I am about to write about my least favorite subject…me! I hate having to write about myself, because it can seem so prideful. But, here goes!
About Me
My name is Khaleef Crumbley and I was born and raised in New Jersey, where my wonderful wife and I currently reside. I have seen a lot of poverty in my life – the place where I grew up is known for its drugs, gangs, teenage pregnancy, shootouts, and stolen cars – but I have also seen people with the resilience to rise above this!
I had a poor education in public school, but I had parents who invested their time and energy in seeing me succeed. For as long as I could remember, I “helped” my mother manage the household budget, pay bills, and even clip coupons. My parents both taught me the importance of hard work and determination!
I love studying the bible and learning about God, playing with kids, making spreadsheets, and making homemade pizza! I also love to teach – ANYTHING – the bible, finance, economics, Microsoft Excel, flashing ROMs on HTC phones, or anything else that I learn.
Because I didn’t take college seriously when I first went, I lost my financial aid and had to drop out because I couldn’t afford tuition. I then worked at a bunch of dead-end jobs for about 6 years, until I decided to go back to school. I wanted to go back so I could stop working at these horrible jobs, and so I could go to seminary.
I earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Rutgers University in Economics with specialized work in Finance, Investment Analysis, and Non-Profit accounting. It took me a total of 3 years to earn both degrees (I guess that’s what happens when you’re motivated)! I also studied Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations (with an emphasis on Ancient Greek culture and language), Music, and Math. My immediate educational plans include earning a second Master’s Degree, this time in Accounting, and sitting for the CPA and CFP exams.
I currently serve as Treasurer for OASIS for Children, Inc; a non-profit orphanage located in Haiti. After several years in corporate finance and accounting, I currently work in higher education managing government, non-profit, and corporate grants.
My ultimate goal is to honor God in all that I do. The most important things to me are relationships, first to God and then my marriage, my family, friends and church. If I was forced to lose all of my possessions and money (just be sure to take my debt as well ;-) ), but still keep my relationships, I would be more than happy!
About KNS Financial
I hate that the majority of people in this country seem incapable of making wise financial decisions. For all of my adult life, my friends and family members have come to me for financial advice. I founded KNS Financial in order to assist people with financial matters in a more organized and systematic way.
I have always had a desire to take complex ideas and make them easy to understand and teach to people. However, my focus always lied in investing and not so much in personal finance.
So, I made a lot of bad choices and led an undisciplined life financially (which I’m still paying for), while all the time still studying investing. I was making minimum wage, and instead of trying to learn how to make more money, or at least manage what I had more efficiently, I studied the stock market!
Then I read 2 books by Larry Burkett, “Debt-Free Living” and “The Word on Finances” (more of a reference book). Both of these books opened my eyes to the fact that God actually cares about how I handle my finances. I always just assumed that cheerful giving was enough!
From that point on I began to look for personal finance resources and discovered The Motley Fool. From there I learned a lot of practical ways to manage my finances, and from that time it became my goal to teach people to do the same.
I currently prepare taxes through KNS Financial and eventually, I would like to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), so I can [legally] assist people with more complicated financial matters.
The Origins of the Faithful With A Few Blog
When I started this site, I didn’t even know what a blog was. I just wanted to create a site where friends and clients who look to me for financial advice could come and read helpful and informative articles. My first thought was to write articles in MS Word, convert them into PDFs, and upload them to my site.
Then, while searching for the best way to upload an article to a website, I stumbled upon WordPress and decided to add a WP page to my site. Then a friend said to me, “Why not just make it a WordPress site?”. He then directed me to all of the widgets and plugins that I could use to customize the site! But I still was missing something…
Although I started the site in January, it wasn’t until May that I started writing posts that consisted of more than just bulletins for my tax guide, and Twitter updates!
After tax season, I then had the time to write about a wide variety of financial topics including (but not limited to) debt reduction/repayment, taxes, charitable giving, budgeting, using coupons, finding deals and freebies, mortgages, insurance, car buying, cosigning, loans, non-profit finances, and macro-economic analysis.
But I still received complaints from family and friends that my writing was much too dry and academic. I have made strides to make my writing more personal, although, I know I have a long way to go! Hopefully, you will find my posts to be logical, humorous, informative, and easy to understand.
