2 ounce rosemary thyme syrup
Top with sparkling water
Rosemary sprig (garnish)
Ice (cranberry and rosemary)
Instructions:Syrup: Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes and then remove from heat. There should be about 3/4 cup liquid left. Strain and store in the fridge for about a week.Mocktail: Rim a lowball glass with maple syrup (or honey) and coarse sugar and fill with ice. Add all ingredients and top with fresh or frozen whole cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.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📈 The EntreLeadership Podcast Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 40min
What Level of Crunchy Are You?
Explore the intriguing world of 'crunchy' lifestyles, from eco-friendly choices to hilarious food preferences. Discover the stark price differences in everyday products like deodorants and eggs while diving into food safety and sustainable living. Learn about balancing parenting pressures with personal values and the nuances of kitchen practices. Enjoy a lively discussion about the Kentucky Flyer cocktail and uncover the best money-saving hacks to support your health-conscious decisions!