I Asked People at Disney How Much Debt They Have

Summary

---

Podcast Summary

Podcast: George Kamel (Ramsey Network)
Episode: I Asked People at Disney How Much Debt They Have
Date: November 17, 2025
Host: George Kamel

---

Overview

In this episode, personal finance expert George Kamel takes his show on the road to Disney Springs, Orlando, to ask random park-goers a direct and often uncomfortable question: how much debt do you have? With humor, empathy, and a dose of snark, George collects candid stories about student loans, credit cards, auto loans, and Disney vacations—highlighting both the challenges and triumphs of everyday people managing debt. The episode showcases a range of attitudes, from resigned acceptance to disciplined financial planning, and George offers both practical advice and relatable (sometimes hilarious) commentary throughout.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Student Loans Dominate the Debt Conversation

• Multiple people report six-figure student loan debt, often expressing stress and uncertainty about ever paying it off.
  • "[My student loans], they're about $100,000." (00:28)
  • "It's gonna be probably in about 15 years. I'm assuming I'll get it paid off." (01:44)
  • "How old are you now? I'm 22, 37 years old. Maybe we'll have this knocked out." (01:48)
• International differences emerged; a Welsh guest explained UK student loan forgiveness after 30 years, which seems bewildering to George.

2. Car Loans: The ‘Silent Killer’ of Financial Freedom

• Several guests have major car debt, often from rolling over negative equity or opting for expensive new vehicles.
  • "What's left on the car loan?"
    "53. What are you driving?"
    "24 Toyota Tundra. You're driving most people's 401k, my friend." (02:40)
  • "$1,200 a month for your car payment?!" (03:02)
  • George’s advice: "I think we need to sell some cars. What do you think?" (04:00)

3. Credit Card & Vacation Debt: Disney Isn’t Cheap

• Many families either save for years to fund their Disney trips or finance vacations with credit cards, using special offers (e.g., six months 0% interest from the Disney card).
  • "Did you pay cash?...We did. We just paid cash for our trip and made sure it wasn't going to affect anything." (08:15)
  • "No, for half of it...The other half is on...the Disney credit card." (09:08)
  • "If we can do that [pay it off in 6 months], for sure, yeah. That doesn't instill confidence." (09:27)

4. Attitudes Toward Debt: Resignation vs. Aggressive Repayment

• Many interviewees expect to be in debt for a decade or more, some without a formal payoff plan.
  • "Six years? The payment plan I'm doing, probably. So I think your payment plan sucks at that point, don't you think?" (10:28)
• A minority have no consumer debt and express pride about funding big purchases with cash and budgeting.
  • "Where did this mentality come from that...I'm gonna avoid debt?...I Don’t want debt." (11:11)
  • "Been saving for a while...trying to save for a house." (11:07)
• George often challenges slow repayment approaches, advocating for faster, more intentional debt elimination.

5. Personal Moments & Humor

• George’s banter adds levity: ribbing guests for financial decisions, joking about rolling negative equity, and referencing pop culture.
• Encourages guests to use the Ramsey "EveryDollar" budgeting app as a tool for transformation.
  • "I'm gonna gift you each an EveryDollar subscription. It's good for a year. It's the premium version." (04:23)
  • "Can I give you a new rule? Don't make any financial decisions while you're high in the future. Okay. Is that fair?" (14:02)

6. Cultural & International Comparisons

• A guest from Wales describes debt as less common and less normalized in their culture.
  • "Is that normal in Wales?"
    "Yeah. Like, it's weird to have debt in Wales." (05:39)
• Puerto Rican guest reflects on the credit system: "It's very Americanized in that way. It's like, hey, we’re part of this. We gotta get the credit score. Yeah, that's not good." (11:28)

