Here's the investing puzzle nobody talks about enough. Buffett tells everyday investors to buy index funds—solid advice, right? But think about it differently. What if you didn't have to choose? What if your portfolio included Berkshire Hathaway shares alongside index fund positions?

The numbers tell an interesting story. Berkshire has compounded at 19.9% historically. That's significantly ahead of what broad market indices typically deliver. So the real question becomes: why would you settle for average market returns when you could own a concentrated position in a proven compounder plus maintain your diversified index exposure?

It's not about picking stocks over index funds—it's about strategic layering. Different investors, different risk tolerances, different time horizons. The index fund argument works. The Berkshire approach works too. But combining both? That's where the conversation gets interesting for those willing to do the homework.