AUTHOR: Linda Grady on 10/10/2024 FIRST: Ben Rodriguez on 10/10/2024 | RECENT: DrLefty on 10/12/2024
Comments
I’m surprised to read, Kathy, that you only joined HD in 2022: I would have sworn you were already here when I began reading and commenting in 2020. More important is how much I appreciated your CCRC article. It’s one of the few that I have printed, saved and copied so that I always have access to it in case of some computer or phone issue. I really didn’t understand the concept and the different types until you spelled it out. So glad you found the right one for you. Above all of this is my gratitude for your common sense approach to so many things and your personal encouragement as I begin to travel solo. None of this would have been possible without Jonathan Clements, so Thank You, Jonathan!
Thank you, Dana, for this wonderful idea of an HD Readers Tribute. I came across Humble Dollar in the immediate aftermath of my husband’s death in May, 2020, when I was closing his email account. I became an immediate reader and commenter. Despite my very limited knowledge of investing, I have found so much valuable advice and guidance here that I can truly say it has been life-changing. Jonathan’s occasional gentle prodding when the temperature on some topics was getting high were much appreciated, as was his insistence on civility. He set a fine example. Although he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, I’m certain that his detailed plans for the continuation of HD will be successful.
My sincere condolences to the Clements family on the loss of your dear Jonathan. I am grateful that I joined the HD community five years ago, when I especially needed just what was here, and will continue to be: financial and personal advice, camaraderie and, very importantly, civility. You are in my prayers.
Sorry to disagree with you, Dick, but my observation is that the things of lasting value, if you’re talking about objects/mementos/ jewelry, for the most part don’t mean much to children. Adult children /grandchildren is another story: My daughter cherishes and daily wears an inexpensive engraved locket that was a retirement gift to her great aunt. Like my daughter, Ethel Gunderson never had children of her own but devoted her life to teaching children K-2.
This was really helpful to me! Though I give modest gifts of cash and toys/experiences, etc., and spend quite a lot on travel to see one set of grandchildren, I always feel inadequate compared to the extremely wealthy other grandparents who live near the grandchildren and purchase whatever their heart’s desire and then some. I need to get over it. Thank you, Barb.
When reflecting on your career, Dick, either back then in 2018, or more recently, I often detect a sense of frustration that your efforts to educate and guide didn’t bear more fruit. I think it’s possible that you opened more doors than you know. Some of the employees might not have been ready to hear your message but may eventually have done more reading and independent research, leading to wiser investment decisions. Like you, I have completely lost touch with the vast majority of families to whom I provided health information, especially around early childhood development. But the few with whom I have maintained contact (5 or 6), continue to amaze me At the time of my interventions (non-mandated), I believed that few or none of them were destined for a good future with their children. It’s wonderful, years down the line (in two cases, 30+ years) to learn that I was wrong and the children are thriving with productive lives. Not due solely to my visits, of course, but due to their mothers’ determination to do better for their children than was done for them. You just never know where those seeds fell and how they may be thriving today.
I’m kind of in awe, Mike, that your grandmother was one of those who developed Head Start! As a retired Public Health Nurse whose career focused on home visits to very low income families, I appreciated what wonderful programs Head Start and now, Early Head Start, are. Parent involvement is typically required and for some parents, this was their first “work “ experience (even though it was volunteer). Coming from a middle class family, with very conservative values which generally eschewed any government “handouts,” I made sure to spread the word that the two government programs that should never be cut are Head Start and WIC, the nutritional food supplement program for pregnant women, lactating women and children up to age five. Kudos to your grandmother who started something that has benefited millions. (I got into a political argument with my brother in law when he said HS wasn’t “worth it “ because studies show that HS didn’t increase college admissions for its participants. Not the point, buddy! Fortunately, he learned not to jeopardize our generally good relationship by ever bringing it up again 😂).
Grateful as always for your wisdom. In the few short years that I’ve been reading and commenting, you and the other HD contributors have sustained me beyond measure. Recently I began keeping a daily gratitude journal that was suggested here. It’s become a reliable self-help tool. Thank you for the update.
Comments
I’m surprised to read, Kathy, that you only joined HD in 2022: I would have sworn you were already here when I began reading and commenting in 2020. More important is how much I appreciated your CCRC article. It’s one of the few that I have printed, saved and copied so that I always have access to it in case of some computer or phone issue. I really didn’t understand the concept and the different types until you spelled it out. So glad you found the right one for you. Above all of this is my gratitude for your common sense approach to so many things and your personal encouragement as I begin to travel solo. None of this would have been possible without Jonathan Clements, so Thank You, Jonathan!
