a penny saved is a penny earned - Wiktionary, the free dictionary


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First use appears c. 1804. See cite below. Commonly misattributed to Benjamin Franklin, who actually wrote "a penny saved is two pence clear."

a penny saved is a penny earned

  1. A maxim for thrift stating that money not spent may be spent later, or may earn interest in the meantime.
    Synonym: a penny saved is a penny gained

    • 1804, Joseph Huddart (the Elder), Swansea Harbour. Extracts from the [first] report of J. H. ... shewing his plan for the improvement thereof, dated 1794, page 13:

      I have reason to fear, that too many masters of ships forget that good old saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned".