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Jonathan Clements

Jonathan founded HumbleDollar at year-end 2016. Earlier in his career, he spent almost 20 years at The Wall Street Journal, where he was the newspaper's personal finance columnist, and six years at Citigroup, where he was director of financial education for the bank's U.S. wealth management arm. Born in England and educated at Cambridge University, Jonathan now lives with his wife Elaine in Philadelphia, just a few blocks from his daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons. In addition to his Forum posts and comments, shown below, be sure to check out Jonathan's writer's page, where his articles are listed.

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Forum Posts:

Those Who Follow by Jonathan Clements

38 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 11/1/2024
FIRST: philip durand on 11/1   |   RECENT: mjflack on 11/2

Eyeing the End by Jonathan Clements

32 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/25/2024
FIRST: zestfulc3bd36fc1c on 10/25   |   RECENT: smr1082 on 10/27

Just the Facts by Jonathan Clements

61 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/18/2024
FIRST: Mike Xavier on 10/18   |   RECENT: GaryW on 10/22

Dollar Averaging by Jonathan Clements

15 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/11/2024
FIRST: Dan Wick on 10/11   |   RECENT: G Handrigan on 10/13

First Place by Jonathan Clements

63 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/6/2024
FIRST: eludom on 9/6   |   RECENT: Edgaria Rosabella on 10/5

They Said the Darndest Things by Jonathan Clements

12 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/4/2024
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 10/4   |   RECENT: David Lancaster on 10/4

Anybody Listening? by Jonathan Clements

26 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/27/2024
FIRST: baldscreen on 9/27   |   RECENT: Michael l Berard on 9/28

Didn't Say That by Jonathan Clements

16 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/20/2024
FIRST: Don Southworth on 9/20   |   RECENT: Michael l Berard on 9/25

Getting Rolled by Jonathan Clements

31 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/18/2024
FIRST: Don Southworth on 9/18   |   RECENT: John Kaczka on 9/23

Traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

40 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 11/3/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 11/3/2021   |   RECENT: Mark Eckman on 9/21

Booking It by Jonathan Clements

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/13/2024
FIRST: David Lancaster on 9/13   |   RECENT: DrLefty on 9/15

Consuelo Mack WealthTrack

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/6/2024
FIRST: Nuke Ken on 9/6   |   RECENT: jimbow13 on 9/13

Rules of the Road by Jonathan Clements

25 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/30/2024
FIRST: David Lancaster on 8/30   |   RECENT: Michael1 on 8/31

Committing Ourselves by Jonathan Clements

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/23/2024
FIRST: Michael1 on 8/23   |   RECENT: GNeil Nussen623 on 8/25

Nothing to Trust by Jonathan Clements

29 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/16/2024
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 8/16   |   RECENT: Michael1 on 8/17

Lines in the Sand by Jonathan Clements

47 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/9/2024
FIRST: bbbobbins on 8/9   |   RECENT: kt2062 on 8/11

Staying the Course by Jonathan Clements

51 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/5/2024
FIRST: Rick Connor on 8/5   |   RECENT: luvtoride44afe9eb1e on 8/11

All About Me

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/22/2024
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 7/22   |   RECENT: cesplint on 8/3

Feeling Lucky by Jonathan Clements

35 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/26/2024
FIRST: Neil Imus on 7/26   |   RECENT: cesplint on 8/3

When should you claim Social Security retirement benefits?

34 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: cesplint on 8/3

If money were no object, what life changes would you make?

31 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 4/6/2021   |   RECENT: Edmund Marsh on 7/29

Should you prepay a mortgage?

31 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/28/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/28/2021   |   RECENT: JGarrett on 7/28

What financial lessons did you learn from your parents?

30 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: H S on 7/24

What are the smartest financial moves you’ve ever made?

40 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Marc Bisbal Arias on 4/8/2021   |   RECENT: Rick Connor on 7/23

What’s your biggest financial regret?

16 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Anika Hedstrom on 4/19/2021   |   RECENT: H S on 7/23

What steps have you taken to simplify your finances?

