10 ways the book ‘Die With Zero’ will make you rethink your relationship with time, money and happiness

Do you ever ask: ‘What am I doing this all for?’

Most of us grow up hearing the same message: save, save, save, and invest so you can retire comfortably.

But what if dying with a fat pile of savings wasn’t the ultimate goal?

The book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins challenges the idea of hoarding wealth for some far-off future. His book asks: ‘How can you make the most of your money, energy, and time while you’re still alive?’

What if you allocated your resources to create peak life experiences, build meaningful memories, and avoid the trap of working for a future you might not live to see?

Here are 10 ideas from the book Die With Zero:

1. Optimise for experiences, not just wealth.

Money isn’t the end goal. It’s a tool to create experiences that bring joy and meaning.

Experiences give your life richness, while money in the bank does nothing for you.

Spend on experiences that align with your values, whether it’s travel, hobbies, learning new skills, side projects, or time with loved ones, and do this earlier in life.

2. Time is more valuable than money.

Unlike money, time is a finite resource.

Many people sacrifice their most energetic years grinding for future wealth but miss out on enjoying life in the present.

Shift your focus to making the most of your time now. Your energy and health won’t last forever.

3. Invest in “memory dividends.”

Experiences don’t just bring joy in the moment.

They pay dividends in the form of memories you can relive for the rest of your life. Perkins calls this a “memory dividend.”

So dedicate more of your life to experiences that will create great memories.

4. Balance the life curve.

Your energy, health, and earning potential follow a curve.

Align your spending and activities with the stages of your life when you’re most able to enjoy them.

Don’t wait until you’re 65 to live the life you want. Get in on it early.

Spend and enjoy life during your peak years of health and energy.

5. Don’t leave too much for the end.

Many people work hard their whole lives, only to leave behind huge piles of money or inheritances they never got to enjoy themselves.

Readdressing this imbalance takes courage.

Perkins says that leaving money to your children or charity is fine, but don’t let it come at the expense of your own life.

Give your wealth away intentionally and gradually while you’re still alive, so you can witness the impact.

6. Calculate your ‘enough point.’

Figure out how much money you truly need to live your desired lifestyle.

Most people save far more than they’ll ever use, working far longer than necessary. Is that you?

Define your ‘enough’ number, be conscious, and stop accumulating just for the sake of it.

7. Time-bucket your life.

Think of your life as a series of time buckets, each with different priorities.

What you want to do in your 30s won’t be the same as in your 60s.

Plan your life in stages and allocate your resources to make the most of each phase.

8. Stop overworking

Perkins challenges the idea that more work is always better.

Personally, I plan to ‘work’ until I’m dead. But what Perkins reminded me of was the type of work to commit myself to. There’s a difference between grinding for money, and working for pure joy.

I intend to work for fun, to create and build things as one of my primary ‘experiences’ forever.

Once you’ve earned enough for your desired lifestyle, working (especially for money) more becomes counterproductive. It takes time away from living.

Know when to step back, and use that reclaimed time for experiences and relationships.

9. Take risks early.

You’re in your prime during your younger years.

Don’t waste them playing it too safe. As Perkins says, “Take risks when the consequences are still manageable.”

Invest in bold experiences or ventures while you’re young enough to recover from mistakes.

10. Health is an investment.

Your wealth means little if your body can’t keep up.

Invest in fitness, diet, and mental well-being early to maximise your energy for life’s experiences.

Prioritise your health.

It amplifies your ability to enjoy everything else.

How might these ideas shift the trajectory of your life?

What if you put experiences over material accumulation?

What if you gave yourself permission to spend more, sooner?

Share them below.

Alex

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Later,

Alex

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