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ON SUNDAY MORNING, May 19, I was enjoying croissants and coffee with Elaine at the kitchen table, while watching the neighborhood sparrows, finches, cardinals and squirrels have their way with the bird feeder. All was right in our little world, except I was a little wobbly when walking—the result, I suspected, of balance issues caused by an ear infection.
It was going to be a busy week, and I figured that it would be smart to get some antibiotics inside me, even if visiting the urgent care clinic on Sunday might be more expensive than contacting my primary care physician on Monday and perhaps having to go in for an appointment.
Long story short, I ended the day in the intensive care unit of a local hospital, where the staff discovered lung cancer that’s metastasized to my brain and a few other spots. This, as you might imagine, has meant a few changes in my life, and there will be more to come.
I have no desire for HumbleDollar to become HumbleDeathWatch. But my prognosis is not good. I’ve had three brain radiation treatments and I started chemotherapy yesterday, but these steps are merely deferring death and perhaps not for very long. I’ll spare you the gory medical details. But as best I can gather, I may have just a dozen okay months ahead of me.
Weirdly, as of right now, I feel pretty darn good, and perhaps better than most 61-year-olds. Every morning, I’m stretching and lifting for 20 minutes, and then riding a stationary bike for 40 minutes. And in case you’re curious, I was never much of a smoker and last had a cigarette in 1987, when I was age 24. Instead, it seems my lung cancer is the result of a defective gene—one that’s rare and without a promising treatment plan.
In future articles, I’ll be writing more about the personal finance and other implications of my diagnosis, which I believe have an intriguing relevance even for those without an incurable disease. I also suspect readers want to know my plans for the site. The Reader’s Digest version: I intend to keep HumbleDollar going, though there’ll be some notable changes. But before I get to those changes, here are some initial financial thoughts, which I hope to discuss further in the weeks and months ahead.
Managing money is fraught with uncertainty, but never more so than now. There’s much I don’t know—how long I’ll live, how long I’ll be able to do the work I love, what my medical and other costs will be. Still, on this score, I’m hardly alone. In varying degrees, we all face this sort of uncertainty, and it’s one reason managing money is so fascinating.
Money is intimately bound up with regret. We often berate ourselves for the foolish purchases and investments we make. This one has been a pleasant surprise: Until the past few years, I’ve lived quite frugally, and yet I find myself with almost no regrets about that lifestyle. Yes, if my health allows, I’ll be ticking off some bucket-list items over the year ahead. But mostly what I feel is profound gratitude for the life I’ve had. I’ve had amazing opportunities and wonderful experiences, and that allows me to face the time ahead with surprising equanimity.
The cliché is true: Something like this makes you truly appreciate life. Despite those bucket-list items, I find my greatest joy comes from small, inexpensive daily pleasures: that first cup of coffee, exercise, friends and family, a good meal, writing and editing, smiles from strangers, the sunshine on my face. If we can keep life’s less admirable emotions at bay, the world is a wonderful place.
We can control risk, but we can’t eliminate it. I’ve spent decades managing both financial risk and potential threats to my health. But despite such precautions, sometimes we get blindsided. There have been few cancer occurrences in my family, and it’s never been something I had reason to fear. Chance is a cruel mistress.
It’s toughest on those left behind. I’ll be gone, but Elaine and my family will remain, and they’ll have to navigate the world without me. I so want them to be okay, financially and emotionally, and that’s driving many of the steps I’m now taking.
Generosity suddenly feels so much sweeter. No doubt part of the reason is that I’ll no longer need most of my retirement savings, plus there’s scant reason to acquire new possessions. Perhaps part of me is also more anxious to earn the good opinion of others, while I still have the chance.
But there’s another aspect to this: As I watch friends and family react to my diagnosis, it makes me appreciate that most folks have an inherent goodness and they’re constantly struggling to do the right thing, and a little generosity is a way to acknowledge that.
Life’s priorities become crystal clear. Even at this late stage, I believe it’s important to have a sense of purpose, both professionally and personally. I can’t do much about the fewer years, and I have no anger about their loss. But I do want the time ahead to be happy, productive and meaningful.
I’ve been moving to further simplify my finances, organize my affairs and make things right with those around me. Underlying this is a desire to control what I can—hardly surprising, given the uncertainty swirling around me—and I’m probably overdoing it.
There’s one aspect of my life over which I have a fair amount of control: HumbleDollar, this little world I created and that all of you, with your comments, articles and support, have helped build. That brings me to my plan for the site. Even before my diagnosis, I had been noodling how to scale back the site in 2025, with a view to having a little more time for travel and such.
I’ve accelerated those plans. Starting next month, my goal is to run four or five new articles each week, rather than the dozen or so that the site publishes today. But that’ll partly hinge on how I react to treatment and how quickly my health deteriorates. Meanwhile, next week, I hope to unveil a new feature that’ll allow the site’s writers and readers to continue to interact with one another.
One change I’ve already made: I’ve removed the site’s donation feature and cancelled all recurring donations. Many thanks to those of you who have supported HumbleDollar financially over the years. With the site posting fewer articles, I didn’t feel it was right to continue accepting donations.
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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I’m newer to your content but have been listening to your podcast with Creative Planning for a few years. I hope have many more days and you make them all count. I’m wishing you peace and joy with your family. Thanks for all your past and current contributions!!
Dear Mr. Clements,
Thank you for sharing. I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Sending you love and strength for the days ahead. Really grateful for your financial wisdom and the Humble Dollar contributors.
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I would suggest becoming familiar with the work of Dr. Greger and Dr Fuhrman and going all in on a nutritional approach to fight that. God bless! https://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-best-diet-for-cancer-patients/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMWt0AaTxn0&t=24s
Jonathan, I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have some experience; I lost my 36 old daughter to lung cancer 9 months ago. It does change the way I look at things, relationships are definitely the most important thing to consider. I have 2 comments that I hope might be helpful:
I hope that you have not found my comments offensive, I have not intended them to be at all. Quite the opposite.
I hope for a miracle and complete healing
Sending you best wishes as you navigate this next phase of your life. May it be fulfilling and meaningful. Developments in treatment come along frequently and I hope something comes up to help in your situation. And, although they’re not necessarily to be counted on, unusual remissions and miracles do happen.
I’ve been following you since your WSJ days and have read most of your books. I adopted your investing ideas around 1990 when I began investing almost exclusively in low-cost index funds in an appropriate asset allocation, fairly heavy on equities at that time of mid-career. I’m now retired and your advice has certainly paid off. I especially appreciated it when you said we should be somewhat happy during downturns in the equity markets, because, using dollar cost averaging, those were great times to put money into stocks. I did that by continuing the highest monthly contribution I could make to my 403(b) plan.
I thank you profoundly for your guidance. I hope the future holds good things for you!
Dear Jonathan, I’m so sorry to read this and regret that I didn’t know until I saw the NYT article. I truly enjoyed writing for Humble Dollar because of your fine editing and encouraging words. I wish you the best. Thanks.
Jonathan,
What a thoughtful, lovely column. I’m saddened for you, your family, and your loved ones.
I want you to know that I’m deeply grateful for all that you have brought to me and all your readers. You’re sensible, restrained, and deeply humane understanding of how our emotions can wreak havoc with our decision making was a wonderful awakening. Your capacity to speak unselfconsciously about your vulnerabilities helped opened me up to my own. Your specific financial advice was always caring, specific, and rock-solid.
May the rest of your life be a gift and a blessing to those you hold close.
I just found out about your cancer diagnosis from Ron Lieber’s column. I am so sorry to hear this. I read you religiously in the WSJ and learned so much from you as I figured out how to handle my family’s finances. I am just a couple of years older than you and my husband and I were both able to retire comfortably in part because of your great advice. I now teach financial literacy on a volunteer basis in high schools and I always recommend your books. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I was out of town and lust read this the other day. I am so shocked to hear about your diagnosis! As with so many other readers, I’m so sorry for your bad news. I started reading your articles in the Sunday WSJ personal finance pullout. You’ve always given such great, intuitive, level-headed advice. I’ve been a faithful Humble Dollar reader since you resurfaced on my radar and have gleaned so much from your site.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I wish you the best with the time you have left. It feels to many of us like we will be losing a wise uncle and we will miss you greatly. But know that you have influenced so many of us through your steady wisdom and wit.
Peace be with you.
I’m so sorry to hear of your cancer diagnosis. I hope for more years than one for you, and your family to have together. Thanks so much for all the good advice you’ve shared through the years, I’ll be sending up prayers for your and your family.
I’m saddened to hear about the news, Jonathan, I’m sending my best wishes your way. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts over the years and looking forward to continuing to do in the future.
I have been reading articles on this site since 2018 and they have reinforced my belief in diversified index funds and keeping the portfolio simple. I wish you and your family strength and good luck to get through this difficult situation. Thank you!
Such sad and shocking news Jonathan. You have helped thousands of people with their finances and life decisions. I retired early, and my wife and I are financially secure because of the knowledge that you passed along to me via your books, podcasts and newsletters. When someone asks me what is the single greatest thing or person that helped you do so well financially, I say Jonathan Clements. I hope for the best for you.
This man may not be accepting “donations”, but I surely will find the GoFundMe page that pays for the funeral, when and if it occurs. If anyone deserves a “miracle.” He is the one. A memorial will require a very large facility, as all of mankind should attend.
Thanks for the kind words — but, please, no GoFundMe page. There are many others who are far more needy and should receive our financial support.
What an ugly way to a beautiful Sunday! All of us want to know we will be missed and the 311 comments are just the minority reaching out to with positive thoughts. As bad as it is to get this news it does have to give you a good feeling inside that you have made a difference in so many people’s life…not many can say that…
Dear Jonathan,
I’m so very sorry to hear your news. I feel like you’re a dear old friend since I’ve been reading your work for so many years. Reading through the comments, it is clear that a great many people feel the same as I do, and they have expressed their sentiments beautifully.
I appreciate all you’ve taught me. I read your column in the WSJ and it formed my financial outlook: common sense, index funds, steady and effective. I’m now retired and secure, thanks to all your great advice.
You generously shared your feelings and your outlook at this juncture. Thank you. Wishing you and your family peace. Many many thanks.
Dear Jonathan,
I was so sorry to read about your cancer diagnosis. The fact that you could share your news with your readers and promise to examine the financial implications of your illness and estate planning decisions in your future columns—as long as you are able—is a testament to your true wealth of spirit. You have educated so many over the years, both at the WSJ and the Humble Dollar. Your legacy will live on. Meanwhile, I hope you savor your morning coffee watching the birds. It’s one of my favorite pastimes, too. Please reach out if I can help your family with any Social Security questions.
It has been my pleasure to read your articles each week. With those articles, you not only shared advice, but you shared a part of yourself. Thank you for teaching so many how to fish and thank you for giving me the opportunity to write an article on your site. It was joyous for me to join the conversation in that manner and for that I truly thank you. Fellow traveler, I wish you and your family the absolute best and enjoy those bucket list items 🙂
Jonathan,
Like so many of the other people commenting here, I have read your work since your Wall Street Journal days, and have purchased and read your books and given them as gifts to friends and family graduating from college. In fact, the night before reading of your diagnosis I was recommending “How To Think About Money” to a friend of a friend.
Also like so many of the other people commenting here, I can say that your advice has enabled me to be in a position where I can do many things (trip to Africa most recently) without really worrying too much about about how much they cost.
And the fact that we are almost exactly the same age gave your perspective a special relevance.
So “thank you” seems inadequate. I can only add one more voice to the many hundreds of voices here who are living examples that you’ve had a great, positive impact on people’s lives and I hope that knowledge brings you both joy and comfort.
Jim Fulton
Jonathan, so sorry to hear this news. But I want to say thank you for the help you have provided me. I began reading your Getting Going content in the WSJ in the 90s and I’m confident I have read every one of those articles. The wisdom I have gained from your writing has almost single-handedly caused my personal investment success over the last 30ish years.
Thank you!
I am so sorry to hear this news. Cancer sucks (not elegant but true). Your impulse towards generosity AND making sure all things financial are well organized for the sake of your wife and family is admirable. I am sorry you are going through this.
Over 10 years ago, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We started to dip into my 401K to take some trips. After 5 years, I told him he’d better die or we’d go broke. And here we are, now traveling full-time. His medication—generally effective for only 3 or 4 years at best—still keeps his cancer at bay. I now have more day-to-day maladies than he does.
Our nest egg is not what it would have been if we hadn’t started spending in 2013. But, it is still enough. And we have no regrets. Live your life. Live your life. (And keep writing about it as best you can—that’s another generous impulse that helps others and, I hope, helps you as well).
I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for your life’s work. Hearing the “C” word is so difficult and shocking. However, as you have, I also found it to be a very clarifying experience. May you have peace, much joy, strength and be surrounded by those who mean the most to you in whatever your journey may be ahead.
