Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

Die with Zero by Bill Perkins argues that the purpose of money is to maximize meaningful life experiences, not to accumulate unspent wealth. He shows how timing matters just as much as security, urging people to match their resources with the phases of life when they can enjoy them most. Through advice mixed with personal anecdotes, he makes the case for intentionally converting savings into memories, relationships, and fulfillment.

Design Your Life

• Actively think about experiences you want to have
• Focus on memory creation, not perfection
• Decide how many times you want to experience each one
• Consider all types: large/small, free/costly, charitable/hedonistic
• Time is your most limited resource – spend to protect and expand it
• Use as a guide for money/time decisions
  • Align spending and saving with experience goals
  • Let your values define your version of a “rich” life

Start Now

• “Early” is right now
  • There is no perfect time
  • Waiting is a hidden cost – lost health, energy, people, access
• Ask:
  • What can I do today, this month, this year?
  • What can I start planning right now?
  • What are the risks of delaying?
  • Who do you want there?
• Consider ‘memory dividends’ you’ll receive by doing things sooner
  • Greater emotional return over time
  • Experiences appreciate, unlike possessions

Why Not Die With Zero?

• Explore resistance you have to spending now
  • Fear of running out of money
  • Guilt about “wasting”
  • Belief that enjoyment must be earned or delayed
  • Habit of prioritizing future-you at the expense of present-you
• If you love work, spend on experiences that fit your schedule
  • Short, high-quality instead of long breaks
  • Invest in learning, creativity, health, and connection
  • Upgrade convenience

Plan Your Giving

• Discuss with your spouse and financial planner
• Decide when and how much for your children
  • Consider their maturity, responsibility, life stage
  • Align giving with teaching (not enabling)
• Decide when and how much for causes you care about
  • Financial support vs time, skills, connections
  • Focus on impact, not just intention
• If money is set to go to them when you die, why not give now?
  • Witness the impact
  • Create shared memories and real-time change
  • Teach financial responsibility
  • Create value while you are still here

Take Risks While You Can

• Risk changes with age
  • Younger = time to recover, learn, and pivot
  • Older = higher cost of missed chances
• Identify low-hanging fruit
  • Experiences you’ve postponed unnecessarily
  • Small investments in skills, health, relationships
• Examine fears: is it protecting or limiting?
  • Rational → based on real consequences and data
  • Irrational → based on comfort, doubt, or past conditioning
• Decisions reflect true priorities
  • Choose intentionally instead of by default
  • Action is a choice – Inaction is also a choice