Warren Buffett Nearly Burglarized With … A FAKE GUN?!

Oh heck no!!! Someone tried to actually rob Warren Buffett??? One of THE RICHEST MEN IN THE WORLD! WOW. hahaha whoever that person must have one hell of an imagination. haha I mean, WARREN BUFFETT actually getting robbed in his own home? haha Pfff!!! Gimme a break! His best-friend is freakin’ BILL GATES, so c’mon — even if Buffett is an “old-fashioned” kinda guy, you KNOW his house is strapped down with security. Geez man! I cannot believe this guy really thought he was gonna get away with it. I mean, for crying out loud man —

YOU HAD A FAKE GUN!

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Burglary attempt at Warren Buffett’s home

The Omaha Police Department is looking into late-night disturbance at Buffett’s home by a man who appeared to have a gun.
September 6 2007: 1:50 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Omaha police are investigating an attempted robbery at Warren Buffett’s home, CNNMoney learned Thursday.

At around 10 p.m. Wednesday, officers arrived at the house to follow up on a disturbance between a security guard and a burglar, said Sgt. Teresa Negron of the Omaha Police Department.

Buffett’s wife Astrid saw the man at the door and rang a security guard.

She told 911 that the man showed what appeared to be a gun to the security guard, and the two struggled with each other. The man hit the security guard in the head with the blunt weapon, but the guard was able to take the object from him. The gun was later determined not to be real.

Warren Buffett was at home at the time of the incident.

The suspect is described as white, dressed in dark clothing, a dark stocking cap, a dark baseball cap and with dark camouflage paint on his face. Officers estimate he is 24 to 26 years old, and about 5 feet 10 inches tall.

He is still at large.

Source: CNNMoney.com – NEWS

Warren Buffett Helps The “Rich Homeless”

Awww, well isn’t that nice of him? I mean, Buffett is usually known as being a “Scrooge,” but this story kinda softens that image, I guess. Then again, he did say last year that he was gonna give away a shit load of money to charity, so I guess “it’s about that time” he starts, ya know?

BUT on the other hand… The homeless shelter is in MARIN, California (that’s right above $F). & so my initial reaction is this:

WTF? is he freakin’ serious?!?!

no, seriously. MARIN??? for people who don’t live in the Bay, Marin is not… well, let’s just say that:

you won’t find

too many

homeless people

living in Marin.

shiiit… it’s like he’s investing in the “rich homeless.”
can you really be commended for that?

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Buffett helps launch Marin homeless fundraising drive

Carla Bova – Article Launched: 05/15/2007 11:21:13 PM PDT

Warren Buffett, who amassed a fortune through his shrewd stock purchases, is making a different kind of investment in Homeward Bound of Marin.

The world’s second-richest man – with an estimated net worth of $52 billion, according to Forbes magazine – has purchased the first share of Homeward Bound’s nonprofit “IPO” for $32. The renowned philanthropist is CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. based in Omaha, Neb.

Not a traditional “initial public offering,” the organization’s “immediate public opportunity” is a fundraising effort patterned after a company’s first sale of stock.

“We asked him to buy the first share to give us this launch,” said Homeward Bound Deputy Director Bob Puett. “We figured it was not every day Warren Buffett invests in ending homelessness, and it is a tremendous legitimacy to our effort since he is the guru of all investors.”

Homeward Bound provides emergency and transitional housing and support services to homeless adults and families in Marin. Founded in 1974, it operates nine programs throughout the county, including the New Beginnings Center homeless shelter in Novato.

Puett said board member David Smith attended the recent Berkshire Hathaway shareholders’ meeting in Omaha, where he asked Buffett to buy the first “IPO” share on behalf of Homeward Bound.

Buffett announced last year plans to give away 85 percent of his wealth to several charitable foundations, with the largest amount to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The commitment is the largest in philanthropic history, exceeding sums given by Andrew Carnegie or John D. Rockefeller or any contemporary donor, according to an analysis by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

“Warren Buffett is not in our community, yet he is investing because he knows it is a good idea, so we are sure it will entice others to invest,” said Homeward Bound Executive Director Mary Kay Sweeney. “To have his blessing, his validation, will attract people because he is such a wise investor.”

There are 200,000 shares available for $32 each. Stockholders will not actually own stock or shares in the nonprofit.

“Our strategy is geared for people to take stock in their community,” Sweeney said. “Shareholders will see how returns on investments in people can be just as satisfying and long-lasting as investments in innovative companies.”