After reading about your cancer diagnosis, I have wanted to write but have been struggling to find the right words. Although I doubt that the right words have found me, I want you to know that ever since your Wall Street Journal days, you have been a calming, inciteful and welcome voice in my personal financial journey. Please know that I will be rooting for you as you navigate your cancer treatment. I for one am hoping that you get to use your retirement nest egg for its original purpose.
Dear Jonathan,
I’m very sorry to hear of your diagnosis. This must be extremely challenging for you and your family. May you tackle the journey ahead with grace and fortitude.
You’ve been a favorite author of mine since your time at WSJ. Your books and HumbleDollar are great, and I can’t thank you enough for all of the wisdom that you’ve shared. Your writings made a big difference in my life and the lives of many others.
Earlier this year, I finally registered for my first Bogleheads conference. It was my hope that you might be a speaker, but alas, you’ve got much higher priorities now.
Thank you for sharing so many stories and lessons. I wish you peace in the days ahead.
I have been following you since your WSJ days. But I only discovered Humble Dollar only recently. Your financial insights have been invaluable. I am sorry that you are dealing with cancer now and I wish you all the best. I have said a prayer for you. God Bless.
Very sorry to hear your news and thank you for sharing everything so openly. I’ve always greatly appreciated how you have underlined over the years that wealth is not only financial, but also physical, emotional and relational. I’m sure that the great investments you have made over the years in all of these areas will now bear fruit, and I wish you all the very best. – Andrew Lewis
I learned about your diagnosis yesterday. It took me a while to digest this bad news. I hope that a miracle or science breakthrough helps your situation. I started reading your articles after I watched you at Wealthtrack with Consuelo Mack. You sounded very intelligent and I liked how you expressed yourself. May God give you strength during this challenging time.
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’ve had two family members die from cancer over the last twelve years and I can empathize with your family.
My family experience has had the side effect of leading me to consume a lot of content on cancer treatments. I’ve found the work of Thomas Seyfried and Dom D’Agostino to be particularly interesting, and their work may be of interest to you.
Regarding the former, there was a podcast earlier this year about a stage four cancer survivor who implemented a Seyfried protocol with the help of the Hippocrates Research Foundation (https://dhrupurohit.com/dp-ep475/).
I wish you the best, and hope your treatments are able to extend your health span.
I’m sorry I missed this when it first came out. Wow. I join the hundreds of others here in saluting you for your work here as well as at the Wall Street Journal where I first discovered you so many years ago preaching common sense (which isn’t really all that common). I pray for successful treatment so that you may live out your final months or years in relative comfort and get to enjoy all those bucket-list items.
Thank you for being so candid when discussing your recent diagnosis. So many people (including myself) get caught up in the day-to-day mundane problems that really don’t matter. I certainly wish you the absolute best of outcomes and I hope to be reading your articles for many years to come.
Dan Peters – Massachusetts
WOW … just wow!
I truly wish the best and I have deep admiration for what you created, your passion to share financial knowledge through the HD. I plan to stay tuned and keep learning- I hope that brings both of us some positives. I turn 60 in two months, thanks for openly sharing so much. i’ll put gratitude on the top of the list of things to think about.
Dear Jonathan,
Oh boy, I’m so sorry to read your words here, which isn’t how I’ve felt anytime I’ve ever read your articles before. I’m hoping that those Philly doctors will do wonders in keeping your strength up and bringing on the miracles giving you much more time than you are currently anticipating.
About all those articles that have meant so much to me…I was born in Philly and spent my first 45 years nearby. Now I live abroad and always have a bit of homesickness. Every article you have published on this site over the last few years has brought me back home, wandering the streets of Philadelphia in an ideal retirement and life. And since I am 63, your focus on the transition years to retirement has resonated for sure. I’m still working remotely, with my spouse 10 years older and fully retired. My work, though personally fulfilling, has kept us tied down, time wise, and we haven’t been using our go-go years as we probably should. Nevertheless I’m feeling grateful for the meaningful work.
Oddly, the other evening my husband got dizzy during dinner and in an instant my mind went from it’s a stroke, cancer, or something else that will change everything.
I’ll still eagerly open your articles Jonathan and hope that you’ll continue to be up to sharing your experiences with us because we are going to all someday be in your shoes. Thank you so much for what you’ve already given and thanks so much in advance for all you are able to still give.
Now I’ll make the most of the days to come by pulling your book off the shelf, that you signed in Melvern PA in 2018, From Here to Financial Happiness – Enrich Your Life in Just 77 Days
Thanks for the kind words. I plan to keep writing for as long as my mind and body allow.
Since reading your post about the C word, I’ve been thinking about how fragile life is and sad to hear this news. In my retirement, I’ve lived by the financial strategy I read in your book Jonathan Clements Money Guide 2016 of “I played the game, won the game and am done playing the (financial) game.” For the past 12 years this strategy has served me well. Now that you’re facing an unexpected future, I pray that your many years of playing the game of life will bring you peace. God bless you and your family with healing, protection and love ❤️
Dear Jonathan,
I join with so many of us who have appreciated your work for decades. Most especially, for nurturing Humble Dollar to become the intelligent, go-to site for pragmatic and thoughtful investors. What a gift you have given us. And I join with you and with Elaine in spirit. I shared the lung cancer journey of my vibrant husband as he faced those months after his diagnosis – cherishing such pleasures with friends and family while completing an enduring project for a presidential library. An honor to be by his side. An honor to appreciate your body of work with HD.
What a great column. Have enjoyed your writing for decades. Hopeful and will pray for a miraculous recovery so there are decades more to go. All best regards and hang in there.
No one has influenced how I think about money and investing more than you, Jonathan. Your column ran in the Washington Post in the mid 90s and I read every one of them at a time when I was first starting to make a real salary. Diversified index investing, prioritizing experiences over stuff, not trying to time the market, invest for the long haul. At 58, edging toward the tail end of a career of working for small nonprofits, my family is in a very sound financial position.I’d like to give you a big virtual hug and say I wish you the very best as you navigate the months and hopeully years ahead. And thank you.
Jonathan, I am so very sorry about your illness. I am a 70 year old retired guy, still an investing novice (late start in a new life). Thank you for your work and your inspirations. You have made an immense difference in my life, financially and personally. Wishing you the best of luck and God’s blessings from Bronx crew.
To Johnathan and all your family. I am distressed to read you are unwell.I have been reading your insightful thoughts for some time and have come to feel that I know you. , I am saddened that you face such a challenge. I don’t know what to say , can’t add just now, . warmest wishes
Jonathan, I am really sorry to hear this news. Twenty-five years back, I stumbled on your article through WSJ when I was looking for a path to manage finance. I am grateful for your advice and fundamental values which resonated with me. Last year, I stumbled on humbledollar community. Your articles then and now have an impact. Thank you for all you have done. All the best to you.
Jonathan – What I feel is profound gratitude for your life and contributions. Blessings on you and yours.
I met you at the very first White Coat Investor Conference in Park City, and have followed your work ever since. I am so very sorry to hear this news. Mortality catches us all in the end, no matter what we do, but that is no consolation when the endgame comes earlier than we expected. Thank you for all you have done to educate me and millions of others on the ins and outs of personal finance. You have made the world a better place, and in the end that is the best memorial any of us can have! I hope you and your family can find peace and even some joy in the time left to you.
Dear Jonathan, thank you for sharing, I am close to you in this difficult moment. As Charlie Munger said “the best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more”. You certainly did with me and with very many other human beings around the world. I read all your books, your articles and I learned and benefited a lot from your work. I’ve read so much of yours that I feel like I know you, you’re familiar. I am a much wiser financial investor and happier person following your advices. I own you a lot. Life can be difficult and cruel but hope is the last to die. I wish you and your loved ones the best in this difficult time. A strong (virtual) hug. Luigi
Jonathan, I have followed your work and advice for years and always benefited. I consider you (as so many others do) as a truly great man in your field and a quality man in every way. Thank you so much for all of your help and contributions to so many.
It is a privilege to know you and follow your writings. My family and I will be praying for the best for you and yours.
Dave
I’m really sorry to hear this Jonathan. It definitely hits home as I’m having my morning coffee and watching the birds on my feeder. I hope you can enjoy the small day to day things and some time with family and friends.
Jonathan,
GOD LOVES YOU, and so do I!
When you leave this world you can do so secure in the knowledge that YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE.
Whatever time you are left with, I hope you live it with the knowledge that your efforts benefited hundreds of thousands of readers and followers over your writing lifetime.
Jonathan, like so many others, I have greatly benefited from your writing since the ‘Getting Going’ days. Your advice has been consistent and your perspective on the challenge of sticking to the plan has helped me stay on plan. You have already had such a positive impact on so many lives. All the best to you and thank you.
Wishing you all the best in your journey and treatment, Jonathan. You have been a great mentor to many, including myself.
Jonathan – I briefly saw the linkedin comments yesterday and finally got a chance to see this article. I am shocked and deeply saddened. Now that you know what you know – make sure you keep your hopes alive despite the challenges. It is surprising if you believe in something, the universe will try to support you. I also suggest taking up some meditation and yoga – which in some cases has proven to help. Be proud for all your accomplishments and for helping all of us over the course of many years. I have been reading humble dollar and thoroughly enjoyed every article which were well written and thought out, I am sure with your editing and insights. You are in my prayers. Strength and courage to the family.
-Duke
This news is quite a shock: being told you are probably dead within a year! Very sobering! But face the reality.
There’s document available: “Five Wishes” You can google to find it
It provides a structured way to communicate in writing with family how you want for your remaining life to be handled. Such a written document can clarify your thinking and can be very comforting for you and your family.
Jonathan what a discovery that was a shock to us all. I am sorry for the unfortunate discovery and can only imagine how life suddenly became that much more valuable with a medical time stamp. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry to hear the news. Like many others, you have had a profound impact on how I view my financial life (and life in general). Your grace and humility in dealing with such a dramatic turn in your life is an example to us all. Please know you have an army of people rooting for you and ready to help any way we can. I look forward to continuing to learn from you and following your journey.
Wait…I just found you! I have to thank you for bringing this group together and providing life experience information. So many of us are in uncharted waters, trying to live our best lives. I hope the best for you on your journey.
Jonathan, I am so very sorry to hear this (I am honestly still in shock and emotional after reading this). As have so many others, I have been following your advice since your WSJ days. I have purchased your books and religiously follow Humble Dollar each week. You have such an incredible gift for writing with clarity that cuts through all of the noise around financial/life advice, and you do this with your heartfelt ‘humble’ approach.
Thank you so much for all that you have provided to me and to others. All the best as you move forward. With profound appreciation and respect.
Your candor is so appreciated. This news has really affected me today as I have followed your writing, read one of your books, and saw you on the White Coat Investor course. I will be thinking of you and wishing you the best. Please know your advice is very helpful to this reader and I admire you greatly.
Hello Jonathan:
As a regular reader and follower of the HumbleDollar, I feel like a friend was diagnosed. Your candor and pragmatic advice is always thought provoking and inspiring. As your retirement life was unfolding, I felt part of it, and appreciate your process so I could better prepare for my family. The reality of how unplanned life changing events can blindside us and alter our plans should be a wake up call for each of us. We can plan as much as we want but we cannot control everything. Health, family, and financial preparedness help us but are not guaranteed. All of your readers are reflecting on life.
We pray for you and your family. Your words have touched all of us.
Thank you.
So sorry to hear this news and sending you much gratitude for your kindness and wisdom that has benefited our family over the years (my adult son now reads HD too). Back in the WSJ days, I remember emailing you an investment question and being surprised and impressed to receive your personal response.Thinking of you and Elaine at this time and wishing you all the very best on the journey ahead.
Jonathan, I’m sorry to hear your sad news. Cancer sucks. My wife had it years ago but fortunately she’s fine now. I’ve been reading you since your WSJ days and have you to thank for my current retirement financial situation. We’re in great shape. I know I’m not alone. You’ve influenced a ton of lives for the better. Jonathan, you’re a Rock $tar!
Very sorry to hear the news. HD was a wonderful, informative and enjoyable discovery a few years back as I was beginning my early retirement. So thank you for all you’ve given back to readers over the years.
While my own prognosis at age 41 with the big “C” 12 years ago was better (Stage 3, 50% chance 5-year survival rate), it forever changed my outlook. Surgery, chemo, the works for better part of a year and 5 years follow up CT scans, among other tests. It made me be extra discerning about who I surround myself with. Two last toxic work environments led me to early retirement. To this day, living in the present and giving myself permission to spend is a constant balance against planning for a longer future that’s uncertain. Everyone has the same struggle but for people with life threatening illnesses, there is no “ignorance is bliss.” Any illusion of control or certainty vanishes.
Wishing you much healing and peace as you continue on your journey.
Hi Jonathon,
I have just started reading HD and am enjoying it very much. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope you will have many good days ahead. When I read your news it was like hearing about a good friend and I was upset for you. I also hope someone else will take over Humble Dollar and keep it going.
