Oct. 22, 2026

Kidulting and Blind Boxes: How to Keep Fun Spending Inside Your Budget

Key Takeaways

Kidulting and the blind box craze highlight the growing trend of adults spending money on nostalgia and collectibles, which can be safely enjoyed when kept inside a deliberate budget line.
Creating a designated fun spending category in your budget prevents guilt and helps you decide if that impulse purchase is truly worth it before you check out.
Initial jobless claims fell to 194,000 while continuing claims rose by 25,000, signaling important shifts in the current labor market.
If your work hours get cut, you should immediately check your eligibility for partial unemployment benefits in your state.
Making biweekly mortgage payments or adding extra principal each month can help you pay off a 30-year mortgage much faster, similar to a 15-year loan.

In today's episode, Ralph Estep Jr. and Juliet react to kidulting and the blind box craze, and share how to keep fun spending inside your budget.

In This Episode

✓ Kidulting, blind boxes, Funko Pops, and why a Honda Passport beat a Lexus

✓ Why a budget line for fun beats a guilt trip

✓ Initial jobless claims fall to 194,000 while continuing claims rise 25,000

✓ What to check if your hours get cut, including partial benefits in some states

✓ Biweekly mortgage payments and the one question to ask your lender

✓ How to pay a 30-year mortgage like a 15

✓ What skipping one year of $200-a-month saving costs by age 65

✓ Quarterly taxes on a side gig, and extra W-4 withholding as a simpler path

✓ Money move: find $25 for your emergency fund

If you've ever added a blind box to your cart and wondered whether it was worth it, this episode gives you a way to decide before you check out.

Resources

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Weekly jobless claims report (U.S. Department of Labor):

https://www.dol.gov/ui/data.pdf

Estimated taxes (IRS):

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes

Tax Withholding Estimator (IRS):

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator

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Companies Mentioned

Honda

Price Honda

Lexus

Toyota

Mercedes-Benz

Rolex

Apple

Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

What is kidulting and how does it affect my budget?

Kidulting refers to adults purchasing toys, collectibles, and nostalgia-driven items like blind boxes and Funko Pops. To keep your finances healthy, you should allocate a specific, guilt-free line item in your budget just for fun spending.

How can I pay off a 30-year mortgage like a 15-year mortgage?

You can pay off a 30-year mortgage faster by making biweekly payments, which results in making one extra full payment per year, or by intentionally adding extra principal to your monthly payments after checking with your lender.

Should I pay quarterly taxes on a side gig or use extra W-4 withholding?

While side gigs typically require quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS, adjusting your extra W-4 withholding through your primary employer's job can often serve as a simpler, automated path to cover those tax obligations.

What should I do if my work hours get cut?

If your hours are reduced, you should immediately review your household budget, cut non-essential expenses, and check your state's unemployment office website to see if you qualify for partial unemployment benefits.