Breaking Free From Broke: The Ultimate Guide to More Money and Less Stress

by George Kamel

America has become the land of the free and the home of the broke.

Household debt is at an all-time high, and every day people—just like you—are feeling more cynical and hopeless about their financial futures. It’s time to stop believing countless lies from a system designed to take your money—lies like student loans are the golden ticket to a good-paying job, car payments are just part of life, and that you need to have a credit card.

Ramsey Personality and personal finance expert George Kamel shares his story of going from a negative net worth to a millionaire in under 10 years by following Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps. George’s delivery, highlighted by his snarky sense of humor, will keep you laughing and engaged from cover to cover (no put-you-to-sleep financial advice here). Through a millennial point of view, George exposes the toxic money system designed to keep you average (and broke) and offers solutions to help you break free from:

Credit cards and credit scores
Student and car loans
Mortgage mistakes
Investing traps
Marketing and consumerism
No matter where you’re starting from, you’ll learn that you have the power to buck the toxic money system and build wealth if you follow the same principles George used to become a millionaire.

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Self Help, Personal Finance, Money, Personal Development

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

George Kamel is a Ramsey Personality and personal finance expert. Following Ramsey’s proven money plan, George went from negative net worth to a millionaire in under 10 years. Since 2013, he has served on the Ramsey team, speaking across the country, and now frequently co-hosts The Ramsey Show. George also co-hosts top-ranked podcast Smart Money Happy Hour on the Ramsey Network. His goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid money traps so they can live a life with more margin, options and freedom.


George and his family reside in Franklin, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Sully · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the big reasons I’ve begun watching less and less of the Ramsey show is because it’s becoming one big ad for Ramsey products and partners. Sadly, that trend feels like it’s crossing over into the personalities’ books now too with plugs for Churchill mortgage, Zander insurance, EveryDollar, etc.

While George has the potential to build out his own brand, this feels very much like something Dave wrote a lot of pop culture smashed in. So many of Dave’s phrase are thrown in (and in the audiobook, spoken by Dave himself) without much unique voice for George to stand out. He’s trying to brand as the snark and pop culture guy (and I did laugh out loud a few times) but one of the first things I learned in self editing is to not overuse comparisons or they lose their impact. This book unfortunately suffers heavily from that mistake. It’s overwhelming, which makes them all fall flat by the end.

I listened to the audiobook on Scribd, which also had so many unnecessary sound effects thrown in. I think the Ramsey team tried to make it similar to Kamel’s YouTube channel, but it doesn’t work for this type of media.

[Krystal Proffitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

George is hilarious. Do you need another reason to read?

Okay, here’s five more:

1. The cadence reads like a friend telling you the cold hard truth with a warm side of, “You’re not in this alone.”
2. It’s great for parents with teens who need to know what pitfalls lie ahead of them.
3. The investing chapter breaks down words I had never heard of — and I took finance and economics in college!
4. The practical “don’t do that, do this instead” approach made me want to buy 20 more copies to give to friends struggling with money.
5. The sound effects! The best audiobook experience I’ve ever had!

10/10 recommend!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was glad I had read Dave Ramsey's book first, so I didn't need an in-depth explanation of the foundation. This book definitely felt more current and relatable. It went into more detail about things that were glossed over in Dave's book. I don't know that I drank the kool-aid, but will definitely keep some of the lessons in mind.

Don't worry, I am not broke! I have just fallen down the rabbit hole of Dave Ramsey and friends. This book was just published, so I feel like some of the info is more current. And it has answered some of the questions I had after Dave Ramsey's book. At the very least both books are making me think more about what I do and don't do with my money.

[Anders Olsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're a member of the Dave Ramsey cult then you'll love this book. It covers many of their typical views they discuss daily on the show, but George provides some pretty harrowing statistics to support their positions. With that said, it's just hard to get on board for a few of their views (anti credit card, ETFs, mortgages) because they're simply wrong if you're a financially literate and disciplined individual. Sadly, many Americans are missing both those traits so the lessons in this book will guide them to a better future. 2.5 stars but I'm going to round down because this book also serves as a glorified infomercial for multiple Ramsey Solutions products and services which comes off as tacky and self-serving.

