Financial Audit's Most Evil Father

Family Introduction and Initial Tensions [00:00:00]

• The episode introduces Angel (42), her husband Mike (59), and their daughter Rose (20), who live in Des Moines, Iowa.
• A surprising family structure is revealed: Angel married Mike when she was 21 and he was 38, and Rose is their daughter.
• The central conflict emerges as Angel reveals she left Mike, incurring significant debt.

  "I decided to leave Mike. Oh, you... Dude, you're a boomer and you're getting left? You're cooked."

Angel's Financial Struggles Post-Separation [00:02:00]

• Angel explains that leaving Mike resulted in $38,000 of debt due to maintaining a new home and frivolous spending.
• Mike, seemingly blindsided by Angel's departure, questions his own financial situation.
• Angel's income as a store manager is $52,720 annually, averaging about $3,300 per month.

  "Between $2,000 and $3,000 a month to... What? Like, if you rent some other property, it's got $2,000 to $3,000."

Rose's Financial Difficulties and Past Trauma [00:05:00]

• Rose, a barista, earns $800 every two weeks, totaling about $1,600 a month.
• She reveals being kicked out of her adoptive family's house at 17 and having $4,000 taken from a joint account by her adoptive mother.
• Her adoptive parents pulled her out of a homeschool co-op, forcing her to start over in public school, which she couldn't do due to credit transfer issues.

  "They pulled me out of my co-op because they were paying for it. So, they made me pay for the rest of it."

GED and Financial Hurdles [00:08:00]

• Rose is working on getting her GED, which costs $1,000, but struggles to save due to paying bills with her fiancé.
• She pays for electricity and Wi-Fi, but her fiancé also contributes.
• Her fiancé works for her as an employee at the retail store where she is a manager.

  "Because I can't afford the bills by myself. Okay. So what about fiance? You said fiance's there. He helps."

Rose's Pregnancy and Financial Concerns [00:10:00]

• Rose reveals she is three months pregnant, and she and her fiancé plan to marry when they have money for a certificate.
• The host questions how they can afford a child when they can't afford a $100 marriage certificate or a $1,000 GED.
• Rose admits to getting off birth control and relying on withdrawal, stating, "We said if it happens, it happens."

  "You can't even afford to get a hundred dollar certificate. How the are you bringing a kid into this world?"

Allegations of Abuse Against Mike [00:15:00]

• Angel's sister, Rose, claims Mike right-hooked her face at age four, breaking her nose, which has a permanent scar.
• Mike vehemently denies this, stating it never happened and questioning why he would remember it or why her nose would be permanently damaged.
• Angel's other sister corroborates the abuse, recalling Mike throwing things and breaking remotes when angry.

  "He right-hooked my face when I was four and broke my nose. That never f***ing happened."

Differing Accounts of Abuse [00:18:00]

• Angel recounts an incident where Mike dropped a knife on her arm before her 16th birthday, leaving a scar.
• Mike denies this, claiming it was a clown doll with a knife attached that Angel lunged at, cutting her arm.
• Angel's sister claims Mike dragged her by the hair and kicked her, which Mike also denies.

  "She's narcissistic, egotistical, and a fing b. She r**ed a mentally handicapped woman and got her pregnant."

Mike's Denial and Accusations of Manipulation [00:22:00]

• Mike insists that none of the abuse allegations are true and suggests his ex-wife (Rose's mother) manipulated the children.
• He claims his oldest daughter is "brainwashed" by his ex-wife.
• Mike admits to breaking a remote when angry but denies physical abuse.

  "My mother would convince you. That your name is not Caleb."

Open Relationship and Infidelity Allegations [00:25:00]

• Angel and Mike were in an open relationship, with the rule that they would inform each other if they found outside partners, and it was never of the opposite sex.
• Rose's friend claims to have seen Mike on Grindr a year prior, knowing details about his work and life.
• Mike denies being on Grindr and claims he never met Rose's friend.

  "He knew exactly where he worked. He knew some of his coworkers, because some of his family are coworkers with him."

The "Clown Incident" and Differing Memories [00:30:00]

• Angel's oldest daughter remembers Mike dressing as a clown and dropping a knife on her arm, causing a scar.
• Mike claims it was a clown doll, and Angel lunged at it, cutting herself.
• The discrepancy is attributed to Angel's mother's alleged manipulation.

  "The mother, for the oldest kids, mine included, she wanted custody of them."

Angel's Departure and Mike's Control [00:35:00]

• Angel explains she left Mike due to his controlling behavior, including controlling finances and who she could hang out with.
• She felt trapped and considered his behavior mental abuse.
• Mike admits to being controlling due to Angel's impulsiveness and mental health issues.

  "He was always against it. Going to college, that was another one he was against."

Rose's Perspective on Her Mother and Father [00:40:00]

• Rose felt her mother, Angel, was a refreshing parental figure after years without one, being non-judgmental and supportive.
• Mike felt jealous of Angel's relationship with Rose, perceiving it as taking her away from him.
• Mike admits to drinking heavily, which started about two years prior.

  "He felt like I was spending too much time with her. But I mean, after 12 years and not having a parental figure, having one that was like your best friend was really refreshing."

Financial Audit of Angel [00:45:00]

• Angel's spending habits are scrutinized, particularly $774 spent on dining out in a month.
• She admits to frivolous spending and being in $12,000 of credit card debt.
• The host questions her claim of not being able to pay minimums when her spending is so high.

  "You spent $774 going out to eat. Wah? I can't pay my minimums? Wah? Really?"

Mike's Financial Situation and Past Arrest [00:50:00]

• Mike owes $109,686.07 on a house refinanced without Angel's name, with a monthly payment of $1,132.
• He has a car loan of $6,313.65 with a minimum payment of $2,199.54.
• Mike admits to being arrested once with his first wife for slapping her and hitting her back.

  "With my first wife, yes. Oh, good death. Why were you arrested? She slapped me. I hauled off out of instinct and hit her back."

Family's Financial Scores and Future [00:55:00]

• Angel's financial score is 1.5 out of 10, with significant debt and poor spending habits.
• The host suggests bankruptcy and a move to a more affordable place.
• Rose wants her mother away from Mike, citing his continued disregard for others.

  "I think you're kind of holding her back. A little bit. A lot of bit."

Lingering Doubts and Abuse Allegations [01:00:00]

• The host expresses difficulty in believing everyone due to conflicting stories and potential manipulation.
• Rose's sister claims Mike abused her multiple times, including breaking plates and throwing them, and dragging her by the hair.
• Mike denies these claims, stating he never laid a hand on Rose's sister.

  "He broke plates. He broke plates and threw them at my mother. He almost killed my mom one night."

Final Thoughts and Family's Future [01:05:00]

• The host struggles to determine the truth amidst the conflicting narratives and accusations.
• Angel states she is "done, done, done, done, done" with Mike.
• Rose wants her mother away from Mike, believing nothing has changed.

  "I would really like her away from him. How's your relationship with him? I gave it a good shot for a year. I tried."