The #1 Budget Buster That No One Can Avoid
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
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Did you know there’s one expense that no one on the planet can avoid? And what if we told you the cost of that thing has risen by 26% in the last two years alone? If you’re starting to spiral, don’t panic! Today we’re talking grocery shopping pet peeves, takeout tips and other money and life hacks that can help.
Next Steps:
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Today’s Happy Hour Special:
🍹 Sparkling Rosemary Peach Mocktail
Recipe courtesy of Cake n Knife
www.cakenknife...
• 5 sprigs rosemary
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 chopped peach
• 4 ounces lemon juice
• 1 cup ice
• club soda
Instructions: Boil rosemary, sugar and water. Cover and let steep for 15-30 minutes. Strain and let simple syrup cool completely. Muddle peaches with lemon juice and rosemary simple syrup. Fill glass with ice. Strain mixture into a separate glass, top with club soda, and enjoy!
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👇 Vote button for Smart Money Happy Hour Cocktail Recipe Book.
Yes! Some of the stuff looks great!!
Mocktail/cocktail recipe book
Yes! Publish the drink recipe book! It’s a must!
Yes, include the mocktails!
Yes
My budget hack is Aldi for groceries and my Aldi hack is using a laundry basket to hold the groceries rather than the bags. I keep the baskets in the tuck of the car and just bypass all the people bagging their food up, head straight to the car and toss everything into the laundry baskets. Then you only have one, maybe two backets to carry into the house! Soooo much easier!
I do a lot of grocery orders working for doordash, and if I happen to see a deal that the customer didn't know about, I will try and get a hold of them to see if they want to take advantage of the deal. I figure if the customer is already paying for the fee of having somebody grocery shop for them, maybe I can make it worth their while by saving them a few bucks.
My kids love playing Chick Fil A at home. I make chicken patties/ nuggets and fries in the air fryer and they take turns taking orders and serving the food on trays. If we're really feeling fancy, I'll throw some ice cream in the blender and make it into milkshakes. 😆 waaaaay cheaper than actually going there.
And healthier! 👏 👏 👏
That’s very sweet and creative! Not only does it save you money but you’re also teaching your children useful life skills.
And you don't have to wait in the looonng drive thru line....
_"Mooom! Can we have some Chick-Fil-A??"_
_"We have Chick-Fil-A at home, dear."_
(" ಠ益ಠ)
Amazing!
I hate how much I love this show. I love their banter and their chemistry. They are soooo freaking fun 😂😂😂
BS2 Family of 8 here, with 3 teens, a tween, and an elementary schooler. We are still trying to rein in the grocery budget. I feel like we do a bit better each month. This month we are going to try batch cooking freezer meals.
Love these videos. Y’all are fun to listen to! And it helps encourage me to stay working the baby steps.
We are a family of 5 with 3 teenagers in the house. The last several years we have purchased a half side of cow from a local farmer, along with pork and chicken. Buying our meat in bulk has proven to be healthier and cheaper than buying meat in the grocery store when you take into account the cuts you are able to get. Also, if you can find another family to go in on a whole cow or pig it’s cheaper per pound if you buy the whole thing and split it than it is to buy a half side. It does take some financial planning. We have a chest freezer and a half side of cow usually lasts us a year.
Shop your pantry, fridge and freezer first and meal plan around the items you already have then create a grocery list. Helps cut down on food waste.
Rachel and George- I love love love Aldi!!! I have almost stopped shopping at other stores!! They are ALWAYS CHEAPER than our regular grocery stores! Love y’all’s show! ❤👍🏼🫶🏼👏🏻
My grocery hack is to meal plan and make a list and then do curbside pick up at Walmart. It allows you to see how much you’ve spent before you check out and if you are on a tight budget you can adjust right there in the online cart instead in the self checkout with 30 people watching you panic lol.
the cocktail/mocktail book should definitely happen!
