When Gates tried to convince Buffett to enter the computer age
On July 5, 1991, Buffett and Gates were in Seattle when Gates, eager to share his enthusiasm for the burgeoning world of computers, turned to Buffett and said, “You've got to have a computer.”
“Why?” Buffett asked.
Gates replied with a practical suggestion, “Well, you can do your income tax on it.”
But Buffett, whose approach to wealth focused on reinvesting rather than receiving income, responded matter-of-factly, “I don't have any income. Berkshire doesn't pay a dividend.”
Gates pressed on, suggesting that a computer could help Buffett keep track of his stock portfolio. But Buffett, whose investment portfolio consisted solely of Berkshire Hathaway, simply responded, “I only have one stock.”
Undeterred, Gates insisted, “It’s going to change everything.”
This prompted Buffett to dig deeper. “Will it change whether people chew gum?” he asked.
“Probably not,” Gates admitted.
“Will it change what kind of gum they chew?” Buffett followed up, prompting Gates to again reply, “Nah.”
With that, Buffett summed up his thoughts: “Well, then I'll stick to chewing gum and you stick to computers.”
Buffett used this story to highlight his investment philosophy. His success didn’t stem from understanding every emerging technology or industry trend; rather, it came from staying within his “circle of competence.”
In his view, you don’t need to know everything about every industry to succeed as an investor — you just need to thoroughly understand a few.
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Read MoreBillions in gum and soda
Chewing gum firmly falls within Warren Buffett’s “circle of competence.” In his 1993 letter to shareholders, Buffett identified Wrigley as “dominant” in the chewing gum market.
When food giant Mars sought to acquire Wrigley in 2008, Warren Buffett invested $6.5 billion — buying $2.1 billion of Wrigley preferred stock and $4.4 billion of its bonds — to help fund the deal.
The bet paid off handsomely: between interest payments, dividends, and gains on the bonds and shares, Buffett reportedly made an estimated $6.5 billion from his Wrigley investment.
Beyond chewing gum, Buffett has long been a fan of another staple: soda. Coca-Cola, a brand that’s been around since 1886, captured Buffett’s attention because of its vast market presence.
“Coca-Cola’s been around since 1886. There’s 1.8 billion 8-ounce servings of Coca-Cola products sold everyday now. If you get one penny extra — that’s $18 million a day, and $18 million times 365 is $6.57 billion annually… from one penny. Do you think Coca-Cola is worth a penny more than, you know, Joe’s Cola? I think so,” he explained.
True to his investment philosophy, Buffett’s conviction in Coca-Cola has stood the test of time. Berkshire first invested in Coca-Cola in 1988, and today, it holds 400 million shares of Coca-Cola, a stake now valued at $26 billion.
As we approach 2025, with the world growing more complex — marked by political uncertainty, economic pressures, global tensions and a rapidly evolving tech landscape — Buffett’s straightforward investment philosophy stands firm and relevant.
His approach reminds us that we don’t need to chase the latest trends to find success. Instead, Buffett advocates focusing on one’s circle of competence, sticking to businesses that are easy to understand and have enduring demand.
Rather than constantly predicting “the next big thing,” Buffett finds long-term value in companies with proven, lasting appeal.
It’s also easier than ever to start investing. Trading apps like Public allow everyday investors to capitalize on the stock market by investing in fractional shares for as little as $10. You can easily pack your portfolio with your favorite companies, with zero commissions.
To make informed decisions within your circle of competence, investors can use research tools like Moby, which provide expert analysis and market insights, helping users optimize their portfolios.
‘The best thing to do’
While Buffett is legendary for picking winning companies, he’s an even bigger advocate for a simpler, tried-and-true strategy: investing in an S&P 500 index fund.
“In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is own the S&P 500 index fund,” he famously stated. This straightforward approach gives investors exposure to 500 of America’s largest companies across various industries, providing diversified exposure without the need for constant monitoring or active trading.
Buffett believes so strongly in this strategy that he has instructed 90% of his wife’s inheritance be invested in “a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund” after he dies.
The beauty of this approach is its accessibility — anyone, regardless of wealth, can take advantage of it. Even small amounts can grow over time with tools like Acorns, a popular app that automatically invests your spare change.
Signing up for Acorns takes just minutes: link your cards, and Acorns will round up each purchase to the nearest dollar, investing the difference — your spare change — into a diversified portfolio. With Acorns, you can invest in an S&P 500 ETF with as little as $5 — and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.
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