Warren Buffett says ‘accumulating great amounts of money’ doesn’t achieve greatness—He still lives in a $31,500 Nebraska home and clipped coupons

Warren Buffett, the 94-year-old Berkshire Hathaway chief executive worth an estimated $163 billion, said accumulating great wealth does not by itself confer greatness, arguing that kindness matters more than a large bank balance. In remarks reported Monday, Buffett noted he still lives in a Nebraska home he bought for $31,500 and clips coupons, eats at McDonald’s and says luxury purchases would not make him happier. The comments carry weight because Buffett’s folksy frugality has long underpinned his reputation as a steward of shareholder capital, reinforcing the disciplined, long-term image that investors associate with Berkshire. They come as Berkshire sits on a record cash pile and as investors watch for clues about how Buffett plans to deploy it. Attention now turns to whether his successor, Greg Abel, preserves that culture and capital-allocation stance after Buffett eventually steps aside.