What is it about Warren Buffett that continues to inspire millions of investors across the globe? This week, Monika dives into the key highlights from the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting held on May 3, 2025. In what could be described as the “Woodstock for Capitalists,” over 20,000 people gathered to listen to the Oracle of Omaha—perhaps for the last time, as Buffett announced his decision to step down at the end of this year. With his 95th birthday approaching, the baton will pass to Vice Chairman Greg Abel, marking the end of an extraordinary era.

Monika walks us through some of Buffett’s most impactful messages over the years—from his legendary $1 million bet against hedge funds to his consistent promotion of low-cost index investing for retail investors. A particularly powerful moment this year came in response to a question about market volatility, where Buffett warned that if a 15% drop in portfolio value causes fear or panic, an investor likely needs a new philosophy. Markets will continue to surprise, he said, and investors must learn to check emotions at the door. Monika echoes this wisdom with her own tools for riding market ups and downs—starting with emergency funds, insurance, and a safety buffer of fixed-income products.

Listener questions this week reflect a deepening engagement with personal finance and investing. Neha writes in asking whether she should switch her mutual fund investments from a regular plan to a direct plan, given the high total expense ratio. Another listener shares an anonymous and difficult situation involving a financially reckless parent, inherited debt risks, and questions about overseas investing and portfolio tracking. And Smitha from Chennai asks for help in setting up a three-account flow system within a single-income household, as she juggles daily expenses, investing, and asset ownership alongside her spouse.

Chapters:

(00:00-00:00) Buffett's retirement and legacy

(00:00-00:00) Lessons in passive investing from Buffett’s million-dollar bet

(00:00-00:00) Regular vs direct mutual funds: what should you choose?

(00:00-00:00) How to protect your finances from family debt

(00:00-00:00) Managing money as a single-income household

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at [email protected]

Monika’s book on basic money management

⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/⁠⁠

Monika’s book on mutual funds

⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-mutual-funds/⁠

Monika’s workbook on recording your financial life

⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/⁠⁠

Calculators

⁠⁠https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html⁠⁠

You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan. 

Twitter ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠

LinkedIn ⁠@MonikaHalan⁠

Production House: ⁠www.inoutcreatives.com⁠

Production Assistant:⁠ Anshika Gogoi