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.
For the 10 or so years that MINI has been in the U.S., it hasn't won any awards for reliability. In fact, it's been at the bottom of the reliability lists for years. But our next car will still be a MINI Cooper, and I'll explain why I'm OK with … [Read more...] about Why our next car will be the least reliable brand in America
Family or Marriage • Finances & Money
First I want to say that I recognize that there are millions of Americans, and probably billions across the globe who wish they were in my position, and I feel very blessed and lucky for both my wife and I to have jobs, especially ones that pay … [Read more...] about Can’t find a job? Can’t earn more? Want a change? Move!
Finances & Money • Frugality • Men's Topics
I've taken my abuse over the last 10 years or more for slowly going bald (from the forehead back, not at the crown luckily) from friends, family, coworkers and even strangers. But the trick is on them because I'M THE ONE SAVING MONEY! Over 5 … [Read more...] about Balding, but with more money in my wallet
I have to say up front that buying any hybrid vehicle will not turn you into a fuel-sipping, eco-friendly Captain Planet. The higher gas prices go, the quicker the payback for the extra cost of the hybrid powertrain compared to a conventional one. … [Read more...] about Clever Dude reviews the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid with Premium Package
Beards have become a "thing" for men. But beards bring a ton of added expenses - scissors, beard conditioner, mustache wax, etc. In fact, I even attempted my own beard for a few weeks until I had to give a big customer presentation and it wasn't … [Read more...] about More manly topics. Beard (and other facial hair) grooming!
It feels like that giant weight of credit card debt (upwards of $23,000 at one point) was on my shoulders for so long, but the weight was lifted so long ago with our final credit card payment that I hadn't thought about the difficulties and struggles … [Read more...] about Where did the Debt Time fly?
So some of you might, surprisingly, ask "Mitsubishi still makes cars?" or "What cars do they make?". Glad you asked! Granted, there's been a lot of turmoil and turnover in the auto industry this century, what with Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Hummer, … [Read more...] about Clever Dude reviews the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SE AWC
Family or Marriage • Finances & Money • Home
I recently saw an episode of House Hunters that annoyed me. The premise of the show, if you haven't seen it, is someone is looking for a home, whether it be to rent or own, a townhouse, apartment, single family or whatever. They show 3 choices and at … [Read more...] about Are you an adult and still living with your parents?
