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After spending more than two decades building a successful landscaping business with his twin brother Nicholas, Andrew Clements retired in 2015 with a new appreciation for what matters most. Born in England, his essays draw on a life that has included growing up in England and Bangladesh, entrepreneurship, caregiving, family loss and travel. A regular HumbleDollar contributor, he enjoys telling stories that remind readers life’s richest lessons often have little to do with money. Andrew is the older brother of HumbleDollar founder Jonathan Clements, whose life and legacy have inspired some of his most personal writing. He lives in Florida with his husband, Joey.
Comments
Thank you, William. I’m glad you enjoyed it. The Philippines has taught me quite a bit, and often it’s the small, everyday experiences that have left the biggest impression on me.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 29, 2026
Linda, that’s a great point, especially about food waste. I also think there’s something more social about sharing several dishes rather than everyone focusing on their own plate. And you get to try things you might never have ordered for yourself. Joey’s family introduced me to family-style dining without even realizing they were teaching me something!
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 28, 2026
Linda, I couldn’t agree more. Being exposed to other cultures when we’re young can shape how we see the world for the rest of our lives. I especially like your point about scholarships and fundraising. Helping a young person experience another country may be one of those gifts whose impact lasts far longer than the trip itself.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 28, 2026
Dan, that’s a great observation. I hadn’t really thought about the contrast. We share food around the table at home, yet when we go to a restaurant, suddenly it becomes “this is mine and that is yours.” With Joey’s family, sharing dishes at a restaurant was so natural that I was the only one who didn’t know the rules! I quickly learned, and I have to say, I much prefer their way.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 28, 2026
I completely agree, Mark. I was fortunate to be exposed to other cultures when I was young, and I think those experiences stayed with me throughout my life. Travel teaches us to look beyond our own way of doing things and, as you say, to recognize that despite our differences, we have far more in common than we sometimes realize. Money spent on those experiences can indeed pay dividends for a lifetime.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 27, 2026
What wonderful memories. I especially like your last sentence. Travel has a way of stripping away our preconceived notions and reminding us that, despite differences in culture, language and circumstances, we share many of the same hopes and curiosities. Often it’s those simple encounters with ordinary people, not the tourist attractions, that stay with us the longest.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
I agree that credit card interest is an enormous drain on household finances, especially when you consider what those dollars could become if saved and invested instead. But I’d hesitate to characterize all—or even most—credit card debt as irresponsible behavior. Certainly, some of it comes from overspending and poor planning. But medical bills, job loss, divorce, unexpected home or car repairs, and simply living on a low income can quickly push someone toward a credit card when there are few other options. Perhaps the larger lesson is the importance of building financial resilience when we have the opportunity: living below our means, maintaining an emergency fund and avoiding lifestyle inflation. Those habits don’t guarantee we’ll never need debt, but they give us a much better chance of avoiding the trap. And I completely agree with your last sentence: interest payments today are taking money from our future selves.
Post: Americans and their credit cards
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Mark, I love the idea of mentally treating the vacation budget as already spent. For those of us who spent a lifetime watching what we spent, turning that habit off isn’t always easy. I’ve reached much the same place with travel. We’ve already done the saving and planning, and once the trip begins, I don’t want to spend precious time worrying about the price of dinner, a drink, or an experience we may never have the opportunity to enjoy again. Perhaps that’s one of the adjustments of retirement: learning that money isn’t only something to accumulate and protect. At some point, its purpose is also to buy experiences, memories and time with the people we love. So I’d call that second brandy freedom. Enjoy it!
Post: The Intentional Spendthrift
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Thank you so much. I think that consideration for others is one of the things that can be so striking when we experience another culture. The customs may be different, but kindness, respect and generosity are universal. Travel has certainly taught me to pay more attention to those small gestures, they often tell us far more about a people than the places we visit.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. I think you’re approaching India exactly the right way. I spent part of my childhood living in Bangladesh and also had the opportunity to visit India, and those experiences taught me early on how much we can learn by observing and trying to understand a culture rather than judging it through our own lens. India is an extraordinary country of contrasts, and I suspect the people you meet may become as memorable as the places you visit. I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Post: A Place At The Table
Link to comment from August 26, 2026