Perficio

A Digital Personal Development Coach for Self-Help

Ben is Back

(and better than ever)

The Way to Wealth

Original: Benjamin Franklin

Originally published in 1758 as a preface to the anniversary edition of Poor Richard's Almanack, The Way to Wealth is a collection of personal finance lessons and advice organized into a speech given by Father Abraham (Ben Franklin’s alter-ego) to a crowd at an auction. The "greatest hits" that Father Abraham shares in a fast-and-furious manner are tied together by by the universal themes of industry, care, frugality, and knowledge.

Course Syllabus

In the first lesson of The Way to Wealth, Ben Franklin introduces you to Father Abraham, your guide for all the personal finance teachings in The Way to Wealth.

In addition to addressing the three (3) worst character flaws, you will learn about the importance of accepting advice and taxes.

Teachings 1 - 4

  1. Idleness
  2. Pride
  3. Folly
  4. Action

In lesson 2, Father Abraham discusses the most valuable thing in the world from multiple angles — including how to have more of it by avoiding idleness and sloth and being disciplined.

In addition to addressing the three (3) worst character flaws, you will learn about the importance of accepting advice and taxes.

Teachings 5 - 15

  1. Activity
  2. Time
  3. More time
  4. Lost time
  5. Enough time
  6. Clarity
  7. Sloth leads to difficulty
  8. Setting the tone
  9. The effect of laziness
  10. Taking charge
  11. The earlier the better

In lesson 3, Father Abraham will uncover a truth many find unsettling: EVERYTHING has an associated cost. However, if you want to reach your goals, accepting this fact and modifying your behavior accordingly will be the difference between success and failure.

In addition, you will learn about the (hidden) treasure right beneath your nose, thinking about yourself as both a master and servant, and the importance of restraint and industriousness.

Teachings 16 - 25

  1. The most important time to act
  2. Everything has a cost
  3. Do your best
  4. Industry feeds
  5. Never despair
  6. There are no excuses
  7. The value of today
  8. Be your own master and servant
  9. Only your best will do
  10. Faith and persistence

“Leisure is the time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent person will obtain the lazy one never.”
— Ben Franklin

Teachings 26 - 29

  1. Choosing leisure well
  2. Leisure and laziness are two different things
  3. The better the industry/the better the leisure
  4. Good work gets good attention

In lesson 5, Father Abraham addresses a common misconception of what you need to have, as well as how to become your own master and the importance of care.

Teachings 30 - 37

  1. Be steady and manage your own affairs
  2. Establish yourself and be settled
  3. Be proactive
  4. You must take responsibility
  5. Become the master
  6. Care is more valuable than knowledge
  7. Check and verify / serve yourself
  8. Care is your greatest responsibility

In lesson 6, Father Abraham reveals how making money is only one part of the secret to getting wealth — oftentimes the least important! Focusing on frugality, vice, and folly are far more instrumental in your long-term financial successes.

Teachings 38 - 44

  1. Saving and spending
  2. Carefully review expenses
  3. Vice and deceit increase the cost
  4. Assess the true value
  5. Necessary and unnecessary purchases
  6. Avoid wasteful expenses
  7. Learn from the mistakes of others

In lesson 7, Father Abraham discusses the importance of knowing the value of things, living within your means, and always exercising prudence.

Teachings 45 - 48

  1. Seek the necessities
  2. Avoid borrowing
  3. Replenish as you go
  4. Learning the value

You know that your ego is not your amigo, but are you able to outsmart it?

In lesson 8, Father Abraham discusses why, when you think you are fooling other people, the worst fool is always yourself. Plus, you will learn how to avoid falling prey to the danger of your own pride.

Teachings 49 - 53

  1. Purse and dress
  2. Deadlines of pride / the first is the trap
  3. Humility is essential
  4. Vanity becomes contempt
  5. Pride starts a downward fall and it was never worth it

To borrow or not to borrow? That is not the question because the answer is almost always NO!

Teachings 54 - 60

  1. Avoid debt
  2. Debt brings more than owing
  3. Beware debt’s oppression
  4. Creditors don’t forget
  5. Avoid loans / resist lavishness
  6. Think expenses through
  7. Better to sacrifice than to go into debt

In the final lesson of The Way to Wealth, Father Abraham will remind you that you are given many resources, so it is important that you not waste any. By applying your knowledge and wisdom, you can take what you have and use it accomplish your financial goals.

Teachings 61 - 64

  1. Reality
  2. Being helped
  3. Recidivism
  4. Persistence

Say Hello to Your Instructors

Think of them as your personal development success team

Your Teacher for The Way to Wealth:

Benjamin Franklin (as played by Barry Stevens)

Prior to discovering his second career as a modern-day Benjamin Franklin, Barry Stevens was a budget expert at the United States Treasury Department. In addition to re-enacting Ben Franklin several times a month for the public, Barry spends his spare time researching and learning everything he can about "The First American."

Read Barry's full bio →

Phineas, Ben Franklin's sidekick (as played by Tony Petrozza)

Phineas is Ben Franklin's fictional sidekick in Perficio's debut self-help course The Way to Wealth. Phineas was conceptualized and brought to life by Tony Petrozza, the creator of Perficio, co-founder and executive director of Auxillium (Perficio's parent company), and a trained actor.

Read Tony's full bio →

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

— Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth