---
title: Should You Really Plan To Die With Zero?
description: Explore the Die With Zero philosophy, which emphasizes maximizing life experiences over accumulating wealth, and learn how to balance spending and saving effectively.
image: https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hubfs/PFW%20Advisors%20-%20Blog%20Post%20Banner%20-%20Die%20With%20Zero.png
---

[![logo](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hubfs/logo.png)](https://pfwadvisors.com)

- [FINANCIAL SERVICES](https://pfwadvisors.com/financial-services/)
- [THE PFW EXPERIENCE](https://pfwadvisors.com/the-pfw-experience/)
- [CONNECT](https://pfwadvisors.com/connect/)
- [BOOK](https://info.pfwadvisors.com/lobster-league)
- [BLOG](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog)
- [CLIENT PORTAL](https://login.orionadvisor.com/login.html?g=dc5e75ab-0807-4e30-92ce-1cad76383d77\))

finance

# Should You Really Plan To Die With Zero?

Explore the Die With Zero philosophy, which emphasizes maximizing life experiences over accumulating wealth, and learn how to balance spending and saving effectively.

[Scott MacKenzie, MBA, CFP®, CIMA®, CLU®](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/author/scott-mackenzie)

 Nov 10, 2026

---

What if the goal of financial planning wasn't to accumulate as much wealth as possible, but to get the most out of the money you earn while you're alive? That's the idea behind the Die With Zero philosophy, popularized by hedge fund manager [Bill Perkins](https://diewithzerobook.com/) in his book of the same name. It challenges a familiar approach to money: save as much as you can, put off the things you want to do, and enjoy the rewards once you've retired.

Perkins makes a compelling argument. Money can grow over time, but the opportunities to enjoy it change as you get older. A trip you can comfortably take at 35 might be much harder at 75. Time with your children while they're young can't be recreated in retirement. The experiences you have today can create memories you'll enjoy for the rest of your life.

I like the Die With Zero philosophy because it encourages people to think more intentionally about what they're working toward. Too often, building wealth becomes the goal in itself, without a clear idea of what that wealth is supposed to accomplish.

For most people, I wouldn't recommend taking the Die With Zero concept literally. There are too many variables to account for, and financial security matters at every stage of life. The real value of Die With Zero is the shift in perspective it encourages. Here's how to apply its principles while still protecting your financial future.

## What is The Die With Zero Philosophy?

At its core, the Die With Zero philosophy encourages you to use your money to maximize meaningful life experiences rather than spending your entire life accumulating wealth you'll never enjoy. The idea challenges the assumption that a larger bank balance is always better. If you're sacrificing experiences you value today to accumulate money you don't ultimately need, are you getting the most out of your resources?

Perkins approaches the question by comparing financial concepts with the value of experiences. Experiences can compound, too. Most people understand the benefits of compound interest. Money invested early has more time to grow, potentially generating returns that compound over decades. Perkins applies a similar concept to experiences.

Think about a memorable trip you take in your 30s. You get to enjoy the trip itself, but you also get decades of memories, stories, and opportunities to share the experience with other people. Those memories become part of your life long after the original expense is behind you. The earlier you have certain experiences, the longer you have to enjoy their benefits.

The same principle applies to helping your children financially, pursuing a passion, or spending time with people you care about. Sometimes, the value of an experience depends as much on when you have it as how much it costs.

Perkins also draws a comparison between diversifying an investment portfolio and diversifying your life experiences. Just as an investment portfolio can benefit from spreading risk across different assets, a fulfilling life can benefit from a range of experiences, relationships, interests, and pursuits. The point is to think beyond your net worth and consider what your resources are helping you achieve.

Our culture puts considerable emphasis on saving for the future. We're encouraged to build retirement accounts, invest consistently, and avoid unnecessary expenses. That advice serves an important purpose. Building wealth gives you options and helps [protect you against uncertainty.](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/overcoming-financial-uncertainty-how-rational-decision-making-can-guide-you) The problem arises when saving becomes an automatic response to every financial decision, regardless of whether you're already on track to meet your goals.

I frequently see people who achieve financial success early in life but struggle to move away from the hustle mindset as they get older. They become accustomed to working long hours, accumulating wealth, and postponing the things they want to do. Even when they reach a point where they can afford more flexibility, they continue operating as if they haven't made it yet. There's always another milestone to reach, another amount to save, or another reason to put off spending. Meanwhile, life keeps moving.

The Die With Zero philosophy asks an important question: If you're working hard to build wealth, what is that wealth ultimately for? If you don't have an answer, it may be time to reconsider your priorities.

![](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Nov-10-2026-03-11-50-7168-PM.png?width=600&height=400&name=undefined-Nov-10-2026-03-11-50-7168-PM.png)

Those of us who are heavily career-minded in our 20s and 30s can have a hard time breaking away from that mindset later in life, even if we’ve lost sight of what we’re working toward. Die With Zero challenges the concept of money for money’s sake, arguing experiences pay “dividends” far more valuable than monetary wealth.