Funds raised will help finance The Next Key, an expansion of New Beginnings.

New Beginnings is an 18,000-square-foot shelter that has 80 dormitory-style beds. It offers computer classes and training in janitorial and building maintenance, landscaping and culinary services, among others.

The planned 23,000-square-foot expansion project includes 32 affordable rental studio apartments, job-training classrooms, a commercial kitchen, administrative offices and a conference center to seat 150 people and be available to rent for community events.

Though the project has city approvals, plans have lagged as the project cost increased by $3 million over the past year to $9.5 million because of the rising price of materials. Officials have so far raised $5 million.

Buffett also contributed several autographed items that will be auctioned to support Next Key.

Source: Marin Independent Journal

Technorati tags: Warren Buffett, news, business news, Bay Area, Homeward Bound

Forget Southwest — Skybus Tickets Are ONLY $10!

Sounds good, don’t it? Yeah, well… I suppose it’s a great way to launch somethin’ new, esp. a new airline. Know what I mean? But still though, I dunno… it’s kinda like when you do a double take. I mean, that age-old saying just keeps on repeating in my head: “You get what you pay for.” Ya know?

Oh, & immediately after (of course), the same voice in my head asks,

“WHAT WOULD WARREN [BUFFET] DO?”
haha

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A $10-a-Seat Airline Launches–But Can It Fly?

Posted by Stephanie Clifford - April 25, 2007, 4:06 PM

Skybus, an airline offering $10 seats, launched this morning, and by midday, it had sold 97,000 tickets. The American appetite for bargains seems as strong as ever.

Skybus doesn’t have anywhere near the reach of a Continental or a Southwest yet, of course. It operates flights only between Columbus, Ohio, and Vancouver/Seattle; San Francisco; LA; Boston; Richmond, Virginia; Greensboro, North Carolina; Kansas City; and Fort Lauderdale. While the denizens of Columbus must be psyched, I wonder if Skybus will maintain this setup. Having to fly via Columbus to go between San Francisco and Seattle, even if it costs only $60, will only attract the most dedicated bargain hunters.
And can a startup airline like this work, when so many other airlines are faltering? Skybus is certainly making smart cost-saving moves. It’s automating what it can by using check-in kiosks and doing everything through the Internet (it doesn’t even have a toll-free phone number). It’s flying through noncongested airports, like Bellingham instead of Seattle and Portsmouth, New Hampshire instead of Boston, which it says helps it keep costs down and stay on time. [rzn] yeah, suuure. they probably can’t AFFORD to fly thru too big name airports. It charges for every extra, from water, to blankets, to priority check-in, to checked luggage. It flies new jets that are fuel-efficient so it can save money there. Finally, not all seats cost $10; depending on the day, they seem to cost up to $100 for a one-way trip.

Source: Inc.com – Fresh Inc.

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aha! DUPED! i knew it was too good to be true!!

How Much Would You Pay To Wine & Dine With Warren Buffett?

Because this Bay Arean reeeeeally broke his pockets for it. & I’m talkin’ about +$600 K. Ok, allow me to repeat that: OVER HALF OF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR A SINGLE MEAL! WTF? & it wasn’t even a dinner! (it was lunch) AND there were SEVEN other people!!

Hmmm… well, I wonder how much he tipped??? haha (but really though)

BUT don’t get it twisted now. I’m not saying that it wasn’t worth it, or that I wouldn’t break bread to break bread w/ wB. The thing I’m trippin’ off of is… well, damn — this guy cashed out over half a MIL! I mean, who wouldn’t trip off that?

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Yongping Duan of Palo Alto paid more than

600-thousand dollars

to dine with Buffet as part of an auction on eBay, with the proceeds benefting San Francisco’s Glide Foundation.

Duan and seven other guests met with Buffett at the Smith and Wollensky Steakhouse in New York City.

Source: cbs5.com – Palo Alto Man Has Pricey Lunch With Warren Buffett

Technorati tags: Warren Buffett, eBay

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(for Jaynee) The GLIDE Foundation?! Hmmm… we really should’ve followed up on that whim, huh? haha

WATCH OUT, BILL GATES!!! Forbes Has A NEW #2 On Its List — & This Man Definitely Ain’t A Mexi-CAN’T!

Dang, Buffett. Must’ve been that new train set ya bought! Haha JUST JOKING.

But for real — who remembers that? The line goes, “Are you a Mexi-can? or a Mexi-can’t?” I forget what movie it came from, or which actor said it. I wanna say Val Kilmer, but I really think I’m wrong on that one. haha Oh well. I’m not a movie buff, so whatever! The REAL point behind this post lies inside the Forbes 400 List, & if y’all didn’t know, y’all need to STOP SLEEPIN’! hehe.. j/k

 Well, Forbes had to make some changes to its World’s Billionaires 2007 List yesterday. Carlos Slim Helu broke out to become 2nd, & Buffett is now 3rd — but that’s okay, because it’s not like Buffett fell off the radar ya know? & besides, he retired last year so I think he knew 3rd place was a possibility. Wait. He did retire, right? Or did he just donate a big chunk to charity? Hmmm… well, I do remember (for sure) reading about the charity thing. & I remember thinking, “Why are some people so shocked?” I mean, I personally thought that it was a good business move. Shiiit… Buffett has been playin’ with money since he was a baby, & like my dad says, “You can’t fool the master!” muahahaha…

ANYWAYS. Sooooo… about Slim (not Shady ). Well, ya GOTTA give it up to the man. seriously though. He’s “THE ONE.” I mean, he beat WARREN BUFFETT, THE LIVING LEGEND himself!!! Whaaaat? Now, that’s nuts! Who knew? I mean, it wasn’t an American. AND it wasn’t an Asian, an Australian, an European, etc. IT WAS A MEXICAN! hahahaha Oh c’mon! Don’t get it twisted. I’m NOT laughin’ at, or bein’ racist towards Mexicans — I can’t be doin’ that! I mean, I grew up on the Mexican side of South City! I love my Taco Trucks & low-rider oldies! oh, & Low Riders, too, of course, although they are muscle cars, & therefore, more of an “American thing” but whatever! I just love my Latins. PERIOD. I mean, take a look at Cutie, for example: he’s part Latin (Panamanian). hehehe… But for real, I bet NO American had their dough on a Mexican beatin’ Buffett. Shiiit… Fuck all that shit though! GO AHEAD, CARLOS! I’m rootin’ for you. hahaha ok, ok. Here’s the Forbes story…

Carlos Slim Helu Now World’s Second-Richest Man

Helen Coster 04.11.07, 4:00 PM ET

For seven years Warren Buffett, the so-called Oracle of Omaha, ranked just behind his good friend and bridge partner Bill Gates as the world’s second-richest man. That era is over, at least temporarily. On March 29, Mexican telecom titan Carlos Slim Helú quietly slipped past the value investor. As of market close today, Slim is worth $53.1 billion, compared with Buffett’s $52.4 billion. He is also breathtakingly close to passing Gates, currently worth $56.0 billion. Gates, who co-founded Microsoft in 1975, has been the world’s richest man for a record 13 years.

Slim added $4 billion to his fortune in the two months since we locked in net worths for our annual billionaires rankings. [rzn] daaaayum! $4 billion in TWO months?! now, THAT’S what you call A HUSTLER!!! His second-largest holding, Carso Global Telecom (other-otc: CGTVY – news - people ), which controls ubiquitous fixed-line operator Telmex, has jumped 15% in that time. His biggest holding, wireless operator America Movil (nyse: AMX – news - people ), is up 4% since it announced earlier this month that it was in talks to buy a third of Olimpia, the holding company that controls Telecom Italia (nyse: TI – news - people ). By contrast, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (nyse: BRKA – news - people ) shares have slipped slightly.

Slim’s latest gains continue an amazing run for the 67-year-old tycoon. He has added $23 billion to his fortune over the last 14 months. The surge has been fueled largely by a strong Mexican economy and a stock market that jumped 49% in 2006. [rzn] get that paper, baby!

The Mexican magnate’s rising fortune has caused a good deal of controversy because it has been amassed in a nation where per capita income is less than $6,800 a year and half the population lives in poverty. Critics claim he is a monopolist, pointing to Telmex’s control of 90% of the Mexican landline telephone market. [rzn] wtf? a ”Monopolist”? pffff! every other rich person (man and/or woman) in the world has got connects everywhere else, soooo…

STOP HATIN’ & START CONGRATULATIN’!

