The Secret to Longevity: Avoiding the Crazy Train
Charlie Munger, who recently completed his life well before the age of 100 (99, to be precise), left behind a treasure chest of wisdom. His pièce de résistance? A nugget of advice that could fit—remarkably—on a fortune cookie: “Avoid crazy at all costs.” Who knew the recipe for success came with such a simple ingredient list?
Interviews and Billionaire Secrets
Munger shared this golden wisdom in a pre-planned interview with CNBC’s Becky Quick. It was, naturally, designed to air on his 100th birthday—not that he’ll be there to witness the ratings spike. He and Warren Buffett, the tech-loving, hairstyle-defying billionaire duo, had an impressive 45 years of partnership. This successful venture proved profitable enough for Munger to amass a net worth of $2.3 billion—pocket change compared to Buffett’s staggering $120 billion, which some claim is just his ‘hiding spot’ under the mattress.
Living Cautiously: Munger’s Game Plan
When asked for his insights on living long and thriving, Munger demurred—as is the custom of wise sages who prefer to suggest that we simply “don’t be reckless.” “I don’t know the secret,” he claimed, as if he hadn’t just dropped the ultimate life hack. His secret sauce? A hefty dose of caution. Apparently, he steered clear of major catastrophes while navigating life by diligently dodging obvious risks, all while us mere mortals were busy engaging in reckless adulthood.
The Sneaky Comeback of ‘Crazy’
“Crazy is way more common than you think,” he warned, which is a bit of an understatement. One doesn’t have to look very hard to find the occasional Twitter meltdown to catch a glimpse of the mayhem. According to Munger, certain vices are the slippery slopes leading straight to Crazy Town: “If it can take that many fine people into deep trouble, stay away!” This includes smoking, drinking, and, let’s be honest, living in a place where ‘leverage’ is a frequently used term outside of Wall Street.
The Danger of Leverage: Munger’s Not-So-Secret Ingredient to Wealth
Leverage, as financial experts like to call it, is essentially the art of pretending you have more money than you do. Munger, during a riveting chat, advised avoiding this financial gymnastics routine. Buffett chimed in, explaining the sort of leverage that can take a smart person from riches to rags—a quick lesson in financial Darwinism, courtesy of the two. Apparently, their cautious approach of simply reinvesting profits translated into a fortune that would make them both great-grandmasters of Monopoly.
Vices, Avoidance, and Munger’s Irresistible Weakness
That said, let’s not pretend Munger was some 100% saintly figure. He did confess to two vices that he just couldn’t kick: peanut brittle and Diet Coke. “I’m sure Diet Coke shortens my life a little,” he admitted, sounding like a rebellious teenager caught sneaking cookies before dinner. “But I don’t give a damn.” Well, at least he’s consistent in his selective caution.
Your Not-So-Secret Recipe for Success
Munger’s strategy for life? It’s not rocket science. “My game in life was always to avoid all standard ways of failing,” he quipped, which sounds suspiciously like my high school guidance counselor’s advice but with a fancier vocabulary. His determination to dodge failures in various life arenas shows us that running from the crazy might just be the best course of action—unless, of course, you find yourself caught in a cycle of playing funky poker with your finances.
Final Thoughts
So, in a nutshell, avoid the crazy, steer clear of obvious pitfalls, and maybe enjoy the occasional Diet Coke and peanut brittle. If you follow Munger’s principles closely, who knows? You might just find yourself a billionaire—minus a few questionable dietary choices. So raise a toast (with something non-alcoholic, of course) to living wisely, with our favorite depressing billionaire’s life hacks in mind!
