Legendary investor Warren Buffett once said that someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. It's a great quote about long-term thinking, which translates directly to building wealth through investing.

The goal of any long-term investor should be to find great companies and hold them for a lifetime, letting them lift your portfolio for you. However, that's not easy, because so few companies deserve permanent places in your portfolio.

Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B) and technology giant (NASDAQ: MSFT) might be as strong a long-term bet as you'll find in the market, and you can buy both for under $2,500. Here is what separates them from the pack.

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Source Fool.com