Buffett’s ETFs: A (Slightly Anxious) Investor’s Guide

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Right. So, Warren Buffett. Everyone keeps talking about Warren Buffett. It’s a bit intimidating, frankly. Like, I’m supposed to suddenly understand complex financial instruments because he might conceivably buy them? It’s exhausting. Still, I’ve been doing some digging, trying to decode the man’s investment brain. He’s stepped back from running Berkshire Hathaway, which feels… significant. Like the grown-up has left the room. Greg Abel is at the helm now, but the legacy remains. And that legacy, as far as I can tell, involves a lot of Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and Chevron. Predictable, really. Solid companies. The kind you imagine having sensible, matching furniture.

I’ve been obsessively reviewing his past statements, trying to discern a pattern. It’s like being a financial archaeologist, sifting through layers of annual reports. He seems to favor companies with…well, actual profits. Shocking, I know. And strong balance sheets. And “economic moats.” Apparently, that’s a good thing. It sounds like a medieval castle, which is distracting.

The thing is, he’s not really an ETF guy. At least, not publicly. Which is a problem. Because ETFs are…convenient. And I’m all about convenience. But what if he were? What if, hypothetically, Mr. Buffett decided to embrace the 21st century? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. It’s a lot of pressure.

The 90/10 Portfolio: A Moment of Clarity (Possibly)

Apparently, back in 2013, he outlined his plan for his wife’s inheritance. It was…surprisingly simple. 10% in short-term government bonds, 90% in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund. I mean, really? That’s it? It feels almost…anti-climactic. But then, maybe that’s the point. He’s a famously pragmatic investor. No fancy algorithms, no complex derivatives, just… sensible allocation. It’s unsettling. It implies I should be more sensible.

This, of course, leads inevitably to Vanguard’s S&P 500 ETF (VOO). It’s the obvious choice. The low-cost leader. The sensible shoe of the investment world. I wrote about it before, and it still feels like a solid bet. It’s just…boring. But maybe boring is good. Maybe boring is the new exciting. I’m starting to question everything.

The 10% Solution: Treasury Bills and Existential Dread

So, the 10%. That’s the tricky part. What does a man who could buy entire companies with a shrug invest in for a short-term hold? It’s not about maximizing returns, it’s about preserving capital. And that, my friends, points to Treasury bills. Specifically, the Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). It tracks short-term US Treasury bills. It’s…remarkably unglamorous.

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The yield is currently around 3.67% (as of January 9th, 2026). It’s not going to make anyone rich, but it’s…safe. And Buffett, as far as I can tell, is a big fan of safe. He keeps a lot of cash on hand, waiting for opportunities. It’s like being a cat, calmly observing the world, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. I, on the other hand, tend to panic-buy things I don’t need. Different approaches.

I suspect it’s also about having “dry powder” available. If the market takes a tumble, he’ll be ready to swoop in and buy the bargains. I, meanwhile, will be frantically refreshing my portfolio, wondering if I should sell everything and move to a remote island. It’s a difference in temperament, I suppose.

So, there you have it. Two ETFs. One boring, one even more boring. But, according to my highly unscientific analysis, these are the ETFs Warren Buffett would buy. It’s not exactly thrilling, but it’s…logical. And sometimes, logical is enough. Especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the sheer chaos of the financial world. I need a lie-down.

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2026-01-17 13:02