Sam’s Club FOREVERRRRRRR 🙌🏻 Costco has more organic options, BUT Sam’s has really stepped it up. Great prices, chill vibes, scan and go, and they even have the arch you walk under now that checks your cart for you instead of just the checker as you go out. You just walk through and they say ‘have a great day!’ Grocery shopping BLISS.
Haha the target cameras and Rachel’s commentary 🤣
When I was raising my kids, I made a spreadsheet with all the repeat grocery items. I did my research for both Sam's Club and my local grocery store to see what was cheaper where. Every month I would go to Sam's with my spreadsheet on a clipboard to shop, and folks would ask me where items were in the store. I had my purse on my shoulder, my big Sam's cart, and my FOUR children with me. All they saw was that clipboard, and they thought I was working. I always knew where everything was, so I always helped them. No, I didn't tell them I was a customer.
When I lived off-campus in college, I didn't have a car, so I never used a cart at the grocery store. I only bought what I could hold in my arms. That way, it wasn't too heavy to me to carry home...plus I didn't spend a lot.
I love both of you! So entertaining! I NEED to listen for the motivation. I ENJOY listening because of George & Rachel. 😊
George is 100% correct!!!! Sam’s Club Scan and Go is heaven sent!!!!💯❤️ I never wait in line to pay!!!!
Absolutely it costs less to eat at home. Eating out is too expensive, honestly I rarely eat out any more. Thank you George and Rachel!❤
I have people that argue with me and call me a liar all the time, and it's so annoying. I feed my family of 6 (2 adults, 2 teens, 2 tweens) for $500 a month in central Texas. We eat well, meats, fresh food and a variety of foods. As things got more expensive I just adjusted what I buy. For example, Instead of chicken thighs or drumsticks I buy Chicken leg quarters, several stores around sell for $5-6 for a ten pound bag I adjust the recipe to use them or break it down further to use how I want.
Won't call you a liar but dang!! I budget 800 a month for a family of 5, BUT most of the time we come in around 650
I budget $540 in cash each month (divided into 4 packets of $135) for everything -- groceries, medicine/personal products, household products, bird food, gasoline, etc. -- for me and my mom. There is always money left over, many months we only spend 3 weeks' worth.
It can be done. I believe you indeed.
Is this just for food, or does this include all household items for the month?
@@mariahcooke5157 just food, I spend about $30 a month on household items
I hope Sam’s Club sponsored this because I think George just convinced everyone to convert. 8:34
Costco is so overrated. It's like those self proclaimed "snack experts" that shop at trader Joe's. It's a good spot to shop but it's not as magical as they make it seem.
My grocery hack is I meal plan around reusable ingredients. Like tacos, hamburger with a salad, and maybe chili or meatloaf later. I basically make sure all my perishables are used that week. If I buy a bag of lemons- I better have a plan for all 5.
Sams scan and go is the best!!
22:07 - You kids might be too young, but I used to get Subway footlongs for $5, and they had a catchy commercial jingle for it. 😉🎶
And I would eat half, and save the other half for another meal as you mentioned. Stopped going when the jingle stopped working. 🤷🏻♂️
There’s always a BOGO coupon on Slick deals. Buy 2 for the price of 1.
Five …five dollar…. Five dollar foot longgggg 🗣️ loved that commercials. I know that jingle well. 😅
There's another channel that's called Sorted and they have their own app to help you plan your weekly meals without food waste. They help you figure out meals that will use the same ingredients so you don't wast half of your bag of spinach or a head of broccoli for just one thing. I'd say that's my biggest help to myself: using all of the ingredients I buy for the week.
In charge of volunteers at a large food pantry for a time; Target was a very generous donor. Not only did they (daily) provide breads, desserts, and an excellent array of produce for us to pick up, but sometimes they would throw in paper goods and they would call if they had an overstock of something they thought we might need, such as pet food. They were awesome! Walmart did not donate AT ALL; claimed they didn't have the personnel to sort/organize dated food. Eye-opening!
