Warren Buffett, the “Oracle from Omaha,” is considered one of the most successful investors in history.

Yet while the investment world may seem complex, Mr. Buffett’s advice is actually pretty simple. Here are a few Buffett quotes, along with some suggestions on putting them to use:

•“Whether we’re talking about socks or

stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down.”

Essentially, this means you should look for good investment vehicles whose price may have dropped.

A “bear” market tends to drag down many stocks — even those with strong fundamentals and favorable prospects. These stocks might then be considered “bargains.”

One way to determine whether a stock is “expensive” or “cheap” is by looking at its price-to-earnings ratio (P/E). For example, if Company “A” has a share price of $20 and earnings per share of $4, then it has a P/E of 5. On the other hand, if Company “B” has the same share price of $20, but has earnings per share of $2, its P/E would be 10. So it would be considered more expensive than Company “A.”

Be aware, though, that the P/E ratio works better as a measure of cost when you are comparing two companies in the same industry.

• “Time is the friend of the wonderful business, the enemy of the mediocre.”

Be prepared to own quality stocks for the long term; over time, your confidence may be rewarded. On the other hand, if an investment is not of high quality, its flaws will be revealed over the years.

• “If investors insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy only when others are fearful.”

Trying to “time” the market — that is, attempting to buy when prices are low and sell when prices are high — is a difficult task. Too many people do just the opposite: They try to “cut their losses” by selling when the market is down and then go after the “hot” investment whose price may already be as high as it’s going to go. Mr. Buffett clearly is not in favor of a market timing approach, and those who try to do it, he says, are probably better off by going against the crowd. Keep in mind, though, that even when holding investments rather than trying to time the market, investing in equities does involve risk, including potential loss of principal.

• “When we own portions of outstanding businesses with outstanding managements, our favorite holding period is forever.”

When should you sell good investments? Never, according to Mr. Buffett. And while this endless holding period may not be possible for all of us, you get the idea: the longer you keep a good investment, the better off you may be when you do sell.

“The line separating investment and speculation, which is never bright and clear, becomes blurred still further when most market participants have recently enjoyed triumphs. Nothing sedates rationality like large doses of effortless money.”

The lesson here? Be an investor, not a speculator. A long run-up in the market can increase your wealth, but it may also make you prone to risky behavior if you think that all your investments will rise indefinitely.

As an investor, you may well want to consider Mr. Buffett’s ideas — after all, they’ve sure worked well for him.

This article was written by Edward Jones on behalf of your Edward Jones financial adviser. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: FINANCIAL FOCUS: What we can learn from Warren Buffett

CRESTVIEW — The Schola Cantorum community choir, based at Northwest Florida State College, performs its Christmas concert “The Marvel of This Night” in Crestview this evening.

From the opening “Bells at Speyer” to the American spiritual “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” the 15-voice choir presents a program of sacred and secular, traditional and contemporary Christmas music.

The group is directed by John Leatherwood, a member of NWFSC’s performing arts faculty, who took the concert’s title from composer Carl Schalk’s lyrical “Before the Marvel of This Night.”

Familiar selections include the 14th-century German carol “In Dulci Jubilo,” the traditional Irish “The Wexford Carol,” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Schola Cantorum will also perform the traditional “Masters in This Hall” carol, released by Mannheim Steamroller on their 2012 album “Christmas Song,” and two movements from Richard Shephard’s “Mass of the Nativity.”

Accompanists include Carolyn Schlatter on piano, Carole Hayes on violin and Robin Horne on flute. Admission is free, and donations are accepted.

Last week, the group performed “The Marvel of This Night” at St. Simon’s on the Sound in Fort Walton Beach, and will perform its concluding concert 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Shalimar.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT:"The Marvel of This Night," a program of sacred and secular, traditional and contemporary Christmas music.

WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 10

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church of Crestview, State Road 85 and Courthouse Terrace

COST: Free, donations accepted

Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘The Marvel of This Night’ concert this evening in Crestview

“The Round Up," a 4-H club, has many things to offer students.

For instance:

•Our next meeting will consist of planning the Christmas parade, learning the educational side of keeping records, and having fun, giving thanks while we eat turkey and cupcakes.

•At our Oct. 13 meeting, our officers were elected and we were educated on the basics of a horse.

•This year’s Florida State 4-H Horse Show filled every stall at the Tampa State Fair Grounds. The competition was at an all time high, having an average of 40 entries in the classes. 

•Last year, we had several students go to the Area A Horse Show in Okaloosa County; one rider out of five took the challenge to compete at the state level.

Alex Cooke qualified from the Area “A” 4-H Horse Show in April, and was awarded the SR High Point Hunter of the show.

4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. The Florida 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach and caring adults to help youths gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens.

To achieve its mission, 4-H accesses the expertise and resources of the University of Florida and a nationwide network of Cooperative Extension Service faculty and staff.

4-H meetings consist of a business meeting with officers, educational programs, and recreation.

We salute the 4-H flag, American flag and have bylaws, just as our country has a constitution. There is also just as much fun as there is learning throughout the club year. We have overnight stays at Camp Timpoochee, go to horse shows, and participate in the fair and parades.

Even if you don’t own a horse, youths are still welcome to attend 'The Round Up' club meetings and learn all about horses. There are hands-on activities for youths to apply the knowledge that they learn at the club meetings.

Programs like 4-H can give today’s youths a bigger field to dream in as the top riders also headed to the Southern Regional 4-H horse show at the end of July.

If your child would like to participate or you would like to volunteer in 4-H, visit our website, http://okaloosa.ifas.ufl.edu/4h.shtml or contact me, your 4-H extension agent, at 689-5850.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: 'The Round Up' 4-H club meetings

WHEN: 6 p.m. the second Monday of every month

WHERE: Laurel Hill Farm

Misty Smith is an agent at the University of Florida's Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: EXTENSION: Spotlight on 'The Round Up' 4-H Club