Are These Status Symbols Timeless or Tired?

George Camel
What's up, guys? This episode is brought to you by our favorite budgeting app, everydollar. Rachel and I love everydollar because it is the easiest way to take control of your money, build the right habits, and make progress on your goals. You can download it for free on the App Store or Google Play today.

Rachel Cruz
Hey, guys, I'm Rachel Cruz. I'm George Camel, and this is smart money happy hour. Cheers, George. Cheers. Mmm.

Huh. That's different. And a little chalky. Well, this is the show where two friends who happen to be money experts talk about what you're talking about. Everything from pop culture, current events, and money.

George Camel
Which is why today we're talking about status symbols. We're bringing it all together. We are. It's gonna be a good show, George. I'm feeling good about it.

Aspirational. You know, I used to use, like, brb on AOL instant messenger. Oh, yeah. Aim. We've talked about this.

Rachel Cruz
What was your screen name? Go real quick. Ardo 711. What was yours? Oh, nice.

A little bit of heaven. Three 80. That's still so much to unpack there. But I'm not a therapist, so anyways, there was, like, the saddest symbols of those days. You know, today it's like private jets and corner offices or back in the day too.

The Puka shell necklace, do you remember those, George? Yeah. I didn't wear any. Did you? Maybe it actually was a guy thing.

George Camel
Hollister. Hollister vibes. Yes, but, you know, there were status symbols there. But also, we're gonna talk about status symbols throughout history. We're gonna talk about how around the world.

Rachel Cruz
Around the world. Not to break the bank, to be chasing after all this stuff. There's gonna be some good stuff in this episode, George. I feel it. Can we just say while Skyler the producer, is here, producer Lindsay, you've got a lot of comments and concern about.

She's alive and well. She's alive and well, you guys. She took some time off, but she will be back in action soon. But I just love how worried you guys were about her. I think it means they care.

They do. So that little bright sunshine will be back in our presence. And I'll say, in her stead, producer Skylar has done a wonderful job. Fantastic. We just have a great team.

You know, having a single gal in the chair has really brought out the comments. Very different. Brought out the comments. New energy. All right, so I'm sipping on George.

George Camel
That's sipping on a shy white russian. And at the end of the episode, if you stick around we'll give you our rating. Reveal the cost per glass. And as usual, recipe is in the show notes. So stick around to the end.

Rachel Cruz
So good. Okay, so status symbols, George, what does it mean? Traditional definition means an object that signifies wealth or high social status without words. Oh. So just what you see may not always be what you get, but it says something about you.

George Camel
There's a flaunting there. So here's some traditional all american examples. Luxury car. That's a classic status symbol? Yes.

What do you think is the biggest flex right now as far as luxury car goes? Oh, like the type of car? Yeah. Oh, gosh. Can you think of a model?

Rachel Cruz
You know, I know I don't know cars that well, but in my stage of life, it's like the really expensive suv's at the moms drive. Oh, yeah. That are technically made for, like, off road mountain climbing and stuff, but they use them for carpool. And, like, it's the same thing with the guys wearing Carhartt. Like, when's the last time you bought that?

It's like a Land Rover. A Range Rover. Okay. To me, like, a really nice suv feels like a. Oh, yeah.

You're doing well in life. Yeah. For the guys, I feel like it's the lifted truck. That's the status of it. You always go back to the lifted truck.

George Camel
The higher the truck, the closer to God. That's how I imagine they feel. They say that and about hair for the girls and for the hair, but. Yeah, I think for the Rolls Royce, Bentley, those are some crazy Lamborghini Maserati. Those are just crazy high end.

But I think for more normal people, like you and I, it's the bmws, the Range Rovers. Yeah, for sure. Okay, how about this? A large house that's kind of an all american status symbol. The mansion or McMansion.

Rachel Cruz
Yes, the mcMansion. What does that mean? It's like, you know, it's not an actual mansion, but just seven bedroom houses, that kind of thing. Just that kind of thing. Yeah.

Yeah. You know, it's funny. Even, like, with my kids, like, they don't know the difference. They don't. They don't pick up on that stuff yet.

Like, you could go to a house that, you know, good old rancher with a few bedrooms and it's like, great. Or you could go to, like, a big house. They don't walk into that house and be like, mommy, this house stinks. Yeah. No, no, they.

George Camel
Cause they grew up very differently than. You did through a child's eyes. Wow. Is what I would say, yeah, I. Feel like I had that friend growing up who lived in the cul de sac, had the swimming pool.

