At first this article may seem a little off topic, more about the history of personal financial management than an actual financial management tip.
Then again we can always learn from history.
Notably one of this country's greatest forefathers was Benjamin Franklin.
He was a scientist, politician, writer and inventor.
We owe him for bifocals, the lightning rod, the concept of a library and the armonica, a beautiful sounding glass musical instrument.
Franklin was also the author of his day's version of a blog called Poor Richard's Almanac under the pen name of Richard Saunders.
While many are aware of this, fewer are aware that he also penned a document called Father Abraham's Sermons, also known as The Way to Wealth.
Some modern sayings you have heard, have roots in Franklin's writings including a few you may have heard:

• "There are no gains, without pains"
• "Time is money"
• "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"
• "A penny saved is two pence dear"

In today's economy with increased awareness of the need to be financially conservative there is another of Franklin's sayings that should be heeded.
"Buy what thou hast no need of, and e're long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
" He was passing along wise words.
To modernize this phrase you might say "Wasting money on things that you have no need for, and before long you may have to sell the things you need.
" The news is peppered with stories of people who have had to sell their cars, boats, jewelry and even their homes to make it through this recession.
Granted many of these desperate people we have heard of were in crazy interest-only loans for homes that they should never have purchased.
Then again many of these stories are about innocent victims from the domino effect.
They have lost their jobs because their customers lost theirs.
Some bad decisions were made by our government, big business and individuals.
As a result we are experiencing record breaking unemployment and layoffs.
If the recession has not directly affected you, it should still be a wake up call.
Bad habits are made in good times, good habits are made in bad times.
Even if the recession has passed you by, you should review your finances and spending habits.
If you have already adjusted your spending habits, look again.
If you have made big changes and think there is no more, keep looking.
There is always another way to save one more dollar.
If you want to build wealth you must understand: It is not about what you make, it is about what you keep!