Frugal Fails that Might Actually Ruin You

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We love a heroic attempt to save money! Until it backfires. (Let’s be real: We’ve all botched at least one DIY project.) Join Rachel and George for a relatable recap of the internet’s best frugal fails and find out where penny pinching might cost you more in the long run!
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Today’s Happy Hour Special
🍸 Dirty Shirley
Recipe: New York Times Cooking
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce grenadine
• 8 ounces Sprite
• 1 maraschino cherry
• Ice
Instructions: Fill a glass with ice. Add vodka and grenadine. Top with Sprite and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
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[@alliecrain8277]

George with the blinker fluid💀😂

[@Kakuren]

The old blinker fluid trick! I love the reaction of the guy sitting behind the the light's! He's like, "Oh Rachel no, and then when the reveal hits he just covers his face 😂"

[@christophercohen418]

The best part is the wink he gave to the guys in the back

[@lanbao2010]

I was just listening to it when I was driving and just said out loud “wtf is blinker fluid?!”

[@erikhawkes2169]

Welcome to the smart money happy hour, where two money experts who used to be friends talk about what you are talking about.

[@francoisnguyen6623]

Blinker fluid 😂😂😂😂😂

[@rachelanderson3147]

@@erikhawkes2169 lol!!!!

[@BrittanyTreat]

George’s poker face is impressive with the blinker fluid. I couldn’t of kept a straight face 😂

[@kathigratton2286]

Blinker fluid oh my god that’s freaking hilarious

[@kristinkowalski5964]

Our Kitchen Aid is 37 years old and still going strong. Worth every penny. Classic well-made shoes worth paying extra. Clothes sometimes unless you get tired of the same ones.

[@adamjoehlin1822]

George was smooth with the blinker fluid trick

[@CJ2023Incognito]

I totally did the pad Thai thing! 😅 The trick is to incorporate the same meal once a month or more until the ingredients are gone. lol If it’s good then no problem. 👍

[@lafranglaise3399]

Started watching John Delony, then The Ramsey Show but my favs are definitely Rachel & George on this channel. They are a hoot ! George with his ironic, dry humour & Rachel with her playful naivété. Bit surprised by Rachel's 5/10 on the Dirty Shirley. Really ? You were knocking it back 😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@katyedwards3935]

I think it's better without Dave cuz the new format shows what it's gonna be like after he retires, is no longer able to do the show anymore or passes away whichever comes first. Hopefully not the latter.

[@amandah893]

George, I am writing this comment with a iPhone 7! My trick is I don’t do the software updates and I don’t have battery issues or performance issues. 😂

[@MB-uy5kh]

But you are leaving yourself open to security risks. Just don’t do any financial transactions or use any sites where entering your passwords can be stolen

[@CJ2023Incognito]

12:28 They shouldn’t have told Rachel and pranked her instead! She could’ve had to call a car shop and ask how much a change for blinker fluid would be! 😂

[@autumnjerene]

George: Could you replace blinker fluid? Me: No, but I can top off the elbow grease. 😂

[@angelaaube4406]

But only if I have a left handed wrench.

[@ramong2277]

That cocktail must be strong!! Looks like it started to hit them half way through the episode, 😂😂 lived up to the name of the show!!

[@jessicaperlove4715]

Kudos to the guy who tried to fix his timing belt! I tried to do my own spark plugs and snapped the bolts off the valve cover. 😬 but, then, i successfully replaced my side mirror the other day. 😀

[@daisy3384]

I know the feeling .... thanks to KZbinrs, I've replaced my headlight, tail light, and sun visor on my 2007 SUV. I'm so non-mechanical but they made me feel smart 😄

[@pisicacutecat4869]

Our KitchenAid is 15 years old, the crockpot is about the same, Speed Queen makes quality washers and dryers. Lodge is another company that makes cast iron pans and they are made in the US. Our couch is almost 15 years old, we have a bedroom set that is about 20 years old and it's still in great condition.

[@victornathaniel996]

This is my first time watching but this Skyler lass laughter is so contagiously funny. I just start laughing when she’s laughing

[@ArmoredLion217]

11:40 She fell for that one: hook, line, and blinker [fluid].

[@abrareads]

I would love a newlywed game style episode. 🙂

[@davewells3046]

Blinker fluid 😂

[@kimzhou1257]

I love your show. Keep doing what you are doing!