7. Message of Hope & Action

• Episode closes with George urging listeners/viewers not to settle for a "die with debt" mentality.
  • "There is a way out. Not a 15, 20 year plan. Not a 'I'm gonna die with this debt.'" (14:18)
  • "Delayed gratification is the key to getting out of debt. You gotta make some sacrifices now for a better tomorrow." (14:28)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the reality of debt:
  "Home of Sunshine, Dole Whip, and terrible financial decisions. And speaking of terrible, the weather is terrible today..." (00:05)
• On rolling over car loans:
  "Yeah. So you rolled over negative equity. What are you driving now? Honda Pilot 25. What's your car payment? $1,200. The face said it all." (03:02)
• On traveling debt-free:
  "We just paid cash for our trip and made sure it wasn't going to affect anything. We work really hard...But it did take us a couple years to save and do it right." (08:15)
• On marriage and finances:
  "You want to marry this girl one day maybe?...I think you better get out of this debt, my guy. I don't think she likes it." (13:03)
• On making purchases while high:
  "What's the interest rate? If you ask me right now, remember? Because that day I was high, I did sign for everything and I got the loan." (12:02)
• Host’s advice:
  "Can I give you a new rule? Don’t make any financial decisions while you’re high in the future." (14:02)

---

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 00:05 — George’s intro & setup at Disney Springs
• 00:28 — First interview: $100k student loan debt; attitudes and (lack of) payoff plans
• 01:48 — Age-related realizations about timeline for debt repayment
• 02:40 – 03:02 — Car loan horror stories; rolling negative equity, massive payments
• 04:23 — George gifts budgeting app; recommends selling the car
• 05:39 — Welsh guest: debt culture differences
• 07:03 – 08:15 — Saving for a debt-free Disney trip; emotional payoff of paying cash
• 09:08 – 10:28 — Disney trip financed with credit cards; payment plans & skepticism
• 11:07 – 11:38 — Puerto Rican guest, saving cash, credit-building pressures
• 12:02 – 13:15 — Buying a car while under the influence
• 14:18 – End — George wraps with lessons learned and a challenge to listeners/viewers

---

Final Thoughts

George Kamel’s street-level interviews at Disney paint a sobering but often light-hearted portrait of American debt. The variety of experiences—massive student loans, car payments larger than most mortgages, creative credit use, and disciplined, cash-funded vacations—underscore the importance of intentionality and education in personal finance. George’s sharp humor and actionable advice make the episode both entertaining and motivational, with a clear call: start taking control, say no to debt, and choose the hard path now for freedom and options later.

---

Transcript

[A]

Hey, guys. George Camel here. I'm on the road today in Orlando, Florida, at Disney Springs, home of Sunshine, Dole, Whip, and terrible financial decisions. And speaking of terrible, the weather is terrible today, and so we'll see if the decisions and the debt adds up. I'm gonna ask total strangers about how much debt they have. Let's see how honest they are. Let's get to it. Do you guys have any debt right now?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

How much?

[B]

Well, my student loans, they're about 100,000.

[A]

What was your degree?

[B]

Business administration.

[A]

Who's out there charging 100 grand?

[B]

It's UNC Greensboro.

[A]

Okay. They think there's something special, don't they? Yeah.

[B]

I didn't get any, like, federal aid, so it's all private student loans now. If you get federal aid, he had no student loans.

[A]

No student loans. You know, whenever you're filling out the FAFSA and everything, you got to do it a certain way, you know? A lot of. How much total do you have in debt outside of, you know, student loans? Everything. Medical debt, credit cards, everything.

[B]

Probably around 128,000, I'd say, total.

[A]

Okay. And you feel good about that?

[B]

Not particularly.

[A]

What's the game plan to pay that off?

[B]

Just, you know, just keep working. I do extra shifts at work, so, you know, just keep saving.

[A]

Okay. How about you? How much total debt do you have right now? I'm in grad school. The student loans is, like, 30. I think it's close to 35,000 at this point, and. And then, like, 1,000 on my credit card. So, like, 36. Probably 36 to 40,000. So what's your game plan to pay off? You're, you know, 38. Same as hers. Just working, saving up. I mean, the debt is, like, manageable right now. Do you ever feel like I'll just die with the debt? Like, what's. Is there a game plan to be like, I'm gonna pay this off in three years, or is it just kind of like, I'll make my payments?

[B]

It's gonna be probably in about 15 years. I'm assuming I'll get it paid off. I don't know.

