We know Benjamin Franklin well for his aphorisms. He is highly quoted when it comes to making and spending money. What’s interesting is that this advice was given more that 200 years ago, and it still makes sense in today’s world. In one of his many essays, Benjamin writes on the art of frugality during the hard times. Here is an excerpt:
Advice on Saving Money in Hard Times, 1756
As I spent some Weeks last Winter in visiting my old Acquaintance in the Jerseys, great Complaints I heard for lack of money, and that leave to make more paper bills could not be obtained. Friends and Countrymen, my advice on this head shall cost you nothing, and if you will not be angry with me for giving it, I promise you not to be offended if you do not take it.
You spend yearly at least Two Hundred Thousand Pounds, ’tis said, in European, East-Indian, and West-Indian Commodities: Supposing one half of this expense to be in Things absolutely necessary, the other half may be call’d Superfluities, or at best, conveniences, which however you might live without for one little year, and not suffer exceedingly. Now to save this half, observe these few directions.
1. When you incline to have new clothes, look first well over the old ones, and see if you cannot shift with them another year, either by scouring, mending, or even patching if necessary. . . .
2. When you incline to buy China Ware, Chintzes, India Silks, or any other of their flimsey slight manufacturers, I would not be so hard with you, as to insist on your absolutely resolving against it; all I advise, is, to put it off (as you do your Repentance) till another Year; and this, in some Respects, may prevent an Occasion of Repentance.
3. If you are now a drinker of Punch, Wine or Tea, twice a day; for the ensuing year drink them but once a day. If you now drink them but once a day, do it but every other day. If you do it now but once a week, reduce the practice to once a fortnight. And if you do not exceed in quantity as you lessen the times, half your expense in these articles will be saved.
4thly and lastly, when you incline to drink rum, fill the glass half with water.
Thus at the year’s end, there will be An Hundred Thousand Pounds more money in your country.