29 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/5/2024
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 6/5   |   RECENT: R Quinn on 7/22

What’s your favorite financial quote?

91 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 4/15/2021   |   RECENT: dorisn18 on 7/20

Humble Bragging

36 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/12/2024
FIRST: Rick Connor on 7/12   |   RECENT: Sharon Edwards on 7/18

Scroll Down

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/12/2024
FIRST: Winston Smith on 7/12   |   RECENT: Jonathan Clements on 7/14

They're Sunk by Jonathan Clements

26 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/8/2024
FIRST: Edmund Marsh on 7/8   |   RECENT: R Quinn on 7/11

Four Mantras

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/1/2024
FIRST: 1PF on 7/1   |   RECENT: steve abramowitz on 7/10

My Shame

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/3/2024
FIRST: R Quinn on 7/3   |   RECENT: Matt Sherman on 7/10

Selling the Sizzle by Jonathan Clements

9 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 7/4/2024
FIRST: William Perry on 7/4   |   RECENT: Nuke Ken on 7/8

What percentage of your salary do you need for a comfortable retirement?

51 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/5/2024
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 6/5   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 7/7

Is buying long-term-care insurance a good idea?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: James McGlynn CFA RICP® on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Richard Hayman on 7/6

What do you need to feel financially secure?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/13/2021   |   RECENT: H S on 7/3

When is it okay to go into debt?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/9/2021   |   RECENT: R Quinn on 6/29

What’s the best financial book you’ve ever read?

72 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/24/2021
FIRST: Roboticus Aquarius on 3/24/2021   |   RECENT: Jack Hannam on 6/29

Which financial tasks do you find most irksome?

22 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: David Powell on 6/29

What do you wish your younger self knew?

23 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: Sonja Haggert on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/28

What popular financial advice do you ignore?

40 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/27

What should be the top priorities for those in their 20s?

16 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: jay5914 on 6/27

What are your favorite charities?

36 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/27

If you could buy just three funds or less, what would they be?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: jay5914 on 6/27

What do you consider your greatest financial achievement?

48 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/29/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/29/2021   |   RECENT: baldscreen on 6/25

Is a good financial advisor worth 1% of assets per year?

31 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: johntlim on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: DAN SMITH on 6/25

What dangerous financial myths do you regularly hear?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/13/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 10/13/2022   |   RECENT: H S on 6/24

What’s the best strategy for generating retirement income?

25 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/12/2021   |   RECENT: Kevin Lynch on 6/24

What’s your favorite actively managed fund—if any?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/10/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 9/10/2021   |   RECENT: Jonathan Clements on 6/24

What everyday purchase do you consider a bargain?

41 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/26/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/26/2021   |   RECENT: Purple Rain on 6/24

Is it better to give away money now or upon death?

22 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: JSRMD on 6/24

How would you summarize your financial philosophy?

32 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: Jonathan Clements on 6/23

Which financial companies would you recommend?

33 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: James McGlynn CFA RICP® on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: achnk53 on 6/23

Why do many folks fail to save enough for retirement?

23 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/5/2024
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 6/5   |   RECENT: Lizbeth on 6/22

What’s your most prized possession?

25 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/22

Who most influenced your financial thinking?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/13/2022
FIRST: David Sayler on 10/13/2022   |   RECENT: Bobby Joseph on 6/22

Is it okay not to leave a tip at a full-service restaurant?

26 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: JAY SCATTERGOOD on 6/22

Do you favor Roth or traditional retirement accounts?

24 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 11/3/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 11/3/2021   |   RECENT: Matt McGuinness on 6/22

What everyday purchase do you consider most overpriced?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 5/1/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/22

What should investors do about possible higher interest rates?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/6/2021   |   RECENT: James McGlynn CFA RICP® on 6/22

When have you regretted paying the lowest cost possible?

12 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/22

If you couldn’t buy index funds, how would you invest?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/22

What’s the best way to gauge an investor’s risk tolerance?