[A]

How old are you now? I'm 22, 37 years old. Maybe we'll have this knocked out. Are you guys in any kind of debt right now? I am, yeah. Yeah. How much total would you say? So mine's pretty minimal, I think. Credit card and a vehicle between the two, probably about 60. And that's minimal to you? No, it's a lot. That's a lot. It's Pretty minimal. I went. I don't know where this guy, what kind of neighborhood this guy comes from. That's a lot of debt. Maybe minimal. Meaning, like, it's not super spread out, but just a lot. In a few places it could be worse. A buddy of mine has got a bigger truck than I do, so. Right. What's left on the car loan? 53. What are you driving? 24 Toyota Tundra. You're driving most people's 401k, my friend. Yes. How about you? How much debt do you have? Probably 75,000. Oh, that's why he said it's minimal. He's like. Compared to her. Compared to me? Yeah. He's. Yeah. What's the 75 grand? Break that down. Credit cards and then car loan as well. Okay. What's your car loan?

[B]

Student loans. Yeah.

[A]

What is my debt on my car? Like 60. 60. What are you driving? Well, I was. You rolled over negative equity, didn't you? I did, yes. Yeah. So you rolled over negative equity. What are you driving now? Honda Pilot 25. What's your car payment? 1200. The face said it all. I love it. I know. Negative equity. Don't do it. Twelve hundred dollars a month for your car payment? Yeah. Due to the negative equity and the 20, 20, 2025 Honda Pilot. Okay, how much your car payment? 982. And then the credit card. 2 or 300amonth. So all in 1,200. Ish. 1300amonth. Wow. So, yeah. That's impressive. So you guys are. I mean, you're just giving away the income every month at this point, right? Yeah, Yeah. O. Like Honda financing just owns your life at this point. Yep. How much student loans we have left? Oh, gosh, I probably have 100,000 in student loans. Okay, add it all up in your head. I think we're doing this for the first time. How much debt do you have? Total? Total Total. I'm going to say at least 180 grand. Okay. Yeah. What are your monthly payments to make on all of the debts?

[B]

Okay, so student loans are in. What do you call it?

[A]

Deferment. Yeah.

[B]

Right now?

[A]

Forbearance. I'm still in school. Oh, okay. Got it.

[B]

So, yeah, they're just.

[A]

So you kick the can down the road, you're like, I'll go get another master's degree maybe. Yeah, yeah. You must be very well educated. Well, hey, I'm gonna do my part to help you guys through this. I'm gonna gift you each an every dollar subscription. It's good for a year. It's the premium version. It connects to your bank. It'll coach you based on your personal finances into what to do next, give you recommendations so you never feel stuck. Would you use it if we give it to you? Yeah, I sure will. Will you be her accountability partner? 1. I think we need to sell some cars. What do you think? Yeah, probably. How far underwater are you on this pilot? I think y'. All. I don't need to sell my car. Y' all need to sell your cars. Yeah, we need to get, like, a 1999, you know, Ford Ranger. Okay. I'm good with it. That'll cost you, what, six grand? Let's do it. I'll do it. Let's go back to this. Okay, we're gonna do a. Where are they now? And it's gonna be you driving in that Ford Ranger. Okay. We should. That you got off Facebook Marketplace. Now, is it gonna. In like a year or two? I would love to. Yeah, I'll have the. I'll have it in the budget. I don't know if you guys will. If I see you here, I'm gonna be real mad. Yes. Either you got an inheritance from grandma, or I'm getting you on the next flight home. Okay. Here you go. Enjoy every dollar and enjoy the trip. I don't want to put too much of a damper on it. You're already here. Yeah. Have a good time. Thank you. Well, tell us about your. Your financial situation. Are you in debt? No, I'm not. No debt? No. How about you? How'd you do that? Smart spending. Is that normal in Wales? Yeah. Like, it's weird to have debt in Wales? Little bit, yeah. You don't tend to see her as much, so in America, we put everything on the credit card. Do you guys do that in Wales? Not often, no. I mean, I have student debt, but that's about it. You have student debt? So you lied to me already? I said you have debt. You said I have no debt. How much student debt do you have? About 21,000 pound, I think. Wow. Okay. So you think you're gonna pay off your student loans and how long. How many years? It goes after about 20 or 30 years anyway. You're gonna do like, the forgiveness program. 30 years. I think it just gets done automatically.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So it just wipes away your debt as long as you make minimum payments for 30 years. After 30 years, it just gets wiped. But you're making payments at all time? I think so, but I think it's. I don't know. It works. Things like Richardson Fresh Elders. And it's only like that feels like a bum deal, as they say in Wales. No one says that. Can you tell us how much debt you currently have?