And in my mind, that was the sign of wealth, status of. They had, like, the garage fridge. I was like, whoa. That always. That's an up.

Rachel Cruz
That's an up game. Yep. That's legit. Even the type of drinks they have in the fridge signifies. Cause it's just a.

It's just a refrigerator for drinks. Yeah. I mean, if you have, like, pellegrino and Fiji, I'm like, they have monopoly money. Yeah. When I see Fiji, I think, wow.

George Camel
That'S a status symbol right there. Sometimes at the airport, I'll buy Fiji. Just so people think, like, don't mess with this guy. Just to say it. We know something.

Rachel Cruz
We don't. Just to throw that around. You know what's funny nowadays is even the private jet, which feels so extreme. George, doesn't that, like, a private jet to me is like. That's, like, very high up.

George Camel
That's not celebrity pro athlete Taylor Swift. Yeah. Like, that feels. Corporate CEO now, people. It feels like, oh, yeah.

Rachel Cruz
I think. Cause there's companies now that you can, like, easily do it. Maybe that's what it is. More accessible, I guess, but still, I'm. Like, man, people trying to normalize that.

That's a whole other level. Well, then the last one. Is that the Rolex? A watch? What kind of watch?

George Camel
Cartier. What do you got, George? What kind of watch you got? Just a classic apple watch. Yeah?

Rachel Cruz
How about you got a little Amazon? Oh, it looks $28. I know. That's what I was going for. Could have fooled me.

Suckers. Wow. And purses, too, for the ladies. It's a nice watch, Rachel. Doesn't keep time very well, but looks great, let's be honest.

George Camel
How often are you even looking down at your watch for time? I just have it completely as a. As an accessory. Rachel has no clue what time it is. That's a classic one, though.

They had jewelry, watches, cars, homes. These are the traditional symbols. Yes. And in 2024, a status symbol could also be an experience or an accomplishment, like attending an Ivy League college. That's a classic one.

Rachel Cruz
Yeah, that would be good. You went to Harvard or Yale. You want people to know about it. I mean, if you pay that much and you get in, it's, like, very smart. You're gonna tell people.

George Camel
You don't have to ask a vegan if they're vegan or a crossfitter. They're gonna tell you. They'll let you know they'll be happy. Listen, if I went to Harvard, I'd probably tell people that's a pretty big deal. Yeah.

You know how I know people didn't go to Harvard? They have a t shirt that says Harvard. I know I have a t shirt. I have a Harvard. You bought that in Harvard Square?

Like you're not fooling me.

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George Camel
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Rachel Cruz
You know, you've also set a symbol when people use the word summer as a verb. Oh, like, I summered in Martha's birthday. Where do you summer? Like, when people say that, where do you summer? You're like, oh, my gosh.

You're like, in a different level. I'm not friends with those people. Yeah, no, I don't. Yeah, but that's like a. That's a thing, right?

Or, like, where you go, I would say, you know, getting promoted to a certain level in your career. That's true. That's a status symbol. Yeah. You throw a letters around about who you are.

George Camel
Well, if you're, like, an executive, you know, that's a big deal. You worked hard to get there, probably for sure. Winning an Olympic gold medal. That's something that you know people who did that. Yes, I think one.

Do you know multiple Olympic gold medalists? No. It's like, I don't know. I feel like one is enough. Yeah.

How many do you need in your life right now? That's a big deal. I know I didn't win it. All right, so why do people work so hard to get and keep certain status symbols? Right.

So let's talk about some good reasons and bad reasons. I think the world says, like, that this is, like, a part of your value. Like, if you're dressing a certain way, driving a certain car, living in a certain house, or, like, whatever it may be, I don't know that it's like you're suddenly of value, which is not a good thing, because we know that's not true. Sure. But I do feel like that's we.

Don'T really have any way to measure how we're doing as humans sometimes, other than, like, the stuff that we do. See on the outside, the stuff that. We do, the people we know. Yeah. Which is sad, but also, it's just.

It's a part of humanity. Yes. You know, not to get too philosophical. No. And you know what's funny with a lot of this stuff, too, is that when you see somebody with something, a nice purse, a great car, you're usually looking at the thing.

Rachel Cruz
You don't really care about the person as much. Oh. You're really looking at the object. Do you know what I mean? And so people try to bring these objects into their life to make them feel better, but people aren't even looking at you, really.

They're just looking at the car, or they're, like, looking at the bag or the nice shoes, but they're not like. But then you wonder, what's their story? What do they do? Do you. There's a little bit of that.

