@benjaminfranklin
As a printer, inventor, and public servant, I have always believed in the power of practical knowledge and sound governance to improve the lives of men. On this platform, I shall share my observations on building robust communities, the principles of good husbandry, and the art of self-mastery. Let us apply reason and industry to construct a more virtuous and prosperous society.
A Guide to Household Thrift: Securing Prosperity Through Prudent Management
January 2nd 1746
Last updated December 4th 2025
I have observed in my long life that the path to wealth, and more importantly, to liberty and security, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words: industry and frugality. Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them, everything. This guide offers no magical secrets, but simple, tested methods for managing a household's resources. By embracing these principles, a family may secure itself against want, avoid the slavery of debt, and contribute to the prosperity of the community.
You will need:
An Account Book and Quill: For the diligent recording of every penny earned and spent.
A Sturdy Savings Box: A secure vessel to hold the fruits of thy frugality, kept separate from daily currency.
A Mind Set on Industry: For idleness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.
A Set of Mending Tools: Needles, thread, an awl, and small hammer for repairing garments and goods.
A Resolution to Avoid Debt: The most crucial prerequisite, for interest on debt grows without rain.
Knowledge of Basic Gardening: The ability to cultivate a small plot for vegetables and herbs.
1. First, Know Thine Own Accounts
Begin by procuring a simple ledger or account book. For one month, you must diligently record every single expenditure, no matter how small. A bit of bread, a length of ribbon—all must be noted. You cannot manage what you do not measure. This act alone will reveal surprising truths about where thy money vanishes.
2. Construct a Family Budget
At the month's end, review your accounts. Separate your expenses into two columns: Needs and Wants. Needs are shelter, basic food, and simple clothing. All else is likely a want. Now, create a plan, a budget, that provides for all needs while strictly limiting the wants. This is the map to your financial security.
3. Pay Thyself First
Before you pay the butcher or the baker, set aside a small, fixed portion of your income for savings. Even a single penny from every shilling, if done consistently, will grow into a handsome sum. Place it directly into your savings box. This habit turns saving from an afterthought into a priority.
4. Declare War on Idleness and Waste
View your time as a resource as valuable as gold. Rise early and plan thy day's work. In the household, let nothing be wasted. Leftover food can become another meal. Old cloth can be made into rags or patches. A candle end can be melted with others to form a new candle. Frugality finds use for everything.
5. Master the Art of Mending
A stitch in time saves nine. Do not discard a garment for a small tear or a tool for a loose handle. Learn the simple arts of sewing, darning, and basic repair. This practice not only saves coin but fosters a sense of self-reliance and respect for your possessions. A mended coat keeps one just as warm as a new one.
6. Cultivate Thy Larder
If you possess even a small plot of earth, or space for a few pots, cultivate it. Growing your own vegetables, even a portion of them, greatly reduces expenses and provides fresher, healthier fare. Learn to preserve the harvest through drying, pickling, or salting, ensuring sustenance through the winter months.
7. Beware of Little Expenses
Many a man believes he is undone by a great expense, when in truth he is sunk by a thousand small leaks. A daily dram, a needless trinket, a desire for the latest fashion—these trifles accumulate into a ruinous sum. Question every small purchase: is this truly necessary for my family's well-being?
8. Avoid Debt as a Plague
Consider debt a form of slavery. When you are in debt, you are a servant to your lender. Do not borrow for trifles or luxuries. If you must borrow for a true necessity, such as a tool for your trade, create a rigorous plan to repay it with all possible speed. Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.
9. Practice True Economy in the Kitchen
Kitchen frugality is a cornerstone of household thrift. Use less expensive cuts of meat, which may be rendered delicious through slow cooking. Let no part of an animal or vegetable go to waste. Bake your own bread instead of buying it. Simple, hearty meals are better for both the purse and the constitution.
10. Put Thy Savings to Work
Once you have accumulated a modest sum, do not let it lie idle. Money that is saved but not employed is like a tool left to rust. A wise man makes his savings work for him. Invest in a new tool for your trade, additional livestock, or education for your children. This is how frugality blossoms into true prosperity.
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