Jonathan, I’m so sorry to hear this news. I love your attitude and I think it will serve you well. “But mostly what I feel is profound gratitude for the life I’ve had.” As well you should.
My condolences on your news. Very sad indeed. I appreciate your stoicism in the face of adversity. All my prayers are with you now.
I am twenty plus years older than Jonathan Clements. This was the saddest news I have heard. Ever since I read Jonathan’s first column in Wall Street Journal twenty or thirty years ago I was hooked. I used to wait for Jonathan’s personal finance column. It is indeed sad news. With immunotherapy and other advances in medical technology I hope and pray that Jonathan will find a way to cure cancer.
Jonathan….I am one of many that looked forward to your advice over the years and always found away something of benefit. You have provided a great service to soooo many and should take great pride in what you accomplished during your lifetime.Words never quite capture the feelings we want to convey to someone like yourself facing what we all will eventually be facing…I hope you find peace and love in the time remaining.
Jonathon,
This news really bites the big one. We are exactly the same age. A Monday morning gut punch and reality check. Needless to say prayers will be lifted and I will follow more closely than ever. Blessings and healing to you and your family. I’m glad you have words, because mine are few at this time. May you have peace sir.
I share the sadness that has entered the HD ecosystem with this news. Of course, it is nothing compared to the sadness that has entered the ecosystem of the Clements family, and that should take the priority as you move forward. I hope it will. As a person of faith, you have my best wishes and my prayers for the journey you have been on, but are just now discovering. All the best and thank you for including me along with so many more in this community of choice you call HD.
Jonathan, I have lurked for years both at WSJ and here; never commented. Your intelligent humility, candor and common sense have always been manifest in your financial writing. I have appreciated, too, the way you promoted the writing of others, gathering a chorus of voices from different backgrounds. Thank you, thank you for a job well done and a life well lived! Aha – and kitchen renovated for all the right reasons! Allow yourself now to do what suits in the path ahead and know your community follows you with love, support and prayers. With appreciation and respect,
Jonathan, like so many HD readers, I have been reading your articles for many years since you were a WSJ columnist. Thank you so much for your level headed, generous and wise sharing on personal finance and approaches to different phases of life. Your impact to readers is significant in ways beyond measure.
May the good Lord watch over and bless you and your loved ones with grace, love and hope as you receive treatment. Will uphold you all in my prayers.
You have a remarkable body of work and I have benefitted tremendously. I admire the words you put together in writing this post and it’s so impactful. So many lessons from this. Just want to send a heartfelt thank you and much lots of love and support.
I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. You are facing this with such grace. I will pray for you and your family. Thank you for all your work on Humble Dollar. I have benefitted greatly from the sharing of your knowledge and those of the other writers. Somehow, though we’ve never met, I feel like this is happening to a friend.
I can only echo the many similar comments: THANK YOU for your straight-forward financial insights and worldly-wise observations; I wish you the best of luck and may you find peace in your future journey…
I’ve always appreciated your clear and thoughtful writing, Jonathan. What a great career you’ve had. So sorry you’re going through this disease, and sending good wishes to you and your family for comfort and togetherness.
My heart goes out to you and your family as you deal with this, Jonathan. Thank you for all the ways you’ve shared your talent and expertise through the years, and especially for building this community wherein civilized discussion about money and life can take place. With sincere gratitude and wishes for your wellbeing.
I am shocked by your diagnosis. We have never met, but I always thought of you as my financial counselor and buddy. Guys our ages don’t usually have a lot friends…. I retired 2 years ago….and the highlight of my mornings now is to read the obituaries and see which former coworker passed away….
i will pray for you and your family. I believe God has a purpose and reason in everything in our lives….even in situations that we totally don’t understand. I know you are strong guy and a fighter. I hope you can beat this thing. Keep going and don’t give up.
Bruce Haynes
Jonathan:
I am sorry to hear that you have cancer. As a long-time WSJ subscriber, I liked you early on when I read your Getting Going column. It quickly became a must-read each time it was published. And now, I thoroughly enjoy Humble Dollar. I have always appreciated your humbleness and transparency in your writings. I believe that is why you are so relatable to your subscribers. I have learned a lot from you over the years and want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. May you have peace and strength going forward.
Jonathan, given all the generosity you have shown us in sharing your wisdom through the years, may you give yourself all the space you need, both for your personal care, and yes, for traveling/exploring with Elaine.
Like many, I’ve followed along with you since the Wall St. Journal days, and am of very similar age, so that this is sobering and disheartening news indeed is a vast understatement. This audience has expressed our appreciation for your writing previously, and your curation of the website has expanded the world of experience and expertise in all matters of personal finance. But this is a different journey altogether, one without necessarily a “right” or a “best” answer. But know your audience will be with you along the way.
This is disappointing and sad. I really enjoyed your articles over the years, especially the ones on happiness. To me your greatness comes from your humbleness. I wish you all the best going forward.
Jonathan,
It was very sad and I’m very sorry to read about your diagnosis. Although we have never met in person I’ve been following your writings since the WSJ Getting Going column. You are showing great strength in dealing with your situation and I wish you and your family the best as you continue with your treatments. Here’s to the hope that somehow a cure will be found for you!
When there’s life there’s hope. Thank you for all you do. Regardless what happens you will leave a very positive legacy for many many people to benefit.
We have never met but I feel so sad reading this. You have made a tremendous impact on the finance community. I am so grateful for all your writing over the years. You are such a talent!
I wish you well in your treatments. We around the same age and I am a survivor of a rare, aggressive cancer so I know a tiny bit about the road you are traveling. Never give up hope. I had a 3 year old at the time of my diagnosis and prayed to live long enough to see him start Kindergarten. He’s in high school now. I am so thankful for all the many months and years gifted to me. It sounds like you are planning to make the most of the time gifted to you. Thinking of you and Elaine and wishing you peace and healing.
Jonathan, I am so sorry to hear your news, which was very shocking to me even though we have never met. I have read your articles since I came across them in the WSJ, and my sons have all benefited from reading how to think about money. Having had an encounter with cancer myself I much admire how you appear to have got your mind around this and your attitude. Having just retired from the clinical trial industry, do make sure you get a second opinion and ask about whether any clinical trials might help https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/.
As someone else noted, you have a strong group of supporters in you Humble Dollar readers and we are all thinking of you
Jonathan – My heart sank as I read this. Thank you for sharing your news and your perspective. You continue to teach us.
Like so many others here, even though we’re total strangers, we’re not. You come into our home on Wednesday and Saturday morning. So when we have that first cup of coffee, we’re pouring over the blog and we’re more informed and smarter because of it. Please know we’re walking beside you and Elaine as you both navigate these waters that you never wanted to enter.
Jonathan,
I’ve been reading your material since the WSJ timeframe. It is always well thought out, explained clearly, and makes sense. I’ve even emailed you a few times with questions, and always got a reply from you. You are the best of the best.
Best wishes during your struggle, and may God bless you and your family.
Thank you for thinking of your readers in the midst of everything you are going through. I admire your work and wish you the best.
This was painful to read. It speaks volumes about your character that you would look for the positives in this situation, including the opportunity to share your unique perspective surrounding this phase of your life. Best wishes to you and your family.
Jonathan,
Wow, this article sure shook me up. I’m so stunned after reading it twice, there’s still a part of me wondering what the C word is in personal finance. I don’t know you personally yet I feel like I’ve just heard the bad news from a mentor and ally. I’m a long-time reader of HD and a regular listener of your podcast with Peter Mallouk.
We’re close in age. I’m a former journalist. I’ve always admired the clarity of your writing style and the creativity that brings freshness to each article reinforcing the Humble Dollar way. It’s also been fun to see how you welcomed so many to share their experiences on HD and taught them to be good writers. I’ve never mistaken their personal stories for the bland blah-blah of AI.
Thank you for being my Professor of Personal Finance and teaching me “How to Think About Money.” You’ve helped me and my family and I couldn’t be more grateful. I look forward to more life lessons in the months ahead and will keep your writing at hand in the years to come. Now, is there any way you could re-write this piece and have the C stand for Cash, College, Compound Interest…?
Life is not fair but dammit, sometimes it should be. I wish you well in your treatments. If you are religious, look to God for peace as you embark on your journey.
Jonathan – 234 comments and counting so far tells me everything I need to know about how you have affected so many of us over the years. I’m a relatively newcomer to HD (approximately 5 years) but your articles of wisdom on many different topics, not just financially, has made me a dedicated follower. And you always responded with a personal note when I made a donation to the website, which also tells me what kind of person you really are. Godspeed on your latest journey.
Jonathan–I first became acquianted with you thru your weekly article in the WSJ. Looking forward to your column and reading it everyweek during lunch at my local bagel shop was one of my simple pleasures of life. I was always dissappointed on those rare occasions when your article did not appear. Your consistent, steady, unwavering advice has helped me weather the financial storms over the last 20+ years and for that I humbly thank you. I hope that you are that rare exception that beats such a terrible disease. God bless.
Very sad to hear your news, Jonathan. I have learnt a lot from the community you have created at HD. It has helped me shape my retirement, starting this August.
I saw a documentary yesterday on Ikaria, Greece, a blue zone with a high concentration of centenarians. A person from there moved to the US and did well for many decades. He was diagnosed of terminal lung cancer at 67. He decided to return to Ikaria and go back to his simple life and die peacefully. He planted grapes for his vineyard and tended to his garden and rejoined his old group of buddies. He didn’t take any medications. He is the man who forgot to die and is still alive in Ikaria at 102!
It would be nice if you could move to a blue zone (Loma Linda in California is one) and live to be 100.
NYT article on Ikaria.
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/magazine/the-island-where-people-forget-to-die.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
This is terribly sad news. I still have many many of your articles cut from the WSJ. I am amazed but not surprised on your mental approach to the challenges ahead. I have had friends and family depart and have been recruited to get rid of their stuff. Converted most of it into scholarships at the local community college. This all causes concern over getting rid of my own stuff that I really don’t use or need. Your appreciation for the simpler things in life, the first cup of coffee, is as always very instructive. Thank you for not only making us financially smarter but much more grounded, and I think purposeful, as individuals.
Jonathan, I simply must write to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. None of us get out of here alive, it is said, and your announcement brings that truth home to myself and your many other thankful followers. We all need to be ready! Thank you for all you have done and for the very admirable approach you are taking!
I am greatly saddened by your news, Jonathan. Your excellent, and humble, advice provides a sound foundation for financial planning and is obviously the product of a caring person.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Jonathan,
In the post private pension era, a great
need emerged for investors and retirees
to have access to sophisticated and
unbiased financial planning information.
You have brought great passion to dealing
with this need for which you deserve high
praise and appreciation.
Wishing you and your family the best.
Dear Jonathan:
You are my hero and you and your wife are people I would most like to have dinner with should the opportunity ever arise. You are not only a great writer, a skill I admire, but you are thoughtful, learned, focused, and willing to share knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime. You have built a knowledge community like no other that I have encountered. This is a remarkable feat given the times we live in and the rapid dissemination of misinformation we experience. You and this community have helped me build understanding and confidence in my life decisions going forward after I lost my spouse to a rare form of cancer at 63, just at the time that immunotherapy was beginning to gain some positive results. He too was a cyclist and healthy eater. We used to joke about his having his “one beer a year” though in reality it was probably a bit more.
For you and Elaine, I would offer that there is always hope. Even though the research dollars are devoted to common forms of disease, the promise of immunotherapy and a growing body of knowledge mean we truly live in remarkable times. There is likely a community of folks that have your form of cancer that can share with you their experiences with various treatments, clinical trials, and also provide positive support. Finding doctors who have direct experience with your form of cancer may help as well. Some therapies for one form of cancer have been found to help others with some similar characteristics even if it is a different cancer altogether. I was sure to tell people the specific name of cancer, synovial sarcoma, that my husband had in a small effort to build awareness for it and help lobby for more research dollars and also help stay tuned in to evolving research. I hope I am not overstepping by offering this advice. You have helped me so much with building my retirement plan, that I would like to return the favor in some small way. I say this recognizing that your journey is personal and individual so trash this if it goes too far.
Thank you for openly sharing so much helpful information and for establishing and maintaining this supportive and open community.
Cathy
Jonathan,
I am so sorry to hear this news and will keep you and your family in my thoughts. I have been a reader of your work for 3 decades and it has helped me immensely. There is certainly a part of you and your philosophy of life in all of us who follow this site.
Humble dollar has been one of the things i look forward to reading every morning. It has helped me immensely. May you enjoy many more moments of simple pleasures and I am thankful you provide us with such a great site. The man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest.
Jonathan,
You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. I have benefitted in so many ways from Humble Dollar and thank you for making such a positive difference in my life. Thank you so very much.
Jonathan, it was with great sadness that I learned about your cancer diagnosis. Thank you for sharing it with your readers. I also want to thank you for the personal finance advice you have shared over the years both as a WSJ columnist and on this blog. It has made a positive difference in my life. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Jonathan – greetings from Finland. I struggled a lot in the beginning of my fire/entrepreneur life and you were crucial for my mental health. Can’t that you enough. So at least one person was saved by you.
I wish you gratefulness and peace of mind.
God bless.
Jonathan – As you know, I was introduced to HD late last year. That was a perfect gift to kick start my retirement. HD taught me how to “really” invest and manage money. More importantly, I learned invaluable life lessons based on shared experiences. For that, I am grateful as are thousands of others.
I tried my hand at writing and have published 8 articles in HD. My last article was sent to you for review on April 29, and published on June 10 as https://humbledollar.com/2024/06/one-life-to-live/. When I wrote that article, I never imagined such a hypothetical scenario would play out in real life for anybody known to me, let alone for you. Truly shocking.
Our best wishes and prayers are with you. Just remember, you have a lot more to give and we are here to receive.
Sundar Mohan Rao
This is shocking news. This evokes the mortality in all of us. Hopefully you have a rare form of caner that will respond to treatment. I will bicycle for any cause you suggest!
Today’s newsletter headline didn’t get though my thick head, but for some reason I started reading the email. (Usually I wait until I scroll through my Twitter feed to open the day’s long blog post.) Suddenly the shocking reality of your news hit.
I’d started reading your column in the WSJ Sunday section, I believe in the Miami Herald. I must have found HumbleDollar soon after its beginning, and it quickly became my go-to source for personal finance. The day was not complete without reading the day’s blog post. This was and still is the only blog I read every day. You’ve been the single biggest influence on my financial life, and I thank you. I’ve forwarded countless HumbleDollar articles to my wife & kids, who have gotten a great financial start to their adult lives thanks to your teachings and those of the other authors.
Best of luck in your fight. I selfishly look forward to your future writings to bookmark in case my family experiences a similar situation.
Dear Jonathan, I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I’ve been a huge fan ever since your days at The Wall Street Journal, and even though we’ve never met, I feel as if you’re an old friend. Thank you for all your wisdom and generosity over the years. Sending prayers for you and your family.
I’m sorry for your condition. I have read and learned so much from you, all the way back to your WSJ days, that it is important that you know how much your legacy has impacted myself and others. Thank you.
Two observations, Jonathan – first, we human being do not have the ability to make predictions with 100% probability. I am sure you have made that point 1,000 times over the years. Second, a book that helped me think about the end of one’s days is Atul Gawande’s “Being Mortal” — which deals with the practical aspects of death, in particular the death of his father and how his father chose to deal with the limited days left.
Jonathan – this is really sad news and I wish you the best.
You know, Humble Dollar is really a unique website that personalizes issues that fosters financial understanding with excellent writers. That’s a great legacy that you founded, and can’t be understated. It is the reason this site is one of my favorites for years. Thank you for what you’ve done, and wish you well in your ongoing treatment.
Jonathan, I am tremendously saddened after hearing about your health issues, I truly hope the doctors find a way to cure your cancer. I admire how you are handling this, really. I am praying and hoping for you.
This long-time reader in Brazil can only thank you for your humanity and generosity in sharing your wisdom. I send tropical and positive energy your way as you continue to inspire us.
Jonathan
As an avid reader of yours since the WSJ days, you have helped so many people with your valuable advice. You have a legacy of people you have helped who are now helping other people. Our prayers are with you and just wishing you and your family comfort.
Thank you for your legacy of helping people….and always being a nice person..
Jim
Prayers and Best wishes, Jonathan!
Appreciate your service to the community as your articles have been a source of wisdom and been a reliable guide on our journey.
With deep gratitude, wishing you and family, comfort and solace.
Raj
Jonathan, I was deeply moved by your recent news. In times like these, words often fall short, but I hope to offer a small comfort through an ancient Vedic prayer that speaks to the well-being of all beings:
May all beings experience happiness; may all beings experience freedom from disease.
May all beings experience auspiciousness; may no one suffer in any way
This prayer embodies a universal wish for happiness, health, and peace, transcending all boundaries of faith and belief. It reflects my heartfelt wish for your comfort, strength, and peace during this journey.
You have shown incredible courage and grace, and your work and strength inspires everyone around you.
Thank you.
I have been a long term reader of your excellent WSJ columns, books and the HD articles and watched and listened to you on video and podcasts. My family and I have learnt and benefited a lot from your wisdom. Our best wishes and blessings to you.
You don’t know me but I feel like I know you and am so saddened by your diagnosis. I felt so lucky to have found your website and always enjoyed and appreciated your articles the most. You will be missed greatly. I wish you the best as you navigate this new life path.
Wishing you the best and as a daily reader your website it has been a tremendous source of financial information to myself and many others. Keep your head up and hope for more time than you think
Jonathan – when I opened the HD this morning and saw your news, I cried out “oh no!” I too have been reading you since your column in the Wall Street Journal back in the 90’s. I was so upset when the column was no longer in the paper. I can’t tell you how many of those articles I cut out and kept for later. I understand what you and your wife are going through. In 2015, my husband was diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis which no one had ever hear of either. We live in a small town in Wyoming but we went to Mayo Clinic, the University of Colorado, University of Utah, and finally to Cedar Sinai in CA to try to get him a new heart. He was unable to get a good heart, so we pretty much gave up. The disease stiffens the heart muscle and it is a fatal disease. I lost him on May 22, 2021 and my life has changed so much. We were high school sweethearts and were married for 55 years. We were saving the money we invested to travel the world. We were able to take quite a few trips, but then he became too sick to travel. I decided to use the money to take some of those trips and went to Peru, Ecuador and Egypt so far. I know he would want me to do that and I feel he is with me all of the time. I am happy that you have such a great attitude and hope for the very best for you. It is hard being alone, but I don’t think I would ever want to be with anyone else. I am sure your wife will feel the same way. Good luck and thank you so much for all of the wonderful information you have shared about investing. Peace be with you. Thank you so much!
I’ve always thought one of the nicest tributes to someone you’ve lost is to simply keep going. I’m glad to see you are taking the trips you want. It’s what I will want my wife to do too.
So sorry to hear about your husband. Elaine is bracing herself to be the one left behind. It’s not easy.
Jonathan this is terrible news. It is clear as you express yourself that you are fully facing into the wind, and this is testimony to how much you have already thought about – and helped others – be clear on what is important in life. Wishing you maximum happiness and fulfillment with every remaining moment, and crossing fingers on the best that treatment can offer.
I think the “C” word is “crying”. As a contributor to your site you told us of this diagnosis earlier. You connected deeply with your readers and their love and anguish are evident. We’ve been truly blessed by your site Jonathan.
Oh so sorry to read this. I’ve been reading your books and columns since 2012 and you’re one of the people I can point to as educating me about personal finance. I always look forward to reading the articles mentioned in your Humble Dollar emails, since I know I’ll learn something new and interesting.
Thanks for everything you’ve done for me and for the larger personal finance community.
Matthew Heaney
San Jose, CA
.
I am grieved to read your news, Jonathan. Thank you for your transparent and candid report to your readers. In my mother’s last days of life, I took my young five sons by her bedside for their last visit with her. One son read Psalm 23 quietly for her. We sang and prayed in the stillness of her room. I thought she had passed away as we prayed, and I looked at my boys with a guiding look of “don’t move” when we opened our eyes from prayer. Then, she began whispering a prayer aloud. I had NEVER heard my mother pray ALOUD. Her faith was a very private one. She quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 as she prayed for MY SONS and THEIR FUTURES:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
I had never heard her recite scripture either! It was the greatest gift that she could possibly give us—-and one that we could repeatedly give and give and give to others as we share our story of that time with her!
Now, as the Grammy of nine, and expecting to add more to that number in the future, I repeat that verse often to my grandchildren, as well as to others. Today, I pray that verse for you and that you will find peace in the days the Lord gives you on earth, whether those be few or many. I also now pray Isaiah 26:3 for you that “you will be in perfect peace as you keep your mind steadfast on the Lord because you trust in Him.”
Having only received Humble Dollar emails for a few months, I am a fairly new subscriber, but it is one of the emails I prioritize. I feel the values represented align with my own of a lifetime, and I always still glean a few good ideas from others’ experience to practice in my sixties now, as well. Having lost a sister to a brain tumor very suddenly when she was only 40 years old, and I was only 22, many of my own life decisions have been shaped by that reality and that grief. One of those outcomes for me was to submit my first article as a free-lance writer six months after her death. She and I had a shared dream for WRITING, and her “delayed goal” was to publish a book every year and an article every month in a professional magazine once she turned 40. She died 3 weeks after her 40th birthday, with only a few days’ notice. My first article was published a couple of years after her death and I received other invitations for writing projects based on that first article I submitted. I am not a renowned author, but I have enjoyed WRITING for a lifetime and reading and sharing in a “community” like HUMBLE DOLLAR most recently.
Thank you for the vision and wisdom you have shared. Thank you for the influence you have had on MY LIFE through this gift.
Grace and peace be with you in the coming days.
Crystal Trout Baker
Beautiful, Crystal. Every word. Thank you.
Hi Jonathan – your approach to this news doesn’t surprise me and I’m glad that you can look back on your life and choices without regret. You’ve helped millions of people across your career either directly or through others. We all have a short time on this planet and you’ve had the good fortune of having great perspective and living life on your terms.
fwiw – I would spend time researching the latest immunotherapy cancer treatments. There is a ton of innovation happening and I’ve seen people extend their lives and some people beat prognosis that would have been a death sentence 10 years ago.
Sending some positive energy your way ❤️
Steve Chen
There has been great progress in treating cancer. But my defective gene is pretty obscure and thus hasn’t been the subject of much research. What works for other versions of lung cancer won’t work for me.
I’m old Irishman with tears on me eyes as I type this note.
Only been a reader of your fine site for a couple years, but learned enough to immediately go to Amazon to find your least expensive used edition of “25 myths”.
God’s speed and love.
Thank you.
Our best wishes are with you and your family as you move forward through this latest trial. No one knows for sure why our lives are each guaranteed to end with some hardship, but they are. May your path forward give you as much as possible, of those good aspects of life: the love of family and friends, and the increased understanding that comes with every Stage of our journeys along Life’s Way.
I wish you only the best.
(($; -)}™
Jonathan,
I’ve followed you for many years, here in the US, and enjoyed all your writings. So sorry for you and your wife, and I wish you both peace and comfort on the journey you are facing.
Jonathan –
The highest compliment to you – you made a difference.
My life – and my family’s life – is better because of you.
I write this with tears.
Thank you for making this a better world for some many.
Mike McMahon
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jonathan, as someone who has followed you since your days at WSJ, bought my kids you books, and a long term subscriber, I’m deeply saddened by this news. It seems like my friends and acquaintances are leaving my world at an ever increasing rate 🙁
I just want you to know that my life was much richer following your holistic advice on money and living. You taught me lessons and I passed those down to my kids. The most important lesson was that wealth can be measured by the number of choices you have. Sadly, your choices are quickly diminishing.
My thoughts go out to you, and especially your family. They were so lucky to have your wisdom and presence in their lives.
May the four winds blow you safely home…
Jonathan,
Your clarity, poise, and courage in the face of your recent terminal diagnosis is truly inspiring. I am sad and wish to send you, your family, and your countless friends my love and support.
I am unfortunately also your brother in arms. On April Fools’ Day my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has recovered well from her mastectomy and is starting radiation therapy soon. Cancer happens to other people. It happens on TV, in books, and in other media. Once you are diagnosed with it, it seems to be everywhere around you.
As an Emergency Physician, I see the worst day of people’s lives. They come in with seemingly innocuous symptoms and leave with a terminal diagnosis. Telling people that I diagnose with metastatic cancer that they are dying is one of the hardest parts of my job. I can imagine what that day must have been like for you.
As a friend, I consider myself incredibly lucky to know you and that our lives collided because of our mutual interest in financial literacy. We broke bread and shared a good bottle of wine after your marvelous talk at Jim Dahle’s first White Coat Investor Conference in Park City, UT. We recently saw each other again at last year’s Bogleheads Conference and chatted with Bill Bernstein and Alan Roth about the merits of Small Cap Value. You are one of my heroes and have had an immeasurable impact on my life.
As a fellow creator, I am in awe of the body of your work and the timeless legacy it leaves in our world. I have read all your books and have been a reader of your blog since the beginning. I cherish the signed copies of your books that I have. You generously helped me “come out” as a late starter on the journey to financial independence by publishing my blog, “Saving Our Retirement” on Humble Dollar. You graced us with guesting on my fledgling podcast “Catching Up to FI” where we talked about How to Think About Money. I am so grateful for the time we have shared together.
You have shown us how to live and are a wonderful mentor. You have gotten it right with life and have enticed us how to value our most precious resources of time and freedom. In the face of a premature death, you recognize that you are not dead yet and still have so much more to give. I hope to emulate your example.
