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've mentioned that I'm purging many of my bank accounts in hopes of leading a less cluttered financial life. Here's the current status: Bank of America checking Bank of America money market savings (a higher yield savings) ING Direct … [Read more...] about Closing more bank accounts
This is part ten of the Ways to Save Money Series. Some of the referrals I promote on this site are for various credit cards. I battled with the idea of promoting cards when I myself had so many problems with them. However, I was able to triumph … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #10: Don’t Carry a Credit Card Balance
This is part nine of the Ways to Save Money Series. In one of my graduate-level classes, we went around the room and introduced ourselves. We stated our educational and professional background, as well as our personal interests. One woman who I … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #9: Only Shop When Needed
This Way to Save Money hits close to home because both my wife and I have a gym membership at Bally Fitness. It only makes sense that we can get our exercise at home by running around the neighborhood, doing exercise tapes, pushups, situps, etc., and … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #8: Drop the Gym
This is part seven of the Ways to Save Money Series So you want to be able to increase your savings or retirement, want to pay down bills, or just have some extra spending money for entertainment, trips, or gifts? Well a good way to make sure you … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #7: Don’t Buy Crap
This is part six of the Ways to Save Money Series The 4th Way to Save Money was about paying with cash rather than card. Part of that method is to avoid going to the ATM more often than you need in order to avoid getting more money out than your … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #6: Avoid the ATM
I'm not a very committed Catholic. I don't feel that I need to attend every holy day, pray to the saints or pray the rosary. And I don't make Lenten resolutions, except this year. This Lent, I resolve not to go to a buffet. No Chinese, No Indian, … [Read more...] about Lent 2008: Giving up the buffets
Continuing with my Ways to Save Money Series, based on the Save to Quit eBook, I'd like to introduce an idea that many of you will find surprising: Paying Yourself First. If you follow the personal-finance world, you probably heard of this already, … [Read more...] about Ways to Save Money #5: Pay Yourself First
