Episodes

In this episode my guest, Leland Conway, provides valuable insights on buying a handgun for the uninitiated. He emphasizes the importance of not relying solely on friends' recommendations or the advice of gun store employees, as the choice of a handgun is a personal and individual decision. (There are exceptions, and he'll cover that as well.) Leland recommends taking a basic firearms class to learn about gun safety, recoil, and different types of handguns. He also suggests going to a gun rang...

In this episode, Pat Finn and I continue our off-the-cuff exploration of the significance of fine jewelry, including a pretty sweet story about Pat's late friend, the legendary Chris Farley, and his love of gift-giving. We get a little sentimental, but it's cool, because that's one of the unexpected powers of jewelry: it can connect us to our past and the people we love the most. Jewelry is more than just shiny trinkets, and we talk about how fine jewelry becomes physical representations of unf...

Pat Finn is a well-known actor, comedian, and writer with over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He's appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including The Middle, Seinfeld, “It’s Complicated,” and the “I Am Chris Farley” documentary. He has an almost endless list of professional accomplishments, and I wanted him on the show because he’s also a husband, father, and regular guy who really seems to “get” the whole jewelry thing. Here is Pat's IMDB link: https://www.imdb.com/...

Bourbon continues to be a "go to" for guys who want to move away from cheap beer and fruity drinks, and I support it. It's a crazy big world of choices that are mind boggling, even to seasoned bourbon hunters. My guest today is definitely a guy who can help us traverse the multi-leveled landscape of the bourbon world. Derek works in the heart of Bourbon Country at one of the premier distilleries on the Bourbon Trails of Kentucky. He'll explain the difference between whiskey and bourbon, highli...

This is an auspicious moment because in this episode, for the first time, I’m going to address "The Ladies." Specifically, I’m going to talk about what you, as a woman, should NOT do when you and your fella go to look for his wedding ring. When it’s time to pick out his wedding ring, he just might for your opinion. (Most likely he will!) And you should help him out by giving him one. (Or 2 or 3. This shouldn't be a problem for most of the women I know. Ha!) Picture this: A cute couple decides...

Customer involvement in designing jewelry is a growing trend in the jewelry business. Independent jewelry stores offer a range of options, from changing metals and gemstones to adding unique touches. However, there's a crucial balance between personalization and potentially compromising the integrity of the original design when people who don't know what they're doing want to get their hands dirty and help create a personal version of something they like. While we'll focus mainly on engagement ...

A lot of guys have no idea what a “push present” is. I have to confess that until there was a baby in my future, I never heard of it, nor did I know what it was. (And I'm in "the business!") So what is a push present? Is it something you should consider when there’s a baby on the way? First, a push present is a gift that you present to your wife or girlfriend shortly after the baby is born, to celebrate the occasion. The term "push present" originated from the idea that the mother has "pushed" ...

"The times they are a changin'..." I'm changing up the show and taking the podcast in a different direction! Buy Like a Guy will be exploring topics beyond fine jewelry to include other areas of interest for men. But before I go, I'll talk about diamond reports, and reiterate once again the importance of seeking expert guidance when buying diamonds. Grading reports are all well and good, but nothing compares to actually seeing the diamond, and using professionals to help you get what's right fo...

In this episode of Buy Like a Guy, I revisit when the proverbial "right time" is to make your buying decisions, and the importance of having a Plan B. It's always best to buy important jewelry well before you're planning on giving it. Why? Because it's the best way to avoid undue anxiety about whether it's going to be done on time for your big reveal. Know what else happens? You won't have that nagging pressure hanging over your head as you wait for the final product. I'll touch on the Paradox...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Shane Decker we discuss the role of jewelry in celebrating life's events and he shares the most important factors to consider when buying diamond jewelry. The conversation covers various aspects of buying an engagement ring and creating a memorable proposal. Shane emphasizes the importance of choosing the right diamond shape and metal, considering the style of mounting and color of metal, and creating a unique and unforgettable proposal experience. Ultimately,...

It seems like most, if not all, of the information and marketing messages coming out of the jewelry industry these days are geared toward women. It makes sense because oftentimes she is the driver when it comes to what sort of style she likes, and as men, we want to give her an engagement ring, or other fine jewelry that she will love. However, a lot of guys can feel invisible in the process, because not many people or companies are talking to you. You need some direction outside of what your m...

In this episode I'm going to talk about something that resonates with both men and women: When you glance down at your brand new ring, and see those first few scratches and dings. It can be disheartening, and you may even be surprised you even care. Whether it's a minor scratch, a ding, or a chip, it happens to everyone. It's kind of like those times when you discover a scratch on our car door or a chip in the windshield. (I'll cover a little something about a Rolling Stones song that applies. ...

