Most people may think
a successful investor is one that excels in spotting great companies, invest in
it and then get rewarded with high returns.
a successful investor is one that excels in spotting great companies, invest in
it and then get rewarded with high returns.
But the fact is
aside from sharpened investment skills, many successful investors either possess
remarkable entrepreneurism or had scaled corporate ladders to senior positions
in their careers. This allowed them to earn and save enough before embarking in
their investment business. Just to name a few – Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch,
George Soros, Jim Rogers, Philip Anschutz, Ronald Perelman etc.
aside from sharpened investment skills, many successful investors either possess
remarkable entrepreneurism or had scaled corporate ladders to senior positions
in their careers. This allowed them to earn and save enough before embarking in
their investment business. Just to name a few – Warren Buffett, Peter Lynch,
George Soros, Jim Rogers, Philip Anschutz, Ronald Perelman etc.
Are you a Great Investor Yet?
You may think that you are already a great investor? This is because you
read almost all books relating to investments, read about all great investors
and know what they are thinking. You are expert in dissecting annual reports, reading
charts, timing the entry and exit and earn great returns for every dollar you
invested. Almost every stock you picked is potential winner!
read almost all books relating to investments, read about all great investors
and know what they are thinking. You are expert in dissecting annual reports, reading
charts, timing the entry and exit and earn great returns for every dollar you
invested. Almost every stock you picked is potential winner!
BUT, you lack funds! Sometimes you wish you can
have millions of the funds to invest to make more sizeable returns? You
probably lament that you do not have a wealthy parents with inheritance of
funds. Neither are you so lucky enough to profit from property sale during
periods of euphoria.
have millions of the funds to invest to make more sizeable returns? You
probably lament that you do not have a wealthy parents with inheritance of
funds. Neither are you so lucky enough to profit from property sale during
periods of euphoria.
NOW, ask yourself
this question, “Have you already learn how to Earn and Save enough to make your Investments more effective?”
this question, “Have you already learn how to Earn and Save enough to make your Investments more effective?”
Warren Buffett Earning Prowess
Today’s focus will
be mainly on Warren Buffett who is widely considered the most successful
investor in the 20th century. Buffett is not just a proficient investor, he is
extremely business savvy and had excellent interpersonal skills with people. The latter two skills allowed him to increase his earnings at a tender age. In turn, his earnings were saved and put into good use in investments.
be mainly on Warren Buffett who is widely considered the most successful
investor in the 20th century. Buffett is not just a proficient investor, he is
extremely business savvy and had excellent interpersonal skills with people. The latter two skills allowed him to increase his earnings at a tender age. In turn, his earnings were saved and put into good use in investments.
Buffett started
earning when he was 6 years old in 1936 and bought his first stock at the age
of 11. As a boy, Warren Buffett did all sorts of jobs selling chewing gums,
coca cola drinks, pitching newspapers etc before starting businesses in
pin-ball, stamps, car-buffing and developed many other means of earning money,
all before he turned twenty.
earning when he was 6 years old in 1936 and bought his first stock at the age
of 11. As a boy, Warren Buffett did all sorts of jobs selling chewing gums,
coca cola drinks, pitching newspapers etc before starting businesses in
pin-ball, stamps, car-buffing and developed many other means of earning money,
all before he turned twenty.
Other than growing
his stock portfolio, his earning ability at a young age is amazing. At age 16
in 1946, he amassed an equivalent of US$53K of today’s money. At 19 his savings
reached more than US$98K of today’s money.
his stock portfolio, his earning ability at a young age is amazing. At age 16
in 1946, he amassed an equivalent of US$53K of today’s money. At 19 his savings
reached more than US$98K of today’s money.
1936, Age 6 – Start selling Chewing Gums and Coca Cola
Buffett started selling
Juicy Fruit chewing gum (packs of 5) door to door. He will not sell 1 piece,
because he thought he may be left with 4 pieces he could not sell. He made 2
cents profit per pack.
Juicy Fruit chewing gum (packs of 5) door to door. He will not sell 1 piece,
because he thought he may be left with 4 pieces he could not sell. He made 2
cents profit per pack.
Buffett worked in
grandfather store. He would then also purchase Coca-Cola six packs for 25 cents
and sold each can door to door for 5c (total for 30c). Profit of 5c per pack.
grandfather store. He would then also purchase Coca-Cola six packs for 25 cents
and sold each can door to door for 5c (total for 30c). Profit of 5c per pack.