Slim’s wealth is the equivalent of roughly 7% of Mexico’s annual economic output. If Gates had a similar proportion in the U.S., he’d be worth $874 billion. [rzn] yeah, well… Gates may be a “nerd” but he’s obviously, sure as hell ain’t that smart! hahaha

Slim says he is unfazed by the criticism. “When you live for others’ opinions, you are dead. I don’t want to live thinking about how I’ll be remembered,” he said earlier this year. [rzn] damn, i wonder if he wouldn’t mind talkin’ some sense into Cutie. hehehe…  JUST KIDDING! (but really tho) NAHHHH, but shhhhh! Cutie’ll kill me if he finds that out! haha (& i’m NOT playin’ either) He also claims indifference about his ranking and says he has no interest in becoming the world’s richest person. [rzn] what a big, fatty-fat LIAR! haha no interest in being THE WORLD’S richest person? pffff! gimme a break! he better take that spot from Gates! & he should do it when Gates ain’t lookin’ either. that’d be hilarious! hahaha When asked to explain his sudden increase in wealth at a press conference soon after our annual billionaire rankings were published, he reportedly said, “The stock market goes up … and down,” and noted that his fortune could quickly drop. [rzn] suuure, ‘Los. uh-huh. the press can buy your modesty, but i KNOW better than that! haha c’mon, just admit it: you’re plottin’!

These days, Slim insists his biggest concern is using his wealth to help solve Mexico’s social ills. A year ago he infused one of his foundations, which had been long neglected, with $1.8 billion. In the fall he pledged to donate up to $10 billion to health and education programs over the next four years. Still, he poked fun at his American counterparts’ much-ballyhooed philanthropic efforts at a recent press conference. “Poverty isn’t solved with donations,” he reportedly said, adding that building businesses often does more for society than “going around like Santa Claus.” [rzn] Even if he’s not an American, THANK GOD somebody said it, ya know!

Source: Forbes.com: Billionaires

Buffett & Berkshire News – Riding On Railroads

When I read this article, I pictured Buffett playing Monopoly (as a kid, of course) & buying those railroads, which he would end up flippin’ out to make crazy money from. hehe… What were the names of them again? I know there were 4, but I can only remember 2 of them: R&R and B&O. (hey, letters are easier than full names are, so can ya really blame me for that one? haha Anyways! Well, here’s the clipping… (link to full story at the bottom)

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Berkshire Buys Stakes in Three Railroads

By JOSH FUNK, AP Business Writer – Monday, April 9, 2007

(04-09) 15:00 PDT Omaha, Neb. (AP) — Warren Buffett’s company recently invested in three railroads, and in the process, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. became the largest shareholder in the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp., according to a company filing and a media report that the company confirmed.

The disclosure sent shares of all the major freight railroads up in afternoon trading Monday, with Burlington Northern leading the pack with a nearly 7 percent gain.

Omaha-based Berkshire Hathaway revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it owned 39 million shares of Burlington Northern as of last Thursday. The cable network CNBC reported Buffett said Berkshire had also invested in two other railroads that he declined to name.

Buffett’s assistant Debbie Bosanek said no one at Berkshire was available Monday to discuss the company’s investments. But she said the CNBC report about Berkshire investing in two railroads besides Burlington Northern Santa Fe was accurate.

Buffett told CNBC that Berkshire had invested about $700 million in one North American railroad and slightly less than that in another railroad.

Berkshire’s investment in Burlington Northern represents 10.9 percent of the nation’s second-largest railroad.

The next largest Burlington Northern shareholder, Marsico Capital Management, holds about 32 million shares.

Buffett hinted at two major new investments as he described the performance of Berkshire’s $61.5 billion investment portfolio in his annual letter to shareholders that was released March 1. He said then that two investments with a market value of more than $700 million at the end of 2006 were not named.

“We don’t itemize the two securities referred to, which have a market value of $1.9 billion, because we continue to buy them,” Buffett said in his letter. “I could, of course, tell you their names. But then I would have to kill you.“

Aside from his annual letter, Buffett rarely discusses Berkshire’s investments, so it’s not clear whether the railroad investments are the two investments he referred to.

…

Berkshire’s Class B shares ended up $8.75 at $3,634.75 on the NYSE and its Class A shares rose $151 to $109,000.

Berkshire owns furniture, insurance, jewelry and candy companies, restaurants, natural gas and corporate jet firms and has major investments in such companies as The Coca-Cola Company and Anheuser-Busch.

