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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
John, what a thoughtful article, and welcome back to HumbleDollar. I especially appreciated your recollection of Jonathan. His belief that teaching was among the highest callings speaks volumes about the man he was. Having retired at 55, I've had more than a decade to reflect on what makes retirement fulfilling. I've come to realize that financial independence gives us the freedom to choose how we spend our time, but it doesn't necessarily give that time meaning. That comes from the relationships we nurture, the interests we pursue, and the opportunities we find to make a difference in the lives of others. One thing I've learned is that we don't need to fill every hour with activity or accomplishment. Sometimes the greatest rewards come from simply having the time to appreciate life's quieter moments. Your decision to step away and reclaim time with your family is something I suspect you'll never regret. Money can be earned again, but those years with your children cannot be recovered. As I've written before, time is our most precious asset, and how we choose to spend it ultimately defines our wealth.
Post: The Number Is Not The Answer
Link to comment from October 10, 2026
Mark, I think you’ve captured one of the great ironies of retirement. We spend decades working toward the freedom to do as we please, yet when we finally get there, we sometimes feel the need to justify how we spend our days. I’ve come to appreciate that a full life doesn't necessarily require a full calendar. Some of my most rewarding days are those when I accomplish very little but enjoy every minute of it. Perhaps the real measure of a successful retirement isn't how much we do, but how content we are doing it. Your friend's reaction says it all!
Post: Momentarily Embarrassed by “Not Much”
Link to comment from October 10, 2026
That