I wish you a peaceful journey.
Warmest regards,
Bill Yount
Jonathan, my heart sank when I read this news, and I join with other members of the Humble Dollar community in offering my wishes for courage, grace, and peace. Over the last several years HD has become one of my indispensable go-to sources for learning, wisdom, and community around finances and life itself. I am appreciative and grateful for all the work you have devoted to this mission and to the resources you have cultivated here.
As it happens, three years ago, when I was age 61, I also was diagnosed with cancer. My bloodwork indicated that my white blood cell count was rapidly increasing. A biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), and I began drug therapy. Fortunately for me, CML is one of those cancers that is usually quite receptive to therapy, and I am currently in remission. But there are no guarantees for the long term.
A point that I would emphasize for all readers is the importance of early and frequent screening for cancers, whether that’s bloodwork, colonoscopies, scans, or other forms of examination. Early detection remains one of our most effective ways to deal with this dreaded diagnosis. I hope that your treatments bring you comfort and hope that some kind of breakthrough may be possible.
Your experience painfully reminds us that time, and the love of family and friends, is truly our most valuable asset. That is one of the most important lessons that Humble Dollar has reinforced for me. So even as I consider my retirement date, I weigh the financial benefits of another year or two of full-time employment against the reality that time is finite and that living these remaining years with our deepest sense of purpose and connection to those we love is the most important decision we can make.
“Parting Shot: What I Learned From Writing 1,008 Columns”
Jonathan,
The above is the title from your final WSJ article on April 9, 2008. Starting in the 90’s, I enjoyed your common sense column for over 10 years in the WSJ, and your words “leaving journalism to take my mother’s advice and get a real job” gave me a good laugh that morning. I saved the final column in Word because your advice on how to think about money was excellent.
I quickly sent you a “wish you well” email at 713 am, and you promptly responded at 801 am with a thank you and a link to jonathanclements.com, where you promised more updates and building up that sites educational content.
I continued following your website, and on January 1, 2017, you sent an email announcing “Our New Home: HumbleDollar.com”. The rest is history!
Jonathan, you are a man with a plan, and you followed through on your plans to help others with great information. Based on the comments, you have helped so many people, myself included, with decades of great advice while entertaining us with your wit.
It is encouraging to hear about the success of modern cancer treatments from the Humble Family medical doctors that commented on this page.
I pray for you and your family, and thank you for sharing your kindness and wisdom with the Humble Family. God bless you.
FWIW, I too sent Jonathan a Wish You Well note, and like you, he responded. I consider him a friend even though we have never met.
Jonathan,
Like many this morning I opened Humble Dollar along with my Saturday morning coffee.
As I digested the first couple of paragraphs my heart sank. I hoped somehow this was a hypothetical situation but I also know you are one of Paul Merriman’s Truthtellers and this was wishful thinking on my part. I finished the article with a tear in my eye and then read all the comments and well-deserved outpouring of support. It has been on my mind since.
I have anonymously enjoyed the Humble Dollar website and your writings for the past few years and I have only commented once before. Shame on me. As my school reports used to say back in England “can do better”. I will try.
Last night my wife and I were discussing what retirement looks like. We talked about how fortunate we are, noting that nothing in life is guaranteed and as usual I quoted Humble Dollar several times. I read your article this morning and it all felt very immediate. We have a lot more to ponder.
Running the risk of getting more downvotes than Richard Quinn 😊, I will do what most Brit’s do in the darkest hour and resort to humour by quoting Blackadder:
“We’re in the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun”
I sincerely hope the miracles of modern science figure out your Sticky Bun. My heartfelt best wishes to you and your family.
Jonathan, I have been reading your always excellent work since your WSJ days and wish you the best.
Jonathan,
I and I know many others have enjoyed and learned a lot from your columns for many years. Many people have benefited from the sound advice presented here.
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hoping you are lucky in spite of your prognosis.
Bill Kosar
D McCoy
Jonathan, please know how sad I am to hear of your recent medical diagnosis. I truly was gobsmacked this morning as I sat down to drink my morning tea with toast and began reading your column. I’ve never met you personally but I feel like you’re one of my trusted dear friends. You mean so much to me.
I have been a DIY personal finance guy since the early ‘80s when my wife I opened our pediatric practice. I stumbled along with actively managed mutual funds until I discovered Vanguard in the ‘90s. By the late ‘90s, I found your WSJ column and got serious about getting our retirement plans in better order. I want you to know that your clear concise writing style helped me to finally wake up and organize a financial plan that incorporated your principles of simplicity and low cost.
We are now fully retired and enjoying the fruits of our frugality and simple planning. I THANK YOU for this. I’m now trying to “pay it forward” by mentoring the pediatric residents at my alma mater medical school. My hope is that they can avoid some of the missteps that so many of us physicians find ourselves in as we step into the real world.
My heart goes out to you and your family during this treacherous journey you are facing. One plus is that you’re near some of the finest medical facilities in our country. I’m rooting for you!
Jonathan,
You are an extraordinary individual who has given and shared so much of yourself with your friends and followers. I felt that your advice over the years from the Wall Street column on has helped me understand what to should consider doing with the monetary, family, and gifts of time etc, we have acquired, have been given or blessed with has been invaluable. If there were a financial advice hall of fame I would place you right alongside Bogle, Buffett, and Lynch.
My wife and I extend our thoughts and prayers to you and your family on this unexpected journey. Please remember that your humble, sage advice with your gentle positive demeanor will be carried in and with your entire Humble Dollar family for generations to come.
Godspeed
Patrick Herrington MD
Jonathan: I have been reading your publications since Getting Going and you have always made me think. Thank you for sharing your personal journey. Once again, you have caused me to focus on a topic that we would like to avoid. Prayers for you for strength as you battle this.
Jonathan; You have not only been a guiding financial light to me for many years, but also a source of thoughtfulness for living a meaningful life.
I’m sure you are medically well informed from your physicians and your own research. As a retired MD (ob-gyn) may I also suggest UpToDate.com for respected medical information. Best wishes, Matt
So, so sorry to hear this, Jonathan. Your efforts with Humble Dollar have really helped me with lots of financial issues over the years. Prayers for you, your family, and for the treatments your doctors will prescribe!
Jonathan: Like many other readers who have already responded, I was shocked to read this week’s column. I have been following you for many years beginning with “Getting Going” in the Wall Street Journal and of course through Humble Dollar. I’m sure that you and your doctors will choose the best course for treatment. I will be praying for you and hope for the best for you and the family. All my best, Dave Abbott
Jonathan. I’m so sorry to hear this news and appreciate you sharing it with your community. Really, I’m just sitting here shaking my head. As the comments here make clear, your work and wisdom shared over the years have benefited so many—all around the world. I’ve certainly shared articles with my adult children. I wish you the very best in this next chapter and will look forward to you sharing your insight in the months ahead.
Dear Jonathan,
It should tell you something that this is the first comment on any site ever that I have posted. And I felt so sad to read your post, as if you were a family member. Even with terrible news, you are the nicest most gracious person ever. This is one of your many legacies, someone will continue when you don’t want to anymore. Good luck with the treatments. Please let us know if we can help – I would offer to do any administrative task if I knew how?
Dear Jonathan,
I echo the sentiments of so many…
Through your careful thinking translated into exceptionally clear writing at the Wall St. Journal and at Humble Dollar you have educated me and countless others. Thank you.
I’m devastated to learn of your diagnosis, but very hopeful you will beat the prognosis and have more time to spend with the ones you love.
Jonathan, it sounds like the doctors have given you no hope and blamed it on your genes. There’s a whole movement afoot that disagrees. This movement adheres to the principle that your body is capable of healing if you give it the right conditions. In this case, cancer is your body reacting to or unable to cope with the toxic overload. There are many resources out there – e.g. Nathan Crane, collmed.org. – that see this as quite curable if you devote yourself to connecting with your body, mind, and spirit(it really takes all three). At this point, allopathic medicine has abandoned all hope. So, what have you got to lose? I wish you well on this next chapter of your journey.
Yes Kurt, I agree. Seeing the down votes, it seems that folks balk at any hint that they are highly responsible for their health.
The hard fact is that we can effect our own health outcomes by our actions. That’s been proven although not widely talked about in the medical field.
How ’bout it Jonathan? Learn all you can, put the knowledge into action and report back.
What do you say friend?
Jonathan: Thank you for letting us all know about your diagnosis, and I can’t tell you how sorry I was to hear this news.
Your comment: “We can control risk; we can’t eliminate it” should be underscored by everyone. As planners and asset managers, we tend to think of this in terms of others. Life, of course, doesn’t always tell us what it has in mind for us.
Thank you also for your willingness to continue writing, and we wish you and your family the very best in the coming months.
All of the sudden, every one of my problems seem trite and quite frankly, ridiculous. I’m not even sure I could justify calling them problems anymore.
So, you have cancer, and yet, I guess you just gave ME a gift.
Thank you. I wish you and your family the best.
Shocked and saddened are the words that come first to mind. I do hope your journey from here on brings pleasant surprises health-wise and if not, you are able to complete the same with the same positive energy and outlook I have found in your writings over the years.
Now, one selfish ask. With Humble Dollar you have created something special, something that resonates with many people. I always read your articles – but you have given voice to many, many others and these voices have much to offer. Sure, as HD winds down these folks can find other outlets. But you have created a known-quality platform that I, for one, would appreciate accessing for many years to come. If it can be done in a way that suits your hopes and aspirations, and is consonant with the demands your newly found situation has placed on your health, if someone approaches you with an offer to continue the site – and you have confidence that the continuation would meet your standards of quality and content, I do hope you will consider passing the site on to someone.
I wish you and your family the very best.
This is so eloquently stated & we all share these sentiments, I would love for this community to continue, of course it would never be the same without Jonathan’s guiding light but maybe we can still learn from one another’s experiences.
Fear not: I have a plan. You’ll hear about it next Saturday. My web developer and I have been very busy.
Today I noticed a significant change to the ‘Meet the Writers’ page. Part of the plan? Guess we’ll find out next Saturday!
With fewer articles being published, writers would have started dropping off the page because they hadn’t had a piece appear in the past six months. To honor those who have written for the site since its year-end 2016 launch, I changed the criteria, so you now qualify for the writers’ page if you’ve written five pieces for the site, with no requirement that one of those articles must have appeared in the past six months.
https://humbledollar.com/writers/
Fabulous! We lived in Center City for about 7 years. Great place to live – and if you are unwell physically, Philly is the place to be as I learned from my own experience. I wish you the very best.
Jonathan,
In 2016 throat cancer taught me that we all have the same life expectancy: one. One life is what we get. I believe you have used yours well and I also believe you will continue to do so, perhaps longer than you know. Trust your medical care team and trust yourself. And excuse the vulgarity, but fuck cancer!
Jonathan, your Humbleness has always been close to Godliness. You have always given us your financial common sense and now, we all have reaped the benefits from your years of that knowledge. A deep hearted thank you and no matter how much time any of us have left, we will be all be smarter and better off with what we have learned and what we will continue to learn in the time ahead. Much love to you and your family. And love is what it’s all about.❤️
You are so right, Ray! Love is what it’s all about.
Well S-word. Sympathy to you and your family.
Sympathy to me, because I get a lift when the link to the latest appears in my in-box twice a week. 🙁
Thank you for all that you’ve done over the years. I’m going to miss you.
Jonathan, as others have said, even though we’ve never met in person, this news hit me as though it were coming from a close friend. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it but, as usual, you’re way ahead of me.
The way your broke this news here in such a completely matter-of-fact, no bullsh__, get-to-the point manner, is pure Jonathan Clements. You have always exemplified telling the straight unvarnished truth, and this may be your finest example.
Like so many, I began following you back in your Wall Street Journal days, and I was immediately hooked. I was just beginning to have an interest in finance and investing, but so many of the “experts” out there spoke in a language that was over my head and obtuse. You and your writing were a breath of fresh air, understandable even to a novice like me, and you set me on a beneficial path I’ve followed ever since.
When, almost 4 years ago (has it really been that long?), I worked up my nerve and contacted you about a possible contribution, I was surprised and delighted when you encouraged me to do that. When you then began accepting my humble offerings, I felt like I’d been invited to shoot a few hoops with Michael Jordan. It was an enormous honor.
And while you, and everyone else on HD, continued to contribute to my financial education, now I enjoyed a whole new benefit: through your thoughtful edits, you made me a better writer. I tend to verbosity (exhibit #1: this post), but you showed me the virtue of simplicity and “less is more”. Now, I often find myself writing a long email or other piece and will do a first draft as it comes to me. But then, I’ll re-read it and can almost feel you looking over my shoulder as I cut it down, simplify it, and get to the point.
So thank you, Jonathan, for what you’ve done for me and for my family. There are so many in this world whom you likewise helped, and I promise that each and every one of us will be pulling for you every step of the way.
