Die With Zero

Die With Zero teaches us that wealth accumulation isn’t the only aspect of our life that we should be chasing, but rather keep an eye on meaningful experiences, our relationships, and the limited time we have on earth.

Frankly, delayed gratification is overrated and comfortable retirement is an illusion. After all, will you be enjoying hiking in the mountains and boating around Rome in your 60s the same way you would in your 30s? I think not.

That’s the idea behind Die With Zero. Instead of spending your life-saving everything for your retirement, you should keep saving and live a life full of experiences, while still enjoying the comforts that come with a secure financial future.

The greatest investment you can make is in yourself and your life experiences. The main idea behind this book is to live a fulfilling life today, as well as in the future. You don’t have to compromise your retirement for a meaningful life today. Instead, make a plan and save some money for your experiences when you’re young too.

In this life, nothing is promised. We don’t know how long our journey will be, so make sure to take that trip to Europe, Backpack your way around your favorite state, go skydiving or do whatever it is you want to do. Don’t postpone your happiness and invest in memories when you’re young too.

The author suggests that we shouldn’t be working for free. What does that mean? Well, let’s take a look at an average American working for $19 an hour. If you save $16,000 from your average salary of $49,000, that’ll make $770,000 saved for retirement. Say you die before spending everything and you have $130,000 left in your bank. That’s almost two and a half years of free work! Now, the point isn’t to spend everything before you die, or leave your kids with no inheritance. However, what if you were to give them money throughout your life? They could use it while they’re young adults and make a better life out of it, or invest them in experiences. The point is to be smart about your money choices while still securing your financial future. Give your kids what you feel comfortable giving away and spend the rest. If you’re afraid of developing an expensive illness, studies show that it’s cheaper to pay insurance throughout your life than to save it in case it happens. Not only is it more predictable from a financial point of view, but it also helps you save the rest for experiences and time with loved ones. Take some time to come up with the right amount for your kids, and then make sure to use the…