Have you heard of Warren Buffett?
If not, it’s time to introduce you to him. Known as the “Sage of Omaha” Buffett is now in his nineties and commands recognition as probably the world’s shrewdest investor. He has amassed a fortune of over $100 billion dollars, mainly through his role as chairman and CEO of the Omaha (Nebraska) headquartered conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway.
People hang on his every word, his annual letter to shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway is highly valued and their annual shareholder’s meeting has grown into an enormous event, attracting crowds some years (before Covid) in excess of 40,000 people!
One of his great attributes is his willingness to share investment advice and knowledge, which is often delivered through memorable quotes that have stood the test of time. We’ve captured a few of them below, under three of the main themes that he refers to frequently.
What is Warren Buffett known for?
Warren Buffett, known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” is an American businessman and philanthropist, widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century. He has amassed a personal fortune of more than $60 billion by defying prevailing investment trends.4 Apr 2023
What is Warren Buffett’s famous quote?
Investing Advice: The importance of time
The theme of Time runs through many of Buffett’s best quotes. He said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” The lesson is that investing is like waiting for a tree to grow. Don’t expect quick results – it takes years of careful nurturing and patience. The rewards will be evident after many years.
He also said, “If you aren’t willing to own a stock for 10 years, don’t even think about owning it for 10 minutes.” In this quote, Buffett explains that success for the average investor is achieved through long-term investing, as opposed to trying to achieve quick wins through short-term bets.
He also came out with the memorable quote that some things (investments) just cannot be rushed, when he said, “No matter how great the talent or efforts, some things just take time. You can’t produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant.”
Investing Advice: You must understand “Risk”
Warren Buffett places tremendous store on taking time out every day for reading and just thinking. He doesn’t believe in rash decisions, instead, his decisions tend to be based on strong research and education. He said, “Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.” Taking your time and taking wise, careful decisions reduces your investment risk.
When giving investment advice his Golden Rule is, “Rule No. 1 is never lose money. Rule No. 2 is never forget Rule No. 1.” He is not advising that you invest in assets that never fall in value. Instead he is advocating a risk based portfolio that offers meaningful potential to increase in value over a reasonable timeframe. He avoids taking unnecessary risk such as investing in single or speculative assets that can lead to catastrophic losses. If you want to make money, you need to preserve your capital over any reasonable timeframe.
Investing Advice: Don’t let your own behaviours get in the way
Buffett is a real believer that our own behaviours greatly influence our investment outcomes. Time and again, we see novice investors getting greedy as market prices rise and buying in when stocks / property etc. are very expensive. Likewise after market crashes, we see uneducated, fearful investors sell up at a low price when this is the best time to be greedy and buy in. He captured this as, “I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.”
Despite his vast wealth, Warren Buffett is a simple man – he eats at McDonald’s for breakfast every day (and spends no more than $3.17 each time). He also still lives in the same house he bought for just $31,500 in Omaha, Nebraska in 1958. He has also pledged to give away 99% of his wealth during his lifetime. His take on this which is a lesson for us all is, “I’ll give my kids enough money so that they would feel they could do anything, but not so much that they could do nothing.”
There are lessons in here for all of us.
Factors you should consider when choosing a savings and investment product
When you choose a savings and investment product, whether it’s a deposit account or an investment fund, there will be a number of different things to consider:
- What’s the recommended minimum savings and investment term for the product?
Some products may be suitable for short-term investment, while others may require you to take a longer-term view. - What kind of access will I have to my money?
Some products offer immediate access while others may lock up your money for a particular period.
- Does this product provide income or capital growth?
Some products may be geared to provide regular income along the way, while others provide the opportunity for capital growth. - What is the associated investment risk?
Some products may guarantee to return your full investment while others may involve a risk of getting back less than you put in. - How will my returns be taxed?
The income and/or capital gain you earn may be taxed in different ways, depending on the type of product.
For example, deposit interest may be subject to Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) while gains from life assurance savings and investment policies are subject to an ‘exit tax’ deduction before payment to you.
Investments can be complex but getting the right fund for you can make a serious difference to your eventual return, especially for longer-term savings and investments.
Your Trusted Financial Advisor will be able to guide you through the different options available to you. Based on their knowledge of your financial circumstances, your goals, and your attitude to risk, they can help you choose a particular product that will meet your requirements and help you achieve your financial objectives. Check this out for more on saving and investing.
Advice First Financial Advisors Donegal
- If you are interested in investing for your future but are not sure where to start get in touch with Advice First Donegal and speak to one of our expert Financial Advisors today! Click here to get in touch!
- If you are planning on investing with retirement goals in mind, see our Retirement Planning page.
Get Advice
Talk to us now and make an appointment with one of our Letterkenny team of trusteed Financial Advisors. We are here to help with your Financial Planning Concerns. Ask us questions on Retirement & Pension, Life Insurance & Protection, Mortgages, and Investment Advice. Get in touch here or give us a call at 074 910 3938.
Financial Services firms in Ireland are regulated by the Central Bank.
For the latest updates and financial news, connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