7 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Gary Cahn on 6/22

What do you do that’s financially foolish?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 4/19/2021   |   RECENT: Ben Rodriguez on 6/22

Are annuities ever worth buying—and, if so, which type?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: James McGlynn CFA RICP® on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: JAY SCATTERGOOD on 6/22

What do you consider your greatest financial mistakes?

22 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: JAY SCATTERGOOD on 6/22

Is there a downside to the current popularity of indexing?

23 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Gary Cahn on 6/22

When have you taken frugality too far?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/5/2024
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 6/5   |   RECENT: Michael Werner on 6/22

What’s the most important financial concept?

36 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Matt Morse on 6/22

Getting to the Point

7 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/20/2024
FIRST: DAN SMITH on 6/20   |   RECENT: Aaron Hayes on 6/22

When were you happiest—and what role did money play?

30 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: R Quinn on 6/22

Is bitcoin an investment or a speculation?

24 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: John Yeigh on 6/19

Which financial figure would you most like to spend an hour with?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 4/15/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

What financial topic do you find most confusing?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 4/15/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

What are your top financial worries?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: William Ehart on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

Should our values guide our investment choices?

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/13/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 10/13/2022   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

Is it possible to have too much money?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

If you inherited $5 million, how would you use the money?

28 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/26/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/26/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

If you lived your financial life again, what would you change?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: Sonja Haggert on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

How would you define "enough"?

27 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/12/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

How has your financial thinking changed over the past year?

27 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

Does money buy happiness?

25 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: Ken Begley on 6/6

Will tax rates increase—and, if so, how should we prepare?

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: johntlim on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: Ross Young on 6/1

What’s the best strategy for rebalancing a portfolio?

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 11/3/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 11/3/2021   |   RECENT: L H on 5/25

How much of a stock portfolio should be invested abroad?

43 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: William Dorner on 5/18

Which investments will perform worst over the next 10 years?

6 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: johntlim on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: William Dorner on 5/18

Should U.S. investors own foreign bonds?

12 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Kyle Mcintosh on 5/6

How did you get started as an investor?

28 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Andrew F. on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: William Dorner on 5/5

Which life decisions shouldn’t involve financial considerations?

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Doug Kaufman on 4/27

What do other people spend too much money on?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: Ginger Williams on 4/21

Are top private colleges worth the cost?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Chuck BV on 4/20

What do you need for a fulfilling retirement?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: jerry pinkard on 4/20

What’s the best place to earn a safe yield?

15 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/11/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/12/2021   |   RECENT: Jeff on 4/19

What’s the worst financial advice you’ve ever acted on?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: Joe Kesler on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: tshort on 4/13

Are children a good investment?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Patrick Brennan on 3/30

When does it make sense to buy a home?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 5/16/2021   |   RECENT: Jeff Amick on 3/23

Should investors own alternative investments?

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: billehart on 3/23

What's the best place to stash money you'll spend soon?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/23/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/23/2021   |   RECENT: Mike Zaccardi on 3/3

What's the best strategy for charitable giving?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: Bill Woolf on 3/2

Should children be paid for doing chores?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/25/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/25/2021   |   RECENT: Rob Thompson on 3/2

How long before retirement should you dial down risk?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 2/7/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 2/8/2022   |   RECENT: Adam Starry on 2/25

What money advice do you recall hearing from your parents?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: Tim Mueller on 2/24

Should investors tilt toward growth or value?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: Tim Mueller on 2/24

Does it ever make sense to buy actively managed funds?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Adam Grossman on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Michael Hennessy on 2/20

Should retirees use a 4% portfolio withdrawal rate?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Dennis Hurley on 2/17

What's your favorite tax-savings strategy?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2023
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/30/2023   |   RECENT: Boomerst3 on 2/17

What are your favorite financial apps and websites?

23 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: Dennis Hurley on 2/17

What’s the wisest financial advice you’ve ever been given?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Andrew F. on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Laurie Phillips on 2/4

Should you buy bond funds or individual bonds?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/6/2021   |   RECENT: tshort on 2/3

When is it worth remodeling a home?