George Camel
If someone's driving, like a Lamborghini, I'm like, what is that? Yeah, that's fair. Yeah. I guess if it's, like, extreme. But for the most part, it's like, you think about it and then you move on.

Rachel Cruz
But for people, it feels like, oh, my gosh, people are gonna really think something of me. But not always are people thinking about the person. Does that make sense? Yeah. That's so noble of you.

I don't know. I think that's true. Right? Yeah. That speaks to your heart and kindness.

George Camel
Another reason, Rachel, is to feel confident in front of friends, family, or a certain community. So there's a. There's a piece of just dressing better, having a nice watch on. You carry yourself differently. Your body language is different.

Can you think of an outfit that made you feel like you could take on the world? Like, were you having. Do you have a pookie level outfit one day? Not a pookie level outfit I did. When the monochromatic look came in, we had a big, I think it was smart conference.

Rachel Cruz
Maybe it was a conference we did here. And I was like, I want a new outfit. And it was a monochromatic just started, and I went to express, and I got the same colored shirt and same colored trousers, and I thought, I'm taking over the world. There's something about it. By monochromatic outfits, it gives you confidence.

George Camel
And that can be a good thing. You're not trying to flip. Yeah. No, no. Nobody was impressed.

Trust me. I'm kidding. What? That's mean. Everybody hated the outfits.

It was a great outfit. What's your outfit that you're like, oh, yeah, this is my power outfit. I mean, anytime a guy's in a suit, I feel like it changes. I'm like, okay, I could get into anywhere, anytime in a suit. Anywhere, anytime.

But usually I only wear suits for weddings and funerals, so. Oh. I mean, realistically, yeah, I stopped wearing the blazers. It was a little much for me. Oh, really?

Rachel Cruz
Yeah. I just felt like mom dressed me today when I was wearing a blazer. So bombers and denim is my new blazer. I can see that. It's very george, but I feel a.

George Camel
Little bit rock and roll. Like, when I wear a leather jacket, I would get in a fight. I would get in a fight. Yep. Not only got a bar, but, like, children's playground.

Anyone says something to me, I'd be ready. Taking them out? Yeah, taking them out. Oh, my gosh. Some people do this for, like, just validation in life affirmation, just to feel good overall.

That's true. And lastly, my favorite, to feel superior or ahead of others. I mean, to me, that's really what I feel is their reason behind it all. I'm like, they just want to. Okay, let's have fun.

Rachel Cruz
Story time. Uh oh. Have you? Cause this happened to me, so that's why I'm bringing it up. Have you experienced anyone recently that's like, the worst of what we just explained?

And you're like, you're just a. Like, you're just. I mean, I love everybody, and, like, think a lot of people have a really good heart, but you're like, you're just so gross. Like, I don't think I could be. Like, I want to try to be friends with everyone.

I don't think I can be friends with you. Like, I think of the name droppers. Like, I've seen some of these people speak on stages, and they want you to know, like, who I'm friends with. I won't name anyone specifically because I'm not a name dropper, but those are the people I think of. And then the people at, like, red lights who want you to know they're driving this car and they, like, rev the engine.

George Camel
They wanna race. I'm like, bro, I'm not that guy. You got the wrong guy. Yeah. How about you?

I feel like there's someone in my. Yes, there was. I know. And I don't wanna give any context. Cause I don't wanna like this.

Is there someone that everyone knows? No, no, no. Didn't say their name. No, no. But I ended up on their instagram, and I don't really.

Rachel Cruz
And I'll say this. I haven't even met them. Okay. But everything. I was like, I can't do this.

I can't. Like, even on their instagram? Yes. What was on instagram? Just the flashiness.

The vacations, like, the kids, Christmas. Like, the kids got all this extravagance, and there's pictures of them with each thing, and it's like a whole carousel of. My first thought would be like, who hurt you to get you to this point? I'm not kidding yet. I mean, it is sad.

It is sad because you do see people, and it is, like, this extreme. It was so extreme. It was. Every post was something. And I was like, oh, my gosh.

And it is. It's so sad. It is. Because all of this that we're talking about, it is not fulfilling. It's not.

You become a rat in a wheel, chasing and running and chasing and running and spending and looking and doing whatever you can, and it doesn't fulfill. That's why consumerism is what it is. So, for further reading, ecclesiastes, one of my favorite books. Cause that's so emo, so rock and roll and Solomon's like, bro, I got it all. It ain't nothing.

