This simple piece of paper is everybody's favorite collectable. For many, it even equates to self-esteem to have a pocket full of these. For others, it equates to freedom to have a mitt-full to spend on whatever.

I love them too. The best feature for me is the portrait on the front... ole Ben Franklin.

Ben was an amazing guy. He attached a key to kite and flew it into a thunderstorm to prove that lightning was electricity. He invented the lightening rod to protect buildings from lightning. He invented bi-focals so us old folks could read and see the horizon at the same time. He invented the pot-bellied stove so people heat their homes without open fireplaces. He even invented daylight savings time so we could max out on vitamin D. He invented the odometer to tell how far his mail delivery coaches traveled.

He was instrumental in drafting the US constitution. He convinced France to aid the colonists in their fight for independence from England. Without that help, there would be no US of A.

He wrote one of the best self-help books around... his own autobiography. He was a printer and a publisher. He founded one of the first public libraries in America.

He was a down to earth and pragmatic philosopher. His succinct quotes stand out as key pieces of wisdom we can all use to enhance the quality of our lives.

"Failing to plan is planning to fail." Those who live their lives by accident instead of on purpose would do well to paste this simple piece of advice on their bathroom mirror where it could be seen at the start of every new day.

"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of." For those who spend time in front of their TV sets, paste this one on your TV screen.

"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." For the partiers in all of us.

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." For those who allow governments to pass things like the Patriot Act.

And for those who fear both life and death...

"If you would not be forgotten
as soon as you are dead and rotten,
either write things worth reading
or do things worth the writing."
~ Ben Franklin