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: FarOutWest on 1/27

What should you look for when buying a home?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/12/2021   |   RECENT: corrupt on 1/18

What spending brings you greatest happiness?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/30/2021   |   RECENT: Klaatu on 1/13

What’s the best way to teach children about money?

9 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/10/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 9/11/2021   |   RECENT: tobinw on 1/6

Which financial tasks do you keep putting off?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: L H on 1/6

How do you save money on travel costs?

15 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 9/10/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 9/10/2021   |   RECENT: rightgal on 12/30/2023

When does it make sense to buy the extended warranty, if ever?

33 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: Joe Kesler on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Michael Hennessy on 12/30/2023

How much emergency money should you hold?

26 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/1/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 4/1/2021   |   RECENT: candygirl7 on 12/27/2023

What investment will perform best over the next 10 years?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 5/3/2021   |   RECENT: Martin McCue on 12/23/2023

What costs are you most loath to pay?

35 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: booch221 on 12/16/2023

Does it ever make sense to carry a credit card balance?

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: booch221 on 12/16/2023

What’s the best way to collect and use credit card rewards?

15 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Jeff on 12/13/2023

Is a home a good investment?

16 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Michael Stewart on 12/10/2023

Should you take pension payments or a lump sum?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/25/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 4/29/2021   |   RECENT: Klaatu on 12/2/2023

Is “die broke” a smart retirement strategy?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Sonja Haggert on 4/15/2021   |   RECENT: bhagwan g on 12/2/2023

What criteria should you use to pick a retirement location?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 2/7/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 2/8/2022   |   RECENT: Christopher James on 11/26/2023

What do you need to be financially independent?

9 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 2/7/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 2/8/2022   |   RECENT: Cammer Michael on 11/25/2023

What’s the best strategy for getting a good deal on a car?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Edmund Marsh on 11/23/2023

When is it okay to drop life insurance coverage?

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 2/7/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 2/8/2022   |   RECENT: GaryW on 11/18/2023

Where do you see signs of inflation?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/18/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 5/7/2021   |   RECENT: Mark Hirsch on 11/18/2023

What aspect of Wall Street do you find most distasteful?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/28/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/28/2021   |   RECENT: Jennifer P on 11/12/2023

Do parents have an obligation to pay college costs?

14 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/23/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 6/23/2021   |   RECENT: Crystal Flores on 11/11/2023

Is buying a used car always the smarter financial choice?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 2/7/2022
FIRST: Mike Zaccardi on 2/8/2022   |   RECENT: Susanne Krivit on 11/11/2023

Should affluent parents insist their children pay college costs?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Jim Wasserman on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Rob Thompson on 10/21/2023

Should folks create and follow a written budget?

19 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/31/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 3/31/2021   |   RECENT: Kathy C on 10/7/2023

When is renting a home a good idea?

7 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 10/13/2022
FIRST: Kristine Hayes on 10/13/2022   |   RECENT: Kathy C on 9/30/2023

What’s the best strategy for selling a house?

9 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 6/13/2021   |   RECENT: Crystal Flores on 9/17/2023

Which aspect of the tax code do you hate the most?

29 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Andrew F. on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Michael Hennessy on 9/16/2023

Do we talk too little about our personal finances—or too much?

15 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: Sonja Haggert on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: jerry pinkard on 9/16/2023

What are the hallmarks of a good financial advisor?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: William Ehart on 6/8/2021   |   RECENT: Kathy C on 9/2/2023

Would you risk your finances to help your retired parents?

8 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: Edmund Marsh on 8/27/2023

How often do you check your portfolio and the markets?

18 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Chuck BV on 8/26/2023

What stock would you happily hold for the next 10 years?

30 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: Sonja Haggert on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Lehman Brown on 8/26/2023

Is it okay to retire with debt?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: tshort on 8/19/2023

What do you spend too much money on?

12 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 6/6/2021
FIRST: Sanjib Saha on 6/6/2021   |   RECENT: Susanne Krivit on 8/12/2023

Can the market be beaten?