[@denisemckinney3973]

Blinker fluid! This girl knows it is not real. And I love that she was fooled 😅

[@fsmoura]

12:50 George: _"Winston is at home right now going: Tsk, tsk, tsk... Ess-Em-Aitch"_ Rachel: _"SMaitcH"_

[@Allybaba55]

Lol yes! I made ramen in 2020 at home... just finally threw out all the bottles of miran and stuff that apparently expired in 2022 lol

[@narnialyon3408]

FYI: Spring water is better for your digestive system 🙌🏽😃 Thanks for all you do guys!❣️

[@MB-uy5kh]

As long as it’s not in a plastic bottle. Please research health issues caused by plastic. I got a reverse osmosis, Aqua True system for our drinking water.

[@andrewvillalobos4156]

Great topic!

[@Lcshell]

This episode was hilariously amusing! I laughed so hard 😂 thank you for the info and the chuckles 😎

[@ahhnaalee]

Y’all always make me lol irl 😁. Good episode guys

[@user-jk3ou2wo9w]

Blinker fluid..hilarious!!😂🤣

[@EcomCarl]

Frugal fails can be both entertaining and enlightening! It's a great reminder to balance savings with quality and safety, especially when it comes to DIY projects and everyday expenses. Looking forward to more insights from Rachel Cruz and George Kamel! 🤑

[@toriAllisonP]

When he said blinker fluid I was like... "does he mean windshield wiper fluid?" 👀🤔😂

[@chriss7552]

Love this video. . So true.

[@baileyforrester7]

Brooooo the blinker fluid joke 😂😂😂😂

[@lindawilson4625]

Funny show! You make very good points about what frugal is and isn't. Thanks!

[@TheForevermeg]

We’re Stanley OG- no tumblers, but all the original thermoses. The great thing about Stanley is their lifetime warranty. If any of their products break for any reason, they will replace it, no questions asked. We’ve replaced 3 items in 15 years, including one that was 50 years old!

[@RichardTouchfaith]

I still have my clothes that I bought when I got my first office job back in 2000. They don't fit.....but I now work from home in my boxers and T-shirt!

[@lthage373]

Maytag Maytag Maytag...but the oldest versions. We have a dryer that is over 30 years old...and we bought it used!

[@oliviafox6745]

Yep same here. Love Maytag. 27 years old and only had to replace the belt that ran the drum.

[@Trustbutverify2651]

Same with our dishwasher - now going on 25 years with only one small repair. Sounds like a thrashing machine, but the dishes are clean and DRY in 45 minutes. The new ones take HOURS and leave you with wet dishes, even on the "dry" cycle.

[@anneliesejohnson3662]

My teens have iPhone 8's! They get our old phones (we have 11's), and if they want something different, they have to buy it themselves.

[@amanda.c.ice.]

Frugal fail…tried to cut my kids own hair and I accidentally buzzed a section of his hair completely off 😬 Needless to say we took him to the hairdresser the next day and now the hairdresser is back in monthly budget from here on out 😂

[@Trustbutverify2651]

100 percent! Think of it this way - clothes you wear from time to time, but a haircut you wear every day AND a bad haircut is a really easy way for a kid to get unnecessarily teased.

[@hellosaysandrew]

“It was a trick!” 😂

[@hockeyhalod]

Blinker fluid giving me good old Red vs Blue vibes, hahaha.

[@Christine-zk6hk]

I have a 50 year old Kitchen Aid Mixer that is still going strong. I recently got rid of a 20 year old couch only because it was really too big for my current home. My bedroom set, not including the mattress, is about 25 years old. I have an 18 year old car still running strong. I tend to buy quality when I but large ticket items.

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

Good on you! We had my MIL's 1970's era - tacky gold finish and all - fridge, washer, and dryer until they crapped out in ~2007-2010. Oh, the set also came with a can opener, which is still kickin'! I drive a 30-year-old Dodge pickup, hubby drives a 1985 RamCharger, and our "good" car for long-distance runs is a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo (gently used). We recently replaced our 40-year-old water heater, which came from Montgomery Ward back in the day. Paid $600 cash for a new one, installed it ourselves, which was a b*tch, but better than the $2,000-$5,000 quotes I've heard from some plumbers!

[@leahwolber7082]

I used to do extreme couponing. It could seem cringey sometimes but we paid off a lot of debt doing it!

[@jennifferflowers]

I've done that and that's why I like this one KZbinr that helps me make delicious but cheap and easy recipes. I've been cooking a ramen stir fry like once a week. It is delicious and I keep ramen on hand so I just throw in frozen veggies and some boneless chicken and done❤️

[@deborahyang9866]

This brings a whole new meaning of cheapskate

[@stevenrburgoyne]

21:00 The lightbulb thing was proven recently to actually not be true. The chemical makeup of the bulb filament lasting 1000 hours (roughly) was the ideal sweet spot for energy efficiency vs light output. The longer lasting ones were not as bright and the shorter lasting ones were brighter. They collectively decided for ideal brightness, longevity, and cost of manufacturing that was the "sweet spot". It wasn't planned obsolescence in that particular case.

[@StarletOfDavid]

That’s interesting - you’ve explained that well. Thank you.

[@andrealawrence8238]

I'm a new comer to this show. Lovin' it!

[@anhbarker]

Speed Queen washer and dryer is worth the price! We a bought cheap GM set when we bought our house and the washer broke down 4 years later. My Speed Queen set has held up great and gets our clothes nice and clean!

[@CJG1419]

You are so much fun!

[@alliecrain8277]

My mom bought a KitchenAid 33 years ago, and gave it to me when she upgraded to a bigger one, it’s still going strong!

[@kellidehaan2891]

Bahahahah OMG Rachel you’re never going to live that blinker fluid trick down😆

[@kathystaursky4063]

George totally cracks me up! 😂

[@chckycrk]

11:40 is why George is my favorite. I don’t agree about the Spring water though.

[@lisaprusakiewicz4006]

George, my husband still has an iPhone 7 😂. Love my frugal husband!

[@sharonclaridge]

Mine just replaced his iPhone 6S ... he only did that as it stopped letting him make calls 🤣

[@christycofer1889]

Don’t forget to get winter-grade tire air when you pick up your blinker fluid. It’s a little more expensive, but well worth the cost in the long run.

[@annmc3878]

I was once chatting with a coworker, I had bought a pair of jeans at Macys on sale. She was like I would never shop at Macys, I buy my jeans at Pennys. I told her that I comparisons shopped and the Macys jeans were less expensive than the exact same ones at Pennys. Her assumption kept her from getting the best deal.

[@sharonclaridge]

That's so weird how car insurance works in The US. You pick how much you want to be covered for and hope no one sues you for more than that?

[@katysudlow7334]

Fish sauce and soy sauce are fermented. They do not expire, just slowly (due to refrigeration) continue to ferment. Same with miso, sauerkrauts and kimchis (that are lacto -fermented, not the ones with vinegar). But I agree about things like tamarind paste and other things I never use that are in recipes!

[@kimberlybotkin7060]

Rachel’s impression of George doing a snarky thumbs up after his trick 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Funniest thing she has ever done.

[@user-in8el2oq6y]

I think now the iPhone thing is less of a "kill switch" on your battery since "Apple Gate", but they just increase number or quality of software to run in the background to drain battery faster after updates in the name of "offering a better product".

[@tracypassmore5628]

"Blinker fluid"...HILARIOUS! I was with Rachel. I was literally thinking where would I change my blinker fluid. My husband, who does amazing work on our cars, will be so disappointed in me. 🤣 On the furniture issue, we are currently using a table in our kitchen that was in the house my parents moved into after I was born. So, this table was already there. Keep in mind that I was born in 1967! So this table is older than me.

[@LisaPFrampton]

OMG Rachel the mozzarella sticks at Sonic! YUMMY!!!!! Those have to be one of the ordervs at my funeral one day.

[@steveclark5016]

I make a good living building high end, Living room furniture,and there is a big difference in quality vs cheap stuff from Big lots

[@dorgana225]

I was thinking about that when they brought up furtinture lasting. I have a couple of pieces my dad made me when I was in my early 20s and they are in fantastic condition and I expect them to be heirlooms.

[@danieltik]

George made me laugh for the first time with blinker fluid

[@jeanetteoconnor464]

Good one George! No shade to Rachel but I am shocked that Papa Dave, self-proclaimed hillbilly and car guy, didn’t teach his daughter the basics of car maintenance when she got her license. At minimum the fluids needed to regularly maintain the car and how to change a tire. If not in practice at least theory! I wasn’t allowed the keys to the family car until I was given the once over on where everything went and what to do in an emergency. ❤

[@aaronjjacques]

Blinker fluid and winter air. Must haves for any car

[@altheaelainejaug8497]

Sonic is so good! LOL and being someone from California, I love In-N-Out

[@TheColieRO]

Mozzarella sticks at sonic are my fav!

[@MsYoast]

THANK YOU RACHEL! For normalizing that busy moms actually eat fast food and its OK!!!! Nothing slaps harder than a McDonald's Diet Coke and McChicken!!! 😂😂😂

[@AmyinCdA]

I’ve had my kitchen aid mixer since 1996 and it’s still going strong!!

[@AmyinCdA]

Oh and I have my mom’s Montgomery Ward stand up freezer that she bought in the late 70’s! Works like a champ!

[@SLangel18]

Oh I can tell you plan obsolescence is soooo real. My co-worker mom bought a brand new Samsung washer and got the warranty. It broke WITHIN a year and she had to wait months of someone to be available to fix it. They ended up having to buy a new one. One with less technology. Wait a waste of money Also the guy at Best Buy confirmed that Apple and Samsung and Microsoft all have those “necessary” updates so that it’s harder for people to hack your phone and info… but every update requires apps to update as well. It gets to a point where the old version of safari or KZbin won’t work. That apple stops providing updates to there older equipment and then apps can’t update and the device though working, becomes unusable….

[@zackcinq-mars2129]

My I-phone 8 had that happen a couple months ago. Hadn't updated the ios for a while and then slowly my apps started saying I needed the updated ios. Didn't have enough storage for the new ios though. Eventually after my banking and socials wouldn't update I switched to an I-phone 12.

[@Bamapride1985]

Microsoft did that with the company software used for job. It took our IT years of updates to get everything working wonderful with the app and about 6 months of going without issues and everything working smoothly, then Microsoft quite supporting so the company was forced to upgrade to the newer software and it has been awful for past 2 years and still doesn't work half the time. Half the features of a mobile field software, can't be accessed on the mobile app and require you being on the laptop instead of tablet or phone version.... Way to go Microsoft

[@julieneal4256]

I have an armchair that was given to my Grandparents as a wedding gift and made in my Great Grandfather's mattress factory. It is somewhere around 80 years old now. Also, I was dying laughing at the blinker fluid. I drive a toyota I have had for 15 years. I know enough to keep it maintained and and not get too scammed. I want the things I don't care about to last forever, so I don't have to spend money on them. That way I have money to spend on the things I do care about. (Old car, but a new sewing machine is a higher priority in my mind!)

[@katrinagascho6165]

About the lightbulb scheme in planned obsolescence- our home is 70 years old and the front porch light bulb is original , and still works. Our oven was 40 years old whe it died, and we just replaced a 20 year old fridge because all the drawers were cracked and broken, but the fridge was still working great!

[@faithcugler6755]

We started researching types of pans and found out how often you are supposed to replace most of them....there is a Le Cresuet outlet store near us so we are slowly replacing all the nonstick!

[@lauradamato6332]

We have a Kitchenaid mixer that is nearly 40 years old and still working great.

[@alleykeosheyan4779]

Got a Kenmore can opener about the same age and it's still opening cans! It was actually part of a set that included a fridge, washer, and dryer from the 70's - tacky golden rod yellow and all. The washer/dryer crapped out between 2007-2010, but they earned their keep!

[@goldfries]

My first generation still works fine, perfect condition as if from Day 1 but I can't use it for anything other than the default apps now because Apple Store refuses me to download anything for my prehistoric iOS version. Tough.

[@brookefluty4616]

Rachel, I am just like you! I am quantity over quality, love Amazon clothes and I love sonic cheese sticks. They are delish!!!

[@Bugoffkc]

I own a pest control business. I have seen people try to DIY a termite treatment. 1. This does not pass loan requirements 2. The products can add up on cost 3. These normally do not get done correctly resulting in more termite damage 4. You end up calling a professional anyway.

[@elainebradley8213]

My husband went through 3 belts really quickly. A local guy made us a couple of belts, theyve lasted forever.

[@ndauderman01]

Fish sauce is a staple.

[@emettscabassi4605]

George is a net worth millionaire and he steals from hotels 😂

[@kristinkramer4351]

Based on comments I heard in this episode, I feel the need to comment on Kitchen Aid mixers. It has been my experience that they are worth every penny IF you use it! I have had mine for over 27 years and it is still going strong! I have made countless cheesecakes (most recipes using 3-5 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese.....try that with a hand mixer!) and dozens of Christmas cookies every year. It is well worth the money!!

[@bonniehalf-elven]

I replaced my 60 year old furnace in 2021. It really was on its last legs. I saw the burner before it was removed. It was bad, lol. My 1958 Norge refrigerator finally died last year. I had to let it go, because no one can get parts for a 65 year old refrigerator. I bought a basic Frigidaire - no ice maker or water, as those things seem to break a lot. I've had my dryer for 26 years and my washer for 16. My dishwasher is broken and old, so I currently don't have one (It's not an emergency). My stove is old, too - not sure how old, but it's probably the oldest appliance I still use. I was using a 1950s era Pincor electric mower until about three years ago, when it conked out. Now using a Ryobi battery-powered one that I paid $300 for. I bought a new iPhone last year, but it was an iPhone 11 for $300. Planned obsolescence was not just iPhone. I had an Android that became completely useless. They have all improved since then because of the spotlight that was shone on Apple. I plan to keep this phone for five years. Frugal fail: cheap shoes that last maybe a year and aren't comfortable. I'm finally replacing my shoe wardrobe with good quality ones. You can get by with the cheap ones for awhile, but the older you get, the less your feet can tolerate bad shoes.

[@rena_vations]

Back in the day to be frugal i used to add water to everything that was liquid. Not everything but like shampoo conditioner dish soap hand soap even laundry soap. I tried the handrags in softener too. Ugh i should have did it day of instead of all at once 😂

[@EdgarVerona]

My failed frugality trick was trying to live in an inexpensive condo instead of a standalone home. Depending on a "community" of people to make decisions in the best interests of our home has been disastrous. They won't vote for needed changes even to literally save all of our financial futures. Don't leave your financial future up to the tragedy of the commons. Don't buy a condo like I did.

[@altheaelainejaug8497]

Personally when it comes to clothing, I've been shopping at Target, Amazon, and Old Navy because the clothes are pretty good quality and last a while. Otherwise I go thrift store shopping if I want to save money. It's also good for the environment when you go thrift store shopping because you're buying things secondhand and it's less clothes ending up in our landfill. Especially with today's fast fashion.

[@Mamacitapurty]

We have 3 chairs we bought in Ecuador when we lived there. They are now 44 years old and still in our living room!

[@CarmenHyde]

Blinker fluid! 😂 That’s what we jokingly refer to it as and our teenager daughter went into the car parts store to ask for it totally forgetting its real name! 😂 I am still using my iPhone 7. Yes its battery drains fast and yes it randomly shuts down once a week or so, but dang it….I’m using it until it dies!! Moen…buy it for looks buy it for life …or something like that. They are great at replacing parts, but we have to replace parts like once or twice a year. Hubby has an LL Bean barn jacket…it’s his third one in the last decade. So not super high quality. It’s meh.

[@Sadielady21]

So funny!

[@AnonNotAnonymous]

For furniture, my wife and I paid $3500 for a lovesac sectional, and it was 100% worth it. Cleaning it is simply taking the cover and throwing it in the wash. Puppy chewed a couple of corners and we just turn those pieces around and you'd never know. A cover rips really bad, just buy a new cover and not a whole couch. 100% worth thr price.

[@donnahampton3632]

I enjoy my old school Brita filter pitcher. I change out the filters exactly as recommended. I do not buy bottled filtered water because I bring my own filtered water in my ancient Stanley cup.

[@chriss7552]

Love this video.. I still wear classic pieces clothes from 10 years ago. Save me a lot of money

[@olivias2836]

Sucks the dress from China didn’t work out for that girl- I did the same and it turned out beautifully and was a super great dupe of the dress I wanted. The quality wasn’t too bad either !

[@OopThereItIs77777]

I am also a quantity person. I buy Agolde denim multiple times a month and Moussy but it lasts for years. I just like different styles! It’s also about $200 for a pair of jeans, but I will never stray. Rachel wears Agolde too so she gets it

[@jennafairhaven9084]

I have a leather belt that I bought when I was 19 from l.l.bean. it is a daily wear for me, it is older than my children. I haven't needed to re-dye it or treat it with leather conditioner. I literally have panic attacks if I can't find it after I've traveled, love it that much.

[@obliviouspirate]

George and Rachel, when you upgrade your phone do you pay cash for the phone and the monthly bill is just for service or do you pay the phone off in monthly installments for 2 years? Do you save money going route 1 vs 2?

[@dapperdeals]

I am so with yall on the phone update conspiracy hahah. I've had mine for 6 years now, and it works great. The secret... I NEVER update it ;)

[@catseyes8377]

I agree with Rachel. I'm a quantity person as well

[@morbotheturtle3796]

Planned obsolescence with iphones is 100%. My wife and brother in law have iphone 12s and both just had their ports stop working so the phones cant charge through a cable. A year ago we had a friend with an iphone 11 have the same issue. My iphone 12 mini also has had wireless apple CarPlay stop working, has had touch screen issues, and has had greatly slowed internet speeds. All through updates, not drops.

[@stevenporter863]

19:16 Catch 22. Either download and make it obsolete or don't but then security holes aren't patched.

[@hollyputnat]

Mozzarella sticks from Sonic? You must try Arby's mozzarella sticks - they are the BEST including over sit down restaurants. And I'm not mad that I get coupons for them in the weekly ads in the mail! 😊

[@christinehopping5040]

Rachel, you are not alone. I don't know how to replace the blinker fluids too I have iPhone 8. Paid cash $250