Clever Dude founded CleverDude.com in June 2006 while working as a technical analyst in the Washington, D.C. area. A Penn State graduate, he built the site as a side project alongside a white-collar career that included earning a master’s degree and multiple promotions.
In five years he wrote nearly 1,300 articles on personal finance and life lessons drawn from his own experience. The blog grew from a hobby into a recognized early voice in the personal-finance community and generated meaningful revenue. He sold the site in 2010, continued as a guest contributor through 2015, and returned in 2023 after further career advances, paying off his home, and extensive travel.
I had a comment on my "Elevator Post" that the article wasn't about finance and was irrelevant to this site. I want to set something straight though. If you want a pure finance site, this isn't the site for you. Most PF blogs aren't for you then. … [Read more...] about The purpose of Clever Dude
I seem to have aggravated and even insulted a few readers with my article "Stupid, lazy people on elevators and escalators". I tried to put enough disclaimers that it's truly a subjective analysis of the rider (whether they're able-bodied"), and I … [Read more...] about Whoah, elevators can cause quite a controversy!
I'm not good at keeping secrets. I'm not the worst at it, but since I share everything with my wife Stacie, it's hard to keep this a secret. I set up something special for her 30th birthday, which is tomorrow, and she doesn't know what it is, or who … [Read more...] about Keeping a birthday secret
I seem to be in a grumpy mood this week. I'm known to be a complainer, but events this week have just gotten my panties in a bunch. I'm going to be blunt here: 1. If you're not carrying a bunch of cargo, or if you're not handicapped, you have … [Read more...] about Stupid, lazy people on elevators and escalators
FiveCentNickel posted a commentary on GM's announcement of a new hybrid system in their large SUVs, and questioned the value of such a system. I agree with his assessment that the extra $10,000 cost of such a system for a mere 40% gain (i.e. 19-20mpg … [Read more...] about Can we get by without big SUVs?
While shopping for our BBQ party this weekend, we made a trip to Sam's Club. We always justified our membership to Sam's because we made our $40 fee back each year just in our milk purchases alone. I go through a gallon or more of skim milk each … [Read more...] about No more cheap milk at Sam’s Club
Do you think about your debt at least once a day? Do you worry about how you'll ever get out of debt? Do these questions sound like the beginning of an infomercial for a credit counselor? I think I have a problem, but you probably don't know our … [Read more...] about Is the thought of debt ruling your life?
I didn't get to write anything this weekend because we went to our families' homes in PA to visit my new nephew (Stacie's sister's son) and my 2 nieces, as well as our parents and other family. However, I wanted to highlight an article I ran across … [Read more...] about When you just have too much money to spend
