Wealth and Wisdom: Week of May 19, 2025
- Mike Brown
- May 19
- 4 min read
I first heard of Warren Buffett by reading John Train’s book, The Midas Touch, when it was published in 1987. At that time, hardly anyone – myself included – knew much about the man who would become the greatest investor of all time. Today, Amazon lists dozens of titles about him – a few of them brilliant, many of them garbage – and yet not a single one actually written by Buffett himself.
Thankfully, most of his wisdom can be found – for free – in the annual letters Buffett writes to shareholders of his company, Berkshire Hathaway. They are required reading for any serious equity investor, and many wonder if the 2024 letter will be his last, considering that he plans to retire from Berkshire at the end of this year at the age of 95.
Mr. Buffett has hinted that he will continue writing the annual letter as long as he is able. Here’s hoping there will be many, many more to come.
It’s the question every would-be retiree faces – and today’s uncertainties aren’t making it any easier. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
The average retirement age in the U.S. is now 64.6, three years later than 30 years ago. But the trend toward later retirement may have run its course. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
Here are three things retirees should know – and act on – when it comes to paying income taxes once you stop working. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Health savings accounts offer triple tax benefits to pay health expenses – and you’ll be able to contribute a little bit more to them next year. (Reading time: 2 minutes)
You get a call saying your Social Security number has been suspended. This is how you should handle it. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
You can claim Social Security benefits as early as age 62 – but here’s how much of a permanent raise you’ll get by waiting until full retirement age. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
You can receive Social Security benefits if your spouse predeceases you – under these terms and conditions. (Reading time: 1 minute)
He’s been the poster child for compounding wealth – and it’s had absolutely nothing to do with timing the market. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Long after the names of today’s oligarchs become fading footnotes in the history of Corporate America, the record of one CEO will live on. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
So much of what Warren Buffett teaches us about successful investing – has little to do with picking stocks. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Words to the Wise
“My life has been a product of compound interest.”
– Warren Buffett
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