All my best,
Andrew
God speed my friend. You have been an inspiration to many. Peace be unto you!
I only just started to subscribe (on Clark Howard’s referral) and to implement the lessons I’ve read. About two years ago my husband was faced with a cancer diagnosis and we have battled it together. I urge you to follow your good doctors’ advice, and to look at second and third and fourth opinions on treatment. That’s what we did and his cancer has been beaten back – for now. Like you, we are traveling and doing those things that work made us put off to the undetermined future. I wish you and your family all the best, and thank you for this good legacy you’ve built.
“There is an extraordinary amount of misinformation regarding all investments that is given out both by the government and the brokerage industry in general, not to mention the insurance industry and a lot of other professionals. Much of this is because those institutions have hidden agendas or vested interests that run contrary to the needs of the individual investor.” This statement opens a 1987 letter from my brother, who was helping me at the start of my financial journey as defined benefit plans vanished with the rise of defined contribution plans (401(k), 403(b), 457) whereby many misinformed sheep were first sheared and then slaughtered. No knight in shining armor, but from the top of every “Getting Going” column the youthful visage of Jonathan Clements conveyed a friendly sense that we little guys could possible take our tiny contributions into these new plans and create an alternative outcome to being fleeced.
“Great,” I thought, “Let’s get going!”
Even the name you chose for this site, Humble Dollar. If we have any dollars in our pockets at all, we have a choice how to put that to work for us. Assisted by your community of contributors, it is a rare honest place to figure out how to make our money work for us toward goals we care about. You’ve been alongside companions found here for much of the past 30 years, even if you haven’t met all of us in person. We couldn’t always make the right choices, but by trying hard enough most of the time, many are secure today in our retirement, thanks to your writings.
When I was younger, I thought after I “got going” I’d be done thinking about money and other things. But there’s forever something new to Get Going on. Now you are Getting Going with this sad and shocking diagnosis. And I hope you see that you can be as alone as you choose, or have as much companionship as you desire, for as long as you live, and honestly, probably a lot longer. Here’s to a good day with the sun on your face, birdsong in your ears, Elaine nearby, and an excellent cup of coffee in your hand.
Jonathan, your post captures all the tenets of joy that Archbishop Tutu and the Dalia Lama spoke of in the Book of Joy- acceptance, perspective, humility, humor, generosity, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude.To face such a stark diagnosis, you are courageous beyond measure. You are not alone. Sending you all good healing thoughts into the universe. You are much loved.
Jonathan, I call you by your first name, since your writings over the years are that of a dear and trusted friend. I’ve written a couple of times and to my astonishment, you answered my postings and rather promptly. As a professional actor and former opera singer who had to have many survival jobs over the years between gigs in a difficult profession, it was especially imperative to me to find ways to learn about investing and grow my relatively modest funds as someone who had chosen the path of the performing artist rather than the Ivy League kind of professional path I had started upon. Your writing is rather unique as an artist yourself – how you’ve opened yourself up by sharing things about your family, your portfolio, how you spend your time and money, and how you are now dealing with a serious blow to your health. By making things so specific, it becomes universal in its implications. Great artists (like yourself – don’t be Humble, feel the love here in these comments) make their audiences ponder their lives and existence, and I want you to know I’ve reread articles and books you’ve written, passed them along to friends and family, and taken them to heart and acted upon many of your ideas; I’m certain these actions were multiplied many times over by your countless other readers through the years.
You’ve not just written about personal finance, but about happiness and how to better one’s personal life experience. I was up late last night when I came upon this article, and I felt a sense of shock and sadness, knowing that you’re still a relatively young guy, and actually knowing the names of your family members from your writings and their occasional postings. You’ve added much to make our lives, as well as our portfolios, better. I hope you know that one’s reaction to terrible news (or to good news) makes a lot of difference in how you proceed. May you continue to surround yourself with the people you love and who love you and indulge yourself in the experiences you treasure since I think they will help you to enrich and expand both the quality and hopefully quantity of your life. As I recall especially your love for cycling, perhaps think of now as the most challenging bike ride you’ve ever undertaken, and that your determination to keep peddling will keep you “Getting Going”, to keep experiencing all that’s worth experiencing. Many sincere thanks and best wishes to you again, Jonathan.
Lewis
Jonathan,
Wishing you and your family fortitude and serenity as you go on this arduous journey. You have created something special here in Humble Dollar. It really does feel like a family, including the occasional squabbles amongst the contributors. 🙂 I’m looking forward to your unveiling of the new feature that will allow the site’s writers and readers to continue to interact with other. And I hope you will be part of that conversation for a long time! I do not wish for your voice or the voices of the vibrant Humble Dollar community to go silent.
Jonathan, deepest condolences on this devastating development, and many thanks for sharing so openly. My thoughts go to your family. I was reminded by a wise observer when given my own diagnosis of cancer finality — which was eventually reversed by the breakthrough of immunotherapy — that my suffering would be finite, while that of my loved ones would continue on. I tried to remind myself of that often during that difficult year, and I still think of it today.
I discovered HumbleDollar just 18 months ago, and it has been of tremendous value to me. I can barely imagine how much wisdom has been shared with your readers over all the years of your passion project. We all want to leave a footprint. You certainly have.
I wish you a minimum of pain and a maximum of peace.
First, thank you for providing me with a financial education. I have passed many of your articles on to family and friends. Such common sense and wisdom are hard to find. Second, I am so very sorry for this devastating news. My heart, though, goes out to your wife. I lost my soulmate husband only a few years ago after going through three different cancers and their hard to watch treatments. Watching his grace and his concern for what was going to happen to me was certainly humbling. I would leave the house to cry because I didn’t want him to see my despair. So I wish the very best for both of you. Stay close and talk. We did. And again, thank you for all the years of WSJ and Twitter help.
It is extremely hard on Elaine — much more so for her than me. I want to make the most of the days that remain, but that’s difficult for her, because she’s thinking of the empty days that’ll follow.
Wow, Jonathan. That is heavy news and it stunned me. I’ve been following you since the mid 90s on the WSJ Sunday column. You’ve shaped my financial habits and approach to life. Whenever someone is looking to get on the right track financially, I offer a bit of input but mostly refer them to Humble Dollar. And I’ve learned that experiences and people are much more fulfilling than stuff.
The grace and equanimity in how you’re dealing with this unfortunate health outcome are true to the person I’ve come to know these past decades. It doesn’t surprise me but it is nonetheless remarkable. You should feel good about the life you’ve lead and will lead in your remaining time. Go forth as you’ve described and know that you have affected many lives in tremendously positive fashion. With the utmost gratitude and respect, Chris
After being a devoted reader of yours for probably 25 or 30 years–perhaps more–starting with your career at the WSJ, I was both sorry and stunned to read of this news. And as a corporate trainer on wealth management topics, I often quoted you and referred to your writings–all of them–as an excellent source of objective and thoughtful insights. One article, among many, even stands out–when 64% isn’t enough (referring to investing a lump sum in the market compared with dollar cost averaging). Please know you will be in my thoughts as the days, months, and hopefully, years unfold. And regardless of the length of that future, thank you for your many, decades-long contributions to both the financial community and the investment community. Steve G., Nashville.
Dear Mr. Clements,
Your thoughts and teachings reach a family in humble city in South America’s Andes; that is how far you are followed. They are much more than financial wisdom (that is already a lot); they are lessons about life.
In my language: “Gracias, gracias por todo. Lo admiro y tenga por seguro sigo siempre sus consejos. Por favor, considéreme un amigo”.
When I was a 401(k) plan administrator, for years I circulated links to your WSJ columns to our employees as part of the investor information program. You’ll never know how many people have benefitted from reading your informative, easy-to-understand columns, books and Humble Dollar over decades as I have. You’ll be in my prayers for you and your family. God bless and thank you.
Bob Reincke
Johnathan
i am praying for you right now. I will continue to keep you in my daily prayer intentions going forward for healing and comfort. 🙏🏻
You are the reason I have the comfortable financial life that I have today. I knew nothing to start out. I kept clippings of many of your WSJ columns for years until I figured I had finally internalized your advice. I am very sorry that you’re going through this health problem. Thank you so much for helping me and my family.
Jonathan, I was shocked to read about your diagnosis this morning. We are the same age, and your ideas and philosophies have shaped my financial investment perspective and actions for decades. You have been my silent financial partner over those years helping me explain and rationalize my investment approach with my wife through the many articles of yours that I have shared with her. My wife and I have been retired for five years this month–your insight helped us to achieve that goal.
You have built a wonderful place at Humble Dollar complete with a diverse set of writers that hosts an open and civil exchange of ideas (which is not easy these days). I read it every morning. I wish you and your family strength for the battle ahead. We are sending lots of positive energy your way for support.
Jonathan,
When an article on a personal finance website brings tears to your eyes, then you know you have experienced something truly sublime.
Thank you and godspeed!
Jonathan – You continue to be a force for good in the world, and have undoubtedly made an immeasurable, positive impact on the lives of many people. I wish you and your family much continued strength in the days ahead.
I too still have my copy of 25 Myths You’ve Got to Avoid- If You Want To Manage Your Money Right; Jonathan, please know that you have helped so many people with your intellect, insight, and advice. I wish you and your family the best during this time.
Jonathan, I’ve been reading and corresponding with you since the WSJ days in the ’90s. I gave your book to my kids when they first were starting in their careers. You gave us a vast network here on Humble Dollar of friends who are sharing their journeys. Thanks for continuing to share yours. You have been so helpful. It’s not just just about managing money but managing life.
Thank you for sharing though it’s not the news we wanted to read. You owe nothing to those of us out here, but, here you are putting it all out there. Find peace in the fact you have helped so many people navigate our financial journey with humbledollar. Find strength that it’s okay to take care of you, first, and others next. Unless what you’ve been preaching all these years is a bunch of bunk, your family will be okay financially speaking. Take pride in the fact you have positively affected so many people and continue to do so.
Must have been 1998-9 or so I chanced upon one of your columns in a newspaper at the library – I then bought your book ’25 Myths You’ve Got to Avoid- If You Want To Manage Your Money Right’ (I still have my copy).
Thank you for your work – it’s been helpful all these years- you’ve done good.
To quote another famous personal finance expert: People First, then money, then things. Jonathan I have been reading you for so long, and have gotten a son through a brain tumor (part of it is still there, but he’s OK) and I know a little about the medical world you’re entering. I am with you every step of the way as many are – if only through the laptop screen. You have done an incredibly good job at the money part…so you have the freedom to focus on the people part. Your health and your family are what matters.
You speak for all of us, Steve.
Jonathan, I am so sorry to hear about this challenging, scary diagnosis. I went through a cancer diagnosis and it can be so difficult to talk about but you are brave and generous. My simple pleasure is to also enjoy that first cup of coffee (on Saturday mornings reading your column.). You are the Rock Star of Personal Finance and in my career as an advisor/educator I passed along the wisdom that I learned from your books and columns to students who passed it along to others. You are in my thoughts and we want you to know how much of a difference you have made to so many – and will continue to make going forward.
Jonathan, thanks for all of your helpful financial planning advice from years at Wall Street Journal through humbledollar.com! You have helped me tremendously. I recommend your “money guide” subtopics to everybody if they want to learn in one or two pages about a particular financial planning topic. Thanks for you and your site being such a great read with helpful information for all of your humbledollar.com fans!
all the best to you and your family!
Sorry about your situation. There isn’t much that can be said, except that I sure wish someone was wrong, or that there may yet be something in constantly-evolving modern science that can be done. I am sure I speak for thousands of readers when I say I enjoy what you provide, I learn from it, and it is one of my “go-to” sources of information. I hope that you can stretch your time without too many compromises (as we all hope for ourselves). And of course, no one knows if prayer really works, but it can’t hurt.
I have to say, given how I currently feel, that I’ve wondered whether the docs delivered the diagnosis to the wrong Jonathan Clements. But it seems it is indeed me. My oncologist said that, without treatment, I might have been in terminal decline within three to six months, which is almost impossible to believe based on how healthy I feel right now.
So sorry this has happened to you, but inspired by your response that embodies the qualities that infuse your writings and life. Glad you’re feeling well now, but chemotherapy, radiation, and cancer take a toll over time. As a physician, I too recommend using this time to find an excellent palliative care physician to help you when it starts affecting your quality of life more. Best wishes and thank you for everything you’ve done for me, my family, and everyone else.
Now you teach us and new level of courage. What a wonderful mentor you are to so many of us and my how we’ve learned finance, retirement and so much more from you. You’ve blessed so many and I can only hope you appreciate to what level. We NEED you!
I went back and read your May 18th article and then the next one after that about AI. I wanted to explore the strength and courage that is behind the man that so many of us follow each day. You’re someone that we will all continue to root for and we will pray that you will be here for years to come.
Prayers and everlasting positivity for you, Elaine and your family. We’re with you Jonathan!
