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Book 36/52 of My #52Books52Weeks Bucket List Challenge

This book is ground-breaking and aligns perfectly with my Bucket List Life philosophy.

I’ve always preached that life is about experiences, not just accumulation. And this book takes that idea to the next level—challenging everything we’ve been taught about saving, spending, and truly living.

What’s Die With Zero About?

Bill Perkins, a former hedge fund manager turned life optimizer, argues that we should be maximizing life experiences—not just our bank balance.

Most people save aggressively for “someday” but end up dying with more money than they needed and missing out on life’s best experiences while they were young and healthy enough to enjoy them.

Instead of mindlessly accumulating wealth, Perkins presents a system for converting money into meaningful experiences—at the right time in life.

The Core Principles of Die With Zero

1️⃣ Optimize for experiences, not just money.

• Money is just a tool—it has no value unless it’s spent on meaningful experiences.

• Waiting too long to use it = wasted potential for joy.

2️⃣ The time to spend is NOW—not just in retirement.

• Most people delay their dreams until retirement, but that’s a gamble on your health and energy.

• There’s an optimal window to enjoy experiences (travel, adventures, passions) before age or obligations get in the way.

3️⃣ Focus on memory dividends.

• Experiences compound like investments—the earlier you have them, the longer you get to enjoy the memories.

• Example: A backpacking trip at 25 provides years of joy in memories, while the same trip at 75 may not be as impactful.

4️⃣ Give money to your kids when they actually need it.

• Traditional thinking: Leave an inheritance.

• Perkins’ take: Give it to them when they’re young enough to use it!

• A financial gift at 30 or 40 (for a house, a business, or kids) is way more impactful than an inheritance at 70.

5️⃣ Plan your financial life backward.

• Instead of aiming to save as much as possible, aim to have as little as possible left when you die.

• This forces you to spend intentionally—on things that create joy and impact.

6️⃣ Health & time are your biggest assets.

• Money is replenishable—time and health are not.

• The older you get, the less physically capable you are of doing things like skydiving, marathon running, or climbing mountains.

• Spend money on peak experiences while you still can.

7️⃣ Work to maximize fulfillment, not just wealth.

• Most people overwork and underspend because they don’t define their actual financial needs.

• Define your personal enough and stop mindlessly chasing more.

How Die With Zero Aligns with Living a Bucket List Life

✅ Your Bucket List isn’t just for "someday"—it’s for NOW. The longer you wait, the more life will get in the way.

✅ Memory dividends are REAL. Every experience you tick off your list now creates stories, fulfillment, and happiness for years to come.

✅ You can always make more money, but you can’t buy back time. Prioritize adventure, impact, and connection over endless saving.

✅ Don’t die with regret—spend your money on what truly matters. Whether that’s travel, philanthropy, or giving to loved ones, money should be a tool for living, not just accumulating.

This book hit hard. It’s a wake-up call to stop deferring joy and start living with intention.

If you’re someone who’s hoarding money for a distant future, Die With Zero will reframe your entire perspective on wealth and life.

Stay tuned for Book 37 of 52 as I continue this adventure of learning and growth!

#BucketListLife #UltimateChallenge #52Books52Weeks

Are you saving for "someday" instead of truly living today?

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