Financial Audit Podcast with Caleb Hammer
Episode: No F*cking Way | Financial Audit
Date: October 3, 2025
Guest: Farrah, 27, Patient Access Rep from New Orleans, LA
Episode Overview
This episode features Farrah, a 27-year-old working as a patient access representative in New Orleans, who candidly shares her deep financial struggles, major impulse spending, and the cycle of debt overwhelming her. Host Caleb Hammer conducts a raw, direct financial intervention, pushing Farrah to face the real causes and consequences of her situation, while offering tough love, candid feedback, and actionable advice.
The episode blends tough financial auditing, humor, pop culture asides, and far-reaching honesty, all while underscoring the urgent need for behavioral change in Farrah’s approach to money, health, and her future.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Income & Living Situation
- Income: Farrah earns $15.95/hr ($1,900/month take-home).
- Job Satisfaction vs. Financial Needs:
- Farrah enjoys her job but admits it doesn’t financially support survival.
- Caleb presses: “What comes first, survival or liking the company we work for?... you have to choose survival over that.” (04:22)
- Living Situation: She pays no rent, living with her boyfriend and his roommate, contributing ~$400/month for groceries, utilities, and internet.
- Farrah’s Justification: She resists changing jobs for higher pay due to comfort/enjoyment, despite being financially underwater.
2. Spending Habits & Behavioral Patterns
- Major Impulse/Unnecessary Spending:
- 16% goes to fast food; overspending on plushies (‘Labubu’), concert tickets, whimsical Amazon/TikTok items, and subscriptions.
- Example cart: “She has 34 things in her Amazon cart... cat collars, crochet kit, Dr. Pepper candle, Kirby costume...” (13:57)
- No Emergency Fund: Current balance is $0, and all savings are spent monthly.
- Repeated Self-Sabotage & Excuses:
- Even with no rent, she overspends.
- “You’re spending more than you make. The categories are complete.” (13:07)
- “Why are you incapable of change?” (09:30)
- Emotional Triggers & Coping: Farrah cites her late mother's similar habits as learned behavior: “I feel like I picked up those tendencies from her.” (24:24)
3. Debt Deep Dive
- Debt Total: ~$26,993.22 (credit cards, personal loans, Affirm, car loan).
- Multiple maxed-out credit cards, some over limit and incurring late fees/penalties.
- Credit Card/Loan Breakdown:
- Every credit card discussed is maxed out or over limit.
- Loans include a personal loan (“Best Egg,” originally $5,000, used for convention costs and to consolidate debt—which failed).
- Life insurance cash-out loan and $18k car loan at 17.6% interest, cosigned by her boyfriend.
- Use of buy-now-pay-later apps (Affirm, Klarna) for non-essentials.
- Minimum Debt Payments: $1,100+ per month—over 50% of her monthly income.
4. Relationship Dynamics
- Dependence: Farrah heavily relies on boyfriend’s financial support (no rent, cosigned car, extra help).
- Concern: Caleb flags risk: “If this relationship dies... you’re closer to homelessness than you are confession.” (16:57)
5. Health & Lifestyle
- Morbid Obesity & Health Parallels with Mother:
- BMI over 50, 5’4”, 287 lbs.; mother died at 40 of a heart attack.
- Poor nutrition, mainly fast food, little exercise.
- Sleep apnea, sleep issues, no gym, heavy soda/energy drink consumption.
- Caleb warns: “There’s no point in sacrificing all this if you’re going to die at 40.” (40:10)
- Resistance to Change:
- Acknowledges lack of motivation for health improvement.
- Makes excuses for not cooking at home: “My boyfriend asks me, hey, do you want to get McDonald’s?”—and always says yes.
6. Candid Confrontation & Tough Love
- Caleb Calls Out Excuses:
- “Everything we’re doing here is you just choosing what’s a little more pleasant.” (06:25)
- Real Consequences:
- “You are just a child… you’re never going to do anything, are you? You’re never going to be successful, are you?” (08:53)
- Humor & Sarcasm:
- “You’re over on all the credit limits. You’re just... It was probably interest that brought it over.” (53:37)
7. Budget Audit & Recommendations
- Breakdown of Monthly Needs:
- Debt payments: $1,100+
- Utilities/food/internet: $400+
- Phone: $150
- Car insurance/gas: $307
- Adds up to over her monthly take-home; “We are now over budget officially.” (84:46)
- Action Steps:
- Drastically cut all discretionary/impulse spending.
- Shift to splitting rent/utilities rather than food for fairer contribution.
- Stop pet expansion (no new kittens).
- Cook meals at home; meal prep ($2.90/meal possible).
- Get second job or find higher paying role—must bring in minimum $1,000 extra/month.
- No new subscriptions, avoid concurring interest.
- Begin addressing health—budget for gym, reduce fast food.
8. Reflection, Accountability, & Final Thoughts
- Farrah’s Self-Assessment: “A zero [out of 10]... I’m like a negative 10 probably.” (33:29)
- Caleb’s Final Judgment:
- Hammer Financial Score: “Rounded up to a .5 out of 10.” (88:39)
- “You have to bring in about an extra $1,600... otherwise you’ll never get out of debt.” (85:07)
- Urgency: Caleb pushes for immediate drastic change, warning her life expectancy, stability, and independence are all at risk without it.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You just said you’re struggling to survive. I’d say that’s bad on paper and in person.”
(04:42, Caleb) - “Why are you incapable of change or any progress or maturity?”
(09:30, Caleb) - “You’re just a child. Like, what even was that little stunt you just did? What a joke. Embarrassing.”
(08:53, Caleb) - “Within the last year, she has affirmed $700 of Labubu. What a joke. You should be embarrassed.”
(72:12, Caleb) - “All spending is just impulse bullshit, no plan whatsoever. Don’t have a thousand dollars. If your boyfriend breaks up with you, good luck—you wouldn’t be able to survive.”
(13:57, Caleb) - “Your mom morbidly obese, had a heart attack at 40 and died. You are living the same lifestyle. BMI over 50. Terrifying... there’s no point in doing this if you’re not gonna actually do it.”
(41:10, Caleb) - “You are over the BMI limit. You’re over on all the credit limits. You’re just... It was probably interest that brought it over.”
(53:37, Caleb to Farrah) - “I’m glad we’re getting DoorDash within the last month. I’m glad we’re getting Klarna Labubu within this last month. Now we have to call and get our loan extended. Well done. Maturity at its prime.”
(75:24, Caleb) - “If this relationship dies… you’re closer to homelessness than you are confession.”
(16:57, Caleb) - “Hammer Financial Score rounded up to a .5 out of 10, ladies and gentlemen.”
(88:39, Caleb) - “I just opened a third affirm—TikTok Shop.”
(89:04, Farrah)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:27 – Income revealed, job situation discussion
- 04:42 – Host challenges prioritizing job satisfaction over survival
- 07:22 – Farrah admits to impulsive spending being the main financial issue
- 13:57 – Amazon cart review, evidence of spending issues
- 16:55 – Relationships & financial dependency
- 24:24 – Parental influence on spending addressed
- 40:10 – Health, BMI, and legacy conversation (critical intersection of finances/health)
- 53:37 – Multiple cards over the limit, “You’re over on all the credit limits.”
- 72:12 – $700 in Affirm Labubu purchases, Caleb’s blunt reaction
- 75:24 – Requesting personal loan extension, debt cycle illustrated
- 84:46 – Budget breakdown reveals negative cash flow
- 88:39 – Final Hammer Financial Score and summary
Tone & Style
The episode is raw, irreverent, and mixes stern warnings with gallows humor. Caleb peppers the conversation with sarcasm, pop culture jabs, and hard truths, repeatedly circling back to Farrah’s lack of accountability and pattern of self-sabotage. Farrah responds with self-deprecating humor and nervous laughter but rarely demonstrates true ownership or plan for change, which Caleb continually brands as “childish” behavior.
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This is an unvarnished, brutally honest case study in financial self-destruction. Farrah is relatable to anyone who’s struggled with impulse spending but serves as a cautionary tale—how unchecked habits, lack of accountability, and emotional impulse can lead to decades of debt, dependency, and risk. Caleb’s approach isn’t gentle, but it’s deeply instructive, unearthing the root causes and possible escape routes for anyone facing similar issues.
Main Takeaway:
Farrah’s story is a wake-up call about the dangers of comfort-driven stasis, lack of financial self-discipline, and enabling arrangements. Serious lifestyle, spending, and career changes are non-negotiable for her to avoid long-term ruin.
Additional Resources Cited / Offered in Episode
- Dollarwise Budgeting App: Encouraged for all listeners/guests
- Course Career Certification: For additional career skills
- Meal-prep Cookbook: To save money and improve health
If you want to avoid being a guest like this: Download the Dollarwise app, start meal prepping, split expenses fairly, track every dollar, get a better job (even if temporarily unpleasant), stop impulse buying, and put health first.
Episode’s Final Financial Score for Farrah:
0.5 out of 10 — Complete financial overhaul urgently required.