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 should say "I don't dream about financial windfalls that will wipe away our debt anymore". Honestly, I would lay awake at night dreaming about winning the lottery. I would spend untold amounts of time dividing up the winnings in my head, figuring … [Read more...] about I don’t dream anymore
Ok, so you think your $100 all-weather mats or $2,000 navigation unit upgrades are pricey. Check out this list from Car and Driver of the 10 most expensive (and truly decadent) vehicle options: Here's my take: 10. BMW Comfort Access: … [Read more...] about 10 Most Decadent Car Options
Debt • Finances & Money • General
Many of you have asked me how you can create your own debt scales similar to mine (see the sidebar). I used to just refer you to the site where I got edumacated myself, but that site was surprisingly scrapped by the owners. Well I guess I'll need to … [Read more...] about Web Tutorial: Creating Your Own Debt Scales
I'm sitting here watching the VP debates and just heard Biden talk about how he wants the bankruptcy courts to be able to reduce your interest rate so you can afford to stay in your home. Ok, I guess I'm not totally against that, although I don't … [Read more...] about Biden says “Let the bankruptcy courts lower your mortgage principal”
Many of you know those "pay-per-pound" buffets where you, well, pay for food by the pound. You find them at the local deli or supermarket, and they're always flush with foods like fruit, chinese food, prepared pasta salads and other pretty or tasty … [Read more...] about Battling the “Pay-Per-Pound” Buffet Bar
I knew it would be bad, and I have no reason to worry about our market investments because we're young enough to recoup it all (hopefully), but since I calculate our net worth monthly, I had to look at the damage to my Roth IRA and Rollover … [Read more...] about Oooh, I shouldn’t have looked [Investments]
Quick question. I've had thousands of direct visitors (the ones who go directly to www.cleverdude.com) in the last few days. Where did you hear about my site that made you type in my address? A magazine? Newspaper? Let me know what brought you here! … [Read more...] about What brought you here?
As a parent, you should be your child's primary teacher. If you're an idiot, you shouldn't be teaching anything to anyone." Clever Dude, 2008 … [Read more...] about Clever Quote of the Day: Teaching Your Children
