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.
Finances & Money • Frugality • Home
If you've been following me on Twitter, you'll know that for the last 2+ weeks, we've had problems with our furnace. The furnace would ignite the gas and get up to temp, but then cut off the gas and then keep running. Then for hours, it would just … [Read more...] about Perfect Example of the Need for an Emergency Fund
In January, I was looking for an inexpensive way to view both my credit reports AND my credit scores since we were looking into refinancing our mortgages (we still are btw). I saw Mighty Bargain Hunter on my IM and asked him for some advice. … [Read more...] about 20% Off Suze Orman’s FICO Kit Platinum
Family or Marriage • Finances & Money • General
I've hated the word "paradigm" since I first heard it a few years ago. It was clearly a buzz word used by corporate executive wannabes to fluff up their presentations, or by smarty pants friends and colleagues who probably can't even spell the word … [Read more...] about Shifting Your Attitudes [Paradigms]
Just last week I described to you our $250+ oil change at the MINI dealership in the DC area (there's only two here, but I'm holding out on saying which one yet). I tried to explain why, in some cases, you should go to the dealer to service your … [Read more...] about The Saga Continues: MINI Oil Change
Here's a relatively simple frugal tip. Curtains are used not only to block the light, but also to stop airflow in and out of improperly insulated windows. Keeping that in mind, In the winter, keep your curtains open during the day to let the … [Read more...] about Keeping Warm (and Cool) by Using Curtains
Although I'm a personal finance writer and often receive free books and other swag as part of the gig, I'm not going to pass up an easy contest if it's something I need. And in this case, I needed the latest edition of TurboTax. Luckily, The Sun's … [Read more...] about I won a copy of TurboTax Online 2008!
As some of you know, my wife Stacie is a dietitian at a major area hospital. What that means is she has been on the in-patient side of patient care for the last 5 or so years of her career. Well, today is the last day of her job! A few months ago, … [Read more...] about Announcing Clever Dudette’s New Job
I get a ton of emails each day with media releases and "check this URL out" requests. I usually scan over it and file it appropriately, but I usually don't ever take action on them. Recently, though, I got a request to take a "Credit Age" quiz, and … [Read more...] about Check your “Credit Age”
