HOW TO INVEST LIKE WARREN BUFFETT IN 2025 (EVEN WITH $100)

How to Invest Like Warren Buffett in 2025 (Even With $100)

A couple of years ago, I was sipping coffee at my favorite hole-in-the-wall café, scrolling through my phone, when I stumbled across a quote from Warren Buffett: “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist. Investing is not a game where the guy with the 160 IQ beats the guy with 130 IQ.” I stopped mid-sip. Here I was, a regular guy with a regular job, thinking investing was for Wall Street hotshots with fancy suits and fancier bank accounts. But Buffett? He made it sound… doable. Like something I could actually pull off, even with my measly $100 in savings. (Okay, maybe $112 after skipping a few lattes.)

That moment stuck with me. I started digging into how Warren Buffett—one of the richest dudes on the planet—invests. And let me tell you, it’s not as complicated as you’d think. Sure, he’s got billions, but his principles? They’re like the recipe for your grandma’s cookies: simple, timeless, and they work whether you’re baking for one or a hundred. So, here’s how you (and me, and anyone with a hundred bucks) can invest like Buffett in 2025. No private jet required.

 Step 1: Think Like a Business Owner, Not a Stock Ticker Stalker

Buffett doesn’t just buy stocks; he buys *businesses*. He’s like that friend who researches a new phone for weeks before buying it. He wants to know everything—how it works, why it’s worth it, whether it’ll last. When I first tried this, I looked at companies I actually understood. Like, I’m no tech genius, but I know Coca-Cola (one of Buffett’s faves) because I drink it. A lot. (Probably too much, if I’m honest.)

The trick here is to pick companies you’d be proud to own, ones with a “moat”—something that keeps competitors at bay, like a strong brand or unique product. In 2025, with just $100, you can’t buy a whole company (duh), but you can buy fractional shares through apps like Robinhood or Fidelity. Look for businesses with steady profits, good management, and a product you believe in. Maybe it’s a company like Apple, which keeps people hooked with shiny iPhones, or even something boring like a utility company that’s been around forever. Boring can be beautiful in investing.

Step 2: Be Patient (Like, Annoyingly Patient)

Here’s where I messed up at first. I’d check my stocks every day, heart racing when they dipped a dollar. Buffett? He’s the opposite. He buys and holds—sometimes for decades. He once said, “Our favorite holding period is forever.” Forever! I tried this with a small stake in a company I liked, and let me tell you, ignoring my phone’s stock app for a month felt like quitting caffeine cold turkey. But it worked. The stock wobbled, sure, but over time, it climbed.

For your $100, this means picking a solid company or ETF (exchange-traded fund, basically a basket of stocks) and letting it sit. In 2025, low-cost ETFs like Vanguard’s VOO, which tracks the S&P 500, are a great place to start. Buffett loves these because they’re diversified and cheap. You’re not betting on one horse—you’re betting on the whole racetrack. Just don’t check it obsessively. (Pro tip: Delete the app from your home screen if you’re tempted.)

 Step 3: Don’t Chase Trends—They’re Like TikTok Dances

I’ll admit, I got sucked into a meme stock frenzy once. Everyone on X was hyping some random company, and I threw in $50, thinking I’d be rich by Friday. Spoiler: I wasn’t. Buffett avoids this noise. He doesn’t care what’s trending on social media or what some analyst on TV is shouting about. He sticks to what he knows.

In 2025, the market’s buzzing with AI stocks, crypto, and whatever else is hot on X. But chasing trends is like trying to catch a greased pig—you might get close, but you’ll probably end up muddy and broke. Instead, use your $100 to buy into something with staying power. Buffett’s big on companies like American Express or Procter & Gamble because they’ve been around forever and aren’t going anywhere. Find your version of that. Maybe it’s a company you see in your daily life, like Walmart or Starbucks. (Side note: I spend way too much at Starbucks to not consider it.)

 Step 4: Keep Learning (But Don’t Overthink It)

Buffett reads, like, 500 pages a day. I’m not saying you need to read a library’s worth of annual reports, but you can learn a little. I started listening to investing podcasts during my commute—stuff like *The Investors Podcast* or *Motley Fool Money*. They’re like having a smart friend explain things over coffee. I also check out Buffett’s annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders (free online!). They’re long, but they’re gold—full of wisdom in plain English.

For your $100, this means doing a bit of homework before you invest. Look at a company’s earnings, debt, and whether it’s been consistent over time. Apps like Yahoo Finance or Morningstar can help. But don’t get paralyzed by analysis. I did that once, spent weeks researching, and ended up missing a good opportunity because I was overthinking. Buffett’s rule? If you don’t understand it, don’t buy it.

Step 5: Stay Cheap and Keep It Simple

Buffett’s frugal. Not like “reuse your teabags” frugal, but he hates paying more than he has to. That’s why he loves low-cost investments. In 2025, fees can eat your $100 alive if you’re not careful. Stick to platforms with no or low trading fees, and avoid funds with high expense ratios. That VOO ETF I mentioned? Its expense ratio is 0.03%. That’s like paying a penny to invest $100. Compare that to some mutual funds charging 1% or more, and you’re saving serious cash over time.

Also, don’t overcomplicate things. I once tried juggling multiple stocks, crypto, and some weird options thing I didn’t even understand. It was a mess. Buffett keeps it simple—buy good companies, hold them, and let time do the work. Your $100 can grow just fine in one or two solid investments.

A Word on Risk (Because, Yeah, It’s Scary)

Investing $100 might not sound like much, but it’s still your hard-earned cash. I get it—losing it feels like a punch in the gut. Buffett’s not immune to losses either, but he spreads his bets and focuses on the long game. With $100, you’re not going to diversify like a billionaire, but you can still be smart. An ETF is a great way to spread risk without needing a fortune. And if the market tanks? Don’t panic-sell. I did that once during a dip, and I still kick myself. Markets recover. They always have.

Wrapping It Up

Investing like Buffett isn’t about being a genius or having deep pockets. It’s about thinking long-term, staying calm, and sticking to what you know. My $100 experiment? It’s grown a bit—not enough to retire on, but enough to make me feel like I’m onto something. In 2025, with apps making investing easier than ever, you can start small and still channel the Oracle of Omaha. Start with that $100. Pick a solid company or ETF. Be patient. Learn a little every day. And maybe, just maybe, skip a latte or two to add to your stash.

So, what’s stopping you from investing like Buffett? Is it fear, time, or just not knowing where to start? Or maybe you’re already on your way—tell me, what’s the one stock you’d buy with $100 right now? 😃