I’m assuming that very few of you will be at your computers today (well, those of you who dwell in countries where Labor Day is observed probably won’t be reading blogs!), so I won’t be doing a regular Q&A post today.
However, if you have a question for an upcoming edition, do feel free to email me (the frugal girl {at} gmail {dot} com). Just put “Q&A” in the subject line so that I don’t lose it in my inbox. 😉
For now, I’ll leave you with a few quotes on thrift from Benjamin Franklin, via a post on Get Rich Slowly back in January.
“The art of getting riches consists very much of thrift. All men are not equally qualified for getting money, but it is in the power of every one alike to practice this virtue.”
“He that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.”
“Beware of little expenses “” a small leak will sink a great ship.”
“Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it.”
and one of my very favorites, because it’s the same idea expressed in my tagline, Cheerfully Living on Less:
“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”
Amen to that. A heart that can’t rejoice in its portion will probably never be satisfied no matter how large the portion, but a heart that has an attitude of contentment (and even rejoicing) is not dependent on the size of the portion for its happiness.
And that is a wonderfully freeing place to be.
BarbS
Tuesday 8th of September 2009
One more item of interest with regard to Ben Franklin, quoted from http://www.bripblap.com/2007/benjamin-franklin-the-original-personal-finance-blogger/
Franklin was a master of compound interest. He left 1000 pounds (about $5000 in today's money) to both Boston (his native city) and Philadelphia (where he lived most of his life) in his will. The condition? It could not be touched for 200 years. Those trusts grew to $2 million and $5 million for Philadelphia and Boston, respectively (big difference in investment portfolios, apparently). The trusts were used in Philadelphia for mortgage loans and scholarships and for the establishment of the Franklin Institute in Boston, a technical school. So a small amount saved today becomes a huge amount tomorrow.
Pretty darn good investment advice, no?
BarbS
Tuesday 8th of September 2009
I've read several times that Franklin did not follow his own advice with regard to finances, though I can't seem to find any particular reference or evidence to back that up. Many people say: do as he said, not as he did.
Also, it is interesting to note that although Franklin's public life was amazingly successful (over 20,000 people attended his funeral, which is a huge number for that day and age), his private life was not so fantastic. His focus on politics, as well as his long-term stays in Europe, resulted in a poor relationship with his wife. He had many affairs, some lasting for years or decades, and even had a sort of 'second family' in England. His illegitimate son William became the last pro-British governor of New Jersey.
I guess a man who had so many interests in life couldn't force himself to focus on one woman or one family. I consider this a major character flaw.
It does make me wonder about our modern presidents and politicians. While I cannot condone such conduct, how useful is our modern day focus on fidelity (and "outing" of infidelity) for policitians? Ahh... but that's the subject of an entirely different post, I suppose :-)
Battra92
Tuesday 8th of September 2009
Franklin is one of the true geniuses of 18th century America and along with John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. It is amazing that this country had such a great wealth of learned and enlightened men when today we have people who forget what John Adams once said, "There are two ways to enslave a nation: one by the sword, another is by debt."
But Franklin gives us a way out: "Industry pays debts while despair increases them." or as Algenon Sydney told us in "Discourses Concerning Government" way back in 1698 "God helps those who help themselves." ;-)
Kristin @ klingtocash
Monday 7th of September 2009
Love the quotes. It's amazing how little things change.
Happy Labor Day.
Susan
Monday 7th of September 2009
Kristen, I am from West Virginia and as you know...we have Labor Day...but, I checked my blogs out first thing this morning :-) Happy Labor Day :-)