Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel

Hosted by Ramsey Network

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220

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Nov 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

November 5, 202642 min

Put Your Financial Knowledge to the Test! (Game Show Edition)

💻 Looking for an advisor? Check out SmartVestor Pro! Ramsey Solutions is a paid, non-client promoter of SmartVestor Pros.   Hear us out: What if sometimes it IS all fun and (money) games? Today, we’re testing our financial knowledge under pressure with a little friendly competition. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Luxury vs. Dupe (Can You Spot the Difference?)! ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    Connect With Our Sponsors: ·  Check out the FAIRWINDS Credit Union exclusive account bundle. ·  Get 20% off when you join DeleteMe. ·  Get 35% off the Home and Pajama collections for a limited time with code SMARTMONEY at Cozy Earth.   Today’s Happy Hour Special: 🥃 Maple Walnut Manhattan Recipe By: itscocktailhour_ ·   1 ounce vermouth rosso ·   2 ounces rye whiskey ·   3/4 ounce maple syrup ·   3 dashes black walnut bitters ·   Dash ground cinnamon   Instructions: Start by throwing a coupe or martini glass into the freezer to chill. Then combine vermouth rosso, rye whiskey, maple syrup, black walnut bitters and ground cinnamon in a mixing glass. Add ice and stir well to chill. Strain into your chilled glass and garnish with a walnut.   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 29, 202641 min

Unpacking the Biggest Financial Flops in Recent History

🏠 Be prepared to buy or sell your home with our Real Estate Home Base! Ever wonder if you’re secretly missing out on moneymaking schemes that seem too good to be true? Today we’re unpacking the biggest (and most public) financial disasters in recent history. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Ranking Your CRAZIEST Emergency Fund Stories! ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🍷 Full Moon Martini Recipe by: @itscocktailhour_ ·   1 1/2 ounces indigo gin ·   1 ounce crème de cassis ·   1 ounce grape juice ·   1/2 ounce simple syrup ·   1/2 ounce lime juice   Instructions: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, crème de cassis, grape juice, simple syrup and freshly squeezed lime juice. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Top with some gold edible glitter and stir. Then add your full moon ice sphere!   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 22, 202643 min

Bougie Expenses That Are Worth Every Penny

💻 Need a financial pro? Check out RamseyTrusted®!   From first-class flights to in-home saunas, today we’re confessing whether we’d “bouge it or lose it” with the internet’s best list of bougie splurges. Join the fun and drop your honest thoughts in the comments! Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Waste or Worth It: Rating “Life-Changing” Products! ·   🍸 Follow Smart Money Happy Hour on TikTok: @smartmoneyhappyhour ·   🎥 Watch George’s video Don’t Buy Another Roll of Toilet Paper Until You Watch This! ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   📱 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 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: 🍹 Dirt Road Martini Recipe by: Allrecipes ·   Ice as needed ·   2 ounces vodka ·   2 ounces unsweetened tea ·   1/4 ounce brine from Mezzetta Italian Mix Giardiniera ·   Spanish Queen martini olives (pitted or stuffed), for garnish ·   Vegetable pieces from Mezzetta Italian Mix Giardiniera, for garnish   Instructions: Combine vodka, tea and brine in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir well to chill. Fill a lowball or rocks glass with ice. Strain martini over ice. Garnish with olives and vegetable pieces. Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 15, 202641 min

Firing Back at Our Comment Section Haters

🏠 Check out the Mortgage Calculator!   Comment section check! That’s right—we’re fearlessly addressing your questions, comments and criticisms . . . all in the name of your financial future (and also just for fun!). Next Steps: ·   🏠 Already have a mortgage? Check out the Mortgage Payoff Calculator! ·   🎙️ Catch our episode 10 Signs You’re Doing Better Than Most Americans! ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.   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: 🍹 Apple-rol Margarita Recipe By: @cocktailswithval ·   2 ounces tequila ·   1 ounce Aperol ·   1 1/2 ounces apple cider ·   1 ounce lime juice ·   1/2–1 ounce agave ·   garnish: thyme, apple slices and a sugar or salt rim   Instructions: In a shaker, add Aperol, tequila, apple cider, lime juice and ice, then shake. Grab a glass and coat the rim with agave and salt or sugar, then add ice. Pour the shaken drink into your salted rim glass. Garnish, serve and enjoy!   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 8, 202645 min

Judging Your Shopping Addiction (and How to Overcome It)

💻 Wondering how you’re actually doing with money? Find out where you stand.   Since everyone’s “doing their own research” these days, we decided to match that energy and dig into the psychology of money and why humans tend to overspend. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Waste or Worth It: Rating “Life-Changing” Products! ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🥃 Maple Old Fashioned Recipe by: @thesocialsipper ·   2 ounces bourbon ·   1/4 ounce pure maple syrup ·   2 dashes Angostura bitters ·   2 dashes orange bitters ·   Orange peel ·   Cocktail cherry, like Griottines or Luxardo   Instructions: In a rocks glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Stir to combine. Add a large rock of ice and stir until chilled. Twist the orange peel above the drink to express citrus oil, then run the peel around the rim of the glass and add to the drink. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.     Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 1, 202634 min