Our local Walmarts donate a lot to charities. Probably depends on location.
cheers to a recipe book! love this HH. my best grocery hack is when money is tight we will do a clean out the freezer and pantry month.... we have some odd meals-tilapia and mac and cheese but it's fun.
My grocery hack is...find out when they put meat, produce and bakery items on clearance. My local supermarket sells all bakery items for 50% off after 7 pm every day and they sell meat and produce for 50% off when it gets close to the "use by" date each week. I also shop only on days when they have discounts (10% off senior discount on Tuesday) and accrue loyalty program points that can be redeemed for free products or discounts each month.
Yup. I also try to go early in the morning to get those deals before they are gone. We save a ton of dough by doing that
Grocery hack: if I have to buy something special for a recipe (like a specific spice or something), I make sure that I plan several meals around that one thing so that I use it up. I can't stand things sitting in my fridge or pantry because I had to buy it for one recipe!
Also I don't buy beverages aside from alcohol every now and then.
I enjoy lots of beverages that aren't water, and I also don't use credit cards. I don't have debt. It works out fine.
There's this thing where I easily live a lifestyle that doesn't require a car. I save hundreds of dollars a month.
Grocery hack: When I’m shopping for groceries, I look for marked down items. Fortunately, the stores in my area mark down meats, produce, dairy and bakery items just about every day. I stock up my freezer for future meals, or sometimes cook up what I’ve purchased for dinner the same day. The items are close to their expiration dates, but not gross or spoiled. I confess to being so proud to announce to my husband just how little I spent on a meal. ‘Look at those pork chops! Only $2.50!’ ‘That turkey breast was just $3:00!’ LOL
I realized once during self-checkout that I did not have my wallet - only my checkbook. I quickly explained the predicament to the helper guy, and he was confident it would be an easy fix. No need to cancel the order.
The next TEN minutes involved trying to get the 90s check machine to work, calling over a supervisor for help, and then convincing the supervisor to accept a picture of my driver's license on my phone as ID (again, no wallet). I could feel the justified eye daggers from customers behind me, but I was too far down the road to turn back. Finally, once it was all done, I grabbed my "Fewer Than 15 Items" and sprinted out. To my fellow shoppers, I am sorry.
I feel ya. My debit card was compromised recently. Fortunately, the only place I had to write a check was at the garage that serviced my car. But I was like, "Do you still take checks?" I think there will come a day (when more of us dinosaurs die off, lol) when they won't take them anymore.
Absolutely love all your episodes! I can’t wait to watch your show every week. So funny and insightful. Wish y’all would do twice a week 😜
avocados at Sam’s Club are almost always ripe! . Like nine out of 10 times!… and when they’re not, I put them in clear bag that you put your bananas in. …Actually put the avocados in that and then put it on your windowsill for a couple days in the avocado avocados will be ripe.!! 🎉🥑🥑
yes! Please make a recipe book! Always park by the cart coral - 2 reasons - you'll always remember where your car is parked and you won't have to leave your kids alone to put the cart back/leave the cart in the middle of the parking lot.
Ooh my word i was just thinking you guys need to make a cook book and then BAM you said it. It’s a heck yes for me!!!!!
Eat seasonally! Produce is cheaper then. Our family are gardeners, huge help!
My grocery store pet peeve is a family of seven... there is one cart and 7 people shopping. You try to go down the aisle (they are occupying) and no one will move over, they have the whole aisle blocked.
Rachel my tip is to try to buy what's onsale and meal plan around the items you buy. I am on Baby step 2 and budgeting food is a big expense. I love the tips you and George mentioned. Love you guys😊.
Best Grocery Tip!
