Financial Audit’s Most Special Guest — Episode Summary
Podcast: Financial Audit
Host: Caleb Hammer
Guest: Dax
Date: June 11, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Caleb Hammer sits down with Dax, a 39-year-old long-haul truck driver from Oklahoma City, for what quickly becomes one of the Financial Audit’s most unique and winding sessions. Dax brings a complex web of personal finance struggles, notably with persistent debt, questionable money habits, and an ongoing difficulty accepting responsibility. The conversation, spiked with humor and blunt honesty, explores Dax’s financial entanglements—from sending money to ex-partners to racking up consumer debt, navigating IRS trouble, and recurrently blaming others for his financial woes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dax’s Current Situation
- Profession & Income: Long-haul truck driver, earning about $4,700/month net ($56,400/year).
- Living Arrangement: Previously lived in Oklahoma City, but rarely home due to job; transitioning to living with his mom in Florida to save on rent.
- Rent: $1,380/month previously; future rent with mom estimated at $800 including utilities.
- On the Road: Spends most of his time driving, rarely at home—“I put your home maybe once a month.” (01:25)
2. Blaming Others for Financial Problems
- Recurring Theme: Dax repeatedly attributes his financial distress to his exes, with elaborate justifications centering on their lack of financial contribution or his generosity.
- Ex #1: Dax claims he paid for everything, including sending extra money; ex was supposed to contribute "half of everything" but did not (04:06, 04:45).
- Reality Check: Caleb pushes back, showing that Dax's core expenses (rent, car, bills) existed irrespective of the exes’ involvement. (05:01–05:07)
- Quote: “So it’s not really sounding like it’s his fault, because…whether or not someone lives there, you’re still paying the rent, right?” — Caleb (04:39)
3. Debt Accumulation & Bankruptcy
- Total Debt: Dax has accumulated $87,000 in total debt, including credit cards, loans to friends/family, and IRS debt (08:36).
- Credit Cards: Dax admits post-bankruptcy behavior didn't change—a new car was purchased almost immediately after discharge (17:39–17:54).
- Previous Bankruptcy: Filed for bankruptcy once previously ($20,000 discharged), but re-accumulated debt within three years (12:09, 13:40).
- Caleb’s Take: “You didn’t change your behavior. You went through bankruptcy. Now you’re right back where you were before bankruptcy. So it did absolutely nothing.” (13:36)
- Personal Loan Habits: Frequently borrows from family and friends, still owes $1,991 to a friend, claims to have forgotten why (74:07–75:03).
4. Excessive, Aimless Spending
- Spending Triggers: Frequent, impulsive purchases on food (especially fast food), OnlyFans, and random Amazon buys (“dog grooming kits, portable bidets,” etc.) (27:12–35:51).
- Tracking Issues: Claims to budget but not for everything; only keeps track of “bills budget term” not all discretionary spending (17:15, 21:27).
- Quote: "What's the point of half budgeting? That doesn't get us anywhere. Look where it got you." — Caleb (21:57)
- Food Expenditure: Fast food is a major drain; expenses routinely exceed available income (61:03, 96:54).
- Lifestyle Choices: Maintains credit card-depleting habits, including frequent little “treat yourself” moments, pedicures, massages, and online content subscriptions.
5. Family Financial Entanglements
- Mom as Safety Net: Plans to move back in with his mom despite making a decent income, citing minimal home life as justification and hoping to save on costs (19:02, 19:24).
- Automatic Bailouts: Family members, especially his mom, transfer him money without being asked when his account goes negative (68:40).
6. IRS & Tax Problems
- IRS Debt: Owes $37,703.32 from three years of not saving for taxes as a contractor (85:16, 87:00).
- Oklahoma State Taxes: Additional state tax debt, unsure of the exact amount but estimates $20,000 (89:10). Cannot log into state website; hasn’t called to clarify.
- Caleb’s Concern: Fears Dax is susceptible to phishing scams due to his careless approach to money and technology (90:08).
7. Difficulty with Accountability and Communication
- Shifting Stories: Dax frequently gives confusing, contradictory, or partial answers regarding debts, spending, and life events, often requiring extensive clarification from Caleb and the co-hosts (52:10, 76:16).
- Quote: “You pretend like me and the audience…already know your life. We don’t. We’re uncovering it right now. You have to give context.” — Caleb (81:06)
- Behavior Patterns: Demonstrates little commitment to change (“Apparently not” after relapse into debt), and shrugs off most pointed advice or inquiry.
8. Mental and Emotional Undercurrents
- Isolation & Social Life: Most conversation is with clients or old friends on the phone; expresses doubts about future relationships and prefers solitude to avoid future financial entanglements (25:11, 40:24, 41:00).
- Self-Image: Seeks weight loss surgery in Mexico, unsure how to finance time off for recovery (10:13, 10:34), demonstrates self-deprecation with humor.
