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.

Is ‘Gentle’ Gen Z Parenting Too Gentle?

July 31, 2025 by James Clendenin

The parenting pendulum has swung from authoritarian to empathetic, but has it swung too far?

A new philosophy of child-rearing, known as “gentle” or “respectful” parenting, has taken hold among Millennial and Gen Z parents. This approach rejects the fear-based, authoritarian tactics of the past in favor of a model built on empathy, communication, and recognizing a child’s feelings. It is a thoughtful and compassionate reaction to the “because I said so” style of previous generations.

But as this approach becomes more mainstream, it has been met with a growing chorus of criticism, with many asking if this new style is actually creating a generation of undisciplined and entitled children.

7 Ways Doomscrolling Fuels the Anxiety Epidemic for Young People

July 31, 2025 by James Clendenin

Your phone is feeding you a constant diet of dread.

The act of “doomscrolling”—the compulsive need to scroll through an endless feed of negative and alarming news—has become a defining feature of modern life. While it can feel like a responsible way to stay informed about a chaotic world, this habit is having a devastating effect on our collective mental health. It is a direct and powerful engine for the anxiety that has come to characterize our era.

This is not just about reading the news; it’s about how the modern digital environment is designed to keep us hooked on fear.

Therapy as Self‑Care: How Millennials and Gen Z Made Mental Health Mainstream

July 30, 2025 by James Clendenin

Talking about your feelings is no longer a taboo, it’s a priority.

A profound cultural shift has occurred around the concept of mental health, led by a new generation that has completely reframed the conversation. For Millennials and Gen Z, therapy is not a shameful secret or a last resort for when things are broken; it is a proactive and essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It is viewed as a form of self-care, as vital as going to the gym or eating well.

This generation has successfully destigmatized mental healthcare, turning it from a crisis intervention tool into a mainstream pillar of personal growth and well-being.

Addicted to Likes: The Parasocial Lives of the Stan Generation

July 30, 2025 by James Clendenin

For many, the line between a fan and a friend has completely disappeared.

A new and powerful form of celebrity worship has taken hold of modern culture, driven by the intimate and interactive nature of social media. This is the world of “stan” culture, where fans develop intense, one-sided relationships with their favorite creators, a phenomenon known as a parasocial relationship. For the “stan generation,” a celebrity or influencer isn’t just an artist they admire; they are a friend they’ve never met.

This blurring of the lines between the fan and the famous is creating a host of new and complex social dynamics.

Inheriting a Warming World: Gen Z’s Battle with Climate Anxiety

July 30, 2025 by James Clendenin

For this generation, the climate crisis is not a future problem, it’s a present reality.

Generation Z has grown up in the shadow of a global climate crisis, a reality that has fundamentally shaped their worldview in a way no previous generation has experienced. The constant stream of news about wildfires, record-breaking heat, and dire scientific warnings is not just background noise; it is the soundtrack to their lives. This has created a profound and pervasive sense of “climate anxiety.”

It’s a rational response to inheriting a world on fire, and it is impacting their mental health, their relationships, and their plans for the future.

Remote‑Work Whiplash: Why Gen Z Is Heading Back to the Office

July 29, 2025 by James Clendenin

The generation that demanded flexibility is now craving a commute.

In a surprising twist to the modern workplace narrative, a significant portion of the Gen Z workforce is leading the charge back to the physical office. After years of championing remote work as the ultimate perk, many of the youngest employees are discovering the hidden downsides of a fully remote career. The very flexibility they fought for has created a new set of professional and social challenges.

For them, the office is starting to look less like a prison and more like a launchpad for their careers and social lives.

10 Sad Signs Adulting Is a Joke—and Gen Z’s Is Over It

July 28, 2025 by James Clendenin

The social contract their parents signed is now null and void.

For generations, the path to adulthood was laid out like a clear, achievable roadmap: go to college, get a good job, buy a house, and save for a comfortable retirement. But for Gen Z, that map leads to a dead end. They are navigating a world of economic precarity and broken promises, leading to a profound and justified cynicism about the entire concept of “adulting.”

They were sold a dream that the current economy simply cannot deliver, and they are no longer pretending it can.

The Millionaire Next Door: 11 States With the Most Residents Earning $1M+

July 25, 2025 by James Clendenin

High earners are surprisingly concentrated in a handful of states.

The concept of earning a million dollars a year often brings to mind a life of extravagant luxury, but the geographic distribution of these high earners tells a more concentrated story. The nation’s top earners are not spread out evenly across the country; they are clustered in a select group of states with powerful economic engines. These are the hubs of finance, technology, and innovation where seven-figure incomes are most prevalent.

Based on the latest tax data, this is where America’s highest earners are most likely to call home.