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.
When you live alone, it should be obvious that you should just use the light in the room you're in. However, what about when you live with a spouse or roommate? While not always practical (i.e. one is reading, one is watching TV), the most logical … [Read more...] about Frugal Tip: Reuse the Light
Our home is almost 70 years old, and while it has new siding, roof and additions, the last owners never thought to re-insulate the home (or use better insulation for the additions) when they did their renovations a decade ago. So our cooling and … [Read more...] about Keeping Warm in a Cold Home
I found this interesting tidbit of information from an Autoblog article about U.S. car sales in 2008: There were about three million fewer cars sold in 2008 than 2007. Based on 2007's numbers, it would be the same as if Acura, Audi, BMW, Chrysler, … [Read more...] about Auto Industry Carnage in 2008
In past years, I've half-heartedly made New Year's resolutions, and never got much past the first week (or even the first day) with them. But this year is going to be different because I've found the secret to keeping New Year's Resolutions! Choose … [Read more...] about Guide to Setting Goals (and my own New Year’s Resolution)
Finances & Money • Frugality • Home
Here in our home, we have "Residential Time Metered" electric service. Rather than paying the same rate regardless of the hour of the day, we pay less during "off-peak" and "intermediate-peak" hours than we do "peak" hours. If you're not sure whether … [Read more...] about Frugal Tip: Saving Money on Electricity using Time Metered Service
Just to put some perspective around things, the Y2K drama was almost a decade ago. Today's high school freshmen have no clue what the fuss was all about (you only start really remembering stuff around 4 years old). Wow, I never thought 30 was old … [Read more...] about 1999: Almost a decade ago
Banking • Credit • Finances & Money
I just loaded up on some more $25 ING Direct new account referral links, so if you don't have an Orange Savings account yet, click through and get your $25 bonus with a minimum $250 initial deposit! The linked page gives more information about the … [Read more...] about Get your ING Direct $25 New Account Bonus Here!
You have until December 31st to spend your elections to your Flexible Spending Plan (FSA).You have until March 31st to submit receipts for reimbursements though. If you're unfamiliar with an FSA, it's a pretax spending plan for medical expenses like … [Read more...] about Spend your remaining FSA Dollars!
