January 7, 2026: The Simple Wealth

Work hard to not be possessed by your possessions.

I love that Warren Buffett, considered one of history’s most successful investors, still drives an old car. It fits his “frugal billionaire” lifestyle.

Despite being worth over $140 billion, Buffett drove a 2001 Lincoln Town Car for nearly a decade. When he finally gave it up, he bought a used Cadillac.

When does he upgrade his vehicle? Only when his daughter says it’s becoming “embarrassing.”

Each morning, he visits the McDonald’s drive-thru and chooses between three breakfast items ($2.61, $2.95, or $3.17) depending on how the stock market is performing. And until recently, he used a flip phone.

For Buffett, standard of living is not the same as cost of living.

Collecting possessions brings the burden of storage and maintenance. So hold tight to your purse strings. When you accumulate treasures, you assume obligations.

The things you buy eventually end up buying your time.

Wealth is found in the absence of need, not the presence of stuff.