- Educational Challenges: Discloses he graduated with a “special diploma,” struggles with basic organization and financial planning (32:30).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Blaming Others:
- “You're blaming this on that relationship? I want to confirm.” — Caleb (04:06)
- “So if you're gonna say that, defend it, back it up. If you are walking around, if you are sitting, if you're going to bed at night saying all this is because of him, you haven't come up with a logical backing behind that?” — Caleb (14:44)
On Denial & Budgeting:
- “I do budget.” — Dax (17:11)
- “Then what the is going wrong?” — Jake (17:13)
- “What's the point of half budgeting? That doesn't get us anywhere. Look where I got you.” — Caleb (21:57)
On Perpetual Debt:
- “You didn't change your behavior. You went through bankruptcy. Now you're right back where you were before bankruptcy. So it did absolutely nothing.” — Caleb (13:36)
- “That’s why I’m against it. I’m not against it as a tool. I’m against using it as a stupid thing.” — Caleb (17:59)
On Unchecked Spending:
- “What was it looked at correctly with what was just spent on that one month and not. (21:46)
- “I don't know how I spent 9,000.” — Dax (21:27)
On Family Bailing Out:
- “Family member doesn't have money. Let me put it in for him.” — Caleb (69:47)
- “You're 40. You're 40.” — Jake (68:52)
On the “Sugar Baby” Role:
- “Come on. That was a sugar baby situation, was it not?” — Caleb (66:01)
- “It more than likely was.” — Dax (66:05)
Comedic Relief:
- “I'm not gonna lie. You have happy ending massages written all over you.” — Caleb (27:36)
- “You say so. Maybe I farted myself. There's two selfs.” — Dax (25:22)
On Repeated Mistakes:
- “Look at your entire behavior in the sentence you just said. Private student loan debt can be overwhelming. If you're seeking a more affordable way forward, why refi is here to help.” — Caleb (23:54)
Important Segment Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:39 | Dax introduces himself and discusses his job/travel | | 04:06–04:45 | Caleb challenges Dax’s blame of his ex for financial woes | | 08:36 | Total debt and fear about the economy/automation | | 12:09–14:44 | Previous bankruptcy and repeated mistakes | | 17:11–17:34 | Dax claims to budget; chaos in spending explanations | | 19:02–21:03 | Plans to move back in with mom; cultural implications | | 25:11 | Dax’s social life, dog’s life in the truck | | 27:12–28:26 | Excessive spending, questionable expenses, “happy massages”| | 40:24 | Prefers to stay single to avoid financial entanglement | | 52:10–53:44 | Lease/rent explanations, moving timelines | | 61:03 | Detailed breakdown of monthly food spending | | 68:40–69:59 | Family money transfers and lack of personal accountability | | 74:07–75:03 | Owes friend $2,000+, can't recall why or repay | | 85:16–87:00 | IRS debt explanation, three years of unpaid taxes | | 96:54–98:34 | Sample monthly budget, food as dominant expense | | 99:04–99:17 | Strategies for paying debt faster; Caleb’s direct advice | | 100:26–100:44 | Final segment, summary of debts and closing advice |
Flow of the Conversation
- Caleb challenges Dax’s explanations, repeatedly steering the conversation from blame to personal responsibility.
- Frequent interjections from co-hosts (“Jake”, “Brandon”) add pressure and translation when Dax’s answers become confusing.
- The tone is unfiltered, sometimes irreverently comedic, but consistently focused on exposing habits that prevent financial progress.
- Dax is at times self-deprecating, often resigned, and occasionally defensive; Caleb remains blunt and relentless in his pursuit of the truth behind Dax's finances.
- The session closes with a harsh but honest assessment (0.5 out of 10 financial score) and a final appeal for Dax to confront his behavior if he wants a real change.
Actionable Financial Takeaways
- Full Accountability is Essential: Repeatedly blaming external factors will trap you in cycles of debt.
- Budgeting Must Be Comprehensive: Only tracking bills, not discretionary spending, undermines the value of budgeting.
- Behavior Change > One-Time Fixes: Bankruptcy without habit change leads straight back to deep debt.
- Don’t Enable or Accept Enabling: Allowing family to routinely bail you out prevents growth and learning.
- Addressing Tax Debt Proactively: Get ahead of tax bills with accurate withholding or saving from contract work.
- Avoid Recurring, Unexamined Purchases: Minor purchases (fast food, subscriptions) can compound into major financial woes.
Final Financial Audit Score for Dax
- Budgeting: 0/10 (spends more than he makes, “spinning a budget”)
- Debt: 0/10 (IRS, credit cards, personal loans)
- Emergency Fund: 1/10 ($300)
- Retirement: 0/10 (no savings)
- Real Estate/Assets: 0/10
- Overall: 0.5/10
Conclusion
This episode, blending exasperation and humor, is a raw portrait of financial self-sabotage and the difficulty of growth when accountability is lacking. Caleb’s relentless questioning strips away Dax’s rationalizations, making the episode both painfully revealing and unexpectedly entertaining—a cautionary tale for listeners who might recognize their own reflection in Dax’s story.
For further insights, catch the post-show for even more revealing details and financial lessons with Dax.