[B]

The only debt we currently have is on our house. So, yeah, on our house. Interest rate is low, so that's what we have right now.

[A]

Do you have a plan to knock it out?

[B]

We do. Yeah, we have a plan to knock it out. We pay ahead on our mortgage. Our interest rate's like 3.5%.

[A]

So you're not in a hurry, but you're like, hey, when we can put some extra, let's do it.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

You guys are on the same page when it comes to that plan.

[B]

Yes, we are.

[A]

What does a trip to Disney cost in 2025? I have no idea.

[B]

This is our first time here, and we decided if we were going to do it, we were going to do it right. We wanted just Lightning Lane everything, Lanes hotel. We've been married for 10 years, though, and this is our big vacation in 10 years. So it's probably going to cost us around $8,000, I would say.

[A]

How many days at the parks is that?

[B]

That's eight days at the park.

[A]

Eight days at the park. So about a thousand bucks a day all in probably or three of you.

[B]

Yeah. But we're doing character meals every day.

[A]

And can I come? How was your daughter? Eight. Okay. That's a great age.

[B]

Until she was an age to really enjoy it. And we decided we were going to do it right and do it well and make it a big vacation.

[A]

I love it. And did you pay cash? We did. Like, do you guys use credit cards? No, for real? Like, only debit cards.

[B]

Yeah, I just. Yeah, we just paid cash for our trip and made sure it wasn't going to affect anything. We work really hard. I mean, we're blessed. We have great jobs. We have parents that taught us finances. But it did take us a couple years to save and do it right, so.

[A]

I'm so proud of you guys. Do you think it means more once you save up and pay cash for a trip versus just swiping the card?

[B]

Absolutely. When you have a goal and you and your spouse are both working towards it, and two, you come and there's no stress, and so there's no, like, how are we gonna pay for this? Or how is it gonna affect us when we get back? We just knew, like, we could do it and it fit our budget.

[A]

I love it. Well, I'm so proud of you guys. Thanks for chatting with me.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

So proud of you. So proud. Can you tell me, did you guys pay cash for the trip?

[B]

No, for half of it.

[A]

The other half is on what, a Disney card? On the Disney credit card. Okay. Who makes that? What bank is it?

[B]

Chase?

[A]

What do you get for putting it on the Disney card versus any old other card?

[B]

It has six months special financing, so there's no interest for like six months.

[A]

Okay, so is your plan to pay it off in six months?

[B]

That's the plan.

[A]

That is the plan. If we can do that. For sure, yeah. That doesn't instill confidence. You're like, if we. Because otherwise it's going to, like, crack and crank up to a 29% APR or something crazy. Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Do you guys have any other debt? I have a little bit of school debt, yeah. Okay. What's left on the student loans? Probably about 9,000. Okay. What was your degree in? I didn't finish college. Oh, man. Yeah. Does that hurt more when you're paying off debt and you didn't get the end product? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Because it feels like I wasted it, you know? How much debt do you have?

[B]

I have about 5,000.

[A]

What is that? What kind of debt?

[B]

Credit card.

[A]

Oh, so you already have some credit card debt? We're stacking it on top. Is it on the Disney card or a different card or seven other cards?

[B]

It's on a different card. I did balance transfer, so I didn't have interest for like 12 months.

[A]

So you've played this game before?

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Okay. How many times have you done a balance transfer?

[B]

Oh, just this once.

[A]

Okay. Wow. Okay, so total debt. Add it all up for all consumer debt right now. What is it? Well, 14,000.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. How long will it take you to pay off 14 grand? It's gonna take me like six years at least. Six years? The payment plan I'm doing, probably. So I think your payment plan sucks at that point, don't you think? Right, but there's no interest as far as I know. So at the moment she's going, ah.

[B]

For his student loan debt, there is interest.

[A]

Okay. Right now there's no interest. But there will be later. There will be blood later on. Okay, well, good luck paying it off, guys. Thank you. Okay, tell us, how much debt do you have right now? Like, do you owe anybody anything, Any kind of loans?

[C]

I'm not. I don't right now.

[A]

No credit card debt?

[C]

No.

[A]

How'd you pay for the trip? Just cash.

[C]

Cash. Been saving for a while.

[A]

Where did this mentality come from that.