Yakezie
Back in May, I saw a lot of blogs that I follow referencing this network called Yakezie. They announced that they were joining, shared guest posts from other members, and they constantly linked to each other’s sites! I probably read Sam’s post about 10 times before taking the plunge.
I kept telling myself that I had nothing to offer such an experienced group of writers, and that no one would welcome me to the group. Well once I joined, I realized that my assumptions about the group were wrong! Everyone here has been so supportive and helpful, and my only regret is waiting so long to join!
When I made the decision to join this group, my Alexa ranking was about 1,704,000, and as I write this it is now 62,640!
My Desire For The Blog
Because God has called us to be good stewards of His money, we need to look to the bible for financial guidance. I want to teach people what the bible says about money and finances. That is the aim of this blog, and even where the name originated.
In the “Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14-30) the master (who represents Christ) went on a journey and “called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them” (v 14). When he returned and found that two of his slaves managed his money well and actually gained double, he said to them, “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (verses 21 & 23)
The bible has much to say about finances – touching specific topics such as: wealth, riches, poverty, cosigning loans, debt, borrowing/lending money, giving, taxes, employer/employee relations, bankruptcy, interest, and much more!
I hope that I am able to encourage you to be faithful to God through your management of what He has given to you.
Keep in mind that God’s commands are logical and sensible and anyone who implements them will be blessed in their finances. It is my hope that everyone who visits my site (regardless of religion) will be able to find useful information to assist them in their financial journey.
After saying ‘hello’, join us for further discussion in the Yakezie Forums.
Hey Khaleef –
Glad to see that you were featured today! Thanks for sharing your story; it was really encouraging to read. I love to read about people who don’t give up on learning and take advantage of every opportunity available to them.
Your work sound really rewarding! Keep up the great writing Khaleef!!
Tim
Thanks Tim! I regret not working as hard as possible early on in my life. I guess I’m just trying to catch up! Thanks for the kind words!
I’m glad you’re a part of the Yakezie Network, Khaleef! Your story is very encouraging and I’ve been able to tell from talking with you and reading your blog that you’re extremely dedicated to serving God. Blessings to you as you continue your work (in all its forms)!
Thanks, Paul! I can say the same things about you! I’m actually working on putting more biblical content on the site; hopefully, you’ll notice the difference.
It has been a blessing reading your work and talking with you as well.
It’s great to learn more about you, Khaleef. It must have been difficult to take the plunge to go back to school after six years, but your results proved that you worked your tail off! Keep up the great work over at your website!
Yeah, it was extremely difficult to go back – especially because I was already in debt AND had to take on student loans! I just wish I worked that hard the first time – I would have had a Master’s degree at age 20!
Nice to learn more about you! Congrats on your success so far!
Thanks! I have really benefited from this group in a lot of ways.
Love the driving force behind this post….the big man upstairs! Can’t wait to watch your progress!
Thanks Ninja! I try my best to please God in everything that I do. Hopefully, I will get to write more biblical finance posts soon.
Wow, 2 degrees in 3 years. Impressive! I didn’t know you were in NJ. Long Island here. Next NYC meet up we’ll have to be introduced.
Thanks Evan! I only wish I was that focused at 17! Looking forward to the next meet up!
It was so nice to learn more about you! My husband and I are huge Larry Burkett fans -the Christian Financial Concepts course helped us to get our finances on the right track at the beginning of our marriage. Congratulations on your successes (and on your new staff writing gig :)
In the beginning for me it was CFC (although I never took the course), and The Motley Fool. I’m glad that you guys started off right!
Thanks for the congrats – I hope I don’t let me new boss down! ;-)
Great post Khaleef! I have been a regular reader of your blog and never knew your background story.You overcame your environment and everything. Your story is really inspirational.
Thanks for your kind words, Mark! I definitely appreciate your support! It would have been easy to make excuses, but I just couldn’t let myself do that!
Thanks Khaleef. It is great to learn more about you. It will be fun to work together to help others!
Thanks for stopping by the blog and commenting!
Thanks, Dr. Dean! I’m looking forward to working together as well.
