By Marc Shaffer
“Die With Zero” by Bill Perkins offers a refreshing counterpoint to traditional personal finance advice. Rather than focusing on maximum wealth accumulation, Perkins presents a philosophy centered on using money as a tool to create meaningful life experiences. The core argument is simple yet provocative: aim to “die with zero,” spending your money thoughtfully throughout life rather than hoarding it for an uncertain future. After all, as the stark reality reminds us – no one gets an award for having the most money in their grave.
This philosophy resonates deeply with the old adage that “in life, you usually only get to choose two of the big three – time, money, or health – choose wisely.” It’s a truth that underscores the importance of making intentional choices with our finite resources.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this book if your plan is to leave an inheritance for your family. There are plenty of nuggets of wisdom that allow you to craft your own path for your financial future.
The book’s strengths lie in its practical framework for balancing experience and finance.
Perkins introduces valuable concepts like “memory dividends” – the lasting joy derived from experiences that compound over time. This concept has been so compelling that I’ve personally worked with a life coach to help prioritize and create these meaningful experiences, ensuring I’m intentionally building these memory dividends throughout my life journey.
I can particularly attest to the wisdom of this timing-based approach.
By prioritizing international travel early in my life, before having kids and taking on greater family responsibilities, I was able to fully immerse myself in these experiences without constraints. Looking back, I have absolutely no regrets about allocating resources to travel during that phase of life. This perfectly aligns with Perkins’ philosophy about optimal timing for life experiences – some opportunities are best seized when we have the freedom, energy, and flexibility to fully embrace them.
What sets this book apart is its holistic approach to wealth. Rather than viewing money solely as numbers in an account, Perkins reframes it as a means to create lasting impact through shared experiences and meaningful connections. He challenges readers to consider their true legacy – not just in financial terms, but in the memories and relationships they build.
However, some readers might find the “die with zero” concept too extreme. While the philosophy encourages mindful spending, it could make more conservative readers uncomfortable, especially those with strong beliefs about leaving financial inheritances. As with any book, I enjoy understanding the ideas and incorporating what works into my life and leaving what doesn’t work as knowledge and ideas that might help someone else in the future.
Overall, this book offers valuable perspective for anyone looking to strike a better balance between saving for tomorrow and living fully today.
The opinions expressed herein are those of certain Searcy Financial Services, Inc. personnel and are subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to revision due to changes in the market or economic conditions, which may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by others in the firm, and are meant for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Searcy Financial Services, Inc. is not compensated by this vendor, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given statement.