Hi long time listener (from the first episode) first time messager. I from New Zealand and we have an Avo Tree Company subscription. My Avos arrive every 4 weeks and they are amazing!!! Everytime! Only the pickers and packers hands on it. No one else has squeezed it.😮 Including how to look after your green babies. Perfect for guacamole and slices. If we have this in NZ I'm sure they're will be a company in the states. Go find them!
Love your show.
I don’t have a Costco near me (closest is more than an hour drive), while there is a Sam’s Club in the same city where I work. The few times I’ve been to a Costco with family or friends the checkout has frustrated me, after having the convenience of scan and go in Sam’s. It really does help track what I’m spending, and speed up my Sam’s runs. AND if you have the Sam’s premium membership you get free shipping and free pickup on your orders so often I don’t even have to go inside anymore. 10/10 for convenience and limiting my impulse purchases.
As for pricing, I think it’s worth investigating. Members mark has a lot of similar to name brand l quality items (Sam’s store brand) and many item are similar in price point to what I’ve seen at Costco.
Tips - Plan your grocery list based on what’s on sale, buy toiletries/cleaning supplies on Saturdays @ Dollar General using the $5 off coupon, TX - HEB has a debit card that gives 5% cash back when buying their brands.
The dollar general in my area is so scudsy and nasty, I will pay more to literally go anywhere else. Thats nice about HEB. .. Nothing in mg area like that except maybe target but they are much higher than aldi/wm
I always threw away the Dollar General receipts thinking there was nothing I wanted from there that would amount to $25. Your suggestion is great! I will try that next time I need laundry products.
I do this every week! Such good advice.
Yes on the recipe book on the drinks!!!
I got one of those $20 air sealers for mason jars and did an experiment… avocado still perfectly green after a whole week! It sucked all the oxygen out 👍👏🏻
I regularly shop early in the morning and buy the reduced for quick sale meats. They just need to be eaten or frozen within a day or two. I also happen to love leftovers, so I have meals for work, dinner or lunch at a later date. It is rare that we throw any food away.
Yes to the cocktail book
Yes! Sam’s Club is better than Costco! We checked out Costco when it first opened in our area but the #1 deal breaker for us was they didn’t sell Pampers brand. I am not a brand person but there is something to diaper brands and as a mom of 4 in 4 years I’ve tried it all and will not use anything other than pampers!
I love this podcast it just makes me smile and when I listen I find myself saying the headline with y’all! Rachel is incredible and George really has grown on me since becoming a personality. He’s so corny and funny 😆
I like Sams and Costco for different things
Sam's Scan & Go is a game changer. But Costco does a better job merchandising - at least for the stores by me.
Sams club scan and go is the way to go if I have to go in the store especially with kids. I keep my list short, let them enjoy the free samples, sometimes get a couple soft pretzels on the way out if they behaved well and the budget allows. Plus I can get full kids outfit sets for like $15-$20 when they grow crazy fast.
Hubby splurged for the plus membership this year for free delivery and pickup since I’m pregnant and irritable and I don’t even have to go into the store, definitely a splurge but it’s been nice.
For me, Sam's club cannot be topped. Between pushy salespeople and everyone questioning if you're a member at Costco it is not worth it to me. Plus, hop in line for a hotdog in the food court and scan your groceries with your phone while you wait is pretty fantastic at Sam's. Definitely a Sam's Club gal.
“What could you be afraid of” proof that men and women move through the world so differently.
Hey, on the drink book don't forget the mocktails for us that don't drink.
Grocery hack, look at unit price on price tags to see which pack size is actually cheaper by how much your getting. It's not always the bigger pack size like you would think it is
Medical bills are the real budget buster. They never talk about this and it's hard to avoid, but it can throw any family completely out of wack.
Make a price "book" with the top 20 items you regularly buy. Create columns for the 1, 2 or 3 stores you regularly frequent. List the price and date for the item in each store column. (Unit prices will be best.) You will then learn what a good price is and where to get it. Add additional items as you go. You will soon know a good price form memory.