[Matt Lillywhite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following George and the Ramsey team for a few years now. So, when I heard that Breaking Free From Broke was out in bookstores, I jumped at the opportunity to read it.

WOW. What a book.

In Breaking Free From Broke, George debunks financial conspiracy theories and lies about credit cards, mortgages, etc. He also provides practical tips for getting out of debt, paying cash for your own home, and so much more.

It's a fantastic book that everyone should read (at least once)!

Five stars.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed this book! The author updates Dave Ramsey’s “7 Baby Steps to Financial Freedom.” I wish I could send this book to my much younger self. I’m convinced this is the way I need to learn to live.

I would recommend the audio version as it was very entertaining.

[Caryn Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is wonderful! It's super easy to understand and also wonderfully practical, outlining the basic steps you need to follow to get out of debt and take back your life. Kamel writes with humor and wit, and reading this was a delight. This book would be very helpful to college students/ twenty- somethings who are just starting out, but it's applicable to all age groups as well. If you're tired of suffering from the anxiety of money, read this and transform your life!

[Steffanie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of this was a refresher from Dave Ramsey - which was SOLID advice years ago!! I enjoyed George’s humor and his musical references!!! Going to go and BUY the actual book now!!! And I’m gonna gift it to my kids.

[Anne Cutshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of cheated on this since it was an audiobook, but it takes me 25+ minutes to get to work everyday so I saw the opportunity to get almost an hour of built-in “reading.”

I liked this. I’ve never read a financial book before other than a textbook in college. Kamel was relatable and he kept it light with pop culture references so it was the grumpy old man finances—which I enjoyed. I recommend it for sure

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Anytime you can look in the mirror and be content with who you are, what you have, and where you are financially, it produces this amazing feeling called peace. Fear tends to have a real hard time hanging out in the company of contentment, joy, and peace.”

George Kamel is a financial “YouTuber” and podcaster who is part of The Dave Ramsey crew. He is often on The Ramsey Show as one of the hosts and in my opinion gives some pretty solid advice for how to reach financial peace and get rid of debt. The Ramsey Baby Steps Plan requires a total mindset shift for many people. It requires a lot of sacrifices as well as the desire to change things. In early 2020, after being “sick and tired of being sick and tired” we listened to the show, read the books, and decided to start the Baby Steps. I’ll never regret it.

While I don’t necessarily credit the Ramsey books to our success with the plan, I have read most of them and enjoy them because they do help to keep us on the right path. If you do pick this one up, it’s important to read it with an open mind. There are a lot of unpopular opinions inside. If you follow Ramsey, you will know most of them. And George doesn’t spare you from the one liners he so often throws out there. I appreciated the loads of research that went into this book to educate people (specifically the impressionable younger generation) and to paint a picture of what financial peace could look like. It is possible and worth it.

[Alison Stewart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm somewhat conflicted about how I should rate this book because I love George and his content most of the time. Half of it is great advice that everyone should live by and the other half, not so much.

First the great stuff: I wholeheartedly agree with George about debt and budgeting. It isn't easy, but it is so worth it.

And the not so great stuff:

George's advice on investing, life insurance and annuities is not accurate. His advice does not consider taxes, costs or risk. All of these are factors that matter big time. As a licensed investment professional with 25 years of industry experience, I cringe at his blanket advice (and so would every compliance officer). Every investor is different and different financial tools rightly apply in different scenarios, even if you don't like it personally. I would lose my licenses, be barred from the industry and likely face civil and/or criminal charges if I gave some of the advice in this book. (For example: "growth mutual funds are the only investment tool you need") But George (and Dave Ramsey) isn't a licensed investment professional, so he can say anything he wants. Please seek out a financial professional who is acting in a fiduciary capacity for your financial advice.

I also got a bit tired of the constant Ramsey "infomercials" sprinkled throughout the book. This book ended up feeling like a way to generate leads for related Ramsey businesses, which was a turn off.

