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While there are thousands who have been following Jonathan’s columns and articles for decades, I started reading his articles only about a year and a half ago.
His articles influenced me to change my investing behavior. Now I am focused only on broad market ETFs and not reacting to frequent market gyrations. I am sure many of you have learned much from him and made changes to how you think about investing.
This goes beyond financial lessons. I have also learned a lot about how to cope with adversity from his recent articles after terminal diagnosis. He certainly has made a huge difference.
I have read quite a few of his articles in HumbleDollar. It will be great to hear from those following him for many years to benefit from their perspectives.
What lessons (financial and about life in general) have you learned and implemented from Jonathan’s writings?
– Sundar Mohan Rao
I’ve learned SO MUCH from JC articles, mostly giving me the confidence to simplify my finances (less FOMO). That said, the stand out has to be how to think about where and how much to put in safe securities. In the past, the general approach was to invest some percentage of my total investment assets (based on age) in maybe a core bond fund. This approach never sat well with me, it seemed arbitrary and also moved too much with equities. I now hold 7+ years of needed cash flow in short term treasury ETF. This approach makes sense to me and the swings on my equity holdings don’t bother me knowing I have enough ready access to $ that have less price volatility.
I’ve invested a big portion of my assets in so-called “XX” funds that are short-term money market funds. I’m very happy with the 4+% return they have yield over the last 3 years or so. Core Bond funds are typically a waste of time.
Besides his life lessons of being gracious and compassionate, a major financial lesson I’ve learned is to be comfortable with asset allocation, and the inherent risk with setting that allocation. Also, that it is okay to be content with average returns. No need to always swing for the fences.
Like you say, “Keep it simple”. It works!