Financial Audit Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: "Failed Camgirl Is A Literal Clown | Financial Audit"
Host: Caleb Hammer
Guest: Natalie (33, Chicago, Illinois)
Date: October 23, 2024

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this episode, financial expert Caleb Hammer conducts an in-depth financial audit with Natalie, a 33-year-old bartender from Chicago. Natalie openly discusses her chaotic financial history, marked by impulsive spending, family support dependencies, minimal income, and lingering debts. The conversation delves into her experiences as a former camgirl, struggles with mental and physical health, and her desire to reclaim financial independence and rebuild her life for herself and her three children.

Hammer’s signature mix of directness and tough love surfaces throughout the episode, challenging Natalie to confront uncomfortable truths about her habits and instigating actions on the spot. The episode oscillates between comedic relief and poignant moments, painting a raw picture of financial mismanagement and the inner obstacles to lasting change.

KEY THEMES & DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Natalie’s Background & Financial Situation

• Natalie, 33, is a daytime bartender making only $15/hr plus tips (sometimes as low as $4/day; [00:58]).
• She lives with her younger brother after being kicked out of the home her mother financed for her and her children ([02:12]–[03:59]).
• Three children (ages 14, 11, and almost 9) live with their father, who covers their basic care ([02:27], [05:38]).
• History of unstable income: 7 years as a stay-at-home mom, odd jobs, and over a decade of camgirl/online work ([00:05], [06:34]).
• Dependency on family: brother (current living situation), mother (past housing), ex-husband (currently pays bills/credit card, prior to phone and car insurance; [15:26], [18:03]).
• Former heavy involvement in camgirl work—13 years on and off, making ~$600/month at peak ([00:04], [06:34]).

2. The Cycle of Dependency and Spending

• Spends impulsively on non-essentials: fast food, Uber Eats, video games, building up a vast collection of Harry Potter Legos (approx. $8000 over four years; [42:26]), Pokémon Go in-app purchases, and fashion purchases ([17:38], [41:19], [50:49]).
• “I bought a bunch of crap. I bought this dress. It looks really cute." ([17:38])
• Accrues debts while relying on support from ex-husband and family, often neglecting even minimum payments while justifying unnecessary spending ([18:03]–[20:20]).
• Regularly overdraws checking account and racks up fees: “You started the month with negative. You overdrafted four times. And we're going to Uber Eats every day…” ([53:16])
• Receives EBT benefits for groceries but spends personal income on fast food and entertainment ([49:46], [50:01]).

3. Credit and Debts

• Total Debt: Multiple credit cards maxed out or in collections (Capital One, Credit One, Target), charged-off car loan, medical bills, student loans ($9k), personal debts to family ([31:06]–[34:28], [40:20], [46:01], [47:00]).
• Ex-husband pays her Capital One card monthly, even though they broke up four years ago ([15:26]–[18:03]).
• Host forces Natalie to call her ex-husband live on air and tell him to stop paying her credit card ([24:36]), illustrating Hammer’s approach to enforcing accountability.
• Credit card use is almost entirely on non-essentials (“There wasn’t one necessity in there. No, not a singular necessity.” – Caleb, [21:20]).

4. Mental Health Struggles, Health, and Work Limitations

• Past depression led to job loss, pet hoarding, and destructive living situations ([03:03], [11:00]).
• Serious ongoing health issues: appendicitis, frequent illnesses, doctor recommends disability ([62:20]).
• Can only sustain about 25–30 hours/week of work ([63:08]); attempted disability, denied, yet persists in working part-time for mental health ([62:27], [69:35]).
• Justifies limited work and poor spending: “I am able to work more consistently because if I push myself too much, I get sick…” ([61:53]).

5. Attempts at Change vs. Entrenched Behaviors

• Repeatedly expresses self-awareness but fails to act: “I know everything that's been spent on this card was unnecessary, which is why it was spent on this card.” ([19:37])
• Host challenges her to break the cycle, “Do you want your kids back? Do you want to have a future?”—contrasts desires with actions ([19:49], [47:22]).
• Discusses moving away from cam work for her mental health ([07:29]).

6. Hammer’s Interventions and Advice

• Pushes Natalie to close high-fee, subprime credit cards ([30:03]), budget for the first time, and take his (free) budgeting/investing classes ([14:37]).
• Calls out “childish” behaviors: “You're just an adult. You're just a parent.” ([51:56])
• Emphasizes the urgency and simplicity of her turnaround if she takes action (“You could pay off your credit card in two seconds. This is the dumbest thing I've ever seen.” – Caleb, [71:09])
• Encourages pursual of better employment (Course Careers certification paid for by the show, suggestion of remote/customer service roles; [32:27], [64:16]).
• Practical breakdown of spending: “65% of your spending went to complete bull does not move your life forward in any way whatsoever.” ([48:32]–[49:39])
• Lays out a short-term plan: Use assistance, pay minimums, knock out credit card debt, save for reliable transportation ([68:48]).

7. Notable/Funny/Impactful Quotes & Key Timestamps

• “I am unable to get my own place, so... I live with my little brother right now.” – Natalie ([01:43])
• “So you didn't lose the house. ...You just got kicked out for being a tenant?” – Caleb ([03:51])
• “I was severely depressed. I stopped working and they had to sell it.” – Natalie ([03:03])
• “What is losing a house? Did you own a house?” – Caleb ([02:18])
• “Why is almost half of our money going into this under the mattress?” – Caleb ([09:57])
• “I just tend to see... there is… so many steps to purchasing something on UberEats.” – Caleb ([20:52])
• “You know what's great? Having a car. You know what's great? Not being supported by four people.” – Caleb ([44:13])
• “There are people dying and you're the one that's getting help. Someone who goes to Uber Eats once a day.” – Caleb ([54:05])
• "I don't know how to get into that industry. Every job that I've gotten, I've always... shown up and go, hi, how are you doing? I want this job." – Natalie ([64:20])
• “You just have to not be a child.” – Caleb ([71:09])
• "You're spending this, just being a child. You just need to work on your behavior. Just literally hold yourself accountable. ...Take over your payments." – Caleb ([71:20])

IMPORTANT SEGMENTS & TIMESTAMPS

• Natalie’s backstory & former cam work: [00:04]–[07:29]
• Losing her home/dependence on family: [02:12]–[04:02]
• Kids’ situation & co-parenting: [05:38]–[06:11]
• Delving into debts: [15:26]–[19:49], [31:06]–[34:28], [40:20]
• Live call to ex-husband to cancel his bill payments: [24:36]
• Impulse control and spending habits: [17:38]–[21:20], [47:22]–[50:49]
• Breakdown of monthly spending: [48:32]–[49:39]
• Legos and other non-essentials: [41:19], [42:26]
• Budgeting advice and wrap-up: [68:48]–[71:20]

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

This episode is a raw, unvarnished examination of how denial, impulsivity, and dependence can spiral into sustained financial chaos. Hammer’s approach is relentless—mixing humor, direct confrontation, and actionable advice. Natalie’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and a (potential) inflection point: her path to solvency is clear, swift, and attainable if she can finally break her own patterns.

For New Listeners:
Expect candid, sometimes uncomfortable dialogue peppered with sarcasm, hard truths, and real-time interventions. This episode is especially useful for anyone struggling with emotional spending, family dependency patterns, or the daunting climb out of debt and dysfunction.

Note:

For the episode’s post show, further drama and insights—such as the boyfriend’s perspective on Natalie’s situation—are made available to paying members ([67:14]).