It's nothing. Everything is meaningless. So read that if you want to know the richest man in the world, how his life went. That's a good one. I know.

George Camel
That's a good one. That's why I do love. Part of our message of building wealth is not just to, like, do that, to just flaunt your wedding. It's not to just flaunt and be a consumer on everything at every level, but the generosity piece, thinking about your kids different, you know, other generations. Like, there is a much bigger, deeper, beautiful part of this money stuff.

Rachel Cruz
And when it gets sucked down to this, it's just gross. It gets gross. Nobody wants to stick. Oh, my gosh. And it's a moving target, George.

The status symbol keeps changing depending on, you know, what era of life where you are, even geographically. That's true. Once you get to this point, then you're still comparing yourself to the next thing and the next thing, and it's a never ending race. Here's the hard truth. As cool and fun as status symbols may be, it's a really, really terrible way to validate your self worth in your financial standing.

That's right. Yep. Because it constantly is moving. So your culture, your family, your geographical location, age, job, even the time you were born in, like, all of it, it just moves so you can't quite pin it down. It's a chasing after the wind, as my friend Solomon says in ecclesiastes.

George Camel
This episode sponsored by the Bible. It's a good read. It's a good read. So how do we avoid this, Rachel. Number one, chasing all of this, you can end up broke.

Rachel Cruz
You can end up deep in debt. It's expensive to have these status symbols. To keep it up. And so while some of it, again, is fun, we're not against stuff. Right.

So some of it's fun. Some of it's very enjoyable. You get a nice vacation. Like, sure, why not? But at the end of the day, you want to be able to have the cash for it, and you want to plan for it, which may mean a lot of delayed gratification.

You may not be able to get it today, but it's a goal you have in the future, which is great. So I would say that's one thing. And then also kind of that contentment piece that we were talking about. And I think when you finally realize this is not going to fulfill me the way I think it will, there is a level of like, okay, I don't care as much. Maybe I think you get to that point and also you can just enjoy it for you.

You know, one question I always ask myself is, if nobody saw this purchase, do I still want it? Like, how much of the motivation is for other people? Or how much of it is that? Yeah, I just love. I love the new baggy Abercrombie jeans.

George Camel
And so you're gonna get them. So I'm gonna get em. Even if I don't like them. Yep. And most people don't like them, but I like them.

My opinion is irrelevant here. Well, Rachel, truthfully, like you, you can get, you know, within reason, you can have whatever you want. You have a nice car. You have a beautiful home. How do you parse out, I'm doing this as a status symbol versus.

I'm doing this for the right reason, for me. How do you do that for me? Which I guess I'll never really know the answer, truly, unless it happens. But I do kind of play out a scenario of, like, all if, like, crap hit the fan and you're back in a three bedroom apartment with the three kids. Two bedroom apartment, you know, and you're driving, you know, a 15 year old car.

Rachel Cruz
Like, whatever it is, like, it's all taken away. It's replaced with something so different. Are you okay? Like, are you okay in life? Right?

And again, I guess I fully wouldn't know that answer unless that reality happens. But it is. I'm like, I just want to know that, like, if all of this is taken away, that's why I never, like, want to put my identity in something that can be taken away, because it can. I'm like, stuff can go like that. Yeah, that's a good one.

So, I don't know. That's kind of the checkpoint. Well, there's also a mathematical checkpoint of am I paying for this in cash? Because if you're doing it with other people's money and debt in order to prop up this lifestyle, it's really a facade. It's not reality.

Right. When you don't actually own any of that because you have a lender to speak to and you have payments to make. So I feel like what you've done really well is you've saved up with diligence and discipline and paid cash for everything. Yeah. So are there, George.

Well done. That's true. Thank you. Great job. And my car is now eleven years old, Rachel.

George Camel
So once I get to 15, it's time to upgrade. That's the Rachel rule of thumb. No, I don't know. I just threw out a number. No, that's good.

That's really good. All right, George, let's get in an airplane. Let's get in a private jet. Wow. And travel around the world.

Love this. And let's talk about the status symbols from around the world. Okay, where are we starting? Let's go. UAE, United Arab Emirates love that.

For you. So owning a trained falcon. Yes. Is a status symbol falconry? Nope.

Rachel Cruz
Falcon. Falconry. Yep.

Has been a big part of their local culture. And trained falcons can be as much as $60,000 a bird. The real status symbol being in the falcon breeding business, apparently. Oh, my gosh. Is that not crazy?

