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.

11 Alarming Substances Gen Z Uses—Legal or Not—to Handle Work Stress

March 27, 2025 by James Clendenin

The pressure to perform is driving Gen Z toward substances that promise relief but carry heavy costs.

Gen Z isn’t shy about talking mental health, burnout, or anxiety—but conversation alone doesn’t make the pressure go away. With jobs that demand constant hustle, social lives curated through filters, and an economy that feels more rigged than rewarding, many young adults are turning to substances to cope. Some are legal, some aren’t. Some feel harmless, others aren’t even labeled properly. But all of them are part of a bigger story: a generation desperate for calm, focus, escape, or just a break.

The substances Gen Z reaches for aren’t always what you’d expect. It’s not just party drugs—it’s nootropics, edibles, stimulants, and herbal remedies, often blended with anxiety about the future and a need to feel in control. These 11 coping choices reflect the complicated, high-stakes world Gen Z is navigating—and raise real questions about how we’re defining self-care, productivity, and survival.

Don’t Get Trapped in a New Career—11 Ways To Find Your Passion in Life

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

Feeling stuck isn’t a flaw—it’s a sign that something inside you is ready to change.

Most people don’t stumble into their passion with a big “aha” moment. It’s usually messier—more like a series of quiet nudges, awkward experiments, and gut feelings you can’t shake. If you’re stuck in a job that drains you, or floating through life wondering what you’re meant to do, you’re not broken. You’re just disconnected from the thing that lights you up—and reconnecting takes some work, but it’s worth it.

Finding your passion isn’t about quitting your job on a whim or chasing someone else’s idea of success. It’s about getting curious again. Paying attention to what energizes you. Reclaiming a part of yourself that’s been buried under responsibilities, fear, or burnout. These 11 ideas aren’t magic fixes—they’re invitations to get back in touch with what matters. Because you’re not meant to just pay bills and be “fine.” You’re meant to feel alive.

12 Cold Financial Truths Hitting Gen Z That No One Warned Them About

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

Adulting was supposed to be empowering—not a nonstop economic anxiety spiral.

Gen Z entered adulthood with big dreams, solid degrees, and more side hustles than sleep. But instead of financial freedom, many are hitting a wall of harsh realities no one really prepped them for. Rent’s outrageous, debt is suffocating, and saving feels like a joke when paychecks vanish before the month ends. It’s not that Gen Z is reckless—it’s that the system’s rules shifted, and no one sent an update.

What used to work—go to school, get a job, build a life—doesn’t feel guaranteed anymore. Instead, there’s a constant pressure to “figure it out” while navigating a world where stability is slipping out of reach. These 12 cold truths might sting, but knowing them can help you stop blaming yourself and start making smarter moves. Because Gen Z isn’t financially doomed—they’re just playing a game that’s way harder than anyone admitted.

From Likes to LinkedIn— 13 Methods Gen Z Is Using For Building Career Connections

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

Networking isn’t about suits and handshakes anymore—it’s about showing up online as who you really are.

For Gen Z, career-building doesn’t start in a boardroom—it starts in DMs, comment sections, Discord servers, and TikTok replies. Professional connections look way different than they used to. Instead of waiting for traditional gatekeepers to offer a seat at the table, young people are building their own. They’re blending personal interests, digital creativity, and community-driven hustle to open career doors that didn’t exist a decade ago.

And while the methods may seem unconventional—posting memes on LinkedIn, cold DM’ing creators, sharing side projects on TikTok—they’re working. Gen Z isn’t networking by the book. They’re rewriting the book. These 13 strategies aren’t just smart, they’re accessible, authentic, and actually fun. If old-school networking makes your skin crawl, this new approach might be exactly what you need to build real connections without pretending to be someone you’re not.

70% of Young People Feel Like Frauds—13 Ways to Crush Self-Doubt and Start Thriving

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

You’re not alone—most people are faking confidence while quietly questioning everything.

Impostor syndrome doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it whispers. It shows up when you’re starting something new, trying something bold, or even succeeding—and still waiting to be “found out.” For young people navigating career launches, side hustles, social media comparison traps, and a culture obsessed with constant achievement, self-doubt can feel like a permanent roommate in your brain.

The wild part? So many people feel it too—but no one talks about it. That invisible fear of not being “enough” keeps people playing small, over-preparing, or burning out trying to prove their worth. But there are real, practical ways to break that loop. You don’t have to wait for confidence to show up. You build it in motion. These 13 strategies can help you shift your mindset, quiet the fraud noise, and show up fully—without constantly second-guessing yourself.

Don’t Let a Toxic Job Break You—Use These 11 Tools for Emotional Survival

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

You don’t have to love your job to protect your mental health while you’re in it.

Toxic work environments can sneak up on you. One minute you’re brushing off a bad meeting, and the next you realize you’re waking up with anxiety every morning and dreading every interaction. When the place you spend most of your waking hours starts to wear you down emotionally, it’s easy to feel stuck, drained, and defeated. But even if you can’t quit just yet, you can take steps to protect your peace in the meantime.

These tools won’t magically fix a broken workplace, but they’ll help you hang onto your sanity while you figure out your next move. Think of them as armor—things you use to guard your energy, manage your reactions, and remind yourself that your job is not your worth. You don’t have to wait until you resign to reclaim your headspace. These 11 practical, sanity-saving strategies can start working for you now.

The Classless Society Dream? 11 Reasons Gen Z Needs a Reality Check

March 26, 2025 by James Clendenin

Idealism sounds great until it runs into bills, burnout, and broken systems.

Gen Z has big dreams, and one of the boldest is a future where class no longer defines opportunity. The idea of a classless society—a world where everyone has equal footing and wealth doesn’t divide us—has gained real traction among younger generations. On paper, it sounds beautiful. In practice, it runs up against centuries of complexity, human behavior, and a whole lot of economic reality.

This generation grew up online, watching influencers preach hustle culture while others flaunted generational wealth. Understandably, they’re disillusioned. But dreaming of equality doesn’t automatically change power structures, redistribute wealth, or solve inequality. Before Gen Z can dismantle systems or reimagine society, they’ll have to reckon with what’s real, what’s possible, and what it takes to build lasting change. These 11 truths offer a necessary dose of clarity to balance the idealism—and maybe sharpen the vision for something that actually works.

Stuck in a Dead-End Job? These 11 Fun Side Hustles Could Change Your Life

March 25, 2025 by James Clendenin

You don’t have to stay stuck if your paycheck drains your soul.

Dragging yourself through the same mindless routine each workday isn’t just exhausting—it’s a slow death to your creativity and joy. You might be clocking in and out like a pro, but deep down, you know this isn’t how life’s supposed to feel. That’s where side hustles come in. Not the soul-sucking ones, but the fun, life-giving ones that actually make you feel excited again.

These aren’t your average “sign up and grind” gigs. We’re talking about side hustles that spark energy, bring in extra money, and maybe even give you a glimpse of what real freedom feels like. You don’t have to quit your job tomorrow—but you could start planting the seeds for something better today. It all starts with one small step—and maybe a little fun along the way.