--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The gross profits in many workouts appear…" description: "\"The gross profits in many workouts appear quite small. It's a little like looking for parking meters with some time left on them. However, the predicta..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/warren-buffett-183_allowance_the-gross-profits-in-many-workouts-appea_484951.jpg" --- # The gross profits in many workouts appear quite small… ![“The gross profits in many workouts appear quite small. It's a little like looking for parking meters with some time left on them. However, the predictability coupled with a short holding period produces quite decent average annual rates of return after allowance for the occasional substantial loss.” quote by Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/warren-buffett-183_allowance_the-gross-profits-in-many-workouts-appea_484951.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/warren-buffett-183_allowance_the-gross-profits-in-many-workouts-appea_484951.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e53/warren-buffett-183_allowance_the-gross-profits-in-many-workouts-appea_484951.jpg) > “The gross profits in many workouts appear quite small. It's a little like looking for parking meters with some time left on them. However, the predictability coupled with a short holding period produces quite decent average annual rates of return after allowance for the occasional substantial loss.” [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Investing in small, predictable gains can yield solid returns despite occasional large losses. **In simple terms:** Small steady gains can outweigh rare big losses. Key Takeaway Focus on consistent, short‑term opportunities. Themes investing patience risk management Mood cautious analytical Type financial strategic When to use this quote - stock selection - portfolio rebalancing - risk assessment - short‑term trades Key Concepts value investing probability compound interest Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance small gains against rare big losses? - What strategies limit downside risk? A Different Perspective Large losses can erode returns if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Allowance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowance/) [Annuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annuals/) [Average](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Decent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decent/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Gross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gross/) [Gross Profits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gross-profits-4162638/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Loss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loss/) [Meter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meter/) [Occasional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/occasional/) [Parking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parking/) [Parking meters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parking-meters/) [Periods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/periods/) [Predictability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictability/) [Produce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/produce/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Profits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profits/) [Profits Workouts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profits-workouts-4162635/) [Rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rate/) [Rates Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rates-return-4162637/) [Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return/) [Short Holding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-holding-4162636/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-left/) [Workout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workout/) ## Related quotes > [We're guessing at our future opportunity cost. Warrenis guessing that he'll have the opportunity to put capital out at high rates of return, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/we-re-guessing-at-our-future-opportunity-cost-warrenis-guessing-that/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [This church was open and seemingly unattended, and it was a throwback in another way as well. The candles in the little side altars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-block/this-church-was-open-and-seemingly-unattended-and-it-was-a-throwback/) [Lawrence Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-block/) > [Say, for example, you develop the ability to make parking meters disappear. It's probably easier to put a quarter in it. That would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/say-for-example-you-develop-the-ability-to-make-parking-meters/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“It was here in Mayfair, that adjectives such as gracious elegant sophisticated and sublime trip off the tongue like coins into a parking meter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyne-o-connell/it-was-here-in-mayfair-that-adjectives-such-as-gracious-elegant/) [Tyne O'Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyne-o-connell/) > [Another drunk goes up to a parking meter, puts in a quarter, the dial goes to 60. The drunk says, "Huh. I lost 100 pounds!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/another-drunk-goes-up-to-a-parking-meter-puts-in-a-quarter-the-dial/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [“Anyone who knows me even slightly will recognize how unusual that is, since I am notorious for making impassioned speeches about things nobody cares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/anyone-who-knows-me-even-slightly-will-recognize-how-unusual-that-is/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [Norm MacDonald is here - one of the funniest people ever. Norm's got a giant gambling problem. He's dropped more coin in a casino…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-giraldo/norm-macdonald-is-here-one-of-the-funniest-people-ever-norm-s-got-a/) [Greg Giraldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-giraldo/) > [The problems with conventional parking meters are myriad. Nevertheless, two advanced technologies, multispace parking meters and curb-space occupancy sensors, can make it much easier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-shoup/the-problems-with-conventional-parking-meters-are-myriad-nevertheless/) [Donald Shoup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-shoup/) > [Thanks to a deal finalized in 2008, Chicago's parking meters will be operated for the next 75 years by a group of investors put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/thanks-to-a-deal-finalized-in-2008-chicago-s-parking-meters-will-be/) [Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/) > [using parking meters as walking sticks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/using-parking-meters-as-walking-sticks/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [The kitchen was bright, cheerful yellow, the walls decorated with framed chalk and pencil sketches Simon and Rebecca had done in grade school. Rebecca…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/the-kitchen-was-bright-cheerful-yellow-the-walls-decorated-with/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We live in a predatory capitalist society in which everything is for sale. Everybody is for sale, so there is ubiquitous commodification - be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/we-live-in-a-predatory-capitalist-society-in-which-everything-is-for/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [“Now that parking meters have shifted from quarters to credit cards, I worry someone will steal my identity, my wallet, and my car and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/now-that-parking-meters-have-shifted-from-quarters-to-credit-cards-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Predictability and great design are not friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-brooks/predictability-and-great-design-are-not-friends/) [Fred Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-brooks/) > [Predictability can eventually be defended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-nurse/predictability-can-eventually-be-defended/) [Nick Nurse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-nurse/) ## More by Warren Buffett > [To invest successfully over a lifetime does not require a stratospheric IQ, unusual business insights, or inside information. 