George Camel
These birds have their own passports. They fly first class on certain airlines. They compete in a president's cup with more than 7 million in prizes. Wow. What are you doing with your life, Rachel?

Rachel Cruz
I don't know, but I. Not that. Wow. Should we go catch a falcon? That's amazing.

All right, George. The southern US, you hit it. You hit the nail on the head earlier. What's the status symbol there in the south? The old lifted truck.

George Camel
It's a must. Even if you're not in the southern part of the US, if you subscribe to bro country culture. You want one of these, you must have one of these. You have to have the under light led kit. Oh, my gosh.

It has to be extra. Let me say this. I don't think it's necessarily the lifted truck, but I do think the bigger the truck, the more it's like. Oh, my gosh. Like we were pulling out of church and there was a truck and it was huge.

Can I just say. And I remember thinking, that's a very expensive. That has to be a very expensive truck. Easily six figures. Here's my stance, and I'm gonna leave it here.

The bigger the truck, the less your dad hug you. I think there's a correlation. If there was a scale. Big truck, less hugs. That's it.

It's that simple. And that's not to or. They work in construction and they have to hold it. I've met construction workers. They drive Toyota Camrys.

They don't need the giant truck. Yeah, it's true. They work for companies that have all of the equipment. Rachel. Oh, my gosh.

It's these pavement princesses that I'm concerned about. All right, let's go to the UK. Across the pond. Are you ready for this? Having a nanny who attended a prestigious nanny school.

Is this a thing? I don't know. Norland College is a status symbol among high profiles. Those british man, they got. I don't know, they doing some stuff.

Rachel Cruz
Right. Would you like a spoilt to tea? You know that's what they're doing, right? I don't know. I just feel like they're very elegant people.

George Camel
That's true. On their worst day, they're still better dressed than you. I would agree. Totally. They know fashion.

Rachel Cruz
Yeah. Here's the crazy part. Norland nannies, that's what they call themselves. Since they went to Norland College, they wear a specific uniform. Brown dresser, trousers, brown shoes, dark tights.

George Camel
And that's become a status symbol in itself. Mmm. I feel like they're pretty close to a UPS driver, which is. That's, to me, that's a status symbol. I dreamt of being a UPS driver.

I love Brent. Delivering help. Yep. That's what they're doing. And that brings us to professional status symbols.

Rachel Cruz
Yep. So you got your doctor with the white coat. You got your corner office in a big, you know, corporate setting. Yep. Hollywood producer.

You get access to Oscar screeners. That's a fun perk. Booking agent. The music industry get free access to artist passes for concerts and festivals. Yep.

Busyness. Ah, that's an interesting one. That's a status symbol in and of itself. I'm just so busy. I have so much going on.

George Camel
Very toxic status symbol. Have you ever liked someone more? Because they're. They've been like, I'm just so busy. I'm so busy.

Rachel Cruz
I have so much going on. I don't know, but I feel like I do say that sometimes, what you. Are, where you've been. I'm like, we've been so busy. I feel like I do say that.

George Camel
It's an easy way to summarize life. Life is busy. I know. You got three kids. You got a career.

You got Winston. Always yapping, always talking over there. Always talking. Oh, that's fun. Okay, so you got location based status.

That's the big one when you say, where you from? Yeah. So you got New York. So having a large family could be a status symbol because of how expensive it is to live there. Oh, that's interesting.

Rachel Cruz
Oh, I got a good one. This one's. I feel Chicago, because I've had a lot of neighbors specifically, that have moved from Chicago, and they all have the canadian goose jackets. Okay. I was just in New York.

George Camel
I saw these everywhere. I was so confused. Oh, I know. And I was so close to buying one, but they're like, 800, 900, a $1,000. That's what shocked me.

Rachel Cruz
And I was like, I don't think I need that in Nashville. I can't in Chicago. That could be actually a very real investment because it's terribly cold up there. But they all have them, and they're supposedly. What?

You don't buy it? Well, here's my thing. This reminds me of the Stanley. And I'm like, what's so amazing about the dollar 60 tumbler? It fits in a cup.

Holler. And I'm like, what's so great about this jacket? It keeps me warm. I'm like, there's $150 jackets that can keep you plenty. No, I think this has, like, actual, like, technology that is very.

George Camel
You're telling me canadian goose keep you warmer than regular geese? I bet you Chicago people in the comments. I'm not kidding, because I have people in Chicago, and they swear by them. It's different than North Face. Patty, you tell me the patch has nothing to do with it.

