| Franklin's core message was simple: wealth is not about luck or speculation. It's about behavior, discipline, and the intelligent use of time and resources. He had a knack for encapsulating his advice into pithy sayings: "A penny saved is a penny earned." This might be Franklin's most famous financial quote - and one of his most misunderstood. He didn't mean that hoarding pennies would make you rich. He meant that saving money is the same as making it. (Or perhaps better, since you don't have to pay income taxes on the money you don't spend.) Every dollar that stays with you can compound over time. In a world obsessed with high returns and hot tips, too many people overlook the simplest way to build wealth: spending less than you earn. "Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." Franklin was warning against lifestyle inflation long before credit cards or streaming subscriptions existed. Today, those "small leaks" show up as impulse Amazon purchases, overpriced lattes, and unused subscriptions. Cutting $5 here and $20 there may not seem like much. But over decades - especially when invested with discipline - those savings can snowball into a six- or even seven-figure portfolio. "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." Franklin believed deeply in the power of education - especially financial education. And in a world where people jump into crypto, options trading, or meme stocks with zero understanding of risk, his words are more relevant than ever. Learning about money - how it's made, how it grows, and how it's lost - is one of the highest-returning investments you can make. That includes understanding market cycles, the power of compounding, and the danger of emotional decision-making. "Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt." Today's culture doesn't just normalize debt - it encourages it. From student loans to credit cards to financing $70,000 SUVs, many Americans are drowning in obligations. Franklin saw debt for what it is: a chain around your future. That's not to say all debt is evil. Used strategically - to invest in real estate or to build a business - debt can be a tool. But consumer debt? That's the enemy of freedom. And Franklin knew that freedom - not just political, but financial - is the real American dream. "The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market: it depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality." This line comes from The Way to Wealth, Franklin's 1758 classic that distills his financial philosophy. It's about showing up every day, working hard, spending wisely, and letting time do the heavy lifting. Those are the very principles that Warren Buffett has used over the last 70 years. Benjamin Franklin didn't live to see the S&P 500. But he didn't need modern markets to understand the principles that make investors wealthy. His advice was rooted in discipline, education, and prudence - timeless ideas that apply whether you're trading tech stocks or buying your first rental property. In a world full of financial noise, Franklin's voice still cuts through. To learn more about this amazing man - and his timeless financial wisdom - be sure to pick up a copy of The Greatest American. You will come away enlightened about one of the country's greatest founders... and also about financial freedom as well. Amazon should ship within a week, but if you'd like to receive the book in time for Father's Day, you can order copies directly at a discount ($24 for the first copy, $19 for all additional copies) at Skousen Books at Discount. All copies are autographed and mailed at no extra charge inside the 50 states. Good investing, Alex | 
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