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📖 Die With Zero

📖 Die With Zero

Getting All You Can From Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins

September 09, 2025

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“Your biggest fear ought to be wasting your life and time, not "Am I going to have x number of dollars when I'm 80?”

— Bill Perkins, Die With Zero

What good is wealth without health?

In Die With Zero, Bill Perkins challenges the conventional wisdom—”get a good job, work hard through endless hours, and then retire in your sixties or seventies and live out your days in your so-called golden years.”

Instead, Perkins makes the case that you should “live your life to the fullest now: Chase memorable life experiences, give money to your kids when they can best use it, donate money to charity while you’re still alive. That’s the way to live life.”

SMARTEST TAKEAWAYS

1️⃣ Spend for Experiences Early: Invest money in memorable experiences when you’re young or middle-aged to get compounding joy from the memories, rather than hoarding wealth for later years that may bring health limitations.

2️⃣ Aim for Zero at Life’s End: The goal is to use your money fully by the time you die, meaning you’ve maximized life’s potential instead of leaving unused wealth behind.

3️⃣ Give While You Can: Don’t postpone generosity. Giving money to loved ones or charity earlier enhances relationships and impact, rather than a cold inheritance after passing.

"The Last Cowboy" according to the Wall Street Journal, Bill Perkins is one of the world's most successful hedge fund managers and entrepreneurs

INSIGHTFUL EXAMPLE
Breaking Out of “Ant” Mode

The book contrasts the classic fable of the hardworking ant who saves for winter and the carefree grasshopper who plays. Perkins posits that many of us stay in “Ant Mode” too long—saving diligently but missing out on life’s richness. He suggests shifting to starting to spend and savor life once financially secure, avoiding regret in later years when health or time limit enjoyment.

BOOK FACTS
Die With Zero

First published: July 28, 2020
Print length: 240 pages
Listening length: 5:11
Ratings: Amazon 4.4, Goodreads 3.9

WORTH WATCHING

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