Warren Buffett bought his first shares of stock at 11 years old. He saved up $114.75 and “went all in,” purchasing three shares of Cities Service preferred stock. The day was March 11, 1942 – nearly 77 years ago. Buffett recently reminisced about this purchase in his annual letter to shareholders:
“I had become a capitalist, and it felt good.”
Buffett was merely getting started. Over the succeeding 77 years Buffett’s investing acumen, and a rising tide of government sponsored fake money, garnered him a personal net worth over $80 billion. That’s a breathtaking haul, indeed.
Most nights Buffett sleeps well. Why wouldn’t he? He’s got more dough than he could ever possibly spend. And as for the burden of extreme wealth, Buffett’s been given a nifty – tax free – escape route from beneath the mass of this weighty condition.
His pal Bill Gates, via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, offloaded his conscience and flattered his ego. Thus, even in the late night hours, when the coyote’s howl at a full moon, Buffett sleeps soundly and with the full knowledge that his fortune will be used for noble philanthropic causes. Buffett’s pledged to give more than 99 percent of his wealth for benevolent endeavors. Continue reading







