Warren Buffett at 95: Get rich slowly, live deeply, invest in yourself

(Dan Tri) - At the age of 95, Warren Buffett is not only an investment legend but also a master of the art of living. His advice is a compass that helps many people to be both successful and peaceful.

During an informal lunch, Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, asked Warren Buffett: "Your investment thesis is so simple. Why doesn't everyone copy it?" The Oracle of Omaha smiled and replied with a now-classic quote: "Because no one wants to get rich slowly."

That short answer not only encapsulates the investment philosophy that has built Buffett's enormous fortune, but also reveals a profound secret to life: True success, whether financial or in life, requires patience and a long-term vision.

Over the past 95 years, Buffett has been famous not only as a legendary investor but also as someone who possesses the secrets to living a better life (Photo: Forbes).

"Pay Yourself First": The Foundation of Financial Freedom

For the middle class, Buffett's top financial advice isn't about lofty strategies, but about starting with a basic habit: "Pay yourself first." He once emphasized at an annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway: "Don't save what's left after spending, but spend what's left after saving."

This is a revolutionary mindset shift. Instead of thinking of savings as a surplus, prioritize it as a "bill" that must be paid for your own future as soon as you receive your salary. The rest is used for spending. This principle, combined with cutting unnecessary expenses and living frugally, creates a solid financial foundation, a stepping stone towards sustainable wealth.

So where should your savings go? Buffett offers surprisingly simple advice for most people: "Continue to buy a low-cost S&P 500 index fund. Keep buying, no matter what, especially when the market is tough."

This is the embodiment of the "get rich slow" philosophy. Instead of trying to "beat the market," investors patiently accumulate wealth by betting on the overall growth of the US economy over the long term.

The Most Important Investment: The People Around You

Buffett's success is not just about numbers. He has always affirmed the power of relationships and surroundings. "It is better to associate with people who are better than you. Choose associates whose behavior is better than yours, and you will automatically move in that direction," he shared at the 2004 Shareholders' Meeting.

This advice was bluntly added by his longtime colleague, Charlie Munger: "If this causes you to temporarily lose favor with your peer group, then so be it."

According to Buffett, when choosing someone to work with or befriend, look for three qualities: Intelligence, energy, and integrity. He especially emphasizes the last factor: "If they lack integrity, you don't need to pay attention to the first two."

This is a valuable lesson for everyone, from business leaders to ordinary employees. The environment and the people you interact with on a daily basis will either shape or erode you. Investing in quality relationships is investing in a better version of yourself.

Living a Life Worthwhile: "Working Backwards from the Obituary"

Even on the other side of the slope of life, Warren Buffett still shared: "I feel better about the second half of my life than the first half." His secret is to constantly learn from mistakes and move on. "Don't beat yourself up about past mistakes, but learn at least a little from them and move on. It's never too late to improve."

One of the most profound life lessons he shared was to think about your legacy. He told the story of Alfred Nobel, who was horrified to read a false obituary about him, describing him as a "merchant of death." That event motivated Nobel to change his life, donating his fortune to establish the prestigious Nobel Prize.

From this story, Buffett advises: "Don't wait for a newspaper error: Decide for yourself what you want your obituary to say and live a life worthy of it."

To do this, choose for yourself role models, "heroes" to follow and learn from. And most importantly, follow the "golden rule": Treat others the way you want to be treated. Because greatness does not come from money or fame. As Buffett wrote: "When you help someone in a thousand different ways, you are helping the whole world . Kindness costs nothing but is priceless."

At the age of 95, the lessons Warren Buffet left behind are not only for investors on the stock market, but for all of us - those who are striving every day to live a truly worthwhile life.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/warren-buffett-o-tuoi-95-giau-cham-song-sau-dau-tu-vao-chinh-minh-20251112210056866.htm