I’M WRAPPING UP MY final big investment. Going into it, I knew it would lose money, unleash unwanted disruption and chew up time when it’s never been more precious—and yet I still went ahead.
As readers might recall, last year, Elaine and I remodeled the kitchen in our Philadelphia home. This year, we decided we’d revamp the upstairs bathroom, despite my cancer diagnosis and the forecast that I might live just 12 more months.
To be strictly accurate, “we” didn’t decide. Rather, I decided, and Elaine reluctantly agreed. With so little time left, why would I take on a major remodeling project? There are four key reasons.
1. Easier for Elaine. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been in overdrive, trying to better organize my financial affairs. I’ve also done things that are a little out of character, such as replacing the hot water tank, even though it hadn’t yet died, and adding an air-filtration system to our heating and cooling equipment that Elaine wanted, even though the technology strikes me as unproven.
What drove these decisions? I found my answer in Dennis Friedman’s recent article. “Next on my list are replacing our home’s front windows,” Dennis wrote. “A new patio and brick wall are also on the horizon…. I want to make sure that life will be easier for my wife” after I’m gone.
Me too.
I knew Elaine wouldn’t undertake the bathroom remodeling once she was on her own. That made me more determined to go through with the project, in the hope it’ll make her life a little more comfortable after my death.
2. Addicted to progress. We humans are a restless lot—and, at least for me, that restlessness remains undiminished, despite my truncated life expectancy. Even now, I have a list of things I want to get done, and crossing off one or two of those items each day gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
This extends to the current bathroom remodeling. I may not be doing the plumbing, tiling, electrical work and framing myself, and I know the boost to our home’s value will be far less than the sum we’re spending. Still, I love the feeling that, at the end of the project, our home will be even lovelier and that this improvement will be part of the world, even if I’m not.
3. Better together. Dying isn’t much fun. Along with the endless medical appointments, there are days when I don’t feel great, especially the period right after my every-three-week chemo and immunotherapy session. In recent months, the cancer has spread to my spine, so I’ve also been struggling with back pain and have had difficulty walking.
Can we change the subject to something cheerier? Enter the bathroom remodeling. It’s given Elaine and me a project to rally around. There are all the choices we’ve had to make—the tiles, fixtures, paint colors and so on. While the disruption hasn’t exactly been fun and it’s occasionally led to tension between us, I think overall the project has been a plus, giving us something to focus on other than my cancer.
4. Winding down. I may be addicted to progress, but I also know it’s time to stop adding to my to-do list and to cross off those items that remain. The bathroom remodeling is one of those items.
There’s a fistful of other items I also need to wrap up, including writing 10 final articles for HumbleDollar’s Saturday newsletter. Those 10 articles will carry the site through to March 1. Thereafter, Adam Grossman will be taking over the Saturday slot. I plan to keep writing for as long as I can. But it’s time to pass the baton.
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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You are so appreciated – all you’ve shared over so many years. What a gift to Elaine – to think of her future ease and comfort.
I particularly agree with Jonathan’s notion that “Better together” is the best path forward in all aspects of life, including one’s final chapters. Hold on tight to each other! And thank you, Jonathan for everything you have done across the years and miles. Godspeed!
The picture looks great. Thanks for sharing, Jonathan. Happy holidays and thank you for everything you do!
Congratulations on the remodel. Hope you enjoy the holiday season.
It is great your compiling some of your articles from the Wall Journal, I, and I am sure others, have copies snipped out or photocopied going back to that time. You have been so very instructive over the years. Your approach to the past few months have been much of the same. I hope someone recounts in writing your phenomenal approach to this challenge. You simply amaze me. I recently lost someone who did not have her affairs in order. Powers of attorney, will and trust and things like that. Those seem to be the brick and mortar of final planning. Your positive attitude, business like but caring level of planning is what is usually missing. You, as always, show us how to get things done. Thank you so much.
This makes me sad, but grateful at the same time that I stumbled upon your article and have used your wisdom in finance since then. In this difficult world of finance you assured us that it is possible to manage one’s own. Still I wish you a long life, your generosity of wisdom is very much appreciated. God bless you and your family.
Dear Jonathan,
Merry Christmas & a great start to 2025.
Many thanks for your down to earth & practical guide to investing as well as to living.
I am looking forward to all your future newsletters as much as the past.
And renovate, update away.
wishing you easy days,
Amita
Jonathan, I can’t tell you how much your wisdom will be missed. I’ve shared many of your commentaries with my spouse, my children and friends when I thought they would benefit from your words. You have helped many of us see the world of finance differently, or more clearly; and now – our mortality. I hope I can face my own end half as gracefully as you are facing yours. Thank you for all you’ve given us.
I started reading your columns in the WSJ about 30 years ago. Thanks to the wisdom you shared, my family and I are financially secure and I can retire at 57. Thank you for making the world a better place.
Great article, Jonathan, and congratulations on the near completion of the bathroom project. We recently completed a total kitchen remodel and are very much enjoying the results.
