Lifetime Book Club: Die With Zero by Bill Perkins
“The goal is not to die with the most money, but to live the richest life.”
That is the central idea of Die With Zero. From the start, Perkins makes it clear this is not a book about saving, investing, or retiring early. It is about using money, time, and health to create a meaningful life now, not someday.
What It’s About
Perkins challenges the usual idea of maximising net worth. He suggests focusing on maximising life experiences.
The main point is simple but bold. Many people spend their healthiest, most energetic years accumulating wealth they will never enjoy. By the time they have freedom to use it, they no longer have the vitality or opportunity. Perkins offers a framework for timing spending and adventures to match each life stage, aiming to die with zero. This is not because of recklessness but because life was fully lived.
He encourages readers to:
- Prioritise memorable experiences over accumulating assets
- Invest in relationships, health, and adventure while possible
- Think in terms of “time buckets” by mapping when to do things before it is too late
- Pass on wealth (if desired) during life when it can have real impact
It is part philosophy, part personal finance, part provocation.
What We Loved
Perkins’s writing is energetic, challenging, sometimes brash. Underneath is a thoughtful message: money holds value only when used to improve life or the lives of others.
A memorable section describes an older couple who saved carefully through life but realised too late that their dreams needed the energy of youth they no longer had. This tension between prudence and presence runs through the book and sparks reflection.
Who It’s For
This book is ideal if:
- There is a habit of delaying joy “until later”
- Life has been shaped by careful saving, with questions arising about purpose
- There is a wish to balance saving for the future with living today
It is not about recklessness, only intentionality. It suits anyone keen to build a richer life story, not only a larger bank balance.
Final Thoughts
Die With Zero offers no guide to retiring early or beating the stock market. It raises the question of whether waiting too long to live the desired life has become a habit.
In a culture that encourages hoarding time and money, Perkins’s message is provocative, sometimes uncomfortable, ultimately freeing. That makes it an excellent choice for thoughtful discussion.
Win a copy of this book and discover how to turn your time, money, and energy into the richest life possible.
Market & Portfolio Update - November 2025
After very strong gains through the year, the global share market (represented by the MSCI World Gross Index) took a breather in November, returning 0.1% in NZ dollar terms. Although the longest US government shutdown, lasting 43 days, ended in the middle of the month, market uncertainty regarding the ambiguous data environment, the impact on growth and the progress of monetary policy weighed on investors.
Lifetime Book Club: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
"The truth is, we are not losing our ability to focus because we are lazy or undisciplined. We are losing it because our attention has been stolen."
That is the central idea of Stolen Focus. This is not a typical productivity guide filled with tips to switch off notifications. It is a thoughtful, well-researched investigation into why so many of us are struggling to concentrate and what can be done about it.