Jonathan, my first encounter with you was in 2015 when you spoke at the annual client appreciation gathering hosted by Tim Decker. My in-laws were clients of Tim’s and invited Lisa and I to join them, as they knew I had an interest in personal finance (Lisa, not so much). My recollection is that you gave a very interesting presentation and I was happy to leave with an autographed copy of your Money Guide 2015–which I still have. Of course, this was before HumbleDollar and back then I would have never dreamed that someday you would be my editor and publish a few dozen of my articles. I’ve only been a HumbleDollar regular for a little over a year, but the site and community has meant a lot to me. I truly appreciate your vision and considerable efforts over the years to create the unique community it is. Since you had alerted the writers last month of your diagnosis, today’s article does not come as a shock to me. I’m thankful you’ve now given the entire community an update. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers and I hope the many heartfelt comments people are leaving today give you a tiny sense of what you’ve meant to so many.
I am deeply saddened for you and your family. Your work has been such a gift to DIY investors trying to make sense of our financial lives. This is an area that I knew nothing about prior to reading columns like yours. You have truly created a legacy. I pray that you are able to find the strength to fight this battle and have the time to do what means most to you. With gratitude,
Ann
I trust you realize how much people love you, more probably because you care and bring that caring to all of us, than for your particular financial expertise. If you never printed another word and went off to do the things you delayed because of your commitment, I’d be happy for you. Reading your post, I think of Valerie Harper’s words when she beat the statistics of her diagnosis: “Don’t go to the funeral before the funeral.” You have my gratitude and appreciation.
Stay strong. So sorry to hear this news, so sorry for you and the family.
Jonathan,
Family + Friends + Love = A productive life.
All the best,
Joel L. Frank
So sorry to hear about this life-turn, Jonathan! Prayers, thoughts, and fingers crossed. As my wife went through a serious cancer situation about seven years ago (and continues to do well), my observation is that the pre-eminent clinics like Johns Hopkins, Mayo, and MD Anderson (amongst others) make a world of difference. For my wife, it was the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix. If you haven’t already done so, please consider getting a second opinion and/or diagnosis validation and treatment plan validation from one of these health systems. Frequently, this can be done by phone.
+1. Philadelphia has some terrific healthcare resources, but for cutting-edge clinical cancer research and treatment I’d add Fred Hutchinson in Seattle and Dana Farber in Boston to Tad’s great list.
Jonathan, you are such a gift to so many. I’m sure you’ve heard that many times, but I am convinced that your most optimistic estimation of the positive impact you’ve had is wildly short of the mark.
My wife and I will add you to our daily prayer list. God can change this. Never give up. We and many other believers will be fighting this thing with you. Dare to ask Him to show Himself by healing you. I looking forward to good reports as the tide turns in your favor.
I appreciate and agree with the outpouring of gratitude, respect and admiration from so many in this community you have created. And as if you don’t have already enough on your plate, you are concerned about us readers, and making provisions for the site to continue for our benefit. One of the traits such people as Bogle, Buffett, and yourself share is integrity. I join the others in hoping your treatment goes well and that we will continue to learn from your wisdom for years to come. Thank you Jonathan!
Many, many thanks for all the overly kind comments. It’s quite overwhelming. I’m typing this while receiving my second round of chemo. The first round went well, with no nausea or fatigue afterwards. In fact, if you saw me now, you’d be shocked to know my prognosis is so grim. Right now, I’m trying to convince Elaine that we should walk the 1 1/2 miles to home after I’m done here at the hospital, but she’s not easily persuaded!
Elaine is watching out for you as always, Jonathan. God bless her, and you.
Hang in there. I had twelve rounds of chemo 11 years ago (a different formulation, of course) and I remember how it wears you down. Stay tough! The army of HD writers and readers is rooting you on!
Jonathan, I live across the country and we have never met but for the past several years, I start the morning reading Humble Dollar. After discovering the website, I devoured several of your books, all of which have helped my family strenghen our financial plan. As a younger (only a decade or so) man, I look up to you as an intelligent, thoughtful and practical gentleman who dedicated much time educating the broader group on an array of subjects.
I cannot imagine the road ahead of you but please know there will be many people you have never met thinking of you and wishing you well.
Jonathan, wishing you and your family peace and strength on your journey.
So sorry to hear this news. Like others, I’ve followed you since your days at the WSJ, except when I lost you for a few years after you left. It was nice to discover an old friend many years back. I hope I won’t lose you again.
Dear Jpnnathan, it makes me very sad to read about your news. Over the years I have gotten used to read your articles, learn from them. I always admired your humility, honesty and down to earth style.
You will be in my heart, very close to Louis Rukeyser. you made a difference in my life. thanks for everything and the best with the treatment.
Mario
Jonathan, I am so very sorry to hear of your incredibly challenging situation. I am actually speechless.
Reading your post I found myself thinking of the famous quote from Jackie Robinson:
“A life is not important accept in the impact it has on other lives”.
You have positively impacted so many people, likely millions of people. That is an amazing accomplishment and one that should make you feel very proud.
Thank you for all of your love, honesty and wisdom.
For decades, I’ve looked forward to reading everything you’ve written. You’ve helped guide my financial life, and I’ve recently taken to passing along your articles to my adult children. I’m so saddened to read today’s article—for you, your family, and the entire community that you’ve created. But, once again, you were able to put into words an eloquent and practical way of navigating life’s twists and turns.
This news is a gut punch to your HD friends, so please embrace how much we admire you and your impact on our lives. Book the cruise, eat the cake, take pleasure in every moment, as I know your Elaine & mum will encourage you to do. We will be here, rooting for you. Carpe diem!
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You have been a great resource for many people. You’ve left your mark on this world. My thoughts are with you.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed but we have today and should use it to the fullest. Thank you for sharing your feelings and I am sending prayers your way. I have been a loyal reader of yours for years.
When I read the opening paragraph I thought someone had hacked the site somehow, but no it appears this awful news is true.
Like many others I subscribed to the WSJ only to read Jonathan’s articles, and followed him since. Wasn’t there a stint at Smith Barney or was it Merrill Lynch?
You are like an old friend, although one I have never had the pleasure of meeting in the flesh. This is one of most positive things about the internet!
Wednesdays and Saturdays always start with HD. I have bought your books for my kids and told them to get your newsletters.
Your attitude and approach to this diagnosis is remarkable and brave, although only characteristic of your long, thoughtful advice over the years, Jonathan.
I echo what everyone else says here, but maybe my long career in medicine may add an additional positive spin.
No one with cancer ( or any other serious disease really) knows how the treatment will work. Every patient is really a new clinical trial with an “n of one”. That is all we docs can do is quote averages and past experience. We really do not know what the future brings to one patient. I have had many patients over the last 40 years face equally gloomy prognoses and live on for many happy and wonderful years. This was before the incredibly remarkable advances in cancer immunology and therapeutics in the last decade. Every week it seems the New England Journal of Medicine reports a new dramatic trial of monoclonal antibodies or immunotherapy, many in lung cancer.
So good luck and God bless, Jonathan. We are all pulling for you and your family. I hope fervently that your advice on finances and life will continue for many years to come.
Jonathan – I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. But, thank you for having the courage to write and share your thoughts. It is a moment for reflection for all of us. Your HD adherents will be praying for you and hope that your situation is not as dire as you outline. In the meantime, we will continue to read and enjoy your articles. All the best my cyber friend.
I am so very sorry that your prognosis is not better. I only discovered HumbleDollar a year or so ago, but I have valued your articles and the community you have built, and much appreciate that you are taking time and thought for its continuation. Coincidentally I have just finished “Becoming Mortal” by Dr. Atul Gawande. I don’t always agree with him, but I found it worth reading.
I am a big believer in second or even third opinions, and also in investigating trials. So far I have not faced a truly devastating diagnosis, but I have twice avoided surgery by seeking additional opinions.
Jonathan, I was stunned and heartbroken to hear this. It seemed you focused on your health as well as personal finance, having a huge influence on all of us since your days at the WSJ. I always hoped that you, the writers and commenters would be around for many years to come. Every time an article comes out, it sparks great, very informative commentary and we all learn hugely from one another. It seems lung cancer is very tough to beat, but even taking into account what you’ve communicated to us, I’m hoping that your treatment will be successful & that you will get at least a few more years here with us and more importantly your family.
Jonathan,
For quite a long time I’ve admired your work and learned from your writing. The wisdom and equanimity of your post today serves to multiply my admiration for you.
I look forward to continuing to learn from you and wish you and your family the very best of all available possibilities as you go forward!
I am so sorry. This is exactly why I say retire when you can. I have lost several friends recently, some in their 40’s and 50’s, mostly to liver disease or cancer. I have learned so much from this site and appreciate your work. I send good wishes and hope things go better than they are expecting.
I will be praying for your complete recovery at Church tomorrow.
I am so sorry to hear this news, Jonathan. My prayers are with you, your family, and your friends. I look forward to reading about your bucket-list items. Personally, you have played a big role in my development as a writer, and for that I will always be grateful.
I am very sorry to hear this news, Jonathan. You have made signficiant impacts to improve many folks’ personal finance competency, and will continue to. I wish this article is from the AI experiment you just had.
Jonathan, like most HumbleDollar readers, I first met you through your Getting Going columns in The Wall Street Journal those many years ago. What a marvelous introduction to investing and personal finance! Without the education I received from your columns, I don’t know where I’d be today—certainly worse off.
I, like many others, was fortunate to have two great teachers: Jonathan Clements and John Bogle. I’ve been, and remain, an avid reader of your books and articles. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I regard you as Socrates’ students must have regarded him. You’re my master and have shown me the light. I will be forever grateful.
Warren Buffett said if you have a church, you draw one kind of crowd and if you have a rock concert you draw another. Humble Dollar was created for great financial articles and a wonderful exchange of ideas – not arguments. That is truly an accomplishment in itself.
A few years ago, I was down for the final count and my wife wheeled me out into the courtyard of the hospital and I sat in the sun. I remember thinking that I had everything setup financially (trust, instructions, etc.). Then a great sense of peace and calm came over me (I was 10 years younger than Jonathan is right now). That turned out not to be my time, but I could have gone then and not had any regrets.
That so many are so sad to hear your prognosis Jonathan is a testament to the community you’ve built here.
Thank you! You have made our world a better place to be.
This breaks my heart Jonathan, I found you through the bogleheads only a few years ago. I love everything you do and you have helped me in many ways. I’m 56 years old and was looking forward to taking you and your articles into retirement. I hope and pray for your recovery. You have made a huge impact in this world and you should be very proud of yourself. Thank you for your contribution!!
I have really enjoyed Humble Dollar and your articles in WSJ before. I am so sorry to hear this. You and your family will be in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear this. Like many others, I have been a reader since your WSJ days, and this site has always provided a dose of sanity. Sending positive thoughts.
I am so sorry Jonathan. You have been a light in my life since I began reading your work in the Journal. Godspeed sir.
When I was lost in the financial wilderness Jonathan was there to show the way. I still have a binder of your articles from your WSJ days that helped me sort out the chaff from the wheat. Thank you from all the people you have helped.
Like many of your other readers, I am in a state of shock with your cancer diagnosis. I am a loyal fan from back in your NY Times days; that’s when you got me hooked. I look forward to your 2x a week newsletter. Yes, it’s focused on finances but it is so much more. I marvel about how you bring your cohorts into the life experience, Jonathan.
As I mediate each day, it ends with affirmations of peace to the world and good health to people that I know who need it. I now include you in my thoughts.
Jonathan, I’ve been reading your articles since you began at the WSJ.You have contributed much to my understanding of finance. Again, I thank you for your contribution to my education and your contribution to our society. You have always kept your children in the forefront of your endeavors. You continue to be a great blessing to all.
Jonathan,
What a sudden shock to read this. I have followed your sage financial guidance since your “Getting Going” column at the WSJ. I wish you the best as you face this, and perhaps your prognosis is better than you anticipate right now.
Though we have never met, I feel like I know more about you through your articles than I do about many of my friends and acquaintances. Like many commenters, I read you in the WSJ and learned a lot. And, have continued to learn through Humble Dollar. Your attitude, as conveyed in today’s article, shows your practical realistic approach and I admire your candor and willingness to share. A principle of financial planning is “plan for the worst and hope for the best.” I think it applies here as well. Here’s hoping for the best, whatever your definition of that may be. We are all with you.
I discovered Jonathan when he wrote for the WSJ. His was the first article I read each day. Over the years, I have learned more from Jonathan than from any of the many other financial writers I follow. For the last 19 years I have taught an investing class, and Jonathan’s Humble Dollar is where I send them, whenever I can’t answer their question. But none of that is nearly as important as what follows. Every word that I’ve read of his has been 100% trustworthy. In contrast, most other financial writers push this product or that product because it will benefit them. That thought has never once entered Jonathan’s mind. How many other financial writers do you know who offer a column and an entire website that is free of charge and sells absolutely nothing. And to top it off, he has stopped accepting donations. He is one of a kind and is irreplaceable!
