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.

6 Safest Cars for Leaving Your Dog Inside While You Shop for Groceries

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These dog-friendly cars make quick grocery trips much less stressful.

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In July 2023, a dog died in a parked car in San Jose while its owner shopped inside a store for just under 30 minutes, despite outside temps only reaching the mid-80s. Local police reported that interior car temperatures likely exceeded 110°F within 15 minutes. This tragic and preventable situation sparked renewed urgency around pet safety during summer errands.

Some vehicles are designed with features that reduce risk dramatically. Here are six of the safest cars for leaving your dog inside during quick grocery store runs.

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Hybrid Work Arrangements Gen Zers Are Exploring for Work-Life Balance

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The 9-to-5 workday is getting a major rewrite.

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The generation that entered the workforce during a global shift in how we work is now redefining the office on its own terms. For Gen Z, flexibility isn’t just a perk; it’s a fundamental expectation. They are rejecting rigid, one-size-fits-all mandates in favor of more dynamic and personalized hybrid work arrangements.

These models are designed to maximize both productivity and personal well-being, proving that a great job doesn’t have to come at the expense of a great life.

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Most Progressive Generation? 10 Straight‑Talk Reasons Gen Z Men Swung For Trump

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A generational shift that caught many by surprise.

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The political landscape is constantly shifting, and few changes in the 2024 election were as discussed as the surprising movement among young men. Often considered part of the most socially liberal generation in history, a notable segment of Gen Z men broke from their peers and cast their ballots for Donald Trump. This wasn’t a random blip; it was the result of a complex mix of economic anxieties, cultural currents, and a deep-seated distrust in established systems.

Understanding this shift requires looking beyond simple political labels. These reasons explore the frustrations and motivations that fueled their decision at the ballot box.

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These are the Biggest Economic Frustrations of Gen Z and Millennials in 2025

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They’re playing the game on a harder difficulty setting.

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Navigating the modern economy can often feel like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. For Gen Z and Millennials, the traditional markers of financial success seem to be shifting further out of reach, replaced by a unique set of pressures their parents never had to contend with. The economic landscape of 2025 is a complex web of old burdens and new anxieties.

These frustrations are more than just numbers on a spreadsheet; they are the daily realities that shape life decisions, career paths, and the constant feeling of being financially behind.

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10 Wise Predictions on When Baby Boomers Will Sell Their Homes

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Most boomers aren’t planning to sell—until they’re forced to.

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Baby Boomers hold the keys to one of the biggest real estate slow burns in American history. They’ve built equity, paid off mortgages, and aren’t budging—at least, not yet.

What’s coming isn’t a tidal wave but a slow, generational trickle of change, driven by aging, loss, and lifestyle shifts. These ten predictions show how and when Boomers might finally let go of their homes, and what that means for the market and everyone watching it.

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Brands Beware: 6 Startling Reasons Gen Z Is Leaving Google for TikTok

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They want answers that talk to them, not at them.

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Gen Z isn’t interested in sifting through 10 links and sponsored ads to find what they’re looking for. They want instant context, personality, and content that feels alive. Google might still own traditional search, but TikTok is quickly becoming the go-to platform for fast, visual, and authentic answers.

For brands stuck in the SEO loop, this shift isn’t just a trend—it’s a warning sign with real marketing consequences.

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Digital Platforms Millennials Launched to Power Today’s Gig Economy

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They didn’t wait for permission—they built the tools and rewrote the rules.

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Millennials didn’t just adapt to the gig economy—they helped engineer it. As traditional jobs crumbled under student debt, wage stagnation, and vanishing pensions, they didn’t just complain. They logged in, coded solutions, and created platforms that now fuel millions of freelance paychecks. This wasn’t about disruption for disruption’s sake—it was about carving out space where none existed.

The platforms they built aren’t just apps. They’re entire ecosystems that redefined work, blurred the lines between hustle and identity, and let people skip the gatekeepers.

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How Millennials Want to Work and Live in 2025

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They’re done chasing hustle culture—they want lives that feel like theirs.

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Millennials in 2025 aren’t looking for nap pods or ping pong tables—they want autonomy, meaning, and actual balance. After two decades of unstable economies, burned-out ambition, and post-pandemic recalibration, their priorities have shifted sharply. Work isn’t their whole identity anymore.

They’re designing lives that fit around who they are, not the other way around. And the companies—and cities—that don’t evolve with them are going to be left wondering where everyone went.

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