21 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Joe Kesler on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: alex scott on 8/5/2023

When does it make sense to hire a financial advisor?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: James McGlynn CFA RICP® on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Marisol Aldahondo on 8/2/2023

How much financial help should parents give their children?

24 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: Kristine Hayes on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Tom Dee on 7/29/2023

What’s your No. 1 goal for retirement?

26 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: William Ehart on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Patrick Brennan on 7/29/2023

When should parents stop supporting their adult children?

11 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Joe Kesler on 4/14/2021   |   RECENT: Patrick Brennan on 7/1/2023

What would you happily buy even if it were twice the price?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: kristinehayes2014 on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Captain FI on 6/20/2023

Is it wise for everyday investors to buy individual stocks?

17 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: William Ehart on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: Captain FI on 6/20/2023

Is rental real estate a good investment?

13 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 5/14/2021
FIRST: Andrew Forsythe on 5/14/2021   |   RECENT: Captain FI on 6/20/2023

How much allowance should children receive?

7 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Catherine on 5/20/2021   |   RECENT: Bruce Keller on 4/30/2023

Should political views influence how we invest?

5 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: Bruce Keller on 4/30/2023

When does leasing a car make financial sense?

12 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/12/2021
FIRST: Rick Connor on 4/22/2021   |   RECENT: Bruce Keller on 4/30/2023

What purchase do you most regret?

20 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 3/20/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 3/20/2021   |   RECENT: mjflack on 4/23/2023

Is term life insurance always better than cash value?

7 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: Joe Kesler on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Mark Eckman on 4/1/2023

What obligations do we have to our heirs?

10 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 8/17/2021
FIRST: R Quinn on 8/17/2021   |   RECENT: alex scott on 11/6/2022

What financial advice would you give to those in their early 20s?

16 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/2/2021
FIRST: Jonathan Clements on 4/2/2021   |   RECENT: Philip Stein on 7/9/2022

Which financial markets are in a bubble, if any?

6 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: David Powell on 4/5/2021   |   RECENT: Kurt S on 7/17/2021

If you want long-run growth, is there an alternative to stocks?

5 replies

AUTHOR: Jonathan Clements on 4/4/2021
FIRST: John Goodell on 4/4/2021   |   RECENT: Mike Zaccardi on 4/20/2021

Comments:

  • Lucky you to be in Cambridge, England! Be sure to walk through Emmanuel College, admire the wonderful chapel designed by Christopher Wren, and then stroll a little farther to see the duck pond. My three years at Emma and at Cambridge were wonderful.

    Post: Those Who Follow by Jonathan Clements

    Link to comment from November 1, 2024

  • Perhaps two decades ago, at a party, I was accosted by a guy who knew I worked for The Wall Street Journal. He began spouting his litany of bad investment strategies -- timing the market, trading listed options, chasing hot stocks. I knew he was beyond saving, so I just listened. I later learned that he took my silence as a glowing endorsement of his foolishness.

    Post: O.K., I Give Up, You Win!

    Link to comment from November 1, 2024

  • I don't disagree -- the two world wars, with the Great Depression wedged in between, involved huge hardship. Still, I can imagine today's younger adults talking about the widespread fear generated by 9/11 and the Great Recession, and the national disruption caused by the pandemic.

    Post: Those Who Follow by Jonathan Clements

    Link to comment from November 1, 2024

  • You can find more info here: https://humbledollar.com/money-guide/retirement-accounts-2/

    Post: Is your net worth, worth it and what’s in it? RDQ

    Link to comment from November 1, 2024

  • And you don't think people complained a lot in the "good old days"? I know of no way to measure complaining now versus complaining 30 or 40 years ago, but I'm pretty sure the level of whining hasn't markedly changed because humans haven't markedly changed.

    Post: Those Who Follow by Jonathan Clements

    Link to comment from November 1, 2024

  • Unfortunately, education isn't enough. If it was, nobody would be overweight, nobody would smoke or drink to excess, and we'd all exercise regularly.

    Post: Things That Make Me Go, HUH?