Post: Thank you, Jonathan
Link to comment from September 28, 2025
Thank you, Dana, for this wonderful idea of an HD Readers Tribute. I came across Humble Dollar in the immediate aftermath of my husband’s death in May, 2020, when I was closing his email account. I became an immediate reader and commenter. Despite my very limited knowledge of investing, I have found so much valuable advice and guidance here that I can truly say it has been life-changing. Jonathan’s occasional gentle prodding when the temperature on some topics was getting high were much appreciated, as was his insistence on civility. He set a fine example. Although he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him, I’m certain that his detailed plans for the continuation of HD will be successful.
Post: Thank you, Jonathan
Link to comment from September 28, 2025
Thank you, Catherine, for sharing your backstory. I always appreciate your contributions and learning of your children’s progress as well as your own.
Post: Thank you, Jonathan
Link to comment from September 25, 2025
My sincere condolences to the Clements family on the loss of your dear Jonathan. I am grateful that I joined the HD community five years ago, when I especially needed just what was here, and will continue to be: financial and personal advice, camaraderie and, very importantly, civility. You are in my prayers.
Post: Farewell Friends
Link to comment from September 22, 2025
😃 And I bet you had fun watching him win!
Post: Musk and Me: A Tale of Second Best
Link to comment from September 11, 2025
Sorry to disagree with you, Dick, but my observation is that the things of lasting value, if you’re talking about objects/mementos/ jewelry, for the most part don’t mean much to children. Adult children /grandchildren is another story: My daughter cherishes and daily wears an inexpensive engraved locket that was a retirement gift to her great aunt. Like my daughter, Ethel Gunderson never had children of her own but devoted her life to teaching children K-2.
Post: What They Don’t Tell You About Retirement: Part 2 – Grandchildren Are Expensive
Link to comment from September 6, 2025
This was really helpful to me! Though I give modest gifts of cash and toys/experiences, etc., and spend quite a lot on travel to see one set of grandchildren, I always feel inadequate compared to the extremely wealthy other grandparents who live near the grandchildren and purchase whatever their heart’s desire and then some. I need to get over it. Thank you, Barb.
Post: What They Don’t Tell You About Retirement: Part 2 – Grandchildren Are Expensive
Link to comment from September 6, 2025
When reflecting on your career, Dick, either back then in 2018, or more recently, I often detect a sense of frustration that your efforts to educate and guide didn’t bear more fruit. I think it’s possible that you opened more doors than you know. Some of the employees might not have been ready to hear your message but may eventually have done more reading and independent research, leading to wiser investment decisions. Like you, I have completely lost touch with the vast majority of families to whom I provided health information, especially around early childhood development. But the few with whom I have maintained contact (5 or 6), continue to amaze me At the time of my interventions (non-mandated), I believed that few or none of them were destined for a good future with their children. It’s wonderful, years down the line (in two cases, 30+ years) to learn that I was wrong and the children are thriving with productive lives. Not due solely to my visits, of course, but due to their mothers’ determination to do better for their children than was done for them. You just never know where those seeds fell and how they may be thriving today.
Post: This post contains a secret and words I used in a few forum posts ago. Why is it not encouraging.
Link to comment from September 3, 2025
I’m kind of in awe, Mike, that your grandmother was one of those who developed Head Start! As a retired Public Health Nurse whose career focused on home visits to very low income families, I appreciated what wonderful programs Head Start and now, Early Head Start, are. Parent involvement is typically required and for some parents, this was their first “work “ experience (even though it was volunteer). Coming from a middle class family, with very conservative values which generally eschewed any government “handouts,” I made sure to spread the word that the two government programs that should never be cut are Head Start and WIC, the nutritional food supplement program for pregnant women, lactating women and children up to age five. Kudos to your grandmother who started something that has benefited millions. (I got into a political argument with my brother in law when he said HS wasn’t “worth it “ because studies show that HS didn’t increase college admissions for its participants. Not the point, buddy! Fortunately, he learned not to jeopardize our generally good relationship by ever bringing it up again 😂).
Post: This post contains a secret and words I used in a few forum posts ago. Why is it not encouraging.
Link to comment from September 3, 2025
Grateful as always for your wisdom. In the few short years that I’ve been reading and commenting, you and the other HD contributors have sustained me beyond measure. Recently I began keeping a daily gratitude journal that was suggested here. It’s become a reliable self-help tool. Thank you for the update.
Post: Health Update
Link to comment from September 2, 2025