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.
We've all seen the Christmas trees and ornaments already out on the store shelves, but who has heard Christmas music on the radio yet? I have! WGTS 91.9 here in Washington D.C. was playing Christmas music on my short drive to the metro this … [Read more...] about And Christmas has officially begun…before Halloween night
While using my Honda Ridgeline's ventilation the last few months, I've been noticing a musty stink. I wasn't sure if it was my feet or the truck, but I eventually limited it down to the air coming out the vents. This past weekend, we were near a NAPA … [Read more...] about Get rid of the stink…Change your car’s cabin air filter
Some of you know that I started my graduate degree last month (September), as well as work full-time and write daily (except weekends) for Clever Dude. Although my wife would disagree that I actually WORK full-time (I'm here 8 hours, ok!), going to … [Read more...] about Fall 2007 Semester Update: Midterms are Over!
Reader and commenter Rob, who owns a full 1% of the comments here at Clever Dude (we have thousands), posed a question to me via email this past weekend. We had a good discussion of ideas and I got his permission to write about it. I will warn you … [Read more...] about Temptation in the Workplace, and Accountability
I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since I posted that I sold my 5-string Washburn XB925 Bass Guitar to a young gent in Belgium. I was worried it would end as a scam, but unless you're receiving cold, hard cash (which could be counterfeit … [Read more...] about Washburn Bass Guitar Sale is a Success
Back on September 28th, we bought a 2005 MINI Cooper for Stacie. To refresh your memory, we got a bank loan for $13,285 and put $6,000 on a 0% rewards credit card for a grand total of $19,285. Today, I sent off a check for $13,340 ($55 to cover … [Read more...] about Paid off the MINI Cooper bank loan
Over a month ago, I told you how the 25,000 bonus points from the American Express Business Gold Rewards Card cleared my account (FYI, the offer ended Oct 15th). It took me a month to decide what I wanted to do with $250 worth of AmEx dollars in … [Read more...] about Cashed in My AmEx Bonus Points…Received the Booty
Today, let's talk about opportunity costs. It's a term you often hear in the business world in relation "the cost of an alternative that must be forgone in order to pursue a different action". But it most certaintly relates to your personal finances … [Read more...] about Calculate Financial AND Opportunity Costs of Your Decision