Rachel Cruz
I'm not saying it doesn't, but I do think the way that it's. That it's built, it is different. And the feathers in it. Yeah, I do think it's feathers, George. That is real.

That's saying, like, oh, my God. Louis Vuitton's just, like, a target, you know, purse. And I'm like, no, that is, like, you have genuine leather. Like, there are differences in quality. George.

George, you like quality. Why am I having to argue that with you? I just don't buy that $1,000 parka is better than. I'm sure it's overpriced for what they. Buy for it, but it's $1,700.

George Camel
Yeah, see, here's the thing. I saw people in New York City wearing these all around. I thought, is this a cult that I don't know about? Is this, like, are they signed up? Is this the first time you've seen it?

And then I googled. I saw Canada and Goose on it. I searched it, and I threw my phone. I said, no, no means, I will not do that. I will not do that.

And I said, whitney, don't ever google that jacket. I was gonna get one, y'all. I really was considering it. I was like, you know what if I invest in, like, a really great coat? And then, you know where I got my winter coat?

Target, Amazon. Oh, my gosh. But Nashville, you only get down to, like, 20 degrees up in, like, Chicago. And in Canada, it's, like, negative. If I bought that jacket, I would be wearing it right now in this studio all the time.

You'd always find me in the jacket. I know, but I will say when you see the patch, you know, so there is a. There's a marketing. Listen, tactical. I got patches when I was in Iwana.

That was a status symbol for you Ioana fans. Or the secular version. The Boy Scouts wasn't allowed in. That. Too secular?

Rachel Cruz
No. Are you serious? Were you that conservative growing up? No, but I was just in Iwana instead of boy scouts. Okay.

George Camel
Instead of lighting fires, we had a fire in the soul, Rachel. A different kind of fire. Holy spirit. The Holy Spirit. Singapore.

Let's go there. Owning a house in Singapore is a status symbol because the country doesn't have a lot of land. Single family homes in Singapore, median $1.2 million. That's pretty wild. Wow.

Rachel Cruz
Yeah. That's intense exclusivity. People pay for that. That's another status symbol right there. We see this a lot in products.

George Camel
The more exclusive it is, the more of a status symbol it can be. So sneakers. This happens a lot. Yeah. This is a world that man, I was just.

Rachel Cruz
I was taught about here on the show. That's right. Sneakerheads. Jordan one. Retro high.

George Camel
Charlotte Hornets foundation. Black, white. $250,000. Rachel, will you buy them? No.

Michael Jordan designed them. He released them on his 50. I don't care. I don't care who the. Who designed it.

Only 300 pairs were ever made. Never. If I was gonna spend a lot of money on something, I think it would be a brand that majority of the population could appreciate. Like, you got a Louis Vuitton. Almost everybody, regardless of where you are geographically.

Rachel Cruz
You know what I mean? Everyone knows a Louis Vuitton or, like, a. You know what I mean? Maybe not even a Rolex, because I think there's, like, fake ones. You just bought one.

Yeah, but you know what I'm saying? Where I'm like, these exclusive brands, and I'm like, well, I think some of. The hypey stuff is like, you want other sneakerheads to be like, oh, you know, it's kind of that stealth, wealth, quiet luxury where only certain people know. Okay, see, I'm on the. I'm on the early adopter.

George Camel
That's my guess. I'm a late adopter. Speaking of exclusivity and stupidity, Stanley Tumblers, Rachel, this is a big one. They've been very popular, very hard to get even this past Christmas. They have a new color.

All of a sudden, people do. You know people are going anti, though. Cause they found metal in it. So now people are going, like, a different cup. Isn't the whole thing metal?

It's like, did you know this is made of 100% cup? Yeah, I know. I don't want to be seen with that. I know. But now there's, like, a backlash in the Stanley world.

Wow. Juicy. I know, I know. Another one is privacy, right? You're like, okay, you can't get to me in 2020.

Rachel Cruz
Elle reported on privacy as a modern status symbol. So by privacy, they meant having control over your online presence and data. It's a flex. And luckily, it's not just for celebrities anymore, like Rachel. It's for people like me.

George Camel
Just the average Joe. No, but everyone, they do need this, though, because your privacy, it needs to be protected. It's amazing how many websites, you know, you've gone to that you may not even realize that you put information out there. And then some of these websites will go and sell them to data brokers, and they take your information and goes on, and then who knows where it is? You hear this crazy stuff that people have, like, flash mobs in their front yard.

