Both are available for purchase at TreasuryDirect or through an ETF or mutual fund, such as the Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (NASDAQ: VTIP) or the Schwab Short-Term U.S. Treasury ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHO). And while Buffett often delivers conceptual nuggets of investing wisdom, he doesn't hold back on specific, actionable takeaways. Low-cost means the fund has efficient operating expenses, which allows a greater share of investment returns to flow through to shareholders.