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It’s great to read your profile. I have to say that since you started the challenge you have embraced the “selflessly promoting others” portion of the challenge wholeheartedly. It’s always great interacting with you and I can always tell that you love what you do. Thanks for re-inspiring me to give the CVS challenge another shot. Can’t wait to give you my most recent update. I think that I’ll make you proud.
Thanks Sandy! I really do like helping other people when I can. Since I’m such a new writer, I figured that I could at least promote and comment on other articles (since I can’t help with monetization tips or anything)!
I can’t wait to see what you get out of CVS! I hope I stay inspired to keep it up – maybe doing the posts will help.
Thanks for all of your support!
Glad to see your member post Khaleef!
What a background. It is amazing how much of a disadvantage you and others are at when getting a poor high school education. I went to an awful high school and college was an absolute shock to me. (Studying? What is that???)
I admire your integrity and the writing you do. Make sure you take that CPA exam as it will open up so many doors for you. Best of luck, and it has been great blogging with you!!!
Hey Kris! It definitely was tough to have all of those things going on around me. My high school was on the worst in the state (in fact ABC and NBC showed up regularly to report on the violence), and the focus was always on controlling violence and passing state exams, and not on education.
Once I get on a manageable schedule with writing and some other things, then I’ll go back for the other degree.
I appreciate all of your kind words, help, encouragement, and support!
I’ve had the pleasure of writing for Khaleef a few times, and reading this had been thoroughly enjoyable. It’s great to learn things about someone that I’ve had a, let’s call it a ‘writing relationship’ with. Wish you all the best. Andreas (Personal Finance 4 All and Money Supermarket)
Thanks Andreas! I can’t wait to read your post after Personal Finance 4 All takes off!
Khaleef- Glad you’re a part of the network. Your blog is very motivational which I enjoy. Didn’t know you were so close over in Jersey (I’m out left in Philly).
Oh, and I like the origins of your blog name…very cool!
Thanks Geoff! I didn’t know you were so close either! It really looks like we are going to have to schedule an east coast get together!
Matthew 25:21 has always been one of my favorite verses, so I’m glad it fit into a blog name!
hey Khaleef, thanks for sharing your story. I’m surprised you hadn’t already written one yet. You’ve been so active in the Yakezie community and it’s so encouraging to see people become so excited in the things that they do. Keep it up!
Thanks Charles! Since I joined the challenge so late (in July), a lot of other people crossed the line before I did. Being active in the community has definitely helped me get a better handle on my site! I have learned so much from all of you!
Khaleef, it’s nice to get your story and learn more about you. Thanks for sharing with us. By the way, congrats on all your hard work going back to school after 6 years of those jobs you didn’t like. That’s inspiring and a really good example of perseverence and self-determination.
Thanks, Ray! I just hope I have something left for the next push ;-)
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Congratulations on the success with your blog over such a short period of time! Also, I am very impressed that you finished your degrees in 3 years! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Jacob! I still have so much to learn about running a website and a business!
Yeah, my time in school was intense because I worked a full-time and part-time job for most of the time I was there! 19 credits and 2 jobs isn’t fun. But I’m glad I went through it!
Khaleef, it was great to read a bit more about you – I’ve seen you around the blogosphere for quite a while now, commenting on my sites, engaging on social media, and in general just adding a lot of value. I think that’s one thing that a lot of blogs are missing – so often they engage in so much navel gazing that they forget to write for their readers, and to actually help people – which I know you do. Keep up the great work, and I look forward to engaging with you even more going forward. God bless!
Thanks! As you said, it is very important to stay with the goal of helping others! I look forward to working with you as well.
Hi Khaleef,
You’ve been doing a really great job promoting and reciprocating in the community, and I appreciate it, and I’m sure the others do, too. It was interesting to read about your history and your progress through adversity. Reading about others’ successes always inspires me. Keep going!
Thanks Kevin! I really get joy out of helping others. Even if that just means commenting and promoting other writers, or trying to write something myself that will be a benefit.
Yes, I do have to say that you’ve been mighty impressive in your selfless promotion of others. You do a lot of great work. Thanks again.