You continue to educate and inspire us with every article and post. Thank you for that, and a very Merry Christmas to you and Elaine!
https://www.hospicenursejulie.com/
I bought her book to give a lady friend for her birthday. She was really thrilled and gave it to me to also read. Then, I sent it to my Sister to read, learn and enjoy.
Watch this ladies face light up as she tells the second part of her story!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrSqDEUKt8I
Jonathan–thank you for your generosity and example and for sharing and modelling so much wisdom and grace, financial and otherwise.
Jonathan,
I’m 75, my partner is 94 and over the years we have enjoyed investing discussions and philosophical discussions generated by your insightful articles. Thank you so much for all you have given us. It will live on as we pass to others and venerate your name. Thank you, a million times return for all you have done.
I don’t blame you for wanting to do the bathroom project for all the reasons you mention. There’s something to be said about working on a project with someone you love. I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with the outcome.
If we don’t get photo proof of you enjoying a big ole bubble bath in that tub 🛁, this post is just a tease!
Can’t thank you enough for your uniquely wise, useful and entertaining site; it’s certainly sharpened and challenged my own ideas over the years, and we continue to admire your work, Jonathan. Enjoy that tub!
Jonathan’s of British origin, and Brits love and many prefer to take baths. Part of this results from the common British plumbing design in which an attic water tank feeds the house by gravity. This system delivers low shower pressure compared to US houses which mainly operate on city water pressure. Our UK rental house had shower pumps added to increase pressure sufficiently to enable showering.
Brits also tend to have bigger bath tubs, allowing one to get everything but the head under water in comfort. When I moved to the US I was surprised, and not in a good way, by the size of the bath tubs. But I became a convert to showers. It’s certainty easier for washing your hair.
Thank you so much Jonathan for your sage counsel, and practical observations, as you deal with your illness.
Recently started with HD, and it certainly is a virtual gold mine of unbiased information.
In the time before my father died he, likewise, spent time wisely making updates and repairs so my mother wouldn’t have such concerns.
A career as a military physician, practicing “socialized medicine” around the world, developed my appreciation for the need for an improved “Medicare for All” healthcare system so that many less well off, or underinsured by our fractured, existing processes, can get adequate care.
Thanks to you, and yours, for your valuable ongoing contributions.
Thank you for another thought-provoking article. Even with illness and pain, you push through to give us informative financial guidance. Thank you and happy holidays to you, Elaine and your family!
I will be watching the countdown for the final 10, and want to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart for your life’s work. I’ve been one of your readers since you worked at the Wall Street Journal, and I am so grateful for the lessons you’ve imparted. Not everyone gets to make such an impact in the world. Know you have left it better than you found it. Well done, Amigo.
Merry/ HAPPY Christmas a bit early! Enjoy your holidays and wishes sent by our HD family of joy and gratitude for the impact you’ve had in our world! I know you’ll do your best to tut-tut away anyone’s understandable weepiness, but allow them it anyway. These are difficult times, on many levels.
PS Kudos to posting a picture with the seat down! Your bathroom is beautiful! Hopefully I’ll gain one by the end of 2025. (Shuddering at the filthy prospect!!) Cheers to slaying your to-do list! 😀
The bathroom is getting painted as I type this, and the remaining hardware should be installed early next week. That’ll just leave the glass shower enclosure, which won’t arrive until early January. But on Monday, the contractor will install a temporary shower curtain, so the bathroom will be fully usable by Christmas.
Your bathroom is beautiful! Enjoy!
Another great article with transparent insights that even makes living in the dust of another remodel sound sexy. I am sorry to hear about your beck pain due to metastasis. Please let medicine do its job of helping you live your best life by diminishing the pain as much as possible. Much love,
Bill
The back radiation I had a few weeks ago has been close to miraculous. A month ago, I could barely move my left leg because of sciatica. Today, I’m moving around just fine. It seems the particular cancer I have — EGFR Exon 20 — loves to go to the brain and the bones.
I want to let you know how much I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with us each week. Reading this has been a big help to learn more about personal finance with actionable takeaways. Thanks again for all that you do and best of luck on your next adventure. Know that there is a plan of happiness for us all and we can live together with our families even after death. Thanks for inspiring us each week and showing us how to put our final affairs in order. You will be missed by all of us readers
Wow – hard to believe someone could write an inspirational column on remodeling a bathroom.
The best thing I found in Doug’s email inbox, and the only thing I kept, was his subscription to HD. Though we didn’t have time together to remodel our retirement home purchased in 2019, I’ve forged on ahead to make it more comfortable for my grandson and I, with additional plans for my days alone here. God bless Doug for planning so well that I don’t have to worry about paying for repairs and improvements. And God bless you, Jonathan, for having done the same for Elaine and your children!
Jonathan, thank you for another meaningful article and step in your journey. These thoughts are all inspirational and helpful for making us think about the importance of life for our loved one’s.
My wife and I are just completing the renovations (tear out/ rebuild) of 2 bathrooms in our condo (2nd home) so I can relate to all the decisions and choices to do these projects. It has been distracting and taking lots of time but it is very gratifying in the long run. I do sometimes think about the lasting impact of doing things like this for our family’s long term enjoyment (is that the right word for a bathroom?) rather than the value increase of the property.