If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t give a whole lotta’ "you know what’s" about fine jewelry or diamonds, or where the prices come from, I’m here to tell you, that’s okay. In fact, I think it’s perfectly normal. If diamonds, gemstones, precious metals and fine jewelry don’t interest you…don’t learn about them. I believe this is true for pretty much all things. If something doesn’t interest you, find someone who knows their stuff, and let them do the work for you. This is a common theme ...

“So what’s the hardest year of marriage?” You may be surprised to hear that I've been asked that question more than once. (Unless you're married. Then you know it's not an uncommon question, especially when you're talking to young men who are about to get married.) I actually used to ask that same question as a young lad working behind the jewelry counter. It was a nice ice breaker when someone was in the store looking for an anniversary gift. One day I asked a certain gentleman that question, ...

As human beings we have an innate need to express ourselves to the rest of the world. Whether through our clothes, our time pieces, sharing our tastes in music, wearing our favorite team's merch…and of course, wearing a ring on the ring finger of our left hand, to tell others that, “Hey! Hands off. This girl or guy is spoken for.” But how did this come to be an almost universal practice in Western cultures? You may have never thought about it because it’s pretty much a non-negotiable these day...

There are some fantastic pieces of jewelry that are beautiful and impactful, and they tend to cost a lot of money, and it's also the kind of jewelry that she won't wear "all the time." It begs the question, “Why would I spend a lot of money on something that she won’t wear that often? It's not 'practical.'" That makes some sense I suppose, and it can seem like a valid reason not to buy that fancy bracelet or those diamond hoop earrings for an anniversary, a birthday, or certain holidays becaus...

In this episode I'm going to clue you in on something that I learned last week after talking with the girls here at the jewelry store. First time listeners, if you don’t already know, I get a wealth of information about women from Lindsay, Susan, Kristyn, Katie, Morgan, Ali and my wife, Jenn. (Yes, I’m the only guy here.) A guy came in to meet with Lindsay for the second time, to decide which engagement ring he was going to buy. He had a list of characteristics that he wanted to review, so he ...

This the second half of a discussion I had with my friend and hero, Maarten de Witte, aka "The Diamond Wizard." He's a living legend in the diamond cutting world, and he decided to tackle the oft repeated (and crazy cynical) idea that "diamonds are a bad investment." Are they? Some people think there is no question that diamonds are a "bad" investment. That the entire diamond industry was created by DeBeer's and they're diabolical marketing campaign that causes people to believe there is value ...

So I ran across a video where the guy in the video said that engagement rings were a scam and a rip-off and I just had to address it. But rather then answer it myself I brought in an expert jeweler and former director of the American Institute of Diamond Cutting to discuss this in an exclusive two-part interview. Take a listen and let me know your thoughts! If you want to talk with me personally you can email me at andy@buylikeaguy.com. I'm happy to personally help you find the right jewelry fo...

I wore a Rolex as I recorded this episode. Not to impress anyone, but because I had a certain memory, and a revelation a bit earlier in the week that is wrapped up in the Rolex brand, so I thought I would share it with you in today's podcast. Certain possessions in our lives, especially the ones we’ve earned, or that were given to us from people we have a strong affection for or a bond with, have great meaning and significance. Not just now, but later on down the road, when we least expect it. ...

In this episode I'm going to address something that is rare, but it DOES happen, and if it happens to you, it can bring on a not-so-slight feeling of dread. And I don’t think I’m being overly dramatic when I use that word. I'm talking about a simple text from your girlfriend or significant other, and it’s a picture of a ring that she sends you, AFTER you’ve already ordered, or bought, the ring that she told you was the perfect one. Now if you’re already married and this is a second ring, like ...

In this episode I'll address another great question from a listener. He asked, “What are some best-sellers or guaranteed things I can get that fall in the range of a 'safe surprise gift'? I’m asked this question in one form or another all the time, and it sounds something like this, "What sort of jewelry should I get if I want to surprise her, and KNOW that she’s going to love it and I’m not going to look like an idiot? How do I know that she’s going to love what I pick? Jeez, where do I even s...

Someone asked me to put together a Top 10 list of the things a guy (or girl) should know to make buying jewelry less painful, and maybe even fun. I personally believe buying jewelry should be fun. When I spend money I want it to feel good, and I'd guess you feel the same way. There is no pleasure in paying an electric bill or that speeding ticket, but there is certainly a feeling of excitement and anticipation when you find something wonderful that you know she’s gonna love, and you just can’t...

This episode was originally published in December, 2022. Picking the "right" engagement ring or other fine jewelry can be unnerving as hell. Questions start flooding your head..."what if she doesn't like it?" "Is it the right color?" "Is it big enough?" Those kinds of things. A lot of guys fold at this point, and say something like, "I think I'll bring her in and let her pick it out." This may seem like a good idea , but there's a reason why it's not, and what it means to her when you do this ...