In my book, Wealth Virtues, I write a great deal on the value of understanding “wants” versus “needs.” That understanding is timeless, yet so many individuals and collectively, governments, fail at understanding this simple concept.
I present this writing from Benjamin Franklin, one of the great Founding Fathers of the United States, for 150 year old advice that is still relevant today.
Wealth Virtues Journal: July 5, 2010
Advice on Saving Money in Hard Times
Wealth Virtues Journal: June 8, 2010
Wealth Virtues Journal: May 27, 2010
Frugality Does Not Mean Doing Without
People often think that frugality means “doing without” and to deny the pleasurable things in life. Rather we need to look at it as a means of appreciating what we have, and to make the best use of our resources to accomplish goals we set for ourselves.
Getting Paid for Free Services
I have always been amazed at the means by which individuals and businesses are able to provide either deep cuts to the sale price of a product, or provide a “free” service to a customer that still makes them money. We often use the terms “mark-up”, “hidden costs”, or the more mercurial, “smoke and mirrors” to describe this.
Wealth Virtues Journal: May 26, 2010
CLEANLINESS: How Franklin’s 10th Virtue Helps to “Change” Your Financial Future
I use Franklin’s virtue of Cleanliness to make a point of how the practice of such virtues can lead to small gains. Small gains compounded lead to – larger gains.
