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.
Some of you may have caught me mention that we have an in-ground pool at our home. When we purchased the home almost 3 years ago, we weren't looking for a pool. We've never owned a pool, our parents didn't own a pool, but my aunt had an above-ground … [Read more...] about Pools are expensive: Today cost us $400
UPDATE: If you see the sidebar on the left, not the right, then clear your browser cache and refresh the page. If you still see it on the left, let me know what browser you're using, and if you're on a Mac/PC/Linux. Thanks. Read on. So you may … [Read more...] about New Opinion Poll: What do you think of my theme change?
I let the last opinion poll run a little longer than I originally planned for two reasons: 1) I didn't have another poll in mind and 2) I wanted to get more results to find out about more of you So what were my results? Well, the early lead … [Read more...] about Reader Poll Results: How old are my readers?
How many times have you said "I'll do this if you do that" in your marriage, job, friendships, or life? Reciprocal activities are what makes the business world run, but they are not the best method of interacting with your spouse in a marriage (or … [Read more...] about Marriage isn’t 50/50
Back in January, I told you all that I decided to try to pay off our Chevy Malibu in 8 months or less. How are we doing? Well, if you check out our debt scale on the right sidebar, you'll see we only have 22%, or $3,286 left of the original … [Read more...] about Only 2 more months to pay off the Malibu!
The Consumerist has a good highlight of (yes) another article about how credit repair agencies are ripoffs. I always wondered who would need these types of services, and even considered starting my own (in a split-second lapse of conscience). Perhaps … [Read more...] about Be your own credit repair service
Hello readers! I need your help. I'm reaching out to my 600+ loyal subscribers, as well as all of you hundreds of new readers who find my site each day for help. I'm looking for a new laptop. My sister has agreed to purchase my old Sony Vaio for … [Read more...] about I need advice: Help with finding the right laptop
You've probably noticed fewer original posts out of Clever Dude this past week, and I can explain myself :) This coming Monday, I'll be hosting the 103rd Carnival of Personal Finance. A "Carnival" is a compilation of articles submitted by various … [Read more...] about Weekend plans