[C]

I'm gonna avoid debt Cause I Don't want debt. And then I'm trying to save for a house. And I was working on my credit too, so I did have a credit card, but I paid it off so I might get a new one soon just to.

[A]

Why do you need a new one?

[C]

Just to keep working on my credit.

[A]

Is credit a big deal in Puerto Rico?

[C]

It is. Wow.

[A]

So it's very Americanized in that way. It's like, hey, we're part of this. We gotta get the credit score. Yeah, that's not good. What do you need the credit score for at this point?

[C]

I just got a car, but I want to get a house soon.

[A]

But you pay cash for the car?

[C]

No, I'm paying monthly.

[A]

You just told me you didn't have any debt.

[C]

You're right. You're right, you're right.

[A]

I do. Is everybody lying to me out here? Come on, I thought we were friends.

[C]

I got a car.

[A]

Okay. What's left on the loan? Like 20,000, 25,000. 20,000. How much did you put down?

[C]

3.

[A]

What's the interest rate?

[C]

If you ask me right now, remember? Because that day I was high, I did sign for everything and I got the loan.

[A]

Hold up. So you were. You came back the next day to get the car and you were high and you went. Yeah, that sign right here sounded like a good deal when you were high.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Say no to drugs.

[C]

That's probably what I did it. But I mean, no clue what the interest rate is. It's a good car.

[A]

Oh, I'm sure it is.

[C]

And the payment is not that bad.

[A]

So what's the payment?

[C]

512.

[A]

$512 a month? For how long? How many years?

[C]

Bro, you're asking me a question that I have not. I got all the paperwork. She works with all that. Like, she's the one that takes care of your girlfriend? Yeah, she helped me with everything, money wise.

[A]

What does she think about you getting out this loan?

[C]

She wasn't happy about it. But she was. I mean, you did it, so she. But she want me to pay on time and pay ahead. Like her car is paid off and she paid it ahead of time.

[A]

So she doesn't have any debt?

[C]

No, she doesn't have it. She doesn't.

[A]

Dude, you. You want to marry this girl One day maybe?

[C]

Yeah, I think so.

[A]

Yeah. I think you better get out of this debt, my guy. I don't think she likes it.

[C]

She don't.

[A]

His security gland's flaring up, going, what other stupid things is he going to do when we're married?

[C]

That's a question. I think she asked herself that. That question every day.

[A]

All right, here's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna hook you up with everydollar. It's our premium budgeting app. If you're gonna use it. Because right here, this is like me giving you $100 cash, right? So here's what you do. Sign up, download the app on your phone, get a budget going, and your girlfriend will be like, who is this man? I love this man so much more. He's fiscally responsible. He's tracking every dollar. He's got his income, he's got his expenses. He's paying off the debt aggressively. What do you think?

[C]

That sounds like a plan.

[A]

Yeah. All right.

[C]

I sure she'll like it.

[A]

She will like it. You're right. But it's not for her. It's for you. It's for you. Once you guys are married, you can put your combine your incomes together. Then you'll really be building wealth.

[C]

All right, sounds good.

[A]

Can I give you a new rule? Don't make any financial decisions while you're high in the future. Okay. Is that fair?

[C]

I try not to. I promise you I won't. But I mean, I try.

[A]

Are you high right now?

[C]

I'm not. She didn't let me buy any.

[A]

She's smart. Stick with her, dude. You need her as a chaperone at this point. Well, tell her we got a parting gift for you guys. Enjoy the trip. All right.

[C]

Thank you, man.

[A]

Well, if there's one thing I learned today, it's that the American people are resilient. In spite of their crippling debt, they're still gonna make it even worse by spending a couple of thousand bucks to come to Disney. And regardless of where they're at financially, I hope you can see that there is a way out. Not a 15, 20 year plan. Not a I'm gonna die with this debt. I'm talking two years, three years. And it starts with taking control of your money, looking in the financial mirror and saying, no. Delayed gratification is the key to getting out of debt. You gotta make some sacrifices now for a better tomorrow. And if you wanna see more of me talking to strangers on the street, I went to Chicago recently and talked to more strangers about their debt. And let me tell ya, I was ill annoyed by it. So click here to watch it next or use the link in the description below. And if you enjoyed this video, hit the like button, hit the subscribe button, and share this video with a Disney adult that will not stop talking about dole whips and hidden Mickeys. Thanks for watching. We'll see you next time.