James Clendenin

James Clendenin, a seasoned entrepreneur and financial guide, brings decades of real-world experience to HappyWallet.co, where he writes alongside his son, Riley Clendenin. As a senior who has navigated the ups and downs of building businesses and managing finances, James understands the importance of cultivating a strong Financial IQ at every stage of life. His journey began with a passion for entrepreneurship, but over the years, he realized that true success lies not just in earning money but in managing and multiplying it wisely. Through thoughtful articles and practical insights, James shares his hard-earned wisdom with Millennials and Gen Z, offering guidance on everything from smart investing to building financial resilience.

13 Vintage Thrift “Junk” Items That Look Useless—Until a Pro Collector Finds Them

August 20, 2025 by James Clendenin

Learn how overlooked secondhand items can hold surprising value and what to watch for when browsing thrift shelves.

Thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales often feel like treasure hunts, with aisles full of objects that might seem outdated or useless. Yet collectors know that some of these dusty or odd-looking pieces carry significant historical, aesthetic, or resale value. The trick lies in knowing what characteristics separate genuine finds from clutter.

Understanding these items matters because many are part of everyday history—housewares, art, and toys that defined earlier generations. When preserved, they can bring character to your home, serve as conversation starters, or even provide a financial return. By learning what experienced collectors look for, you can avoid common mistakes and spot value in places where others might see junk.

Sam Altman Predicts a One-Person AI Business Can Reach $1 Billion in Value

August 15, 2025 by James Clendenin

Learn the key factors that enable solo entrepreneurs to build billion-dollar company using artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has fundamentally changed what’s possible for individual entrepreneurs. Where traditional businesses required large teams to handle customer service, content creation, data analysis, and operations, AI tools now enable one person to manage these functions at massive scale. This technological shift creates unprecedented opportunities for solo founders to build companies that were previously impossible without substantial human resources.

The concept isn’t just theoretical speculation. AI automation can handle repetitive tasks, generate content, analyze market data, and even manage customer interactions around the clock. When combined with digital distribution channels and scalable business models, these capabilities allow individual entrepreneurs to serve millions of customers while maintaining lean operations. Understanding these dynamics becomes crucial as the business landscape continues evolving toward AI-enhanced entrepreneurship.

From Three Legs to One: How the Retirement Stool Collapsed for an Entire Generation

August 15, 2025 by James Clendenin

Understand the pillars that once supported retirement security, why they weakened, and what you can do to adapt.

Retirement planners once spoke of a “three-legged stool” that kept older Americans financially stable: employer pensions, personal savings, and Social Security. Together, these sources created a balanced foundation that could weather economic shifts and personal setbacks. Over time, however, changes in the workplace, policy, and individual finances have made the stool wobblier—and for many, it’s down to a single leg.

This shift affects not just retirees but anyone preparing for life after work. Understanding how each leg worked, why it weakened, and the trade-offs of new approaches can help you set realistic expectations. While no single fix fits all, knowing the broader forces at play is the first step toward building your own version of retirement security.

These Beloved Childhood Foods That Quietly Changed Forever—and Why They’ll Never Taste the Same

August 14, 2025 by James Clendenin

It’s not just your imagination; they really don’t make it like they used to.

There is a specific kind of disappointment that comes from eating a beloved food from your childhood, only to find that it tastes completely different from how you remember it. You might think it’s just your adult palate or a trick of nostalgia, but in many cases, you are right: the recipe has changed. For a variety of reasons, from cost-cutting to health concerns, many of our favorite iconic foods have been quietly reformulated over the years.

This is a look at the beloved foods that have been changed forever, leaving us to chase a flavor that no longer exists.

Do Large SALT Deductions Primarily Benefit the Wealthy? 8 Things Everyday Taxpayers Should Understand About These Tax Changes

August 14, 2025 by James Clendenin

Learn how state and local tax deduction limits affect different income levels and what these policy changes mean for your tax planning strategy.

The state and local tax (SALT) deduction allows taxpayers who itemize to deduct certain state and local taxes from their federal taxable income. These include property taxes, state income taxes, and state sales taxes. When deduction limits are imposed or removed, the changes don’t affect all taxpayers equally, often creating different outcomes based on income level, location, and homeownership status.

Understanding SALT deduction policies helps you evaluate how tax changes might affect your specific situation and plan accordingly. These deductions interact with other tax provisions in complex ways, making it important to understand both the direct effects and broader implications for tax policy and regional economic differences across the country.

These Financial Storms Are Heading to Your Wallet—Protect Yourself Now

August 14, 2025 by James Clendenin

The economic forecast for the rest of 2025 is looking increasingly turbulent.

After a period of relative calm, a new set of financial storm clouds is gathering on the horizon. A number of economic and political pressures are converging that could have a direct and painful impact on the wallets of everyday American families. From a potential resurgence of inflation to a volatile housing market, the financial waters are about to get choppy.

Now is the time to check on your financial lifeboats and to make sure you are prepared for the coming turbulence.

School’s Not Just for Math—High Schoolers Are Learning Money Moves Now

August 12, 2025 by James Clendenin

A new wave of financial literacy is hitting the classroom.

For generations, the American high school curriculum has been notoriously silent on the subject of personal finance, sending millions of young adults out into the world with no idea how to manage their money. That is finally starting to change. In 2025, a growing number of states have made financial literacy a mandatory part of the high school experience, a long-overdue and critical shift.

These new classes are moving beyond a simple home economics approach, teaching students the real-world money moves they need to survive and thrive.

Options & Memecoins Won’t Build Your Emergency Fund—Here’s 11 Things That Will

August 12, 2025 by James Clendenin

Having a calamity fund with six months of savings doable.

Building an emergency fund is one of the smartest financial moves you can make, yet it’s often overlooked in favor of flashy investments. Creating a financial safety net doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. By adopting consistent habits and using practical strategies, you can steadily grow your emergency fund.

The key is to focus on steady growth and protection rather than chasing quick wins that may vanish overnight. Here are eleven effective ways to get there. Consistency is more important than the amount you save initially.