You've raised important points. Life does have a way of humbling all of us. At 76 and my husband who is 85, we lead an active and healthy life. This past spring, my scheduled knee replacement was canceled as a result of pre-op blood tests identifying issues, including severe anemia. More blood tests and then a CT scan identified a very large cancerous tumor on my kidney, and surgery removed the tumor and the kidney. Because it was a rare and aggressive form of cancer, I am now going through a year of Keytruda immunotherapy to make sure that all is clear. I am recovering well with no side effects, but it is a wake-up call that the “sharp left turn” can happen anytime in our lives and to make the best of every day and take nothing for granted. Your point about a care plan is also an important one. We live on an Adirondack lake in the summer and go South for the winter to avoid snow and cold. We have always planned to age in place because we love our home, but what happens when we can't travel, or become disabled? I've followed many of the Humble Dollar discussions about CCRC living and it just isn't what I want, but may become necessary. Your article, plus my health scare, will spark discussions for us as it's the reality of our future that we may need more help than is possible where we live. Our two children live on opposite coasts, so they are not nearby and we don't want to become a burden to them anyway. It's good that you didn't take the “sharp left turn,” and your setback is temporary. Thank you though for raising these good questions.
Jonathan, thank you for the positive financial as well as life impact you have had on so many people, including me. I will miss your articles, but will continue to follow so many other excellent writers of this column.
My parents started me on my interest in saving and investing as they were financially savvy. Jonathan and many writers of Humble Dollar continue to have a large influence. It is one of the first sites I read every morning, and I have followed Jonathan since his time at the Wall Street Journal. John Bogle is another. I like straightforward thinking with no hidden agenda to sell me something.
Comments
You've raised important points. Life does have a way of humbling all of us. At 76 and my husband who is 85, we lead an active and healthy life. This past spring, my scheduled knee replacement was canceled as a result of pre-op blood tests identifying issues, including severe anemia. More blood tests and then a CT scan identified a very large cancerous tumor on my kidney, and surgery removed the tumor and the kidney. Because it was a rare and aggressive form of cancer, I am now going through a year of Keytruda immunotherapy to make sure that all is clear. I am recovering well with no side effects, but it is a wake-up call that the “sharp left turn” can happen anytime in our lives and to make the best of every day and take nothing for granted. Your point about a care plan is also an important one. We live on an Adirondack lake in the summer and go South for the winter to avoid snow and cold. We have always planned to age in place because we love our home, but what happens when we can't travel, or become disabled? I've followed many of the Humble Dollar discussions about CCRC living and it just isn't what I want, but may become necessary. Your article, plus my health scare, will spark discussions for us as it's the reality of our future that we may need more help than is possible where we live. Our two children live on opposite coasts, so they are not nearby and we don't want to become a burden to them anyway. It's good that you didn't take the “sharp left turn,” and your setback is temporary. Thank you though for raising these good questions.
Post: The Humbling Side of Aging
Link to comment from May 31, 2026
Jonathan, thank you for the positive financial as well as life impact you have had on so many people, including me. I will miss your articles, but will continue to follow so many other excellent writers of this column.
Post: Four Thoughts
Link to comment from March 1, 2025
My parents started me on my interest in saving and investing as they were financially savvy. Jonathan and many writers of Humble Dollar continue to have a large influence. It is one of the first sites I read every morning, and I have followed Jonathan since his time at the Wall Street Journal. John Bogle is another. I like straightforward thinking with no hidden agenda to sell me something.
Post: Who has had the greatest influence on your financial thinking?
Link to comment from June 22, 2024