OVER THE PAST SEVEN years, HumbleDollar has become my professional life’s passion. Cancer means I have maybe another year in me—and then it’ll be up to you. My hope: The site will have a life beyond me.
On the site’s homepage, just below the latest articles, you’ll find a new feature dubbed Forum. Will HumbleDollar have a lively future, rather than fading into a dusty collection of old articles? That all depends on whether readers and writers embrace the Forum, and start initiating discussions and responding to others’ posts.
As I envisage it, the Forum offers folks a chance to recount their recent financial experiences, describe their money journey, ask questions and post observations about the financial world. Found a great place to buy certificates of deposit? Upset about the latest change at Vanguard Group? Trying to figure out how to minimize your Medicare premiums? Got an interesting strategy for generating retirement income? I’m sure other readers would love to hear more and, in return, share their wisdom. To start a new discussion thread, head here.
The Forum will, I hope, be more than your run-of-the-mill online discussion board, for three reasons. First, HumbleDollar has a reputation for civil discourse, avoiding the nastiness and tiresome political posturing found elsewhere. This is a rarity these days—and, I believe, helps explain why the site’s readers are so loyal and engaged.
Second, thanks to both the writers and commenters, the site has become a place where folks talk honestly about money. Instead of hollow boasts about purportedly great investment performance and supposedly smart financial moves, readers regularly use the comments section to talk about their financial mistakes and struggles.
Finally, as I step back from the site to focus on my health, I believe the Forum could become the vehicle for folks to continue posting longer articles. Those articles won’t be edited by me, but I suspect readers will still find them valuable. Indeed, earlier this week, I emailed regular writers for the site—both past and present—encouraging them to post longer articles in the Forum.
You’ll already find a healthy number of discussion threads within the Forum. The reason: I had HumbleDollar’s ever-diligent web developer transfer the old Voices questions into the new section. With the Forum now launched, the Voices section has disappeared from the site.
What about the site’s regular articles, which for now I’ll continue to edit, with help from my deputy, Greg Spears? Next month, instead of a dozen articles and two weekly newsletters, the site will be cutting back to four or five articles a week and just one weekly newsletter. My hope is to keep up that publication schedule through at least February 2025.
Observant readers might have noticed one other modest change to the site. On the homepage, under the “Get Educated” banner, there’s a slew of short items dubbed Act, Think, Truth and Manifesto, as well as previews of sections from the site’s money guide. I’d long been planning an additional feature known as Humans, and my diagnosis has spurred me to get that wrapped up. I’m in the midst of writing and loading into the publishing system 75 of these short pieces, which describe our various financial foibles.
But the big change is the Forum. So, what are you waiting for? Please check out what’s been posted, and perhaps add a comment or even launch a new discussion thread. To post, you’ll first need to register to comment, if you haven’t already. Go here to find out how.
Jonathan Clements is the founder and editor of HumbleDollar. Follow him on X @ClementsMoney and on Facebook, and check out his earlier articles.
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Jonathan, I am a fairly new reader of your wonderful newsletter and I was so sad to read about your health problems, others have said it much more eloquently than I ever could but I just wanted to say thank you and wishing you and your family peace and strength over the coming months. Very best wishes.
Jonathan, all I can do is echo the multitude of comments that have been shared by so many. Yes, I too started reading you back in the 90’s, in your WSJ days. In fact I recall emailing you (which you graciously replied to) when you were leaving that gig, just to express my appreciation for all that you had done to improve my financial knowledge/life – even at that early point. Obviously your contributions through HD have only added to that, as I currently find myself in a glorious state of both financial security and retirement bliss.
And now you have again passed on more wisdom and influence – unfortunately under terrible circumstances – that will also undoubtedly prove to be very significant and long-lasting: greatly reinforcing what was already a very strong appreciation for where I am in life, and for all that I have. Thank you, Sir. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you fight the good fight.
Jonathan I enjoyed your columns in the WSJ for years and found Humbledollar after seeing a story abut your latest book, which I bought. As someone who quietly became the millionaire next door I always am fascinated by people’s financial stories. That is what I like about your site. I never posted or commented on anything but I agree with you that to keep this site going it will help to have people like me who are on the sidelines to occasionally post or comment. You have built a wonderful site with great contributors. It is something to take a lot of pride in. This post is me dipping my toes in the water.
