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In today's marketplace where money is scarce, buy only what you need, should be the first and best rule on how to wisely spend money. We've often heard it said that money is not everything; nor is it the beginning and the ending of everything. And while that may be true, not having enough complicates the process of entering this world and taking leave of it. Hospital bills need be paid and funerals are really expensive these days.

With thoughts like these to jump start my thinking process about money, my mind wanders to the many ways we think of money. In other words, how do we go about making better sense, [cents, scent] of it; How do we learn not to squander it; how can we legitimately earn more of it; and how can we keep our general hoard from going rancid?

A ha I have it. I will let the quotations from others guide me into compiling my list of rules. From their essence I will extract something of value that I can pass on to others. I will do this honorably; I will pay my benefactors, the authors of the quotes, the common courtesy of giving them the credit for whatever inspiration they bring my way.

Bless the memory of Old Ben. Benjamin Franklin knew his words and he knew money and he knew how to spend it, according to the many authors who have written about him. What says he about honest dealings?

"He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money."

Rule 1.
The first principle of money is to earn it honestly. Do not cheat your employer by shirking and not doing a full day's work. They, the owners of the business who writes your check, need to have employees that they can trust. An efficient and trustworthy employee is worth his weight in gold. Do not steal from them by sneaking out supplies behind their back, or taking coffee and lunch breaks longer than is allowed.

"The Mint makes it first, it's up to you to make it last".

Rule 2:
The American humorist Evan Eser gets my thanks for the second rule which is to save a little from each paycheck, even if it's only a dollar. You must stay ahead of the money game. Hopefully, you will save more than this. You will need this cushion for the times when the unexpected bills come in.

"Make money your god and it will plague you like the devil." The author who warns us: Henry Fielding

Rule 3:
The author who warned us about the stench of money was Henry Fielding. Know and understand the value of money and spend it wisely but don't make making money your reason for existence.

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