What a great story! Keep up the great work, Khaleef. You are an inspiration to many people out there. :-)
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Thanks Len! I hope I can inspire people to take advantage of their opportunities when they first come – then they won’t have to scramble like I did!
Hi Khaleef,
I enjoyed reading more about you and your background. You are a gifted writer with a talent for helping others. I love that you keep God first. Congratulations on your success.
Lisa
Thanks Lisa! I appreciate all your support and comments! Thank you for your kind words.
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Hi Khaleef,
Great to read your story! It’s awesome you went back to school and are now so gung ho about continuing your education! I’ve thought a lot about getting the CFP as well.
Can you share with us why you didn’t take your college studies seriously to the point you lost your scholarship? What was it that made you go from a scholarship student to one who didn’t care so much?
We look forward to your help and support with the Yakezie Scholarship. Sounds like it’s something right up your alley!
Best
Hey Sam, I absolutely love learning and teaching!
As far as my studies, I guess I just didn’t have any direction or ambition. I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life, it was either become a music teacher or do something with numbers. I had nothing on the other side of college that I could use as a motivation.
But once I had to work 2 jobs, take credit overloads, and still take out loans, I got real serious. Plus, I really wanted to go to seminary!
I can’t wait to become more involved with the Yakezie Scholarship. I’m actually now a staff writer for 3 sites, so once I organize my new schedule, I’ll definitely make time. But for now, I still will promote and contribute as much as I can.
Thank for the opportunity, Sam!
Hi Khaleef,
Good for you in trying to have God guide your moves and plans! There isn’t a better way to do things. Congratulations on realizing your mistakes and getting them fixed. Keep up the excellent work and you’ll definitely see the fruits!
Thanks,
Timothy
Thanks Timothy!
In all I do, I try hard to honor God. It amazes me how much guidance and wisdom can be found in His word – especially on very practical matters!
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement!
Khaleef,
Anytime! It’s amazing to me as well. Today in Church, my pastor was talking about the Israelites in the desert. He used this story to illustrate that we must always be thankful for what we have, even the things that seem ordinary. For the Israelites in the desert, it became normal for them to have manna, and to always have shade, and they became ungrateful for it. It was neat to hear, as you can dig into any biblical teaching and find underlying lessons as well.
Thanks,
Timothy
Hi Khaleef,
Great to hear your story and what a story it is. Wishing you the best. We have had a chance to connect and cross promote a bit thanks to Yakezie. Got to love this network. But I didn’t know your story and now that I do you are even more of an inspiration.
That is the great thing about the Internet, you never know whom you are influencing and motivating. You just have to keep putting yourself out there and slowly change the world around you.
Great work…..and Be faithful with a few is one of best ways to live your life by the world has ever seen!!!
Continued success and Yakezie!!!
I agree, I really like the “faithful with a few” concept and the way you’ve integrated the bible into your blog/teaching. It definitely is inspirational to myself as well. We live in a very secular world, and I do find it refreshing when I can read something with a Christian perspective. Keep up the great work, and keep building your faith :)
Thanks,
Timothy
What’s so great about the bible for me, is that since I view it as God’s word, it is truth. And although it speaks to the most important issues of life, it is also very practical. So while every post that I write doesn’t include a bible verse, it does line up with the bible.
So I feel that what I write can benefit all (unless I just do a poor job of explaining the topics) because anyone who implements these things will be better off.
That’s OK though. I put few bible verses in my posts. It isn’t because I’m ashamed, or afraid of losing readers, but my financial beliefs are founded on biblical foundations and that is what I hope to convey with my teaching. If I feel inspired to place scripture into a post, then I won’t think twice about it. I want people to understand the slave/master relationship to debt, and to know that conservative living will have a much higher ROI than any stock, bond, derivative, or other financial product that you can find. Keep up what you’re doing.
Thanks Freddie!
I love this network as well. I have met some great people here! I am humbled by you and the others that have called my story an inspiration. I always looked at it in a negative way.
Thanks!
