I’m using this expression as a companion to a commentary about saving and interest rates. According to the Phrase Finder its obvious meaning is, “It is useful to save money that you have as it is to earn more. Forms have been around a long time. George Herbert’s Outlandish Proverbs observed in 1633 “A penny spar’d is twice got.” Deciding to save instead of spend puts you a penny up instead of a penny down, thus “twice got.” The expression evolved to the current form, which is said is incorrectly attributed to Benjamin Franklin. The obvious wonderful message of the expression is that saving instead of spending is a really good idea.