I just finished reading “Die With Zero,” probably the easiest read on financial topics you could read. A pretty quick page turner, but there is a lot of good stuff in here from a perspective you don’t normally hear when it comes to managing your money. Mostly because it isn’t about managing your money, it is about spending your money managing your life.
In a nutshell, money is an asset that is used to create enjoyable experiences. Perkins is saying not to save your money so you have a big pile of it when you retire, but to save enough of it so can live the kind of life you want to live. One filled with enjoyable experiences. So if you save and invest wisely, and pace your spending so you are paying for the most experiences you can afford at each phase of live, then you’ll have lived a life full of enjoyment and won’t leave any money for somebody to inherit when you die. Sorry kids. FYI, he does cover the best way to give money to your kids, charities, or whoever. Essentially, do it when you’re alive, don’t leave the money behind when you die.
I will say, this book comes from the perspective of a millionaire and talks about money in a way that is probably aspirational for many people. That said, the overall ideas are still pretty universal. While you may not be able to celebrate your birthday by throwing yourself a party by renting an entire hotel on a tropical island (something the author did), anybody can get on board with maximizing their life’s experiences.
If you’ve ever given any thought to saving money, retirement, or how to get the most out of life, I highly recommend you read this book. Check it out from your library or support my local book store. Or yours, whatever.
I Think Therefore I Dad 