The Bert Show: “Vault: Her Cousin LIED To Her Over Money. Was It for Good Reason?”

Original Air Date: April 7, 2026
Summary by: The Bert Show Cast (Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy & team)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Bert Show centers around a dramatic and emotional dilemma involving a listener, Cynthia, whose cousin deceived her and her mother out of $5,000 under false pretenses. The conversation examines family history, the challenges of lending money within families, betrayal, and the hard lessons learned when trust is broken. The Bert Show cast provides candid advice and relatable commentary, staying true to their real, funny, and authentic style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Background: Family Money and Mistrust

• Cynthia recounts a long history of her cousin's irresponsibility:
  • Both cousins inherited substantial money from their grandmother meant for college; Cynthia’s cousin spent hers on partying, not education.
  • The cousin, now 27, lives at home, is unemployed, has two children, and recently claimed to need money for hand surgery after an accident.
  • Cynthia and her mother were asked for $5,000 for this surgery.
    • [01:36] Cynthia: “Our grandmother gave us both a substantial amount of money that would have paid for three out of four years of college. Never went to school, she used that money for partying. And you know, we're 27, she's still living at home.”

2. Previous Advice: Don’t Give the Money

• The show and its community unanimously advised against lending or giving the money, predicting the cousin would misuse it.

  • [02:11] Host Cynthia: “Every call in, saying the same thing.”
  • [02:17] Co-host Jen: “It’s not like you’re lending her the money. You’re giving it to her.”

• Alternative offered:

  • [02:29] Co-host Jen: “The suggestion from one of our listeners was she should go to the doctor with her and pay the doctor directly...not just give her the money.”

3. Family Pressure and a Change of Heart

• Cynthia’s mother, swayed by concern for the cousin’s children, scraped together $2,000 of her own, asking Cynthia to contribute $3,000. Together, they gave the full $5,000.

  • [03:28] Cynthia: “My mom had this total change...we really need to think about her children...and I was like, okay...Let’s give her another chance.”

• The cousin appeared grateful and emotional upon receiving the money, making Cynthia feel they’d done the right thing—initially.

4. The Deception Revealed

• Cynthia’s mother soon learns, via another family member, that the cousin lied:
  • The money was not for surgery but for a down payment on a pre-foreclosure home because her parents wanted her out of their house. The cousin’s entire family participated in the deception.
  • [04:17] Cynthia: “We had been completely duped. Completely duped.”
  • [04:48] “She’s out there trying to buy a house with it, and...it’s not gonna work out anyway.”

5. Emotional Fallout and Next Steps

• Cynthia’s mother is devastated; both plan to cancel their checks before they’re cashed, anticipating a serious family rift.
  • [05:25] Co-host Jen: “Is it that her hand isn't hurt at all?”
  • [05:30] Cynthia: “I mean, it’s hurt, but...apparently, it’s fine. Apparently.”
  • [06:13] Cynthia confirms they gave their checks on Saturday and will cancel them immediately after the bank holiday.

6. Cast Reaction: Hard Truths About Lending Family Money

• The Bert Show cast empathizes with Cynthia but calls out the repeated pattern:

  • [05:46] Host Cynthia: “You knew the history...she’s shown you in the past what she was all about and you gave her the cash and she did with...it could have been predicted, right?”
  • [06:00] Cynthia: “You always want to believe that someone is going to try to do better. But to be lied to, like bold face lied to…”

• Reflection on family dynamics:

  • [06:36] Cynthia clarifies the cousin is her mother’s sister’s daughter, meaning Cynthia’s mom will have to cut ties with her own sister.
  • [07:02] Cynthia confirms the cousin’s parents were in on the lie because they didn’t have enough to give their daughter the whole amount.

7. Listener Calls & Final Advice

• Listener Marie: “You should just cancel the check...if you cancel your check, it'll all be her problem.” [07:39]

• Listener Doreen: “Start a savings account for the kids, and when they call and want to know why, tell them that...at least get them a better start than what apparently she can do.” [08:49]

• The cast agrees: cancel the checks, learn from your instincts, and beware of family money entanglements.

  • [09:32] Cynthia: “This is a lesson to listen to your gut instincts...your gut tells you the right thing to do, generally.”

Memorable Quotes

• [04:17] Cynthia: “We had been completely duped. Completely duped.”
• [05:46] Host Cynthia: “You knew the history...she’s shown you in the past what she was all about and you gave her the cash and she did with...it could have been predicted, right?”
• [06:00] Cynthia: “You always want to believe that someone is going to try to do better. But to be lied to, like bold face lied to…”
• [09:32] Cynthia: “This is a lesson to listen to your gut instincts...your gut tells you the right thing to do, generally.”
• [09:46] Co-host Jen: “She tugged on the heartstrings...you weren’t making the decision to give her the money for her. It was for her kids and to give her kids a better life.”

Important Timestamps

• [01:36] - Cynthia explains the family’s financial history with her cousin.
• [02:29] - Listeners’ alternative suggestion: pay the doctor directly.
• [03:28] - Cynthia’s mother has a change of heart and asks Cynthia to give money.
• [04:17] - The truth surfaces: the cousin lied about her need for the money.
• [05:46] - Cast reflects on ignoring red flags in family relationships.
• [06:36] - Family lines drawn: the ripple effect of the lie across generations.
• [07:39] - Listener Marie advises: cancel the check, let the cousin deal with consequences.
• [08:49] - Listener Doreen suggests setting up a savings account for the children.
• [09:32] - Cynthia summarizes her lesson on following gut instinct.

Takeaways

• Lending money to family, especially with a history of irresponsibility, rarely ends well—even with good intentions.
• Emotional manipulation and family pressure can cloud judgment, but trusting your instincts is crucial.
• Being honest about boundaries and consequences is necessary to protect yourself and your future relationships.

This episode offers a cautionary tale for anyone navigating the treacherous waters of family, money, and trust—with the Bert Show’s signature blend of empathy, candor, and humor.