Warren Buffett once said ‘money has no utility’ to him — says material possessions mean nothing. Here’s his no. 1 prized asset and how you can take advantage of it

“Money in terms of making trips or owning more houses or having a boat or something — it has no utility to me whatsoever,” said Buffett, who Forbes estimates is worth over $145 billion. “Money has no utility to me. Time has utility to me.”

Here’s why the legendary investor has his eye on the clock.

Time is more precious than money

It’s easy to understand why a 94-year-old would reflect on the value of time. However, time has also played a key role in Buffett’s career. His investment in Berkshire Hathaway wasn’t an overnight success; it took decades for him to harness the power of compound interest fully.

In fact, 99% of Buffett’s current fortune was generated after his 50th birthday, and he didn’t reach billionaire status until he was 56. His longevity and continuous investment over more than six decades are key reasons his wealth outpaces most other professional investors.

“My life has been a product of compound interest,” Buffett told Rubenstein during his 2016 interview.

While no one can control how long they live, investors might take a page out of Buffett’s playbook by maximizing the time they stay invested. Starting early and staying in the market for extended periods may be the key to benefiting from compound growth.

Money lost on stocks can be recovered, but missing even a single year in the stock market could diminish your long-term returns more than expected. You can also use your money to reclaim some of your time.