What do you work for?

What Die With Zero Taught Me About Living Fully—Now 

We all have books that shift our perspective, that challenge how we think about our time, our money and our priorities. A few have earned a permanent spot on my mental “books that matter” shelf—like Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, JobShift by William Bridges and Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown. And now, I have a new one to add: Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. 

Its premise is as bold as it is refreshing: maximize net fulfillment, not just net worth. 

Rethinking What We’re Saving For 

We’ve been raised to believe that the responsible thing to

do is save diligently for retirement—via 401(k)s, IRAs, SEPs and the like—so that we’re financially secure when the time comes. And yes, there’s wisdom in that. But Perkins challenges us to consider what all that saving is ultimately for. 

Too often, people accumulate wealth only to die with a large balance still sitting in their accounts—money they never got to enjoy, share or see make a difference. Die With Zero isn’t anti-saving—it’s about reframing how we allocate our money and our time so that we can spend both on what matters most: meaningful experiences. 

Life Experiences Pay Memory Dividends 

One of the most powerful concepts from the book is the idea of “memory dividends.” Every memorable experience we invest in—whether it’s travel, time with loved ones or pursuing a passion—pays us back again and again through the joy we feel when we relive those memories. The earlier in life we create those experiences, the longer we get to enjoy the dividends.  

That hit home for me. I still love to relive the adventures I took in my twenties to Western Europe, the Middle East and the Galapagos Islands. For six years as a biz owner working from home, I blocked my calendar at 3 pm so I could greet my kids as they stepped off the bus, excited to tell me about their school day. These are priceless memory dividends.  

But in the swirl of raising a family, there are also dreams I’ve deferred. My husband and I have worked hard. Our kids are in college now, and we have more time to breathe. We’re not retired—but we are at a moment where we can start doing more of what we’ve delayed. Die With Zero gave me the nudge to start deferring less, embrace more joy in my every day, and start planning experiences intentionally. Not someday—now. It’s all part of what I call my Year of What’s Next.

Time Is a Non-Renewable Resource 

Another key takeaway? There’s a cost to waiting. As Perkins puts it, your health, energy and interests aren’t static. What you can do at 52 might not be possible at 72. That means there’s an optimal window for every kind of experience—and it’s our job to recognize those windows and act accordingly. 

He suggests a tool called the “time bucket” approach—mapping out the decades of your life and identifying what kinds of experiences are best suited for each one. It’s a brilliant way to visualize how your time and energy evolve and to ensure you’re not missing out on experiences best lived now.  

What If You Knew When It All Ends? 

In a thought-provoking twist, the book invites us to consider our mortality. What if you knew the year you were likely to die? (Yes, there’s a website for that—creepy, but interesting.) Would it change how you spend your time and money today? 

I haven’t plugged my data into that site (and might never), but the question lingers: Am I making the most of my life right now? I don’t want to look back with regret—regret for postponing something that mattered or never doing it at all. 

A Risk That Changed Everything 

Eight years ago, I left the comfort and security of a corporate job to start my own business. It was one of the most uncertain and exhilarating decisions I’ve ever made—and it completely changed my life. I’ve grown, I’ve stretched, I’ve met incredible people and I’ve created something I’m truly proud of. 

That risk, in many ways, was my first big bet on living a “Die With Zero” life. But reading this book reminded me there’s more to do—and that the time to do it isn’t later. It’s now. 

Living For More Than Work 

I love my work and my business. But I want my life to be measured by more than just my LinkedIn profile or retirement account. I want it to be filled with laughter, adventure, family, beauty, contribution, connection—and plenty of memory dividends. 

That’s what Die With Zero is all about. Living fully. Giving generously. Spending wisely—on the things that matter most. 

If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what resonated with you. And if you’ve read another book that shifted your perspective on time, money or meaning, send it my way—I’m always looking to add to the shelf.