    Link to comment from October 31, 2024

  • Thanks for your post's honesty, Dan. Looking back, I can think of many folks I've known who didn't quite fit in, but I simply didn't have the understanding that I have now. We still have a ways to go, but I like to think we're more accepting and more aware than we were 30 or 40 years ago.

    Post: Adult Autism

    Link to comment from October 30, 2024

  • You're right -- I made the fix.

    Post: That Final Payment

    Link to comment from October 30, 2024

  • Here's a brief recap of Mike's book that I wrote last year: https://humbledollar.com/2023/03/more-than-enough/

    Post: Before You Quit

    Link to comment from October 28, 2024

  • Without knowing all the details, I suspect there's an opportunity to improve the tax management of your aunt's affairs. For instance, if you figure out her tax bracket, you may want to make withdrawals from her 401(k) or IRA to get to the top of that tax bracket each year. Your aunt may even be paying very little in taxes because of large medical deductions, opening up the chance for even bigger withdrawals at a low income-tax rate.

    Post: A Better Direction? for Managing Someone Else’s Funds

    Link to comment from October 27, 2024

False Comparisons

Matt Halperin  |  Sep 12, 2024

THE BEST WAY TO WIN a contest for the largest tomato is to paint a cantaloupe red and hope the judges don’t notice, or so says an old adage.
What does that have to do with managing money? Newspapers and magazines frequently interview mutual fund managers who have beaten their competitors, and perhaps the S&P 500 as well. Fund-management firms will even run ads touting the performance of these funds.
These interviews sometimes prompt me to do my own research.

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Taking the Keys

Matt Halperin  |  Aug 7, 2024

DO YOU REMEMBER the headline, “Brooke Astor’s Son Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Her”? He swindled his famous mother out of millions, once by pocketing a $2 million commission on the sale of an Impressionist painting he purloined from her New York City apartment. She lived to age 105 but suffered from dementia.
F. Scott Fitzgerald purportedly said, “The rich are different than you and me.” But maybe not when it comes to elder fraud.

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Protecting My Sanity

Darius Foroux  |  Jul 20, 2024

I BEGAN INVESTING in the stock market in 2007. Within a year, I’d lost 60%. My response was like that of almost any human: I stopped investing.
That’s what happens to most people who start investing at the height of a bubble. They invest in something when everybody else does. And when everything comes crashing down, the pain of loss is so bad they swear they’ll never invest again. 
While I missed out on huge returns in the years that followed the financial crisis,

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Signs of the Times

Michael Berard  |  Jul 18, 2024

GETTING OLD CAN, after a while, get really old. Here are 30 ways I’m reminded that I’m no longer a spring chicken.

Life insurance salespeople burst into laughter when I inquire about a policy.
My house is so warm I can cook without using the oven.
As I walk past the neighborhood funeral parlor, the undertaker’s eyes light up.
Decades ago, all my doctors were stern, serious men. Now, my primary care physician is a woman with a great sense of humor—who was born after I retired.

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The Apprentice

Andy Clarke  |  Jun 29, 2024

WE MET IN THE GALLEY, the cafeteria in Vanguard Group’s nautical lexicon. Jack Bogle shook my hand. My pulse raced.
I’d learned about Vanguard’s founder while working at Morningstar. I’d read about him in Jonathan Clements’s Wall Street Journal columns. And I’d devoured his first book, Bogle on Mutual Funds.
“Where’d you go to college?” he asked. “Good board scores?”
We sat down, tucked into our meals—some sort of industrial casserole for me,

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A Painful Confession

William Housley  |  Jun 28, 2024

IT PAINS ME TO SAY this, but I hurt—everywhere. I’ll start at the bottom and work my way up. My feet hurt, my knees hurt, my hips hurt, my back hurts and my shoulders hurt. One more thing: I can’t remember. My memory is in decline.

Cataract surgery improved my eyesight. Hearing aids mean my grandkids don’t have to be two rooms over when we watch TV together. Exercise seems to reduce my pain slightly and increase mobility.