Thanks, Jonathan, for creating HumbleDollar for your insightful contribution to personal financial knowledge. I’ve read the newsletters and articles over the years and recommended HumbleDollar to friends whenever financial topics come up. I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis and wish you a full life as long as you have. I have learned so much from you and HumbleDollar and for that I’m thankful. I’ll check out Forum and look toward contributing to it.
Thank you Jonathan for sharing your wisdom with me for so many years. I treasure your website for its collective thinking from so
many bright and thoughtful writers. I, too, hope it will continue well into the future!
Thank you Jonathan for all the knowledge you have shared through the years. Humble Dollar is my must read every morning and I have shared your site with many friends and family. True to form, I should’ve known that you would have a legacy plan.
Necessity is the mother of invention: I had never thought to create the Forum until I got my diagnosis!
As I quickly approach the 18th tee of my “life’s work”, I’ve recently toyed with the idea of submitting an occasional column to Jonathan for HD consideration (more likely something that I’d do in a year or so, when the day job ends).
The “new” HD Forums structure will likely (by necessity) be the venue for future new contributors, like me. But it will only still be around if HD readers can get past the psychological stigma of thinking that “I’m not knowledgable enough / I am not an expert”. It’s only a hunch, but I suspect that this psychological barrier to entry is likely what made the prior HD iteration (Voices feature) so underutilized.
I’m ok with being be a little vulnerable and certainly open to constructive feedback, but the current civil discourse found within within current HD reader comments must be one thing that cannot change if this new HD structure is to survive…and hopefully thrive! The historically friendly and polite exchange of ideas found in the reader comments has been what differentiates the HD brand from so many other financial blogs that have come and gone in the internet era.
As a collective group, HD readers can generally “agree to disagree, without being disagreeable“.
Thanks for the comment. Two things. First, whenever I shuffle off this mortal coil, there will be someone monitoring comments — and my replacement will be ruthless in deleting comments that are political rants or unnecessarily nasty. Second, the way writers build credibility is one article at a time. That’s how the current crop of writers have built their following. I have no doubt that, if you posted pieces regularly in the Forum, you’d quickly gain credibility with the site’s visitors.
Thank you, Jonathan – great hear that there will be someone quietly handling the prefect duties on Forum comments. I also appreciate the vote of confidence for future Forum contributions.
Thank you Jonathan for your honesty telling us about your diagnosis. Of course, all of us – and especially you – want you to live 20 or 30 years instead of one. But you have been given a gift of knowing more deeply than most of us that your time is finite and thus you can not only say goodbyes but more importantly ensure you leave behind that which you have given your life for and value most deeply. When I log into the forum and post I will do it remembering what you have taught me over the years and wanting to do what I can to show my gratitude and love for that teaching and for your life and legacy. Hopefully the occasional tear won’t land on my keyboard and short out my computer!
Please, Don, no tears on the keyboard!
Jonathan,
I need to let you know that a neighbor of ours has a mother in her late 70’s who was diagnosed with lung cancer 8 years ago. They gave her about 1 year to live. However, she is still living and mobile and functional, 8 years later!
Please bear that in mind in the challenges you are facing- I know you have plenty of inner strength and a great attitude. The doctors are obligated to give you the worst case scenario- but things may not be nearly that grim!
I’m going to fight for every day I can get. But lung cancer comes in many varieties. If you want to see what I’m up against, spend some time Googling “EGFR Exon 20.” This is a story with a quick ending and not a happy one.
Jonathan,
Thanks so much for all your efforts here and our prayers for your mental & physical strength!
I have one thought to help keep things “alive” on the site. Can you arrange for your deputy or new site manager to send out a regular update or “what’s new” email?
I can’t speak for others, but life is hectic and I seldom visit any of the many forums that interest me unless something triggers my interest and reminds me of all the good articles I’m missing.
Doug Rickenback
As I have planned my financial course over the decades there have only been two persons who, because of their knowledge, their integrity, and their honesty, have gained my trust. One was John Bogle. The other is Jonathan Clements.