Source: SF Chronicle: Business & Technology

Wise Words From Wise Men

Pop quiz hot shots:
1. WOULD YOU TAKE ADVICE ON MONEY MATTERS FROM A MAN WHO’S BROKE?
2. WOULD YOU ASK FOR HELP ON HOW TO RUN A BUSINESS FROM A PRE-SCHOOLER?
— and lastly —
3. WOULD YOU FOLLOW THE LEAD OF A MAN WHO’S GOING IN CIRCLES?

If you answered “NO” to all three of those questions… well, my fellow WordPress/blog buddies, we’ve got something in common, because I wouldn’t either! haha Hey, like they say, “Great minds think alike,” right? haha   well, ya can’t deny it, ’cause it is true.

But ANYWAYS! well, for the past few days, i’ve been comin’ across some really great quotes that help me keep my mind in the game, & i just wanted to share. & if someone’s lost focus, then hopefully, they’ll come across this post & get right back on the grind. Time is MONEY, people! A single second of slackin’ can’t be spared!     Ok, well here y’all go… ENJOY!

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WARREN BUFFETT

• The business schools reward difficult complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective.
• Rule No.1: Never lose money. Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1.
• Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.
• In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.
• I don’t look to jump over 7-foot bars: I look around for 1-foot bars that I can step over.
• A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought.

JIM CRAMER

• I think that there are changes that have occurred in technology that make is that more people can have the same level of information that I have. My advantage is that I’m very good at interpreting the information.
• Microsoft was not a mysterious, strange entity. You put your PC on and there’s an ad for them.
• Remember, I am neither a bear nor a bull, I am an agnostic opportunist. I want to make money short- and long-term. I want to find good situations and exploit them.
• We are all wrong so often that it amazes me that we can have any conviction at all over the direction of things to come. But we must.

STEVE FORBES

• There is something fundamentally unfair about a government that takes away so much of people’s money, power, and personal control while telling them that life will be better as a result.
• The real cure for what ails our health care system today is less government and more freedom.

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER

• Charity is injurious unless it helps the recipient to become independent of it.
• A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.
• Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.
• I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.
• I have ways of making money that you know nothing of.
• The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.
  [rzn]ok, Rockefeller’s a SAVAGE for that last one! oh man!! hahaha

CHARLES SCHWAB

• A man to carry on a successful business must have imagination. He must see things as in a vision, a dream of the whole thing.
• ‘ve thought the whole thing over, and if we are going bust, we will go bust big.
• The first essential in a boy’s career is to find out what he’s fitted for, what he’s most capable of doing and doing with a relish.
• When a man has put a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do.
• Everyone’s got it in him, if he’ll only make up his mind and stick at it. None of us is born with a stop-valve on his powers or with a set limit to his capacities, There’s no limit possible to the expansion of each one of us.
• The way to get things done is to stimulate competition. I do not mean in a sordid, money-getting way, but in the desire to excel.

DONALD TRUMP

• Anyone who thinks my story is anywhere near over is sadly mistaken.
• As long as your going to be thinking anyway, think big.
• I have made the tough decisions, always with an eye toward the bottom line. Perhaps it’s time America was run like a business.
• I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That’s were the fun is.
• If you’re interested in ‘balancing’ work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.
• Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that’s more productive.
• What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate.
• When somebody challenges you, fight back. Be brutal, be tough.

STEVE JOBS

• I want to put a ding in the universe.
• I wish him the best, I really do. I just think he and Microsoft are a bit narrow. He’d be a broader guy if he had dropped acid once or gone off to an ashram when he was younger.
  hahahahaha that’s fuckin’ HILARIOUS! oh man!!! no wonder everyone loves Mac!
• Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.

BILL GATES

• I have 100 billion dollars… You realize I could spend 3 million dollars a day, every day, for the next 100 years? And that’s if I don’t make another dime. Tell you what-I’ll buy your right arm for a million dollars. I give you a million bucks, and I get to sever your arm right here.
  WTF? Gates is a WEIRDO for that one. i mean, it’s kinda funny, BUT WHO THE HELL SAYS THAT TO SOMEONE?! ONLY A WEIRDO!
• If you can’t make it good, at least make it look good.
• It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.
• Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.
• We’ve got to put a lot of money into changing behavior.

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…just saving THE BEST for last. c’mon now — you really think i’d end it with Bill Gates??? PFFFFFF!!!! hell no. not in a million years! hahaha sorry, Microsoft lovers — Gates just isn’t & will NEVER EVER be “a closer.”BUT THIS MAN IS…

SUN TZU

• All war is deception.
• All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
• He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious. He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
• Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.
• Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
• Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
• Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.