Bill Perkins, a successful hedge fund manager and professional poker player, shares his opinion in Die with Zero that life isn’t about accumulating wealth, but about truly making the most of it. He shows how we can use our money (and our time) in such a way that we end up with unforgettable memories – not just an overflowing savings account.
At its core, the book is based on a provocative thesis: Don’t save for later, but consciously invest in experiences while you can still enjoy them. Perkins vividly explains why “later” often never comes and how, by spending consciously, we can make our lives richer. He presents the model of the “fulfillment curve,” adorned with anecdotes in which people work towards their later years – only to realize they lack the energy, health, or desire to spend their savings.
Instead, Perkins calls for more courage to seek out new experiences and uses various financial models to show how you can consciously use your finances to get the most out of different phases of life. I find his idea of the “memory dividend” particularly memorable: you’re not investing in stocks, but in moments that last a lifetime.
The book is written in a relaxed style, entertaining thanks to numerous examples, and inspiring. The arguments and calculation models are easy to understand and logical. With its focus on the benefit of living in the here and now, the book takes away the guilt you might feel when spending money – without encouraging you to become a thoughtless spender.
A recommendation for anyone who feels they’re too focused on saving and are losing sight of life itself a little. Die with Zero is a prompt to reflect on your own lifestyle and to enjoy life more consciously. Suitable for beginners in the world of finance, but also for professionals who are looking for a change of perspective.
🎧 Suitable as an audiobook? Definitely – it’s narrated by the author himself, and the relaxed style and many stories make it the perfect companion for on the go.
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