[Tommy Wreay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Helpful information on the history of student loans, the credit card, and other money norms that hurt us in the long run. George Kamel definitely makes this worth the read with his humor and conversational tone. I was afraid that I’d be hearing the same things I hear in the Ramsey Solutions podcasts, but there was enough new or expounded upon content to make it worth the read!

I listened to the book and the sound effects interwoven were interesting. Sometimes I found them distracting (like the lane departure alert when he talked about car loans) but other times I found them to help pull me back into the book if my mind wandered while listening and driving. At the very least, between the sounds and Kamel’s sense of humor and wit, it made what could be a boring personal finance book a joy to read.

[Travis Agnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kamel's book is a great intro to the Ramsey formula, but he brings a youthful humor to it. The concepts are broken down well.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! As a regular listener of the Ramsey show, I still got some great ideas and insights from this book. Anybody could read this and take away something: whether they are in debt, millionaires, or anywhere in between. Plus lots of good resources are included!

[Trenton Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! If you are tired of reading boring financial advice books, I recommend you to give this one a shot. George brings a funny, and entertaining perspective on the way the financial industry has made you broke while making you feel like you’re winning.

I will definitely encourage my friends to get this book!

[Olivia Bottorff · Rating 5 out of 5]

George has essentially rewritten “Total Money Makeover” for young people. It’s such an easy read and full of such good information. If you want to follow the principles of Dave Ramsey but need something entertaining to teach you. I highly recommend this book, or even better, the way I read it, the audiobook. Well done George, well done.

[Brooke Musolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Dave Ramsey and read a couple of his books, so a lot of the information in this book wasn’t new to me. However George does a great job modernizing Dave Ramsey’s knowledge of money, getting out of debt strategies and investing strategies to match with today’s world and today’s challenges. If I had a friend that needed to learn about all things money I would definitely give them this book. This book is a great crash course to all things money in a light, conversational way. George makes it easy to understand, in a nonthreatening way and makes you believe that anyone can “do it.”

[Brandon St. Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very practical book with ideas, resources, and tips. Great sense of humor bundled in from George as well. Would read again.

[Alexis Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought for my young adults to help them navigate the topics in the book for the best start in their adult life. Read it so we could talk about it and it’s solid advice and I learned some things about things like why the student loan crisis is what it is (spoiler: wasn’t what I thought at all)!

[Shebby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like George. He seems like a really good guy with a good sense of humor. I trust that he really just wants to help people. I believe that following his advice exactly is going to work for over 90% of people who don't know anything about money. But I think for that very small group of people who know what they're doing, they can leverage debt, day trade, buy crypto, wisely use credit cards, etc. The problem is lay people go whole hog into one of those things because it's convenient, fast, and sensational.

For being so young, he's a little out of touch. He had his first kid very late after he was already a millionaire, so both he and his wife were able to put in overtime for ten years before having children. Almost nobody he's talking to has that kind of time. He also talks about 401Ks like every company in the world offers a 5-10% match as if it's just a standard employee benefit like a water cooler.

I've listened to so much of George, nothing in this book was new. It was a little annoying how every few pages he had to include a plug for his website, apps, and courses. Most of the Ramsey team can come across as more interested in their own brand and marketing than in finances.

His advice is timeless and works 99% of the time for 99% of people. I've just listened to so much of him and the Ramsey team that I find little things to pick at.

[Joel Kimpela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us didn’t grow up with financial literacy so when we reached adulthood we took money lessons from social cues and the Joneses. We learned that student loans are the only path to an education, we were taught that the only way to purchase a vehicle is through car payments and the way to build credit is through Credit Karma. In Breaking Free From Broke, George Kamel, debunks all these myths and teaches us the principles to building wealth and living outrageously generously.
The premise of the book—you don’t need to be a genius to win with money. Anyone can do it. Notorious for making fun of his small stature and education, George tells us if he can do it, we can too. This is NOT a get rich quick book. It’s the exact opposite. Building wealth is boring and George emphasizes this, it’s being a “crockpot in a microwave world.”
If I could write a note to my younger self, I would tell him to read this book—twice. I recommend this book to anyone who is ready to do things differently with their money. And by the way, this book is hilarious!

