Author
Hi, I'm Cord.
I'm a dad of two, ages 4 and 6, married, living in the Chicago area, and working a corporate desk job. My weeks look like a lot of yours: a paycheck that has to cover everything, a school flyer asking for something every few days, and a 7:30 bedtime that doesn't care how the meeting went.
Why Broke Dads Club exists
Most money advice is written for someone with more time, more money, or fewer kids than you. I wanted a place that answers the actual question in front of a dad this week, like how much the Thanksgiving basket really costs, what a first soccer season needs, or who covers the week school closes and work doesn't. Every guide gets straight to the number, and nobody gets shamed for being tight.
How I write the guides
- I check real prices from stores and sources you can verify, and I date every guide.
- I give a number and a plan, not a lecture.
- I update the seasonal guides each year instead of letting them go stale.
What I'm not
I'm not a financial advisor, accountant, or lawyer. I write about everyday family spending: groceries, school costs, activities, holidays, and time. I don't give investing, tax, or legal advice. For those, talk to a licensed pro.
About the name
Cord Elmore is a pen name. I use it to keep my kids' lives private. Everything else here is real.