All the best for “enjoying” your new bathroom for a long time and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Great article! Glad to hear you’re still fighting the cancer while at the same time moving forward with other projects (10 articiles, bathroom redo, new newsletter editor, etc.)! Hang in there!
Jonathan,
I have really enjoyed reading all of your articles over the years, and hope (selfishly) you keep posting for as long as you can (much longer than your “predicted” timeline). I also look forward to all the future articles you will be posting! Stay well!
Jonathan, I’m glad to hear the bathroom project is wrapping up. It’s logical, respectful, and loving to want to put all your affairs and abode in as good a shape as possible for those we love. My in-laws executed a plan the last few years before they retired. They replaced the roof, windows, kitchen, car, and some other things before they retired at 65. They lived comfortable in that home for another 20+ years with minimal issues.
Replacing a hot water heater preemptively is not a bad idea. I remember many years ago my father calling me at work and telling me that their basement had about 4 inches of water. I told him to shut off the water and stopped by later that afternoon. Sure enough the tank had sprung a leak. It was a mess but, with the help of a neighbor, I got the old one out, pumped out the basement, and installed a new one the next day. The worst part was hauling the old one up the basement stairs and to the curb.
Just making sure you know that you’ve” boosted our value” over the years as well and have “increased our net worth”. And I’d $support that financial literacy project. Its greatly needed. Make sure its promoted here cause you’ll always be my Saturday morning read.
Sherry, I’m sure you speak for all of us who participate here in one way or another. Thank you.
Jonathan, thank you so very much for sharing so much to better the lives of so many fellow human beings.
Salute.
I hope I have even bit of the wisdom and courage it takes to do this.
Thank you.
Johnathan, I began reading Humble dollar several years back and although I enjoyed the articles, I felt like it was out of my league. After all, I have no college degree and would be more considered “blue collar”. Fast forward, I am now 57, financially independent and considering my next journey. A recent unfavorable prostate diagnose has me considering many of the things you are undergoing now. Thank you for your posts and thank you for making this “blue collar reader feel at home.
“Pink collar” gal here, also financially independent and secure with a solid understanding of financial basics, thanks to Jonathan and HD. I truly can’t thank you enough.
Fellow blue collar guy here. You said it perfectly. I’m 70 and comfortable, maybe not financially independent, but barring a catastrophic event, we will be fine. I love the human side of financial information that Humble Dollar provides. I had a prostate journey last year that was resolved successfully. Good luck to you.
Jonathan- Many, many thanks for the heart rendering and insightful post. I’ve never contributed to your forum, but it’s always been a tremendous resource over the years and I clearly need to be more active in posting. Blessings to you and your family this holiday season.
I cherish each one of these articles you write, Jonathan. For so many years (decades!) I just took them for granted.
I wonder if Elaine might be willing to post about her experience of your various financial and life missions. As the wife of someone diagnosed with terminal cancer who has stubbornly lived despite doctors’ prognostications for over 10 years now, I’m well aware of the various emotions from the spousal side. It might be helpful for other spouses if she’d be willing to share her perspectives.
When are you going to let the HD community know how we can give back to you for what you’ve given us? You turned off the ability to donate, and it sounds like you may not need the money much yourself anyway. But surely there’s something you can let those who want to contribute, just as our way to express our admiration and appreciation for you. Anything you care to share?
There are two things I’d love readers to do:
1) Continue to post to the Forum, telling their money stories and offering their financial wisdom, without descending into the incivility so prevalent across the web. This site is my last big project, and I’d love it to thrive long after my death.
2) I’m working with Jason Zweig, Bill Bernstein, Christine Benz and others on what I hope will be a unique financial literacy effort aimed at young adults from less privileged backgrounds, which would be funded in part by sales of a book that compiles some of my old Wall Street Journal articles. There will also be the ability to donate directly to the program. There are many details still to be worked out.
Elaine and I are also toying with a book based on HumbleDollar’s content, but at this stage that’s just a glimmer of an idea. Between medical appointments, organizing my estate, travel, time with family and HumbleDollar, recent months have been awfully busy, so I haven’t had much time to think about this second book idea.
I love your idea of the financial literacy effort. This, along with the Humble Dollar website are wonderful things to be remembered for! Thanks for everything you’ve given us!
FYI, I just learned that in Fall 2026, the Delaware Valley High School will introduce a mandatory personal finance course for all students. Too late for my grandson who graduates in June, but apparently the idea is catching on and there are curricula out there. Pike County PA, with a significant low income rural population, could perhaps be a location for a pilot. Just a thought.
I would love to read a book wrangled from HumbleDollar content. Somehow, reading on a laptop or tablet just does not compare to holding a physical book in hand. The cohesiveness of a book, compared to a jumble of columns, comes across as deeper and more effective, to me. I still have many of your past books, Jonathan, on my bookshelves, where each spot is in competition. Yet we all see clearly and understand that your other time commitments that you mention here are priorities.
Thank you Jonathan. I love that you care so much for Elaine. There are those of us who do not ever expect to find that kind of love again in this lifetime.
Looking forward to the 10 new articles and many more. You are absolutely………….
appreciated
amazing