[Raymond Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not perfect. I disagree with their assessment of index funds versus actively managed mutual funds. I disagree with some of the religious statements made in the book. However, I think this book gets so many topics so right, and nothing dangerously wrong, that I would recommend most anyone read it. Separating the personalities behind the book, the fact that the book tries to sell you somethings, and your religious or philosophical beliefs, the principles of mindful, intentional, and divergence from the social norms pushing materialism and consumerism stand strong. Don't get me wrong, this book does not advocate for living as a socialist or a minimalist, but it does advocate for living an intentional and compassionate life.

[Thelma Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Excellent Financial Info!!! Everyone in their 20’s and 30’s should read this book! If I had all this knowledge earlier in life I would be retired now!!!

[Oana Marin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to cover the basics. It's nice for young people starting out or for people that want to change their life.

[Marisol Laylah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loveeeeeed this book ! Such good information in here. You will not regret 🫶🏼

[Maria Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the Ramsey Method as well as the help from this book, I am now debt free!! 😁🎉

[Alison Choi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid read that is well researched and easy to follow. I enjoyed George Kamel’s silly sense of humor and there were definitely some laugh out loud moments. He’s very encouraging also which helps motivate the reader to take action. Two stars off because too many ads (grrr) and too much repetition towards the end.

[Kate Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Kamel is a good narrator and his writing is definitely funny and entertaining - I got through this one pretty fast. The book is pretty much just a "Ramsey Finance 101" overview - no credit cards, stay out of debt, student loans are ridiculous, all mortgages suck except the 15 year fixed, you actually definitely should budget to take control of your finances, etc. People have their gripes with Ramsey and I get it. $1000 is not enough for an emergency fund and shouldn't you pay off high interest debts first? But one of the big themes of the Ramsey financial model is the psychology of money. Paying off a small debt and reaching even a small savings goal of $1000 dings your brain in a really positive way, and I think it really does set people up for forming better money habits. Will I employ most of the ideas from this book? No, probably not. But I do really appreciate the views on consumerism and how companies market to us absolutely incessantly. It's hard to get out of that cycle (especially with the influence of social media), but I do think that our ideas have to change before habits, and that's the whole point of this book.

Take the advice in this book with a grain of salt - it's not for everyone, but it does have merit. I think, at the very least, this book is a necessary alternative viewpoint to the rampant consumerism and the massive amounts of debt that we have accepted as "normal" across the board in today's society.

[Lisa Tirey · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first started this book I was in the mood for a financial book that would have some good new information. But this honestly felt generic and seemed like things people should already have common sense about. There was a lot of financial shaming which is not going to be help to someone who is in a financially vulnerable place to begin with. Seems pretty on par for a Ramsey guru though so I’m not completely surprised. This book is definitely for Millennials who have never learned anything about financial responsibility before and this is a base level financial book. Some pros of this book are the added Bible verses which is very brave to be putting your beliefs out there especially in a book during a time when people disrespect and criticize Christianity so openly. I definitely appreciated that. My favorite chapter was the generosity chapter. And that’s why I gave this book 3 stars alone because while I didn’t agree with all of his points I think that his end goal isn’t selfishly motivated that is awesome.

[Brian Viole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start with the negative: there is a huge push to buy Ramsey products throughout this book- I succumbed to this pressure.

That's it. That's the only negative.

George is incredibly entertaining and funny, even though the topics covered are anything but. The Audiobook version made this even more entertaining!

This is one of the most practical books I've ever read. I guarantee that you will be better with money if you complete your reading.

George has a way of telling it like it is, while keeping the readers best interests at heart. As a result of the practices in this book (with a little discipline) I am on the road to financial freedom.

Biblical wisdom and scripture is also littered throughout which is a huge plus for me.

Bottom line- I am so glad I read this book.