Don’t waste the next market crash! I’d follow these billionaires to get rich

Billionaires follow a set of rules that helped them get so rich. Anna Sokolidou would like to share these rules with you to help you retire early.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Billionaire, successful investors have some rules for how they grow and manage their wealth. The next stock market crash, I believe, can be a great opportunity to get rich if you follow these rules.

The next market crash

There are plenty of reasons for the next stock market crash. In fact, it might have already started. Yesterday, the US stock indexes closed in the red. That’s because of rising US-China tensions and the surging coronavirus cases in America.

The US rejected Chinese claims in the South China Sea. President Trump’s administration also confirmed the plan to put some regulatory pressure on US-listed Chinese companies. Meanwhile, in California the number of Covid-19 infections surged. Local authorities had to roll back some re-opening plans.   

If I understand correctly, this is just the beginning of the bear market. But don’t worry. The next stock market crash might be your chance to get rich. So, why not use these successful investors’ tips to do so?

Billionaires’ investing tips

Warren Buffett, one of the world’s most successful investors, is famous for his common sense. In his shareholder letters he shares some of his investment principles

It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.” — says Buffett. First, you have to understand if the firm you’d like to buy has a competitive advantage over its peers. Then, you have to understand if the company has a competent management team. And of course you have to understand if the industry overall has growth potential. At the same time, the Sage of Omaha attempts “to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful“. I interpret this as advice to buy really good companies when every single asset becomes much cheaper. This will be especially relevant during the next stock market crash.

There is another billionaire who is well-known in the investing world, though not much featured in the press. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal is an investment guru from Saudi Arabia and founder of the Kingdom Holding Company. He has had many reasons to panic, indeed. Before the 2008–09 crisis he held a 14.9% stake in Citigroup. He bought the bank’s shares at a price over and above their post-recession average. Moreover, the Prince’s real estate in India lost a significant part of its value in 2009. 

But he still managed to keep his cool. “We’re getting hurt, but I’m a long-term investor.” — said Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. This is a wise approach, in my view. If you buy a large enough company with a good credit rating, you won’t have to sell it during the downturn in order to avoid losing your entire capital invested. What is more, if you buy a dividend payer with a good track record, you will also keep getting dividends.

Here’s what I’d do

In order to get rich during the stock market crash, I’d choose my positions extremely carefully, buy when everything gets much cheaper and invest for the long term.

Anna Sokolidou has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Night Takeoff Of The American Space Shuttle
Growth Shares

How UK investors can get access to the $2trn SpaceX stock IPO TODAY

Investors in the UK can get exposure to space powerhouse SpaceX today via several investment trusts that trade on the…

Read more »

Young black colleagues high-fiving each other at work
Investing Articles

Down 23% from its highs, I’ve just bagged myself a FTSE 100 bargain!

Stephen Wright has seized the opportunity to buy shares in a FTSE 100 company with outstanding growth prospects at an…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

How to turn an empty ISA into £100 a month in passive income

Stephen Wright outlines how real estate investment trusts can help UK investors aim for £100 a month in passive income…

Read more »

Man riding the bus alone
Investing Articles

Down 23%! Should I buy Meta Platforms for my ISA or SIPP?

Meta stock looks undervalued after sliding steadily lower since last summer. But should I buy the social media giant for…

Read more »

A rear view of a female in a bright yellow coat walking along the historic street known as The Shambles in York, UK which is a popular tourist destination in this Yorkshire city.
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Greggs shares 2 years ago is now worth…

Anyone who bought Greggs' shares two years ago will now be sitting on heavy losses. Is there potential for a…

Read more »

Investing Articles

10 days to the next stock market crash?

What happens to the stock market when the current ceasefire in the Middle East expires? And what should investors do…

Read more »

Middle-aged Caucasian woman deep in thought while looking out of the window
Investing Articles

How to try and double the State Pension with just £30 a week

By saving money each week and investing regularly, even someone without a lot of cash to spare can aim to…

Read more »

UK financial background: share prices and stock graph overlaid on an image of the Union Jack
Investing Articles

2 badly beaten-down small caps to consider for a £20,000 Stocks and Shares ISA

Ben McPoland highlights a pair of UK small caps that have sold off heavily, making them worth considering for a…

Read more »