From pyramid schemes to phishing emails, marketing ploys are more sophisticated than ever. Listen in as George and Rachel discuss some of the oldest scams known to man, what they look and sound like today, and how to avoid the “snake oil’ salesmen of 2023 (lookin’ at you, TikTok influencers).

In this episode:

·      Crazy “exclusive” deals that need more investigation before you buy

·      Why “too good to be true” really is (probably) too good to be true

·      The mocktail that tastes like “Christmas in a cup”

Helpful Resources:  

·     Start making memories. Go NOW and get Telestrations at Walmart or wherever you buy board games.

·     Booking a flight with Going is the best and simplest way to pay less and travel more. Sign up for free today at going.com/smartmoney.

·     Get your finances organized, make a plan, build your confidence, and kick money stress out of your life for good with the EveryDollar budgeting app. Go to www.everydollar.com/smartmoney to get started today. Use code SMARTMONEY to get a free two-week trial and $15 off your premium membership to EveryDollar.

·  Pre-order George's new book, Breaking Free From Broke, today!

·     Do you have 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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This Week’s Happy Hour Special: Apple Butter Mocktail

Find the original recipe here.

Ingredients:

·     1 ounce apple juice

·     2 tablespoons of apple butter

·     Dash of non-alcoholic orange bitters

·     Juice of 1/2 lemon

·     Ginger beer

·     Coarse cinnamon sugar and simple syrup, for rimming

·     Thinly sliced apples and a cinnamon stick, to garnish

Instructions: Pour some simple syrup on a plate and some coarse cinnamon sugar on another. Then, dip the rim of your cocktail glass into the syrup and then into the sugar, twisting to coat, before adding ice cubes to the glass.

Combine the apple juice, apple butter, lemon juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker and give it a dry shake (in other words, a shake without ice). Shake vigorously until properly combined then strain the mixture into your prepared cocktail glass. Top up with ginger beer and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple slice on the rim to serve.

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