Hey Khaleef,
Like in all things, it may look terrible, and insurmountable, but God can take anything and make it good/inspirational! :)
Thanks,
Timothy
Wow, really interesting background Khaleef. I think that’s super neat you got motivated to go back to school, and get multiple degrees in such a short span. Awesome to see that passion. I also think it’s awesome you took your corporate finance background and are applying it to non-profits and scholarships. You’re obviously making a real difference which is very inspiring! Did you make it out to Haiti?
I think that is what surprised me most was that he accomplished in 3 years what some people have to do in 8! That’s impressive.
Thanks Andrew! It might have been shorter, but the school rejected my request to take 32 credits in my final semester!
I didn’t get down to Haiti yet, but I hope to soon. It is usually too dangerous for Americans to travel down there – so much so that our Haitian president has had to cancel trips to go back.
Thanks again for the kind words!
Hey Khaleef,
I asked this just a bit below, but I’m not sure if you saw it. Were you married once you went back to school? If so, what role did your wife play in it for you? My wife is definitely a driving force for me. She helps me to accomplish a lot, even if I think it might be out of reach.
When I went back to school we were just dating. However, she was extremely helpful and supportive. She was with me though the dead-end jobs and financial disasters! Since I worked a full-time job overnight, and then a part-time job as the director of music ministries at my church, and was a minister in the church teaching bible studies and preaching, we didn’t date much while I was in school. It was definitely a crazy time for us. We got married 8 months after I graduated!
I’m glad to hear that your wife is so supportive. Having someone by your side is such a blessing!
It absolutely it. It makes all the difference having a teammate. Good for you and your wife! Here is to many more years of success and happiness! God Bless.
Haha on the 32 credit rejection. That is quite the motivated student!
Sorry to hear about Haiti. It’s too bad that the situation down there actually prevents people from helping out, especially when they could use it!
That is a a great story. Very motivating. I wish you continued success.
I have to say that it is definitely motivating. I’m very impressed with the return back to school. Khaleef, were you married when you went back to school? Was your wife a big support structure during that decision process?
Thank you Kristia!
Khaleef, I’m glad we got you to talk about yourself. You’re a very inspiring person. I love how you’re seeing the result of your hard work with your blog and other endeavors.
Thanks Kay Lynn! I appreciate the kind words.
Khaleef,
Your lovely (and inspiring) story is proof that character, determination and faith can overcome all obstacles. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your kind words, Betty! I am hoping to approach everything in life in that manner – although it can be tough when major setbacks occur.
Hey Khaleef, you are a dedicated and right minded individual that has climbed up the Yakezie ranks in double quick time. Always great to see you around.
Thanks Forest! I am hoping that this was just the first step in growing my site and working with great people!
Excellent story Khaleef- your story is so inspiring.
I remember setting up a blog in high school, and it was all about HTML coding! Like etc etc
Wordpress definitely makes it a lot easier!
Congrats on your success Khaleef- I love your posts about the negative/ sad things that go on in the world and how we can learn from them.
3 years for a Bachelors & masters- amazing!
Thanks! I definitely wish I started my blog a lot earlier. I love how WordPress automates much of it for us.
Honestly, I held back on how bad things were where I grew up because I didn’t want it to seem like I was looking for pity, but I did want people to know where I came from.
I’m just overwhelmed at the positive response from everyone. This network is so supportive!
Hello Khaleef!
I am just getting caught up on some reading:).
Nice Member Post! Last year I read Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover book, and it was the first time that I had ever heard God referenced with money. I thought it was so neat–the idea that as a christian you need to get your finances in check and thrive so that you can give to others and spread God’s word. What an awesome message and eye opener it was for me!
Thanks Amanda!
I haven’t read any of Dave Ramsey’s material, but it’s definitely true that how we handle our money is very important to God. From what I’ve heard, he really stresses giving. I think it’s great! It reminds us that we are accountable to God for how we handle our finances!
Khaleef,
You have a wonderful story. You should share it often! I’m new to the Yakezie site so I’m just poking around. I share your concern regarding the need financial education. I also agree with the previous poster, Dave Ramsey’s book is excellent. He models himself after Larry Burkett. Just a lot more folksy. Anywho, have a good one.
Hello Toni, thank you for the kind words!
I hope to get to know you and work with you through the Yakezie Network! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post.
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