Rachel Cruz
You know, their phone numbers get sold. Venmo scams. Yes. And people call the phone. I mean, like, it's just crazy how your information can just be out there.

So having the privacy of protecting yourself, it's a big deal. It's a luxury. It really is these days. And that's why I use a service called Delete me. And they're a sponsor of today's show.

George Camel
I love what they do because they scour the Internet for this information from these data brokers, and they will find it and remove it for you on your behalf and send you an outline of exactly what they did. And you get your report. And it was so simple, the report and everything. They show you everywhere. Your information is where they removed it and how much time you saved.

And it's already saved me 13 hours. That's amazing. I will take that. That's time I can spend making cocktails at home. There you go.

Rachel Cruz
So if you guys want to check it out, make sure you do, because you can get 20% off your delete me plan. When you go to joindeleteme.com smartmoney, we'll put a link in the description, but create an account and do this because privacy these days, it is. It's a status symbol, George, and you'll. Sleep better at night because of it. Okay.

And, George, another status symbol is the historical. When you go back in time, there are status symbols, which is really interesting. Yeah. Ancient history until the 18 hundreds. This is wild.

George Camel
The disease gout was considered the disease of kings. It's a painful form of arthritis, Rachel. It occurs around the joints and usually toes, caused by a diet of fatty and high sugar foods, which in times past, only rich people could afford. So when you think about it, wow. If you had gout, you were rich enough to get gout.

Rachel Cruz
Unbelievable. I didn't know there was fashionable diseases when contracted by rulers. Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, King Henry the. The more like, I feel like there was a thing in old timey culture where the more you weighed, it was a sign of wealth because you had enough money to eat. Yes.

George Camel
And if you were real skinny, it meant you were poor. Yes. And now there's ozempic, you know, so it's kind of the pendulum has swung the other way. Has swung the other way. Oh, my God.

1980S. Remember this one? The waterbed. Water bed. My grandparents had a waterbed.

My friends had one, and I was like, they were rich. Do you know what I think about when I think about a waterbed? Please tell me. Edward Scissorhands. Strange.

Rachel Cruz
Tell me more. You know the movie Edward Scissorhands? Is there a waterbed scene? Yes. He pokes it with his hands.

Cause his hands are scissors. I watched that as a child. As a young child, we watched Edward scissorhands. When I tell you, dark movies, mom and dad. I know.

I look back on movies I watched as, like, a five year old. I was like, they let us watch. Edward scissorhands, but not Ferngully. No Ferngully, but Edward scissorhands. But, yeah, he, like, pokes it.

And all of this. It's crazy. That was a weird movie. They're high maintenance, and it's Johnny Depp. Isn't that funny?

George Camel
Oh, yeah. A great performance. Oh, my gosh. Yeah. I need to go back and watch this.

So, 2009. Fast forward. The new waterbed is the Twitter blue check. If you had a blue check, that. Was a big deal.

Truly. It's still a saddest symbol. I feel like verification. Verification. Yeah, it's 799 now.

It doesn't matter anymore. Yeah, it doesn't matter. But that was. That was a big deal. And finally, this is a status symbol.

You have multiple of Rachel in 2023 to a Taylor Swift concert. Huge status symbol. Just having access to whatever cool thing was happening in town and posting about it on your instagram, which you did. It's one way of flexing your social status. Now, truthfully, I know you're a swiftie.

You just care deeply. You were very excited. That's great. But it was a status symbol nonetheless. That's fair.

Rachel Cruz
You know? That's fair. So, Rachel, before we wrap, I want to give these people our version of a better status symbol. Oh. What we think is the status symbol.

Let's rattle a few off, because the Ramsey show. That was the Dave Ramsey show. The tagline was live from the headquarters of Ramsey Solutions. It's the Dave Ramsey show, where debt. Is dumb, cash is king, and the.

George Camel
Paid off home mortgage has taken the place of the BMW as the status symbol of. Oh, so saying the Dave Ramsey show, we promote the paid off home mortgage. That's the status symbol. And the world thinks it's the BMW. No, debt is the status symbol, and.

Rachel Cruz
That'S not what our status symbol is here on this show, too. Love it.

Well, hey, you guys, I know investing can be really confusing, and there's so much information out there. And have you ever wondered, how much should I invest? And where is my 401K set up in a way that's going to be able to achieve my retirement dream? Well, if those questions are out there, you are not alone. And having a solid investment plan that you're confident in will help you make the right decisions.

