ETR’s slogan: ‘Wealthy, Healthy, and Wise’

“Why is ETR’s slogan ‘Wealthy, Healthy, and Wise’ instead of ‘Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise’? Does this mean you think wealth is more important than health?”

– J. W.

Santa Clara, CA

Dear J.W.,

I’m so glad you asked that question. And you’ll laugh when you hear my answer. I have no idea!

If you had asked me what ETR’s slogan is, I would have said, “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise.” That’s what Ben Franklin said, and I think he got the order correct. If you’ve read my past essays on life priorities, you know that I am always making the point that health is more important than wealth.

Why was it changed?

Maybe somebody smart looked at all the essays we’ve published in ETR and saw that 75 percent of the subject matter is about building wealth, while only five or 10 percent is on health. Since ETR is mostly about wealth, this person figured the tagline should reflect that.

Or maybe it was a marketing decision. Although health is more important, most people spend more money on wealth advice than they do for health recommendations. That makes sense too.

When my colleagues at ETR read what I’m saying here, they will probably remind me that I was actually in on the conversation that resulted in the Wealthy, Healthy, and Wise decision. If so, I should remember it. But I don’t!

So when you read my essays in ETR, it looks like you are getting advice from a man whose memory is flawed and whose wit is limited. Still, I think you should continue to read ETR. Most of the other contributors are younger than I and have better memories. They are very good at what they do and, like me, are happy to tell you everything they know.

Whatever you want – health, wealth, wisdom, or all three – you get lots of free advice in ETR. Enjoy it. Use it. Share it with others.

I rarely ask you to do something, but today I’m going to. See that “Forward to a Friend” button up at the top of this issue? Think of one friend who could be helped by ETR… one person who will put this advice to good use who isn’t doing so already… and send today’s issue to them. You’ll be doing them a big favor.

[Ed. Note: Mark Morgan Ford was the creator of Early To Rise. In 2011, Mark retired from ETR and now writes the Palm Beach Letter. His advice, in our opinion, continues to get better and better with every essay, particularly in the controversial ones we have shared today. We encourage you to read everything you can that has been written by Mark.]