George Kamel
George Kamel | |
|---|---|
| Born | George Kamel May 3, 1989 |
| Education | University of Mobile |
| Occupation(s) | Author, radio show host, podcaster, YouTuber, musician, speaker |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Employer | Ramsey Solutions |
| Known for | The Ramsey Show |
| Notable work | Breaking Free From Broke |
| Spouse | Whitney Kamel (m.2018) |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | georgekamel |
George Kamel (born May 3, 1989) is an American author, radio show host, speaker, YouTuber, podcaster, musician, and personal finance expert best known for his work with Ramsey Solutions—the company run by radio personality and finance expert Dave Ramsey. Kamel is a co-host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Ramsey Show, host of the George Kamel YouTube channel, and the author of the national bestseller, Breaking Free From Broke.
Early life and education
[edit]Kamel was born on May 3, 1989, to May and Maged Kamel—Middle Eastern immigrants from Egypt and Syria, respectively, who came to the U.S. in the early 1980s. Both Kamel and his brother were born and raised in the suburban Boston area.[1]
After graduating high school, Kamel attended the University of Mobile with a major in communications.[2] By the time he graduated summa cum laude in 2012, Kamel was over $40,000 in debt, which included student loans and credit card debt.[3][4]
Career
[edit]Kamel’s initial career as a musician/songwriter began before and during his time in college. He released four albums between 2007 and 2012—one for the Boston folk band Meadowlarks, another under a pseudonym (Lapsley). The other two were released under his own name: Onions (and Other Things That Make You Cry) and The Great Coward.[5]
Kamel’s musician career led him to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2012.[5] In March of 2013, he took a temporary job as a marketing intern and social recruiting ambassador at Ramsey Solutions. The job turned full time the same year and Kamel the next several years in various marketing positions before being tapped as a host and emcee for Ramsey's live events in 2017. In 2021, Kamel became a Ramsey Personality—one of the public-facing representatives of the company.[6]
While working at Ramsey Solutions, Kamel went from a negative net worth to a net-worth millionaire in under 10 years. He credits the principles taught in Ramsey’s Financial Peace University program with changing his outlook on money.[2] Kamel and his wife did their "debt-free scream" live on The Ramsey Show in January of 2022 when they paid off over $165,000 (which included their home mortgage).[7]
Through his work as a Ramsey Personality, Kamel hosts or has hosted many of the company’s shows and podcasts on its Ramsey Network, including co-hosting The Ramsey Show with Dave Ramsey and the other Ramsey Personalities. Other shows include The Fine Print, Borrowed Future, and Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze.[2]
Kamel released his first book, Breaking Free from Broke, in 2024. It was a Publishers Weekly #1 bestseller.[8]
Kamel has appeared as a guest and commentator on many media outlets including Fox News, Fox Business, The Daily Wire, CNN, Yahoo!, and various podcasts. Kamel is also a keynote speaker and headlines Ramsey Solutions live events across the country.[2]
YouTube
[edit]Kamel launched his eponymous YouTube channel in April of 2023, produced by the Ramsey Network. The format includes Kamel providing commentary on money and pop-culture topics, responding to money-based internet trends, and conducting man-on-the-street interviews about common money knowledge.[9]
Kamel also interviews popular influencers and thought leaders—either in studio or in his "Millionaires in Cars Getting Coffee" segments (a parody of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Netflix talk show). Guests have included Ramsey Solutions founder Dave Ramsey, author and academic Arthur Brooks, and Dirty Jobs host Mike Rowe.[9]
Kamel currently has over 360,000 subscribers to his YouTube channel and his content has been viewed over 100 million times.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Kamel is married to Whitney Kamel, whom he met working at Ramsey Solutions in 2015.[1] They married on November 2, 2018.[10] The Kamels are based in Middle Tennessee and have one child.[1] Kamel is a Christian and grew up as an "Arabic Baptist," which he described as "like Baptist but with way more hummus."[2]
Books
[edit]Breaking Free From Broke: The Ultimate Guide to More Money and Less Stress (2024)
Discography
[edit]- Onions (and Other Things That Make You Cry) (2008)
- The Great Coward (2012)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Kamel, George (2024). Breaking Free From Broke: The Ultimate Guide to More Money and Less Stress. Franklin, Tennessee: Ramsey Press. ISBN 978-1-942121-78-7.
- ^ a b c d e "George Kamel". Ramsey Solutions. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ "Collaborative Experiences". The Torchlight: University of Mobile Magazine. University of Mobile. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Cox, Adam (host). “Millionaire Myth-Busting with a Ramsey Show Co-Host.” Common Cents on the Prairie. Season 6, episode 1. First National Bank of Sioux Falls. March 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "George Kamel". Discogs. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Kamel, George. "Experience". LinkedIn. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ The Ramsey Show Highlights (2022-01-12). George And Whitney Kamel Do Their Debt-Free Scream!. Retrieved 2024-12-12 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Publishers Weekly Bestseller Lists". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ a b c "George Kamel". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
- ^ Kamel, George (November 2, 2022). "Post about fourth wedding anniversary". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-12-12.