1941, Age 11 – Bought First Stock
Buffett purchased 6
shares of Cities Service (now known as CITGO – an Oil company) at US$38 per
share (total US$3.7k today’s money). He bought 3 for himself and 3 for his
sister Doris. The company fell to US$27 shortly but climbs back to US$40 which
Warren and Doris sold their stock. Almost immediately, it shot up to US$200 a
share. Buffett later cited this experience as an early lesson of patience in
investing.
shares of Cities Service (now known as CITGO – an Oil company) at US$38 per
share (total US$3.7k today’s money). He bought 3 for himself and 3 for his
sister Doris. The company fell to US$27 shortly but climbs back to US$40 which
Warren and Doris sold their stock. Almost immediately, it shot up to US$200 a
share. Buffett later cited this experience as an early lesson of patience in
investing.
1944, Age 14 – First Income Tax Returns
Buffett filed his
first tax return and deducts his bike and watch as a work expense to save US$35.
first tax return and deducts his bike and watch as a work expense to save US$35.
1945, Age 15 – Delivered
Newspapers
Newspapers
Buffett earned US$175 a month
(US$2.3k today’s money) from delivering the Washington Post newspapers a couple
hours a day. This is more than his teachers’ monthly salary. He also sold
calendars to his newspaper clients, bringing in a little extra. By 1947, he had
earned over US$5k delivering newspapers. He also invested US$1.2K
(US$15.8K today’s money) of his savings into 40 acres of farmland.
(US$2.3k today’s money) from delivering the Washington Post newspapers a couple
hours a day. This is more than his teachers’ monthly salary. He also sold
calendars to his newspaper clients, bringing in a little extra. By 1947, he had
earned over US$5k delivering newspapers. He also invested US$1.2K
(US$15.8K today’s money) of his savings into 40 acres of farmland.
1947, By Age 17 – Started Many Different Businesses
Pinball Business
In high school,
Warren and a friend Donald started to purchase a used pinball machine at US$25,
repaired it (Donald did) and placed in a Barber Shop. Buffett convince the
Barber owner that he is representing Wilson’s Coin Operated Machine Company and
that the Barber will have no risk putting the machine in his store, which they
will split the profits earned. Buffett and Donald made US$50 within a week.
Within months, they owned three machines in three different locations. The
business is sold later in the year for US$1.2K to a War Veteran.
Warren and a friend Donald started to purchase a used pinball machine at US$25,
repaired it (Donald did) and placed in a Barber Shop. Buffett convince the
Barber owner that he is representing Wilson’s Coin Operated Machine Company and
that the Barber will have no risk putting the machine in his store, which they
will split the profits earned. Buffett and Donald made US$50 within a week.
Within months, they owned three machines in three different locations. The
business is sold later in the year for US$1.2K to a War Veteran.
“You had to get along with the barbers. That was
crucial. I mean these guys could go buy these machines for 25 bucks themselves,
so we would always convince them that it took someone with 400 IQ to repair
pin-ball machines.” – Buffett
crucial. I mean these guys could go buy these machines for 25 bucks themselves,
so we would always convince them that it took someone with 400 IQ to repair
pin-ball machines.” – Buffett
Collect Dumped Horse Track Tickets
Buffett and a friend would go to the race track, and
though they were too young to make bets themselves, Buffett quickly found a way
to make money: by stooping, which was like dumpster
collecting race track tickets.
though they were too young to make bets themselves, Buffett quickly found a way
to make money: by stooping, which was like dumpster
collecting race track tickets.
Here’s Buffett’ description “At the start of racing season you get all these people who’d never seen
a race except in the movies. And they’d think that if your horse came in second
or third, you didn’t get paid, because all the emphasis is on the winner, so
they’d throw away [second-] and [third-place] tickets. The other time you
would hit it big was when there was a disputed race. That little light would go
on that said “contested” or “protest.” By that time, some people had thrown
away their tickets. Meanwhile, we were just gobbling them up. It was
awful; people would spit on the floor. But we had great fun.
a race except in the movies. And they’d think that if your horse came in second
or third, you didn’t get paid, because all the emphasis is on the winner, so
they’d throw away [second-] and [third-place] tickets. The other time you
would hit it big was when there was a disputed race. That little light would go
on that said “contested” or “protest.” By that time, some people had thrown
away their tickets. Meanwhile, we were just gobbling them up. It was
awful; people would spit on the floor. But we had great fun.
And if they found any winning tickets, Buffett’s aunt
Alice would cash them in for the boys. Buffett went a step further: using
his love of math and collecting information, he and a friend
put together a tip sheet for bettors at the race track. Soon they were out
hawking “Stable Boy Selections,” a tip sheet that the boys typed out on an old
Royal typewriter in Buffett’s basement.
Alice would cash them in for the boys. Buffett went a step further: using
his love of math and collecting information, he and a friend
put together a tip sheet for bettors at the race track. Soon they were out
hawking “Stable Boy Selections,” a tip sheet that the boys typed out on an old
Royal typewriter in Buffett’s basement.
