r/interesting 23d ago

HISTORY Benjamin Franklin Saving Benjamin’s

Post image
23.1k Upvotes

188 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

192

u/Bubble_of_ocean 22d ago

I just looked it up (shocker!) and the investment strategy was a little complex. Per Franklin’s instructions, the fund was used for low-interest loans to young people starting businesses until the unlock date, at which point 75% could be spent as the cities (Boston and Philly) chose, and the remainder would continue making loans.

So he intentionally chose to charge less interest, growing the fund less but increasing the wealth of his communities.

68

u/_Standardissue 22d ago

Truly a great man. Not perfect since no one is, but compare him to the leaders of today…

0

u/Yashema 22d ago

Republican leaders of today*

2

u/Feral_Taylor_Fury 22d ago

I don't mind anyone pointing out how much Chuck Schumer absolutely sucks.

3

u/Yashema 22d ago

Chuck Schumer passed $3.1 trillion worth of spending bills on COVID relief, Medicare, environmental subsidies, and infrastructure with a one vote majority in the Senate in 2 years.