Bougie Expenses That Are Worth Every Penny
October 22, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readRachel Cruze and George Kamel, both self-described "Baby Step Seveners" (Dave Ramsey's debt-free highest tier), spent an episode of Smart Money Happy Hour playing a game they called "Bouge It or Lose It" — working through a list of luxury expenses the internet claims are worth the money. The premise was not a blanket defense of spending, but a nuanced discussion of which splurges actually deliver lasting value when you have the cash. Both hosts emphasized that they are frugal in some areas and bougie in others, and that the goal is to spend intentionally on what matters to you, not to impress anyone.
What Their Spouses Said Was Worth It
The episode opened with a revealing exercise: each host texted their spouse to ask for five bougie things they considered worth every penny. George Kamel’s wife, Whitney, listed a Shark FlexStyle hair tool (a Dyson Airwrap alternative), a Jura automatic coffee maker, the top trim level of whatever car you buy, a Mom Cozy bottle washer and sterilizer, and a rotating convertible car seat (the Chicco Fit 360). George noted that the top trim package on their minivan — which came with a built-in fridge and vacuum — turned his wife from a skeptic into an "obsessed" fan.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:05) **Bougie or Not? The Game Begins** - Rachel and George introduce the episode's premise: debating which luxury purchases are worth the money, based on a game of "Would We or Wouldn't We" with internet suggestions.
- 2 (02:18) **Spouse Lists: Winston's Bougie Picks** - Rachel shares her husband Winston's list of five bougie items he deems worth the cost.
- 3 (06:35) **Spouse Lists: Whitney's Bougie Picks** - George reveals his wife Whitney's list of bougie items she considers game-changers.
- 4 (08:14) **Bouge It or Lose It: Disney Premier Pass** - The hosts evaluate the Disney Premier Pass (Lightning Lane), which costs $119 to $449 per person per day.
- 5 (11:44) **Bouge It or Lose It: In-Home Sauna & Cold Plunge** - The hosts discuss the value of an in-home sauna and cold plunge tub, which can range from $700 to $8,500.
- 6 (13:27) **Bouge It or Lose It: Self-Driving Tesla** - The hosts debate the $99/month subscription for Tesla's full self-driving feature.
- 7 (15:00) **Bouge It or Lose It: Hiring a Night Nurse** - The hosts discuss hiring a night nurse for a newborn, costing $250 to $550 per night.
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
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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.
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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.
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