Thorn Letters: Travel Budget, Roth IRA vs. 457b & End‑of‑Life Planning

Should You Have Kids If You Can't Afford Their Future?

Should you wait to have children until you can afford their future? Would you lend someone $14,000? Should married couples ever loan each other money? In this episode of the 13:22 Life Podcast, Bri Smith, CPA, answers real Thorn Letters covering some of today's toughest financial and relationship questions through a biblical and practical lens. In this episode: • How to balance enjoying life while still saving money • Why a financial fast can help reset unhealthy spending habits • Should spouses repay each other for personal expenses? • Would you loan $14,000 to someone you barely know? • How to handle different money habits in marriage • Should you wait to have children until you're financially secure? At 13:22 Life, we believe building wealth isn't just about money. It's about stewardship, wisdom, legacy, and honoring God in every financial decision. 📩 Submit your anonymous Thorn Letter: https://1322life.com/#thorn [https://1322life.com/#thorn] 🌐 Learn more: https://1322life.com [https://1322life.com] 💼 Schedule a strategy session with B.D. Smith Wealth: https://bdsmithwealth.com [https://bdsmithwealth.com] 👍 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to Like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could use this conversation. #1322Life #BriSmithCPA #BiblicalFinance #ChristianFinance #MoneyManagement #MarriageAndMoney #PersonalFinance #FinancialWisdom #ChristianLiving #FinancialFreedom ********************************************************* MORE RESOURCES Faith Cards & Budgeting Sheet - https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/] Free Financial Breakthrough Call - https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/] ********************************************************* CONNECT WITH ME @brismithcpa https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/]

THE AUDACITY

🎙️ THE AUDACITY | Thorn Letters Episode 10 | 13:22 Life Podcast Some people have audacity. This week? They had a lot of it. In this episode of 13:22 Life, Bri reacts to five Thorn Letters involving entitlement, family drama, addiction, inheritance disputes, and people expecting others to fund the consequences of their choices. 📬 THORN LETTERS FEATURED: ▪️ An ex-wife expects her former husband to continue paying for her children’s private school and future college expenses after their divorce. ▪️ A woman struggling with heroin addiction blames her brother for her poverty after years of financial support. ▪️ A listener asks whether they should pay off IRS debt or high-interest credit card debt first. ▪️ A husband secretly gives money from the family savings account to his parents without his wife's knowledge. ▪️ A mother wants her son to give half of his inheritance to the child she had during an affair. Needless to say... Bri had thoughts. 🙏 Opening and closing prayer included. ✉️ SUBMIT YOUR THORN LETTER Have a thorn in your side? Submit your story anonymously at: https://1322life.com/#thorn [https://1322life.com/#thorn] 🌐 Learn more: https://1322life.com [https://1322life.com] 🎙️ Hosted by Bri Smith, CPA #1322Life #ThornLetters #ChristianPodcast #PersonalFinance #FamilyDrama #Inheritance #AddictionRecovery #Boundaries #ChristianLiving

Thorn Letters: Fiancé’s Debts, Credit Card Cash Advances & Secret Millions

In this episode of 1322 Life (Season 3, Episode 9), Bri answers five thorn letters about family money pressure, credit card requests, secret wealth, and a father’s betrayal. 📬 LETTERS WE ANSWER: 1. “My fiancé’s grandparents want my entire paycheck to repay his $20k debts – even though I never borrowed the money. Am I wrong to refuse?” – Bri says: He’s a fiancé, not a husband. Not your problem. If you marry, then you decide together – but 100% of your check to his family? Absolutely not. 2. “My sister wants me to take a cash advance on my credit card (18‑24% APR) for a house deposit. She’ll pay back in 2‑4 weeks. I just paid off my card – should I do it?” – Bri: No. Proverbs says it’s foolish. Cash advance has no grace period. She can use her own card. Also, a mortgage lender will ask if it’s a gift – don’t sign a false document. 3. “I’m a 30‑year‑old self‑made millionaire (real estate + business), but my family has always made me feel less than. Should I tell them?” – Bri: No. They’ll pretend to love you for your money. Wear the outfit, get your hair and nails done, pour into yourself. And get a personal trainer – health is wealth. 4. “My dad gave me money for my graduation party, then asked for it back to cheer up his stepkid. I returned it in front of his other kids and told him he’s not welcome at my graduation. Am I wrong?” – Bri: No. He’s dead wrong. He prioritized stepkids over you for years – missed hospital visits, broke promises. You have every right to set boundaries. 🙏 Opening and closing prayers included. ✉️ SUBMIT YOUR THORN LETTER: Go to 1322life.com [http://1322life.com] – anonymous or first name only. #1322Life #ThornLetters #FamilyDebt #CreditCardCashAdvance #SelfMadeMillionaire #ParentalBetrayal #ChristianPodcast ********************************************************* MORE RESOURCES Faith Cards & Budgeting Sheet - https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/] Free Financial Breakthrough Call - https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/] ********************************************************* CONNECT WITH ME @brismithcpa https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/]

Thorn Letters: Moving Back Home, Credit Card Debt & Family Sacrifice

In this episode of 1322 Life (Season 3, Episode 8), Bri answers five thorn letters about housing, debt, family sacrifice, and setting boundaries. 📬 LETTERS WE ANSWER: 1. “I’m 30, want to buy a house, but the market is terrible. Should I move back in with my parents to save $17k/year?” – Bri says: if you have a good relationship, do it. Also get a shark realtor and consider sweat equity on a fixer‑upper. 2. “$23k credit card debt, getting divorced (he was a drug addict), I make $24k/year. Bankruptcy or settle?” – Bri: Don’t file bankruptcy. Prioritize mortgage and utilities first. The debt is unsecured – ignore it until your needs are met. Then increase income (Doordash, Instacart) and settle the debt. 3. “I broke a lease early, paid all fees except $100 they never told me about. They got an eviction judgment without me knowing (I had moved states). What do I do?” – Bri: File a motion to vacate the judgment. Courts take lack of notice seriously, especially when you were 2,600 miles away. 4. “I’m 25, a valedictorian engineer in Istanbul, hate my job. My parents want me to take a 5‑year mortgage for their dream home, which would trap me here and kill my dream of a master’s abroad. What do I do?” – Bri: Pursue your dream. You can help them later when you’re successful. Their dream is not your responsibility. Don’t sacrifice your youth for their house. 5. “I live in London, help my mom regularly, but she books caravan holidays while in debt. Now she wants more, but I’d have to go into overdraft. I feel guilty.” – Bri: No. Don’t go into debt for someone else’s poor decisions. Give from abundance, not lack. 🙏 Opening prayer included. ✉️ SUBMIT YOUR THORN LETTER: Go to 1322life.com [http://1322life.com] – anonymous or first name only. #1322Life #ThornLetters #MovingBackHome #CreditCardDebt #Eviction #FamilySacrifice #SettingBoundaries #ChristianPodcast ********************************************************* MORE RESOURCES Faith Cards & Budgeting Sheet - https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/] Free Financial Breakthrough Call - https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/] ********************************************************* CONNECT WITH ME @brismithcpa https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/]

Thorn Letters: Family Money Pressure, College Costs & Bad Car Loans

In this episode of 1322 Life (Season 3, Episode 7), Bri answers four thorn letters about family money pressure, college affordability, bad car loans, and homebuyer regret. 📬 LETTERS WE ANSWER: 1. “My wealthy Indian parents expect a fixed portion of my salary every month – they don’t need it, but say it’s my duty. Am I wrong for refusing?” – Bri says: No. They’re financially secure. This isn’t biblical. Don’t let guilt force you into an unnecessary obligation. 2. “Our son is a top student (ranked 3rd, perfect GPA), wants a $100k/year dream school. We have 4 kids, make $200k, and can’t afford that. Wife says don’t crush his dreams. Am I too harsh?” – Bri sides with Dad. Set a yearly contribution limit. He needs to find scholarships or take loans. $400k for undergrad is insane, especially since he wants vet school or PhD after. 3. “My 62‑year‑old mother‑in‑law just bought a $42k car at 13.7% APR – total cost $65k. She’s near retirement with little savings. What can she do?” – Bri: Try to return it (if within 1 week). Otherwise refinance immediately (she should have good credit). Sell her old 2017 car privately and put that toward the loan. 4. “I bought a $440k house on commission income, now my industry tanked. I have $20k savings, unexpected repairs, and I’m stressed. Should I sell and rent again?” – Bri: Yes. You bought too much house. Sell, rent, regroup, and buy less house next time with a fixed emergency fund. 🙏 Opening prayer included. ✉️ SUBMIT YOUR THORN LETTER: Go to 1322life.com [http://1322life.com] – anonymous or first name only. #1322Life #ThornLetters #FamilyMoney #CollegeCosts #CarLoan #HomebuyerRegret #ChristianPodcast ********************************************************* MORE RESOURCES Faith Cards & Budgeting Sheet - https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/resources/] Free Financial Breakthrough Call - https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/] ********************************************************* CONNECT WITH ME @brismithcpa https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/ [https://bdsmithwealth.com/work-with-me/]