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The important thing is not how big the circle is. The important thing is staying inside the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/everybody-s-got-a-different-circle-of-competence-the-important-thing/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [It is better to point out your own mistakes than have somebody else do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/it-is-better-to-point-out-your-own-mistakes-than-have-somebody-else/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I've read about all the sales today. If you're an auto dealer, you're feeling it. If you're a furniture retailer like we are, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-ve-read-about-all-the-sales-today-if-you-re-an-auto-dealer-you-re/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I was lucky enough to be born in a time and place where society values my talent, and gave me a good education to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-was-lucky-enough-to-be-born-in-a-time-and-place-where-society/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [The most common cause of low prices is pessimism - some times pervasive, some times specific to a company or industry. We want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-common-cause-of-low-prices-is-pessimism-some-times-pervasive/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [The reaction of weak management to weak operations is often weak accounting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-reaction-of-weak-management-to-weak-operations-is-often-weak/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [What you really want to do in investments is figure out what's important and knowable. If it's unimportant or unknowable you forget about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/what-you-really-want-to-do-in-investments-is-figure-out-what-s/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I don't measure my life by the money I've made. Other people might, but certainly don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-don-t-measure-my-life-by-the-money-i-ve-made-other-people-might-but/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I mean the truth is, I've never had it so good in terms of taxes. I am paying the lowest tax rate that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-mean-the-truth-is-i-ve-never-had-it-so-good-in-terms-of-taxes-i-am/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect. You need a temperament that neither derives great pleasure from being with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/the-most-important-quality-for-an-investor-is-temperament-not/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [Investors, of course, can, by their own behavior make stock ownership highly risky. And many do. Active trading, attempts to "time" market movements, inadequate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/investors-of-course-can-by-their-own-behavior-make-stock-ownership/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) [Explore all 984 Warren Buffett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) ## More Allowance quotes > [I like buying clothes, especially as I get a tax-deductible allowance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-cope/i-like-buying-clothes-especially-as-i-get-a-tax-deductible-allowance/) [Wendy Cope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-cope/) > [There's plenty of great stuff out there. I think it's just what we do is we all spend our allowance on the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-englund/there-s-plenty-of-great-stuff-out-there-i-think-it-s-just-what-we-do/) [Robert Englund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-englund/) > [A realistic expectation also demands our acceptance that one's allotted time on earth must be limited to an allowance consistent with the continuity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/a-realistic-expectation-also-demands-our-acceptance-that-one-s/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [Anyhow, we obviously understand that, being a United States' ally and having a special relationship with it, the UK in its relations with Russian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/anyhow-we-obviously-understand-that-being-a-united-states-ally-and/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [If you want to be rich, don’t allow yourself the luxury of excuses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/if-you-want-to-be-rich-don-t-allow-yourself-the-luxury-of-excuses/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [I'm a big advocate of a work-for-pay setup rather than an allowance that isn't attached to chores - it's a great way to impart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suze-orman/i-m-a-big-advocate-of-a-work-for-pay-setup-rather-than-an-allowance/) [Suze Orman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suze-orman/) > [Few human creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower animals for a promise of the fullest allowance of a beast's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/few-human-creatures-would-consent-to-be-changed-into-any-of-the-lower/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [In regard to the amount of difference between the races, we must make some allowance for our nice powers of discrimination gained by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/in-regard-to-the-amount-of-difference-between-the-races-we-must-make/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [Besides, there is more that binds us to Bolshevism than separates us from it. 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Giving your children a small weekly or monthly allowance that they can spend as they wish will help them learn the value…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devin-d-thorpe/modest-allowance-giving-your-children-a-small-weekly-or-monthly/) [Devin D. Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devin-d-thorpe/) > [Negative emotion is your indicator of resistance, while positive emotion is your indicator of allowance. And they are on the same meter: allowance; resistance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/negative-emotion-is-your-indicator-of-resistance-while-positive/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [Old Madame du Deffand and her friends talked for fifty years without stopping. And of it all, what remains? Perhaps three witty sayings. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/old-madame-du-deffand-and-her-friends-talked-for-fifty-years-without/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) [Browse all 167 Allowance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/allowance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The gross profits in many workouts appear quite small. It's a little like looking for parking meters with some time left on them. 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