The name Warren runs in my family. My Dad's first name was Warren. There is at least one or maybe more great-children that have "Warren" sprinkled into a middle name.
I have always been fascinated by the "Oracle of Omaha", Warren Buffet. He owns about 25% of a company know as Berkshire Hathaway. That makes him the richest man in the world. One share of Berkshire Hathaway is worth $135,000. So if you own ten shares of Berkshire, you are a millionaire.
You get clues in life. When I first joined Ripon Foods, there was a consultant that mentioned he owned several shares of Berkshire Hathaway. I asked what the company did and he said they were a conglomeration of different companies. In 1989, Berkshire Hathaway sold for $4000 per share. My thought at the time was "holy sh--". I would have needed to mortgage my family to buy several shares. But, alas I didn't.
Several years earlier, my Uncle Bob had asked me if I had ever heard of Warren Buffet. I responded with "who"? He said that I should look into the company. The Chairman of the Board was a special individual. Again, I ignored the clue.
So my dream in life slipped past my grasp. Today there is no way I could afford to buy1 share of a stock that doesn't even pay a dividend ($135,000). But I had clues as I traveled the path of life that could have led me to a lot of money.
Why this discussion about Warren? He held his annual stockholder's meeting in Omaha last weekend. It was like a lovefest. He has made millionaires out of a lot of people that believed in his genius. Stockholders come from around the world to visit with Grandpa Warren. He seems like you and me. He tells stories. He eats Dairy Queens (he owns the company). He attends the local baseball game of the semi-pro team (he owns the team). He throws out the first pitch at the game. They buy furniture, jewelry, and time shares on executive jets at discount prices (he owns the companies). He owns insurance firms, newspapers, soda and snacks. You can even play bridge with him. He sings and plays the ukelele. This pilgrimage of loyal stockholders happens every year.
My conclusion Grasshoppers is that Warren puts on his pants just like you and I. He is 77 years old, in good health and looks like a normal Grandfather. He was born in Omaha, grew up in Omaha and got filthy rich in Omaha. He had a paper route. He sold gum door to door. Just because bought a small farm at age 15 made him a little special.
Obviously I am not going to get rich any more from investing in Warren Buffet's company. I guess my best shot at the "golden ring" is for him to adopt me.
By the way, Warren's advice is to buy good companies and hold them. Imagine! Buy and hold. I don't think he can spell the word "sell".
So my advice is look for clues as you live your life. Riches may be closer than you know. Maybe you can hold your own lovefest some day. Imagine, Chairman Deb, Chairman Kelly, Chairman Chris, Chairman Paul and Chairman Margaret. Culvers is for sale!
Love,
Dad