Welcome

Hi! My name is Brad and I write Smart Tech Dad. I am a father to two amazing children, husband to Cindy from Smart Family Money, an IT professional, and lifelong nerd. We live near Cleveland, Ohio.

I was fortunate enough to get my first computer for Christmas when I was five, because I had been begging for one. Then I had to figure out how to make it actually do anything. In those days, when the computer was turned on it went to a black (or green) screen with a cursor. The person using it had to tell it exactly what to do before any magic happened. Yes, I am old.

I learned a lot about how to get computers to do what I wanted over the next few years. I was driven by two parts desire to play games and one part paranoia, because this was a big investment for my family. Before I was a teen, I was getting some paid consulting work and helping many people with their computer problems in my small hometown. My interests and early experiences led me to a career in technology. Over the years, I’ve developed a better understanding for how to talk to people at varying levels of technical ability.

Technology From a Parent’s View

As a dad, I end up talking with other parents about technology. I hear a lot of frustration. Most information on technology is from the perspective of a nerd. It is hard to tell what actually matters. Providing a parent’s perspective that goes beyond the analysis of “best” or “fastest” has been helpful to friends and family. The best technology in the world doesn’t help if it’s too expensive or requires a PhD to use.

I started this site so I can help other families make smarter technology decisions. I’m here to help you wade through all the jargon, make smart buying decisions, and provide information to help you make the best choices to fit your family.