Thanks for coming and welcome to The Frugal Rebel! My name is Kevin Wright and I am the IT Manager for a company in Knoxville, TN. It is crazy that I have been here a total of five years now, (I moved in 2003.)

So why did I start this blog? Well, first and foremost for myself. About three years ago, I hit my bottom financially, I lost my job, credit cards were maxed out, and was just lost. prior to that, I lived pay check to pay check. If I decided I wanted something, I bought it. No savings, no real plan for the future, nothing. Knowing I was not in the best shape financially didn’t really bother me because I still had a job and was still paying my bills, although just the minimum. Debt was growing. Then the job went poof! With no savings, and most of my cards already at max or near it, I was in trouble. Sure, unemployment helped some, but it was not enough.

That was a wake up call. Change had to happen. Being single, no one depended on me. However, how could I start a family living like this? How could I continue down this destructive path? So, I started reading and researching. That can be a bit overwhelming when, like me, you honestly have no idea. The information overload can be discouraging to say the least. However, I had no choice but to figure this out so I struggled on.

Three years later I am still paying down my debt and saving money for the future, but things improve everyday. This is a marathon, not a sprint. It isn’t always easy, and I sometimes will make mistakes. Those are fewer these days. I’ve learned a lot, and keep learning every day.

So again, why did I start this blog? Two reasons, first being accountability. Writing about personal finance keeps this fresh on my mind. Keeps me actively learning and thinking about ares I can improve. Looking for new ways to better myself. Second, to share what I have learned. Many, many people freely helped me. Just looking to pay that forward. However, I am not here to preach. I am here to learn with the community. While I believe I have something of value to add to the conversation, I’m not a guru or expert. I believe everyone has something to add. I expect to learn as well as teach.

So, welcome to the rebellion! Remember, this isn’t about money. It is about quality of life. Money is not the end, it is a means, (and not the only,) to an end.

-Rebel

Also, I’d like to take a moment to thank Eric Hamm from Motivate Thyself and Up-And-Coming-Blogger for some advice the design of the blog. He is a good man with a good heart, and is always willing to help out a new blogger such as myself. So, do yourself a favor and go visit his two blogs, you’ll be the richer for it.