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Facing the Truth

Venicio Navarro  |  Jun 18, 2024

WHAT WAS MY DAD thinking when he asked me to help him and my mom with their finances? Did he expect me to give him money? Maybe.
Up until that moment, my dad handled the family finances. Both he and Mom were retired, though my mom still worked occasionally as an adjunct professor. My mom assumed things were okay, though I had my suspicions.
One day, I saw a credit card bill that showed a large outstanding balance,

Read More

Should We Worry?

Adam M. Grossman  |  Jun 16, 2024

BACK IN 2021, Keith Gill wasn’t well known. A video game enthusiast, he liked to spend time in his basement, day-trading and making videos. But with his online persona, Roaring Kitty, Gill drew a following that reached into the millions. He used that platform to direct attention to the shares of video game retailer GameStop, which was nearing insolvency. 

Gill’s videos drew enough attention in 2021 to cause a “short squeeze” in GameStop shares. The result: At least one hedge fund,

Read More

Where It Nets Out

Matt Halperin  |  Jun 11, 2024

I SOLD A MUTUAL FUND in my taxable account that was up an average 6% a year over the past 10 years—and ended up with a tax loss. That’s right, I took a loss on this international fund, even though it had returned 6% a year. How does that happen?
Suppose you bought one share of a mutual fund for $12 on Jan. 3. Over the course of the year, the fund’s investments fare well.

Read More

Sailing Away

Alina Fisch  |  Jun 8, 2024

I HAVE A FRIEND—we’ll call him Dave—who retired from Wall Street perhaps eight years ago, when he was in his early 50s. Soon after, he designed a sailboat and had it built, and he’s been sailing around the world ever since. In fact, judging from his Instagram updates, Dave is now on his second or third self-designed boat. Or is it a yacht? I don’t know anything about sailing.
At this point, you may be sighing with envy.

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What Mom Wrought

Google Gemini  |  May 29, 2024

GRIEF IS A HEAVY cloak, but when it’s entangled with the financial fallout of a loved one passing without a will, the weight can become unbearable. This was my reality when my mother passed away unexpectedly. There were no clear instructions, no designated beneficiaries, just a confusing mess of assets and debts that threatened to drown me in a sea of paperwork and emotional turmoil.
The Intricacies of Intestacy. Since Mom didn’t have a will,

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Seizing the Moment

ChatGPT  |  May 28, 2024

AS RETIREMENT approaches, one of the pivotal decisions many individuals face is when to start claiming Social Security benefits. It’s a choice that carries significant implications for financial security in the later stages of life. While the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security benefits is typically between 66 and 67, many opt to claim benefits as early as age 62. This was the case for my husband and me, and our decision was guided by a blend of personal circumstances and financial considerations.

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Bucking the Trend

Google Gemini  |  May 28, 2024

RETIREMENT. THE GOLDEN years. A time for travel, relaxation, and maybe a move to a quaint, low-maintenance condo. At least, that’s the image often portrayed. But for us, retirement wasn’t about shrinking our lives. We decided against the downsizing trend, opting to stay put in our familiar home filled with memories. Here’s why we chose comfort over perceived practicality:
The Heart of Our History. Our house isn’t just bricks and mortar; it’s a chronicle of our lives.

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All You Need Is Three

ChatGPT  |  May 27, 2024

IN THE DYNAMIC AND often volatile world of investing, simplicity can be a powerful ally. While the allure of complex strategies and exotic investments may seem appealing, many investors find themselves overwhelmed and underperforming as a result. Enter the three-fund portfolio—a straightforward, diversified approach that offers numerous benefits to investors of all levels. In this article, we delve into why investors should embrace this minimalist strategy and explore specific index funds that can help build a robust portfolio.

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Selling My Soul

Google Gemini  |  May 27, 2024

THE GLINT OF a polished mahogany desk, the thrill of a closing handshake—that’s the image they paint of being a financial advisor. But for many of us starting out, the reality was a cramped cubicle and the relentless pressure to churn out variable annuity sales. For five years, I was a cog in that machine, and let me tell you, the shine wears off fast.
The Allure of the Annuity. Fresh out of college,

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