S&P 500 investors are playing it safer in 2025 — so Warren Buffett's careful stock-picking is in style again.

Buffett -- as well as his late great partner Charlie Munger -- would recommend avoiding leverage at all costs in your portfolio. Why? Because when the market turns (which it will inevitably do at times), the downside can wipe you out. The levered Nasdaq ETF went into a massive drawdown in 2022, and that was just one year of bad returns.

Investors often turn to Warren Buffett for advice for one good reason: He's proven his ability to navigate any investing waters -- from moments of euphoria to the doldrums -- and win over time. Buffett doesn't rush to buy the hottest stocks as markets soar and doesn't panic-sell during difficult periods.