I've been in the investing world for almost 10 years now, in which time I've garnered a lot of experience around what works and what doesn't. Over this period, one lesson that has impressed itself upon me is that you should really be looking for investment opportunities that "hit you like a 2x4-to-the-head with how obvious they are," to paraphrase Mohnish Pabrai. As a result of this, in my writing on Seeking Alpha, my goal is to be able to communicate ideas simply, as the investing game is already difficult ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial habits and characteristics of millionaires, emphasizing long-term investment strategies and the importance of education over high salaries [2][3][11]. Investment Strategies - Certificates of deposit (CDs) are highlighted as a method for long-term investment, offering competitive interest rates but imposing penalties for early withdrawal [1]. - High-yield savings accounts are recommended as a steady way to grow money, with potential returns exceeding 4%, compared to standard savings accounts with rates as low as 0.01% [7][8]. Millionaire Characteristics - A survey of millionaires revealed that 79% did not receive an inheritance, and 80% invested in 401(k) plans, indicating a focus on self-made wealth through hard work rather than high salaries [3][11]. - The majority of millionaires are educated, with 88% holding college degrees, and 52% having postgraduate degrees, although only 8% attended elite schools [2][3]. Career Insights - Teachers rank third among careers most likely to produce millionaires, despite their relatively low average annual income of $61,690, while physicians do not appear in the top five [4][11]. - The financial struggles of physicians, including significant student debt averaging $200,000 and a lengthy repayment period, can hinder their ability to invest early [11][12]. Financial Tools - Acorns is introduced as an automated saving and investing app that helps users invest spare change, promoting systematic wealth growth through compounding interest [13][14].

Core Thesis - The investment thesis for TriNet Group (NYSE: TNET) has evolved, but the core remains strong, supported by a robust Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering that indicates a solid long-term business outlook [1] Analyst Background - The author has a Master's in Accounting, is a small business owner, and serves as an assistant investing educator, focusing on identifying and developing knowledge of great businesses [1] - The author has three years of stock market investing experience with a long-term focus, emphasizing thorough research before writing about investment ideas [1] Disclosure - The author holds a beneficial long position in TNET shares through various means and expresses personal opinions without receiving compensation from any company mentioned [2]

Group 1: Berkshire Hathaway's Investment Strategy - Berkshire Hathaway has made small investments in relatively small companies, including Pool Corp with a stake worth $1.1 billion and Domino's Pizza with a stake worth $1.2 billion, representing 9.3% and 7.8% of their respective companies [2] - Over the last four quarters, Buffett has purchased approximately $12 billion worth of stocks while selling around $58 billion [3] - Buffett has indicated that finding significant investment opportunities is challenging due to high valuations in the market, particularly for large-cap stocks [4] Group 2: Pool Corp - Pool Corp is characterized as a stable business with predictable revenue, primarily from pool maintenance, which accounts for 64% of its sales [8][9] - The company has a significant market position, allowing it to maintain higher margins and manage costs effectively, especially in light of potential tariffs [9] - Pool Corp's stock has underperformed recently, providing Buffett an opportunity to invest as it trades near its historical average P/E ratio [10] Group 3: Domino's Pizza - Domino's Pizza is the largest pizza company globally, with over 20,000 stores, benefiting from a strong loyalty program and a fortressing strategy that enhances delivery efficiency [13][14] - The company has seen a 5.8% growth in carryout comparable sales, indicating strong performance in its business model [14] - Domino's has a capital-light business model, with a 20% increase in trailing 12-month free cash flow, which supports dividend growth and share buybacks [16]

Core Insights - The investment approach focuses on identifying businesses with potential for long-term growth and significant terminal value generation [1] - Emphasis is placed on understanding core business economics, including competitive advantages, unit economics, reinvestment opportunities, and management quality [1] - The goal is to generate long-term free cash flow and create shareholder value through fundamental research in sectors with strong secular tailwinds [1] Investment Philosophy - The investor is self-educated and has been active in the investment field for 10 years, currently managing personal funds sourced from friends and family [1] - The motivation for sharing insights on platforms like Seeking Alpha is to provide valuable analysis and receive feedback from other investors [1] - The focus is on helping readers understand the drivers of long-term equity value and ensuring that analysis is both analytical and accessible [1]

Company Overview - Nucor is a large and diversified U.S. steelmaker that operates entirely on electric arc mini-mills, allowing for more flexibility compared to traditional blast-furnace technology [2][4] - The company produces steel and fabricated steel products, including building components and parts for the electrical grid, which helps in generating higher-margin products with sustainable demand [5] Industry Dynamics - The steel industry is cyclical, and Nucor's stock price tends to fluctuate significantly between periods of price increases and declines [6][12] - Currently, Nucor's stock is down over 45% from its early 2024 high, but historically, such declines are not unusual for the company [7][10] Investment Perspective - The recent stock price has seen an increase of around 8% from its April low, suggesting a potential inflection point, although it could also be a temporary price movement [9] - Long-term investment in Nucor should focus on buying during downturns when the market sentiment is negative, as this could present a good buying opportunity [12][13] - Nucor's management consistently reinvests in the business, particularly during downturns, to emerge stronger post-recession [10]