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.
Family or Marriage • Finances & Money • Frugality
One of the reasons I recently drove the speed limit for 200 miles was because I was shocked to learn that my perception of reality for the last 30 years was a bit off. Growing up, I always recalled my dad driving pretty fast. While I won't blame … [Read more...] about Getting to the root of your habits
If you haven't read about the "Madden Curse", you can read more about it here at Snopes. Basically, every player that has graced the cover of the Madden NFL since 2000 has gotten injured the next season. It's superstition, which is stupid to believe … [Read more...] about The “Madden Curse” Strikes Again?
I don't want to make light of any family's tragedy, but I want to note the odd circumstances that led to the death of the Italian design firm Pininfarina. Andrea Pininfarina, CEO of the firm that has contributed such beauties as the Ferrari P4/5, … [Read more...] about Millionaire dies on his Vespa Scooter
Family or Marriage • Finances & Money • General
My friend Jessica sent me this email last month and I've been holding onto it to post it. I'm sure at least a few of you have gotten it as well, but the lessons are very applicable: Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it! Rule 2 : The world … [Read more...] about Rules You Won’t Learn in High School
No, I didn't write that backwards. I really did mean to say "pizza for murder", not "murdering for pizza". When i first saw the headline, I was going to try to twist this into how bad the economy is that people will agree to a murder plea for a … [Read more...] about Pizza for Murder?
First, I found out how far truck and SUV values have really fallen. Next, I found out how how far our home values have dropped. After talking with a neighbor, I found out she recently got her home appraised as she was trying to sell it after … [Read more...] about Can’t Sell Truck. Can’t Sell House. Have to Enjoy What We Have.
Dear Washington Times, Every summer, you seemingly employee dozens of high school students to sell newspapers at the entrances of Washington metro stations. Last summer, the kids were selling each copy for just 10 cents. Although it's a pretty … [Read more...] about Open Letter to the Washington Times: Get Rid of Those Pesky Kids!