Sold used Golf Balls
Buffett’s friends and family thought he scooped the
balls out of water and resold them. Instead Buffett ordered from a provider in
Chicago. Buffett sold them in Omaha for US$6 (US$64 today’s money) a dozen.
balls out of water and resold them. Instead Buffett ordered from a provider in
Chicago. Buffett sold them in Omaha for US$6 (US$64 today’s money) a dozen.
Buffett said
“They were classy balls, Titleist, Spalding Dots and Maxlis, which I bought for
US$3.5 a dozen. They looked brand new. He probably got them the way we first
tried to get them, out of water traps, only he was better.”
“They were classy balls, Titleist, Spalding Dots and Maxlis, which I bought for
US$3.5 a dozen. They looked brand new. He probably got them the way we first
tried to get them, out of water traps, only he was better.”
Sold Stamps
If you needed a fancy stamp, you could turn to
Buffett’s Approval Service, which sold collectible stamps to collectors around
the country.
Buffett’s Approval Service, which sold collectible stamps to collectors around
the country.
Buffed cars
The teenage Buffett partnered with his friend Lou
Battistone to form Buffett’s Showroom Shine. The car-buffing business ran out
of Battistone’s dad’s used car parking lot. The duo later discarded the
business when it turned out to be too much manual labour.
Battistone to form Buffett’s Showroom Shine. The car-buffing business ran out
of Battistone’s dad’s used car parking lot. The duo later discarded the
business when it turned out to be too much manual labour.
1949, Age 19 – Savings reaches US$9,800 (US$98K today’s
money)
money)
1950, Age 20 – Offered to work for Benjamin Graham
for Free
for Free
Buffett enrolled at Columbia Business School learning
from Ben Graham and David Dodd, two well-known security analysts cum
professors. Buffett wanted to work on Wall Street, however, both his father and
Ben Graham urged him not to. He offered to work for Graham for free, but Graham
refused.
from Ben Graham and David Dodd, two well-known security analysts cum
professors. Buffett wanted to work on Wall Street, however, both his father and
Ben Graham urged him not to. He offered to work for Graham for free, but Graham
refused.
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Hi Rolf
No doubt about it.
In investing, size does matter so the earlier you go out there and make your first earnings the esrlier you are able to put that to work. It can be good or bad depending on what you give up.
But at least for buffett case, his mentality is already there since the age of 6.
Hi B,
Buffett’s mindset is dumbfounding, at his age, in his era… WHAT…Remarkable! Prodigy!
To start earning, the earlier the better which is what I will inculcate into my kids? But before that, they need to be exposed more outside what they learn in school and developed a tougher mental strength.
To me, you are also considered as “Remarkable” in the blog space here. You are also Prodigy B!
Notice that you and Warren Buffett had the same birthday! B for Buffett in the making.
Rolf
I also started earning when I was in Primary 6 as stall helper at wet market. But, these money was for survival and keeping me in school till JC (now you call it)!
The Moral of Story.
Starting young and earning extra pocket money and then invest them is huge different from survival or needs.
Our parents greatly made the Difference!
Hi CW,
That is why your generation and before, set the foundation for what we are today. Also why the TV few months back kept broadcasting a Man in a Woman’s body singing “建国一代……”
In general older generation like yourself is wiser and had better mental strength and stamina going against tough situations.
My mum use to collect water from the well, work in canteen, and take care of her young siblings before she was 10 years old. Unfortunately, she also worked for survival.
For me and siblings, we all worked part time too, because our household income in the 80s/90s is less than S$800/-. Again we all work not to save and invest, but for textbooks, school uniforms, school fees etc. I am luckier, I still can buy things I like for myself from my earning because I am the youngest.
But who the hell will think like Warren Buffett then, to earn and invest.
Rolf
A lot of people are saying they are expecting a good opportunity in life to appear! But how can they be expecting a good opportunity to appear if they have zero capital to take advantage from that opportunity??
Indeed this is a useful advice from Warren Buffett to actually start earning a capital first if you want to be a successful investor.
Best regards,
http://www.ea-builder.net
A lot of people are saying they are expecting a good opportunity in life to appear! But how can they be expecting a good opportunity to appear if they have zero capital to take advantage from that opportunity??
Indeed this is a useful advice from Warren Buffett to actually start earning a capital first if you want to be a successful investor.
Best regards,
http://www.ea-builder.net
This means that you will need an investor, who's stage preference is either later stage, growth or expansion stage, or mezzanine stage. These are usually stages of companies who are ready for a liquidation event, where the investors exit and make their profits.cryptocurrency prices
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When I read the book "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham (Warren Buffet's guide), I took specific notice of one vital thought. Benjamin Graham said to not follow staggering outcomes, rather to follow satisfactory outcomes. https://www.investorsindubai.org/