Warehouse clubs or even BOGOs may not be the best price. You will also learn sales cycles (how often specific items tend to go on sale or what time of year they are at the lowest price.).
Great tip! I never thought of it this way, I’m one that the prices stick in my head.
@@kellytoycow With the rapidly changing prices sue to inflation, I have had to go back to making a price book for some items.
The intense Costco id check is the price for their CEO saying that they've seen no noticeable increase in stealing over the past several years.
When we were getting our budget together we planned 5-7 dinners and itemized and then consciously spent at the grocery store once a week. Tracked it extensively separating discretionary spending vs needs. If you do one month with effort and keep track then you have a strong idea of your monthly grocery budget after one month of work...
Totally agree with the Target camera! I flinched the last time I saw myself in it 😅
Inflation, shrinkflation, deceptive packaging, you name it. Stop buying processed food as much as you can. Your health is more important than some cash.
Definately agree that you need to do a drink recipe book!
Cocktail with the mocktail version on the same page would be awesome cuz my wife can’t drink. So we could enjoy the “same” drink together.
Yes for Cocktail recipe book! Each drink should be associated with a money talk.
30:10 _"Security! Security! Send someone to aisle 9! We have a weird bearded kid in corduroy climbing onto the freezer!"_
Yes! Sam’s club scan and go is everything.
My hack is online orders so I don’t step foot in the store. I also plan my grocery trips every 2 weeks. Family of 4 plus a dog, and we spend about $550 in “groceries”(includes toiletries, diapers, dog food, etc.)
And diapers can cost a lot!
Love these Smart Money Happy Hours!!! Rachel and George are so great!!!
My grocery hack is that if I know there's a certain product such as Lays chips and/or Pepsi products that we consume at least once a week, I'll be on the lookout for a coupon to save some money.
I have both Sam's Club and Costco. I go to Costco for certain things, but mainly shop Sam's Club. Agree that the Shop and Scan.
Yes!!! You need a cocktail/mocktail recipe book!
I dont understand not putting the cart away. I shop with 3 kids under 5. Just park next to a cart corral. Even if you are across the parking lot from the store, park at the corral and get a cart from the corral. That way you dont have to get kids to walk safely across the parking lot.
Y’all just reminded me to check on my avocado ripening in the kitchen window! Also, Aldi has avocado in frozen chunks that are great!
I’m dying laughing at the feral hyena comment 😂 nailed it !
I'm saving up for a designer purse to. I agree, getting a high quality item is worth it if it's something that you use daily and gets a ton of wear and tear
NOOOOOOOOO!!! Costco is sooooo wonderful ( I am biased since I’ve worked there 25 years) The card sharing had gotten out of control and that is not fair to the actual paying members so, we decided to crack down. Stay with Costco! They treat the employees SOOOOOOOO WELL! Plus our benefits include Every Dollar!!!! I am teaching classes at work for employees how to budget and save through Every Dollar!!!
Can we get scan and go at costco????? Coming from someone far far away from any sams club.
Love this show! You guys are so fun!
I can’t with George 😂
Lots of cackling laughter this episode! You guys have too much fun. 😅
Yes please a cocktail recipe book!
Wouldn't it be great if they then did something charitable with the profits?
I can so relate with George! I shop at Sam's so much more- labeled aisles, check out on phone, less crowded. Easiest to get fuel! Love Costco but I only go for specific items.
Rachel you NEED to start doing Walmart grocery pickup. It saves money because you dont see all the eye level junk theyre trying to sell you. You have your list of items and build you order over a week so you dont forget stuff.
We agree along the lines of cost per oz shopping. At our local warehouse store I am always calculating out the cost per unit and translating it to a package size at the local grocery store to know whether it’s truly a deal or not.
Rachael, I need a link for the shoes ❣️
Definitely yes to a recipe book, including mocktails. At least something online, where all the recipes are in one place that way it can be continuously updated with new drinks.
