# a penny saved is a penny earned

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/a-penny-saved-is-a-penny-earned
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

Money you save today you can spend later

## Origin

Often credited to Benjamin Franklin; earlier forms such as 'a penny saved is a penny got' appear in the 17th century (e.g. George Herbert's Outlandish Proverbs, 1640). (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.