Over the years through his writing Jonathan conveyed to me his understanding of the financial world, his understanding of human nature, and also his desire to help guide others through the financial maze. I have been so grateful to have that help over the years!
No so long ago, I saw him on a financial program on PBS, and the moderator was chiding him—“Your message never changes!” she said. Very true! Integrity. Honesty. That’s Jonathan Clements.
I look forward to participating in the Forum!
thank You Jonathan for humble dollar. I have learned so much. I have shared the site with many others. I comment on the articles and now I will start on the forum.
Thanks Jonathan! That sounds like a lot of work. Have added a couple of comments. I’m a long-time poster on the forums at Fodors, and one feature I really like is the ability to click on my screen name and see a list of threads on which I’ve posted, any chance of your web developer adding something similar? (I know, some people are never satisfied!)
While the wish list is open, it would also be great if the threads on the new forum—or at least the headlines—were made searchable at some point. Eventually, there may be hundreds or thousands of threads and it will become harder to find one you want to check up on.
Yes, a search function is also among the improvements I’m hoping to add.
Good to hear, Jonathan. I’m wondering if the initial forum posts can be made editable. Right now I don’t see a way to edit them after posting, unlike comments.
I’ve already discussed that with James, my web developer. I’ll spare you the technical details, but it’s a more complicated build. That doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
I’ll ask James how difficult that would be to add.
Before I “refired” and sold my financial planning firm more than a decade ago, I consistently recommended your advice to my clients—often referencing your books and Wall Street Journal columns. One year, I even gifted each client a copy of your book, The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simple Truths that Help Real People Make Real Money. So, you can imagine my excitement when you accepted my first submission to Humble Dollar in 2018. Jonathan, you are the best editor I’ve ever worked with! Yes, I’m more than happy to support the new Forum function. Many of your readers and contributors, me included, are deeply grateful for the path you’ve paved for us that will continue your legacy. One more thanks. Your ROTH IRA story inspired me to streamline my own ROTH account. Earlier this year, I consolidated my four Vanguard U.S. and international stock index funds into Vanguard’s Total World Stock Index Admiral fund. Your Humble Dollar advice will continue to be a guiding light for many.
Kathleen, funny you mention Jonathan’s ROTH IRA story since after reading, it inspired me to do the same thing. Jonathan, I hope you realize how much you have helped people simplify and improve their financial plans.
I’m so happy to have you as one of the site’s contributors and commenters!
A suggestion for the Forum: have the newer comments at the bottom so that people can scroll down seeing the first comment first, then as you go down you move through time.
If you prefer, you can rearrange the order of comments. At the top of the comments, on the right-hand side, you’ll see “Newest.” Click on the little arrow next to that for more options.
I’ve been silently following along and enjoying Humbledollar.com since discovering it.
Now I’m paying it back with comments in the forum in part an act of recognition for the positive impact Jonathan’s writing has had for me. From the wsj, published book, and now here at Humbledollar.com.
With appreciation,
Ken
Hi Jonathan, this is Chris. Thank you (and Sanjay, guessing) for doing the forum. I was happy to see the writers are active in it. I answered one of the posts that was timely for us and will continue to check it out. Hopefully I will be brave enough to be more active soon.
Well done. Posted my first comment. I love the Q&A topic format
Thanks, Bill.
Just added my first comment to the forum and saw the related thread get moved to the top of the list. Nice way to spotlight the most current entries, but if people go on a posting or commenting frenzy, some entries might get “buried”. Thank you for providing this outlet for your readers and writers (most notably Dick Quinn-he obviously loves the new feature!).
Jonathan, I do have a question and an assignment for you. Could you create a menu tab on Humble Dollar that lists every article you personally have written, and links to those articles? There are times when I like reading back through articles you personally have written, and it seems hard to find them. Maybe under “Articles” you could add a link/button that says “Jonathan Clements’ articles” and then links to a list of all of your articles listed by title.
That page already exists. Head here:
https://humbledollar.com/writers/
Jonathan, I jumped in this morning and tried my hand at posting in your Forum. This legacy of yours will live on.
Many thanks for adding your voice to HumbleDollar!