He might have billions of dollars to his name, but unlike other celebrities and financial gurus, Warren Buffett prefers to live life simply.
The Oracle of Omaha won't be found living in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills, collecting a fleet of fancy sports cars or dining daily on foie gras and caviar. The investing icon practices what he preaches when it comes to financial discipline, saving and paying off debt.
Simple living can pay off in the inflationary environment that's emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Buffett warned a livestream audience of over 28 million during Berkshire Hathaway's May 1 annual meeting that "substantial inflation" is hitting both retail prices and wholesale prices being charged to businesses.
Singling out Berkshire Hathaway's homebuilding investments, Buffett said, “We’ve got nine homebuilders ... we really do a lot of housing. The costs are just up, up, up. Steel costs, you know, just every day they’re going up.”
When one of the world's most successful investors raises concerns about rising prices, it's likely time to apply some well-tested strategies to tighten your belt.
Here are nine ways Buffett's frugality can help you save and spend wisely.
1. He lives in the same home he bought back in 1958
While most billionaires bulk up on expensive real estate, Buffett originally paid $31,500 for his Omaha, Nebraska, home — that’s around $288,700 in today’s dollars — and he’s lived there for over 60 years.
His home is by no means tiny, however. The 6,570-square-foot, five-bedroom home has had plenty of renovations and additions over the decades and is worth about $1 million today. It’s also protected by fences and security cameras and most likely has a good homeowner’s insurance policy as well.
Buffett has no plans to move out, calling it “the third best investment I ever made,” in a 2010 letter to Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders.
2. He rarely takes out loans
Buffett’s one-and-only mortgage was on a vacation home in Laguna Beach, California, which he purchased in 1971, although he certainly had the cash to afford the $150,000-listed seaside property.
He told CNBC that he took out the 30-year-mortgage loan because, “I thought I could probably do better with the money than have it be an all equity purchase of the house.” He decided to use the extra cash on-hand for shares in Berkshire Hathaway — the company that brought him billions — instead.
Buffett's point about not locking up capital still resonates. And if you own your home, you have options to free up some of your own capital by refinancing at today's historically low mortgage rates. A switch today can save you thousands of dollars a year.
3. He buys breakfast cheap
While Buffett could simply hire a personal chef to cook him gourmet meals, he often grabs his breakfast from Mickey D’s on his way to work. He doesn’t spend more than $3.17 on his morning meal.
“When I’m not feeling quite so prosperous, I might go with the $2.61, which is two sausage patties, and then I put them together and pour myself a Coke,” he says in HBO's documentary Becoming Warren Buffett. ”$3.17 is a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit, but the market’s down this morning, so I’ll pass up the $3.17 and go with the $2.95.”
Instead of going out for big meals or buying a latte from Starbucks every day, just make your own lunches and coffee. You can even get rewarded for buying your groceries and earn cash back for future spending.
4. He buys marked-down cars
Many billionaires and millionaires keep a collection of flashy sports cars and vintage models in their garages, but Buffett allegedly prefers fixed-up automobiles that he can acquire at reduced prices.
He upgraded from his 2006 Cadillac DTS to a Cadillac XTS for just $45,000 in 2014. "The truth is, I only drive about 3,500 miles a year so I will buy a new car very infrequently,” he admitted to Forbes.
Whether you’re opting for a brand-new car or a slightly-used model, you shouldn’t overspend on vehicles, so don’t go for the first loan you spot and look around for better deals. Make sure to shop for auto insurance rates every six months as well.
5. He doesn’t splurge on brands
Buffett doesn’t much care for designer suits or the latest iPhone model — he relied on his $20 flip-phone for years before swapping it out for the Apple smartphone in 2020. And despite the upgrade, he doesn’t use any of the iPhone’s fancier functions.
Buffett avoids unnecessary spending and once said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”
Park your funds in a high-yield savings account so they can accumulate interest and grow over time. Set aside your extra cash for an emergency fund or retirement instead of blowing it all on big purchases.
6. He doesn’t invest with borrowed money (anymore)
“I’ve never borrowed a significant amount of money in my life. Never. Never will. I’ve got no interest in it,” he told students at Notre Dame in 1991.
Although a young Buffett once borrowed 25% of his net wealth to buy shares, he warns investors against repeating the same mistake.
Even skilled stock traders will tell you borrowing to invest can be risky. And with easily downloadable apps, like this one that lets you invest your "spare change" and turn your pennies into profits, there's no real need.
7. He does what he loves
Buffett credits some of his success to his passion for investing. “You have to love something to do well at it,” he says, urging people to take the jobs they love, instead of positions that look good on your resume.
Even if you can’t quit your full-time job to focus on the things you truly enjoy, you can certainly find the time for some affordable hobbies. Buffett himself enjoys card games and playing the ukulele.
And if you’re looking for a way to boost your income, capitalize on your skills and hobbies and set up your own side hustle.
8. He finds creative ways to save
When Buffett’s first child was born, he converted a dresser drawer into a bassinet. For his second, he borrowed a crib.
“If you buy things you don’t need, you will soon sell things you need,” the billionaire says. Buffett watches out for the small expenses before they can add up and comes up with creative solutions to avoid spending more than he has to.
Take a good, hard look at your finances and figure out where you can cut down on. Get yourself a library card and borrow books and movies instead of purchasing them. Or download a budgeting app to monitor your spending habits.
9. He uses cash, not credit
While most of us prefer the convenience of a credit card for our everyday purchases, Buffett uses hard cash.
In fact, he told Yahoo! Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer in 2019 that he uses cash “98% of the time. If I’m in a restaurant, I’ll always pay cash. It’s just easier.” While the method may sound a bit old-school, relying less on your credit card can help prevent spending money you don’t have.
Using most of your available credit and falling behind on your monthly payments damages your credit score. If you’re struggling to pay off your credit-card debt, you might want to consider bundling it up into a debt consolidation loan with a lower interest rate.
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