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Even submit questions for Dave to answer live. You guys, investing is one of the most powerful tools for wealth building. So you need to be doing this if you are debt free and have three to six months of expenses saved and you need to buy your ticket today. It's $249, so buy it today@ramsaysolutions.com. Invest with confidence.

All right, George, it's almost the end of the episode, and we close out every episode with guilty as charged. And this is where our producer, Skylar, gives us a new guilty charge question every week. And if we are guilty, we take a sip. Skylar, did any of you guys ever have a it's complicated status on Facebook? Oh, relationship status.

I don't think that was a part of Facebook when I was in college. We're at the same age, and I know it was. It was. For sure. Yeah.

Where were you sorority in 20? Yeah, we already dated in 2006. You had to have a address to have Facebook. Okay. Yeah, college.

George Camel
Oh, you were dating Winston at that point. Yeah, but I don't think. I think it was like, maybe there was a. Was it ever complicated with Winston do. What?

Was it ever complicated? Yeah, we broke up. So you could have marked it's complicated. Yeah, but I don't think. But when I had Facebook in college, the big thing was albums.

Rachel Cruz
And you put your. You just put your relationship status. I don't think was, like, a really big deal then. It was a big deal. I'll just say this.

At ut, it wasn't, like, a big thing to do. Your relationship status on Facebook. When I was in college, it really wasn't. Well, in the south, you're already married by then, so it's fine. Maybe that's true.

George Camel
That's good. Yeah, we all do that. I probably did it as a joke, like, to kind of troll Facebook. But I think I would be too concerned about what my mom would think. I don't think they knew if I had a girlfriend.

It was like. I just didn't talk about it, you know? It's, like, too cool. I was like, mom, don't make it weird. You know?

Rachel Cruz
Don't make it weird. But I probably did it at one point just to have some fun with it, just to see the comments. Cause that was the more fun part, was the comment section. Skylar, were you too young for Facebook? No, I had Facebook.

What year were you? College, but it was past. You don't mark relationships now on Facebook. Really? Yeah.

I mean, I did college online, so you started working? When I was 18. Okay. Yes. Yes.

I don't really know. Yes. But I graduated high school 2017. Wow.

George Camel
Have you ever felt older? You're so old. You were. Okay. See, this is why Skyler is so good for us.

So good. Keeps us young. Oh, my God. The youth. But truly, is there a better status symbol than when you could put in a relationship on Facebook?

Like, what a moment in time that was. It was not a thing. I just. It was too early. I don't know.

Well, Winston's not a big social media guy. He's busy being a man and stuff. That was fun. I guess I'll drink to that. All right, it's closing time, George.

Rachel Cruz
About time to finish first, I think. I was closer drinking this adult Nesquik over here. This was a chai white Russian. What's your rating, Rachel? Ibu love you, but this is not because of the drink maker.

I'm gonna go six out of ten. Okay. Yeah. I think I would go. If I were you out there and you wanted this feel, I would go espresso martini, and then I would go mudslide.

I don't think I would do this one. That's fair. If you love cream, you will love this. Here's what's in a chai white Russian. It's got vodka, kahlua, which is, like, a coffee liqueur, if I'm not mistaken.

George Camel
Chai tea and cream. And it comes out to $2.59 per glass. And I'm gonna give it. I'll give it a six out of ten. Oh, wow.

Rachel Cruz
Same score. Okay. Yeah. I think I'm realizing I don't love, like, a super heavy, like, a lot of cream and dairy in my drinks. Yeah.

George Camel
But I will say it's a good version of a white Russian. It's solid, just not. It's not my drink. I've never been a white russian guy, so I say that. Yeah.

Rachel Cruz
Yeah. But if you love a white Russian, you'll like this. So, recipe in the show notes. Give it a try this weekend. That's right.

All right. You guys make sure to subscribe, leave a review. Yeah. Give us the online love. But we want to hear your status symbol.

What do you think? Ooh, that's fun. Leave it in the comments. Yeah. We want to hear from you.

Appreciate you guys. We really do. We really do. As much as we don't seem to. We do.

We do. We love you. Yep. So we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.

George Camel
So we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.

Rachel Cruz
So we'll see you guys next Thursday on an all new episode of Smart Money Happy Hour.

Are These Status Symbols Timeless or Tired?

Primary Topic

Episode Summary

Main Takeaways

Episode Chapters

1. Introduction

2. Traditional Symbols

3. Cultural Symbols

4. Modern Symbols

5. Conclusion

Actionable Advice

About This Episode

People

Companies

Books

Guest Name(s):

Content Warnings:

Transcript