I will keep you in my thoughts and hope for the best, Jonathan. I know the world doesn’t work this way, but if anyone ever deserved a long life, it is you.
Jonathan, I will echo what has already been said, but I especially agree with Max. Get palliative care involved early. Palliative care is not the same as hospice and studies show it can help prolong survival.
I have enjoyed following you for your humanity as well as your financial knowledge. Your kindness and equanimity is what makes humbledollar so special. We are all rooting for you…
I am shocked to hear about the untimely diagnosis, but I’m also relieved to hear about your plans going forward. As a culture, we whine about the inevitable “death and taxes” but seldom plan for either. Since discovering your site, I have habitually included links to some of your guest articles as part of the “end of life planning” for my elderly patients and their family. By elderly, I mean those 65 or older. Why not. Death is inevitable (ha!). As I share with my patients, it does not matter if I put down cancer or heart failure or old age or boredom as the cause of their death on the death certificate. What matters is the meaningful planning and actions we take to embrace it, own it, and live it until the end. We shall celebrate it the way we plan and celebrate births, weddings, and other milestones in life. Imagine this, in 2020, a now much regretted gender reveal party in California ended in a wild fire that lasted 71 days, burnt down 22k acres, and caused the death of one firefighter. What a celebration! With that, my friend, I applaud you to not go gentle into the night, and I thank you for lighting the fire in the reader’s hearts. Cancer is but an idea, like compound interest. The reveal party is on, and we all drink in your honor!
You have been a source of sound advice since I began reading your WSJ columns … please keep your spirits up and know that we are with you in your journey.
Your insights have impacted my life. Thank you. Thanks for giving others a platform for sharing their experiences and guidance.
I am so sorry! I have been a follower of your writings for over 25 years beginning with your weekly columns in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Several times I emailed you requesting personal financial advice. I was pretty astounded when I received a thoughtful reply shortly after. I thought it was particularly amazing that an extremely busy financial expert would take the time to answer my questions and in such a timely manner. Your recommendation particularly on index funds investment companies 25 years ago was invaluable!
With incredible gratitude! Best wishes to you!
Your thoughtful articles have had a large impact on my decisions, and I save some for rereading. Your honesty and integrity are shining lights in an area that is often clouded with self interest and ego. I hope that those contributors to your project who have been like minded will carry on using what you have created, in your honor. I wish I could honor you myself in that fashion!
I know I speak for many readers that you have our love and best wishes.
Jonathan, You have touched so many lives in many ways you may never know. Mine is one of those. Our thoughts and prayers go to you and Elaine. Personally, thank you for your gentle guidance and support over this past year.
Fate is indeed a cruel mistress and I’m sorry she’s been unfair to you. I have really appreciated what you created with this site and I’m sure you realize it will be a legacy that lasts long after you’ve departed. Best wishes for the next year.
Hi Jonathan, this is Chris. I have been reading HD since the beginning and have learned so much from you and the other writers. I don’t comment often, but wanted you to know I will pray for you as you navigate this part of your life. I am a cancer survivor also.
Oh, Jonathan, I’m heartbroken for you, your family, your HD readers. Thank you for sharing with us your news in this courageous and yet somehow matter-of-fact piece. What an extraordinary person you are. What an extraordinary gift you’ve given us, creating this unique HD space. We’ve come to know you and each other. We’ve learned so much. We’ve become family. We are with you.
We met once during Bike Virginia and I told you I had followed your financial advice and was very glad I had. There are many, many more people like me, thank you again.
I am very sorry to hear this news but also buoyed by your outlook and disposition, at the same time. Over the years, I have learned quite a lot from you, and, moreover, you have regularly reaffirmed my own feelings and attitudes toward money and life.
I hope that you get to do as many of those “bucket list” things that you can and can truly enjoy the moment, when you do. (If it were me, it probably would include one last trip to Italy, with no expenses spared.)
Is there anything that we, your readers, can do for you at this time?
In a community of words there seems to be no words that are adequate.
Jonathan – best to you and your family. Like others here, I’ve been reading since the WSJ days — and I adopted many of your good ideas — which have made my life better. You have touched many of us…
Sorry to hear this. I’m also missing certain genes that make for bad news. After the chemo treatments in 2020 (I was 67), I began a targeted therapy, and that is still keeping the wolf from my door. I unnderstand how your diagnosis is different.
During this time I have simplified finances as much as possible. I update my instructions to heirs as required. Gradually I’ve included my family in “the finances story” so that the transition won’t be a shock.
My primary focus has been visiting my countries of origin, always with my wife, sometimes with our grown children. Each trip gets more difficult, but after a period of time at home, I begin thinking, “Where next?”
Take care,
Ed
Jonathan, at the risk of offending or sounding ghoulish, may I recommend a book that has changed my entire thoughts about this world and the one we cannot yet see. “Imagine Heaven”, by John Burke. May God grant you peace and many blessings yet to come. Thank you for the blessings you have given us, your loyal fan base.
This is a lot to wake up to on a Saturday morning. But I want to say this. I have had two friends diagnosed with lung cancer years ago. Both tennis players. Both, like you – healthy, educated, well off people. Only difference in you is both are women. C was diagnosed about 10 years ago. It was a dire diagnosis. Non smoker, but had lung cancer and it had spread to many other areas of her body. When she had surgery the doctor told her husband in effect they took as much of her lung as they could while allowing her to stay alive. She went through chemo. And she had some rough times.
H was diagnosed in her early 50s about 6 years ago. It was a sudden shock. She was getting winded while exercising and playing tennis and went to the doctor to discover lung cancer (another non smoker). It had also spread all over her body. She immediately started chemo. For whatever reason she avoided surgery, but had several other procedures where they lasered lesions from her brain and spine. Her recovery was long.
Frankly I thought both women would not live long when initially diagnosed. Both are still alive today. I still play tennis with H. And I see C at the tennis club quite often (she is older and plays with a different set). Both women had something to live for (family, grandchildren) and both are pretty tenacious fighters. FWIW both were treated at Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, NC. I realize your diagnosis is dire and you are a realist. But the care that is available today is nothing short of miraculous. Technology advances exponentially, not linearly and new techniques are being used everyday. Find your fighting spirit and we expect many more years of Humble Dollar.
I’m so sorry to read this, and I wish you the best as you face treatment. As usual, your words in this article carry wisdom about life, beyond the financial aspects. Thank you for letting us know what you’re going through, as we are friends in this community. I’m sending prayers from Bucks County. Joanie S
Really sad to hear the news. Like everyone else has mentioned, I and others have greatly benefited from your generosity. I sincerely pray for your treatment to go well and for you to recover back to health.
I am saddened by this news and its impact on you, Jonathan. As a cancer survivor, I’ve helped friends and family navigate their own treatment journeys and seen a few prove their prognosis wrong. One never knows what lies ahead. Thank you for creating this very special community. It’s meant so much to me. Sending prayers and light to you and your family.
Jonathan,
I’ve followed you way back to The Wall Street Journal and would never have developed an interest in finance if it wasn’t for your incredibly understandable articles.
This is incredibly sad for you, your family and friends and this wonderful community you have created. You are in my prayers.
Jonathan, your desire to shepherd this community you created through and even beyond your own fight is generous and inspiring. I pray that this goes gently for you and my heart goes out to your family, as well.
At a loss for words in this moment, just profound shock and sadness as I try to process this horrible news. After losing 3 siblings in the past 3 years, your post has me feeling like a 4th family member is now on the ropes. I am so very sorry, Jonathan. More to offer later as I try and get my head wrapped around this…
“Chance is a cruel mistress.” How true that is.
Jonathan,
I know I share the feelings of my fellow HD writers in saying how devastated we are by this news. I’ve admired and learned from your financial journalism for decades, but it’s only in the past few years that I got to know you personally, and what a blessing that has been. Despite your accomplishments and gifts, you are as down to earth and humble as the name of this site.
You have had a profound impact on thousands of people, myself included. Your huge fan and friend base is rooting and praying for you even as we continue to shake our heads at the sheer fragility of it all.
Thank you for all that you continue to do. You are an inspiration and always will be.
Jonathan, I am sorry and sad to hear of your diagnosis. You seem to have a great attitude about it. I pray that you will still have plenty of time to do meaningful things that you enjoy and that you will not have to endure much pain. Grace and peace to you my friend.
Hi Jonathan. You’ve been such a great mentor and role model for me and many others, and I’m so impressed that you’re continuing to do so in this next and unbelievably challenging chapter in your life. You’re such an inspiration, and I wish you all the best of luck, love, and strength in the months ahead.
Jonathan, I have been one of the many folks that has drawn much inspiration from your writing over the years; when I discovered HD, I felt an immediate connection with kindred spirits trying to make their way in this crazy world.
Thank you for creating a forum that goes well beyond traditional money topics to embrace the human potential. My hopes and prayers are with you and your family as you travel this next phase.
Oh! I just discovered your site a few months ago, and I’m so disheartened to learn your news. I HATE f*cking cancer. I don’t know a single person whose life has not been touched by it. I retired from healthcare at 61 and the last 10 years were with an oncology team. You will discover a few angels walking among your team. Don’t be afraid to question your treatment plan, push your doctors for more, and since yours is a rare form push, push, push for evaluation at one of the major treatment centers in the country. Inquire about MD Anderson in TX and others. Yes to immunotherapy if it’s appropriate. Demand searches for a clinical trial that could be addressing your form of lung cancer. It will take time and a lot of asking, asking but keep at it. We’re all in this together, thank you for sharing such a personal part of you. And believe it or not, everyone will be okay.
I’ve never commented, but have been reading this site for years and before that your newspaper columns. Your grace is inspiring and I thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do. God be with you as you travel this new path. Prayers for an easy and long journey.
I’m sad and sorry about this news. I’ve learned a lot from you over the years. Thank you.
God bless you, Jonathan. You have extraordinary courage. While most of us would still be stunned and in shock—you have demonstrated an innate ability to envision a clear path going forward, being true to your values and who you are.
My most ardent prayers for the best possible outcome. Love, Marjorie
I can’t say it better than Marjorie. The Milford United Methodist Church will be praying for you , Jonathan, beginning tomorrow. I’m so grateful for your wisdom and example.
So sorry to read this shocking news. So glad Warren and I met you at the Philadelphia meetup last March. HumbleDollar is such a wonderful life’s work and legacy gift to all of us out here in the personal finance wilds. The simple tabs at the top of your site—Guide • Articles • Checkup • Voices—barely hint at the immense wealth of information contained on HD. Your “initial financial thoughts” in this article, filled with wisdom, generosity, and heart, are very touching. You have so much to do and plan for, but thank you for considering the HD community as you thoughtfully consider future plans. We readers are sending big hugs to you and your loved ones.
Thinking of you and your family, Jonathan. Sending you strength from Colorado.
If what you’ve written about time–that it’s our most precious commodity–then your generosity exceeds most. You’ve given “great gobs” of it, in your phrasing regarding investing, to your readers and the writers on this site and elsewhere, And you continue to do so. I hope your investment of time in the financial lives of others yields well for you as you consider your life’s work. Dwell on the benefits you’ve brought to others that will live beyond you, and maybe longer than us all. My sincere thanks to you and best wishes for you and your family.
I have really enjoyed your articles over the last couple years. Thank You for the information you provide, your financial wisdom, and your humility. I am and will continue to pray for you. Steve
Since you broke this news to the writers, it’s been a struggle to accept that there is no one working on a treatment for this. I found one paper from a research team in China using the patient’s CAR-T cells, a technique developed here in Seattle that’s been effective with other types of cancer cells. Their work seems at an early stage and the results so far aren’t yet good enough to give me what I suppose I most needed: real hope this could be “fixed” for you. I’ll keep praying for a miracle each day while you continue to enjoy the sweetness of life’s precious things.
Thanks for this terrific piece.
Please let me know if I can do anything to help you or the family on this journey or beyond.
I too am deeply saddened by the challenges lying ahead for you, Jonathan. This site feels like a family and makes your diagnosis that much more difficult to process. You are in my thoughts and have my sincere best wishes.
That the smallest pleasures are most satisfying is not surprising. It is evidence of a life in balance, well-lived and reasoned.
Dear Jonathan,
I was deeply saddened to hear about your diagnosis. I have been an avid reader of your work since your days at the Wall Street Journal, and now follow you on Humble Dollar. Your direct, pragmatic, and data-driven approach to finances has always resonated with me. You’ve educated and guided so many of us on important financial topics and their impact on our lives.
As you embark on this battle with cancer, I wish you immense strength and courage. Please know that all of us who have been touched by your work are standing with you in this fight.
After spending decades writing employee benefits communications about retirement, health benefits, etc. I was a bit lost after I retired – no audience, no questions.
Then I stumbled upon HD. Could this be the same guy I used to read read regularly in the WSJ? It was, and not only that I could submit articles f