A lot of grocery stores allow free “order ahead”. That really helps you see exactly what you’re spending and you’re not tempted to buy anything extra and you can meal plan at the same time.
At Qdoba if you get a “mini bowl” and then ask to make it a kids meal, you can get a drink, side, and a mini bowl of food for like $6.40.
George, we are finally getting a Costco down here 30 mins outside of New Orleans, and I was contemplating switching from Sam's, but you've enlightened me. Never giving up the mobile check out 😂
Shop the sales and freeze meat, cheese, butter. I always check the local expensive store ads to see what the loss leaders are. If its something we actually use i will make a trip to get it and store in pantry or freezer. If you have the room to store some stuff you always use it will save you $$ by not having to buy $5/pound butter because you bought a couple to store at $2.99/pound (kroger sale this week!)
I love LOVE the self checkout on your phone at Sam's Love it
Grocery hack- have a small "bulk" fund set aside, so if you go to the store and see a big sale on a non-perishable, or a BOGO, you can stock up on that item. I do this alot for diced tomatoes, canned yams, spaghetti sauce, etc.
Before going to the grocery store, Stop and shop from your own pantry, freezer refrigerator, etc. then make a list of meals you may meal plan from that and store flyers then go to store/stores needed cut your spending drastically.
Yes to mocktail book!! In college, I would buy ramen noodles (throw away the flavor packet), boil the noodles as directed - then put them in a skillet with frozen veggies for a discount lo mein. Still love it!
When I go to Costco, it’s usually a recon mission.
I have a detailed shopping list, but I go up and down every aisle to see if there’s anything new!
And Sam’s Club Scan-and-Go is the deal!!
We went thru a regular line with a cashier and THEY didn’t scan one of our items! It was quite intense having to get a manager to come ring up ONE item! And it wasn’t even our fault. 😅 I’m like I hope they are talking to that cashier, because on our 2nd & successful attempt, another person had to go back that went to the same cashier.
Yep, you can do that at Sam's. Four ways to pay. Online for pickup, scan and go, self checkout, and go through the checkout lane.
George, don't you know how to use the hand scanner for the bulky stuff😉
I so enjoy listening to Rachel and George🤗
I love this!! Everything's is on point! 😂
Some really good ideas. George, I heard you say in a different show, that you buy sparkling water. I just ordered some yesterday. I just wish it didn't come in plastic bottles--chemicals leeching out. But having the water, will help me to drink up!
Oh my goodness, absolutely it's cheaper to eat at home! My goal/budget is to feed my family for $1 per serving and I do it.
I have both, but seriously the only must haves at Costco for me are coffee, PB, and healthy snack options. Sam's beats Aldi/costco in MPLS. But I still shop at Aldi for smaller purchases. I don't need 10 boxes of plastic wrap.
We need longer episodes!!
Too funny and true. This is one of the better shows.
Sam’s Club Scan n Go is awesome! Takes away so much stress at checkout time.
Yes! Do the cocktail recipe book!!
Best grocery hack: curbside pickup. No impulse purchases and easy to stay in budget.
I shop my local, year-round farmer's market for the best quality produce, eggs and baked goods. And it's a fun, relaxed atmosphere, no one checking membership cards. I absolutely refuse to pay to shop at any warehouse store. The Aldi stores in my town are understocked, dark and dingy. I prefer the Trader Joe's located 25 miles away, but it's not a weekly trip. Trader Joe's has reasonably priced frozen foods that are economical alternatives to fast food, like their fried rice, pasta and Mexican foods. But I dislike how much space they have given over to wine so there is much less for food. Plant-based meals also save money. One of my favorites is a home-made version of the Publix spicy falafel sub with hummus and bread from the farmer's market, heirloom tomato slices, and pickles I made myself. Thanks for a fun episode!
One my my pet peeve’s is when your trying to leave the grocery store parking lot and your forced to wait for 12 people to cross by. Then you gotta do that awkward polite wave