VIRAL Trends Taking Over Your Algorithm in 2026

💻  Take the Side Hustle Quiz here!   If you can’t beat ’em, follow them? Today we’re reacting to the biggest social and spending trends of 2026—let us know in the comments if the algorithm “got ya” with these, because this list definitely has range! Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Waste or Worth It: Rating “Life-Changing” Products. ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🍹 Peach Basil Tingle Mocktail Recipe By: @themindfulmocktail ·   2 ounces peach purée ·   1 ounce lemon juice ·   6–8 basil leaves ·   1/2 teaspoon honey ·   Kombucha or soda to top   Instructions: In a small dish, combine the honey with 1/2 teaspoon water and microwave for 5–10 seconds to create a quick honey syrup. Add peach purée and lemon juice to a shaker. Toss in the basil leaves and gently muddle. Add the honey syrup to the shaker with ice, then shake well. Strain over fresh ice and top with kombucha or soda. Garnish with basil if desired and serve cold.   *To make the peach purée: Blend 3 tinned peach slices with 1–2 tablespoons of the liquid from the tin. Fresh, ripe peach works too—just blend with a splash of water until smooth.     Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 24, 202643 min

Tipping Culture: When the Heck Should You Actually Tip?

💵 Check out this article How Much You Should Tip in Common Situations.   Here’s one for your next family dinner: Tipping in 2026—you have feelings, we have feelings, and at this point, the social expectations are changing by the day! It’s time to set the record straight. Next Steps:[JS1]  ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Frugal Hacks That Could Go Too Far. ·    💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🍷 Cherry Aperol Spritz Recipe By: @cocktails   ·   Fresh cherries ·   2 ounces Aperol ·   2 ounces prosecco ·   1 ounce club soda   Instructions: Crush and strain cherries into glass. Pour 2 ounces of Aperol in glass. Add crushed ice. Pour 2 ounces of prosecco into glass. Pour 1 ounce of club soda into glass. Garnish with a cherry on top. Serve and enjoy!     Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 17, 202642 min

Attention World! This Is What Things Should Cost

💵 Check out the Investing Calculator!   A family trip to the movies can easily cost $80 these days; it’s rough out there! Today we’re talking about the reality of inflation . . . but in a fun way, we promise. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Common Money Wasters the Average American Falls For. ·   💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🍹 Peach Julep Recipe By: @Cocktails   ·   6 mint leaves   ·   2 tbsp. diced ripe peach ·   1/2 tsp. simple syrup   ·   1 ounce peach puree ·   1.5 ounces whisky ·   Fresh mint and peach slice for garnish   Instructions: Put 6 mint leaves, 2 tbsp. diced ripe peach, and 1/2 tsp. simple syrup in a glass and muddle. Pour 1 ounce peach puree and 1.5 ounces whisky in glass. Add ice. Then stir. Garnish with fresh mint and a peach slice. Serve and enjoy!   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 10, 202645 min

Scale of 1–10: How Strict Are We on These Ramsey Rules?

❓ Have a money question? Ask Ramsey is here to help!   Have you ever read an “opinions are my own” disclaimer in someone’s social media bio? That’s the vibe of today’s episode. Today we’re confessing (and explaining) some of our most “non-Ramsey” financial takes. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Decoding Weird Things Dave Ramsey Says ("Plastic" Surgery?) ·    💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🍷 Blackberry Gin Sour Recipe by Mint & Twist ·   2 ounces London dry or floral gin ·   3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice ·   3/4 ounce blackberry simple syrup  ·   1 egg white, optional for foam   Instructions: Chill a coupe glass in the freezer or fill it with ice while you make the drink. Add the gin, blackberry syrup, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake hard for 15 seconds. Add a generous handful of ice and shake again for 15 seconds until well chilled. Tip the ice from the coupe glass and strain the cocktail in. Garnish with fresh blackberries on a skewer.     Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 3, 202643 min

Financial Experts Rank Your WEIRDEST Unexpected Expenses

💵 Create a free budget and find more margin with EveryDollar.   This one goes out to ole Murphy and that pesky little law of his. (If you know, you know!) Today we’re rating your worst-case scenarios and proving why everyone needs an emergency fund. Next Steps: ·   🎙️ Catch our episode Surprisingly Simple Things That Make You Feel Wealthy. ·   🍸 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.    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: 🥃 Salty Dog Recipe by Liquor.com ·   1 1/2 ounces gin or vodka ·   3 ounces grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed ·   Garnish: salt rim ·   Garnish: grapefruit slice   Instructions: Wet the rim of a highball glass and dip it in coarse salt. Fill the glass with ice, then add the gin (or vodka) and grapefruit juice, and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a grapefruit slice. Serve and enjoy!   Explore More From Ramsey Network: 💰 George Kamel 🎙️ The Ramsey Show 💸 The Ramsey Show Highlights  🧠 The Dr. John Delony Show 📈 EntreLeadership   Ramsey Solutions Privacy Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices