George Kamel Asked Strangers at Disney How Much Debt They Have -- the Answers Were Shocking
In a recent street-style video from George Kamel, a host on "The Ramsey Show," Kamel took his microphone to Disney Springs and asked everyday visitors one simple question: How much debt do you have?
What followed was a combination of honesty, awkward laughter and some pretty shocking numbers. The video is entertaining, but it also offers a revealing look at how normalized debt has become, even during a vacation that can cost thousands of dollars.
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Shocking Debt Numbers
Early in the video, one woman shared that she has about $100,000 in private student loans for a business administration degree. When Kamel asked about her total debt, she said it was estimated at $128,000, which is quite a lot considering the fact that she doesn't have a mortgage.
Another 22-year-old visitor said she has around $36,000 to $40,000 in student loan and credit card debt, and she expects to pay that off in about 15 years.
Student Loans With No Clear Payoff Plan
Multiple people said they're just making payments with no real end date in mind. One couple admitted that most of their student loans are in deferment, and their total debt adds up to around $180,000.
High Car Payments
The couple also revealed they're paying around $1,200 a month on a car loan after rolling negative equity into a new vehicle. Kamel jokingly said, "You're driving most people's 401(k), my friend."
Credit Card Strategies That Aren't Strategies
One couple put half their trip on a Disney credit card with six months of no interest, and admitted their payoff plan is more hopeful than guaranteed. As Kamel pointed out, once that promo ends, interest rates can jump close to 30%, so their credit card strategy is quite risky. Though they may be able to pay for a Disney trip now, that doesn't mean they could actually afford it.
Not Every Story Is Grim
Not every interviewee was racking up debt, though. One family explained they paid about $8,000 in cash for their Disney vacation after saving for years. They avoided credit cards entirely and made sure the trip wouldn't affect their finances back home. "There's no stress," the mom explained. "We knew it fit our budget."
Money Lessons You Can Learn From the Video
The interviews show how quickly debt becomes normalized. Here are the biggest takeaways:
Know your total number: Based on the interview, it seems many people are tallying their debt for the first time on camera. A lot of us avoid the full number because it's uncomfortable. But you can't fix what you won't look at.
Give debt a deadline: Saying you'll pay it off "eventually" or that it feels "manageable" isn't the same as having a plan. Without a clear debt payoff timeline, your debt will only continue to grow and rack up expensive interest that can easily spiral out of control.
Fun isn't fun when it's financed: Vacations feel very different when you've already paid for them or know you can afford it. When you overextend yourself financially to make a trip happen, you end up paying for it long after the memories fade.
So, if this video made you uncomfortable, that's a good thing. Discomfort is usually a sign that it's time to take a closer look at your own finances. Here's what you can do next:
Write down every debt and the total amount: You can't make a real plan until you know what you're working with, so write down the balance, interest rate and minimum payment for each debt you owe.
Calculate how much you're sending out monthly: Next, add up all your minimum monthly payments. Once you know this number, you can start asking better questions, like where you can cut back or how much extra you can realistically allocate toward your debt.
Have a solid debt repayment strategy: Two popular options are the debt snowball and the debt avalanche. With the debt snowball method, you focus on paying off your smallest balance first to build momentum, then roll that payment into the next debt. With the debt avalanche method, you tackle the debt with the highest interest rate first to save the most money over time.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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