Stock market crash: I’d follow Warren Buffett to get rich

The stock market crash could be a great opportunity for investors to follow Warren Buffett and get rich buying cheap stocks.

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.

Warren Buffett has made a considerable fortune investing in the stock market. His performance has earned him the reputation of being one of the best investors of all time. And he’s made most of his money when others have been running scared. That’s why I think it’s worth following Buffett’s advice to take advantage of the recent stock market crash. 

Warren Buffett’s most important trait

Buying investments in the middle of a stock market crash can seem like a daunting idea. No one wants to see their hard-earned money evaporate overnight. But this is just the approach Buffett has used many times over the years to get rich. 

The investor’s secret is to be greedy when others are fearful. He has a list of stocks he’d like to buy and then waits until they’re on offer before he takes the plunge. 

This approach requires patience. But, as we can see from Buffett’s performance over the past few decades, it can produce tremendous returns. Therefore, I think one would benefit from following the billionaire investor’s strategy. 

Waiting is only part of the approach. Finding stocks is equally as important. Here he’s excelled as well. He’s been invested in some of the best-performing stocks of all-time, and that wasn’t by accident. 

Finding stock market crash bargains

Buffett will only invest in companies that he knows and understands. That means he tends to stick with high-quality blue-chip companies, which have world-leading brands and economies of scale. I don’t think he’s ever invested in an unknown mining minnow or small-cap biotech stock. 

These latter companies can be highly risky and, more often than not, investors end up losing money. Buffett wants to avoid losing money at all costs. That’s why he stays away from risky businesses. 

In my opinion, no one can go wrong following the same approach. High-quality blue-chip stocks such as Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser may not offer the sort of multi-bagger potential as some AIM-listed small-caps. However, they have a long track record of producing steady positive returns for investors.

If investors are erious about building wealth and getting rich, I believe it’s better to seek out steady positive returns over the long term, rather than sudden profits, or the potential for large losses. 

The bottom line

Buffett has made a fortune buying stocks at depressed levels. He looks for the market’s best companies. And then waits for the perfect  opportunity to buy these stocks.

Anyone can follow this approach. By focusing on companies such as Unilever, and waiting for the right opportunity to buy after a stock market crash, one could potentially generate large total returns in the long term. This may help you build a sizable financial nest egg.

Avoiding losses is just as important as making money for to those wishing to get rich. So investing in high-quality blue-chip companies means the potential for a massive capital loss is relatively low. 

Rupert Hargreaves owns shares in Unilever. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Unilever. 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

Santa Clara offices of NVIDIA
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in Nvidia stock 6 months ago is now worth…

Nvidia stock's taking a breather at the moment. But it could be getting ready for its next move higher, says…

Read more »

British coins and bank notes scattered on a surface
Investing Articles

I hold Lloyds. Is it madness to buy Barclays shares too?

Harvey Jones is keen to buy Barclays shares but wonders whether he's simply doubling down, given that he already holds…

Read more »

Asian man looking concerned while studying paperwork at his desk in an office
Investing Articles

It’s time we all took a long, cold look at the Lloyds share price

The Lloyds share price has been good to Harvey Jones, making him a huge fan of the FTSE 100 bank.…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

Warren Buffett didn’t retire early. But could his investing wisdom help you do so?

Warren Buffett's wisdom from decades of stock market investing is actionable even for a modest investor who simply aims to…

Read more »

Young female hand showing five fingers.
Investing Articles

5 compelling investment ideas for a Stocks and Shares ISA in 2026

Edward Sheldon discusses some ideas to consider for a Stocks and Shares ISA and highlights a UK stock that could…

Read more »

Man writing 'now' having crossed out 'later', 'tomorrow' and 'next week'
Investing Articles

Is this the best time to buy shares in a long time?

Earlier this week, Bill Ackman stated on X that this is the best time to buy shares in a long…

Read more »

A senior man and his wife holding hands walking up a hill on a footpath looking away from the camera at the view. The fishing village of Polperro is behind them.
Investing Articles

£1,000 buys 35 shares in an incredibly reliable FTSE 100 dividend stock

Despite falling 72% from their highs, shares in this FTSE 100 company have been an incredibly reliable source of dividend…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

This is what Warren Buffett has to say about passive income — and I’m listening!

While searching for new ways to earn passive income, our writer takes to heart sage advice from the Oracle of…

Read more »