## Does “Die With Zero” Work as a Concept for Most People?

I think the concept has a lot of value. Following it literally is a different matter. There's a significant difference between [using your money more intentionally](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/rational-finance) and trying to reach the end of your life with nothing left. The first can help you build a more fulfilling life. The second introduces risks that many people aren't in a position to take. For most people, the best approach falls somewhere between spending everything on today's experiences and spending an entire lifetime accumulating wealth to pass on after death.

One of the biggest problems I see is that people sometimes equate financial success with personal success. They set a goal of reaching a particular net worth, earning a certain amount of money, or retiring with a specific portfolio balance. Those can be useful financial targets, but they don't necessarily tell you anything about the life you want to live. What happens when you reach the number?

If you've spent decades working toward a financial milestone without considering what you want it to make possible, you may find yourself with considerable wealth and little clarity about what to do with it. That doesn't mean accumulating wealth is a bad thing. It means wealth should serve a purpose.

Maybe you want to travel more, spend time with your family, pursue a hobby, support a cause, or eventually leave a meaningful inheritance. Perhaps you genuinely enjoy your career and want to keep working because it gives you a sense of purpose.

Those are all legitimate goals. The important thing is understanding which ones matter to you and how your finances can support them. Money is a tool for building the life you want. It shouldn't automatically become the definition of success.

There's a reason I wouldn't recommend following the Die With Zero philosophy to the letter, however. You still need to prepare for retirement. You need to account for unexpected expenses, potential healthcare costs, inflation, and the possibility of living longer than you expect. If you have people who depend on you financially, such as parents or children, their needs belong in the equation, too. Spending aggressively today without considering those responsibilities can leave you in a difficult position later. On the other hand, saving every available dollar while repeatedly postponing meaningful experiences can leave you wondering what all that sacrifice was for. The goal is to find a balance that allows you to[enjoy your life today](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/wealth-wellness) without putting your future self in a vulnerable position.

That balance will look different for everyone. Someone who has built substantial savings and is consistently ahead of their financial goals may have more flexibility to spend. Someone who is behind on retirement savings or carrying expensive debt may need to prioritize financial stability first. The point is to make those decisions intentionally, based on your circumstances and goals, rather than defaulting to either extreme.

### A Quick Goal-Setting Exercise

One exercise I use with clients can help bring these ideas into focus.

Take a piece of paper and divide it into two columns.

Column one: Your age. Write down the ages or life stages you're planning for, starting with your current age and extending into the future.

Column two: Your goals. Next to each age, write down what you want to accomplish or experience by that point.

For example, your list might look something like this:

| Age or Life Stage | What I Want To Accomplish |
| --- | --- |
| 35 | Take an extended international vacation |
| 40 | Help children with college expenses |
| 50 | Be able to work less and pay off the house |
| 60 | Retire comfortably and travel |
| 70 | Downsize and enjoy retirement |

These are just examples. Your goals might be completely different, and that's the point. This exercise is about identifying what matters to you.

Most people naturally focus on the near future or jump straight to retirement. Breaking your life into stages encourages you to think about everything in between. It can also reveal when you might be postponing something unnecessarily. If a particular experience is important to you and you can reasonably afford it now, waiting another 20 years may not make sense.

Once you've identified your goals, you can start connecting them to your financial plan. How much will each goal cost? When will you need the money? How does it fit alongside your retirement contributions, emergency savings, and other financial responsibilities? You may discover that some goals require more saving today. Others might be achievable sooner than you thought.

The exercise gives you a clearer picture of what your money needs to accomplish throughout your life, rather than treating retirement as the only destination.

## How Popular is Die With Zero?

In my experience, the Die With Zero concept doesn't always resonate with the people who could benefit from it most. Many high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs are accustomed to prioritizing their careers and financial goals. They've spent years building businesses, advancing professionally, and accumulating wealth. Those habits may have helped them become successful, but they can also make it difficult to step back and consider what they're giving up along the way.

For some people, the idea of spending more feels uncomfortable even when their finances can support it. They may have enough money to take a vacation, work fewer hours, or pursue a long-delayed interest, but they keep finding reasons to wait. Others move in the opposite direction. They become so focused on enjoying the present that they neglect their future financial needs. Neither extreme is ideal.

It's difficult to find the right balance because money serves two purposes at once. It provides security for the future and creates opportunities in the present. Giving more attention to one can mean neglecting the other.

That's why I think Die With Zero is most useful as a framework for [evaluating your priorities](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/your-financial-legacy-more-than-the-money-left-behind)rather than a rigid financial strategy. You don't have to stop saving or spend more than you're comfortable with. You simply need to ask whether the way you're using your money reflects the life you actually want.

## Is Die With Zero Realistic?

If you interpret the philosophy literally, probably not. You can't know exactly how long you'll live, how much your expenses will increase, or what your financial circumstances will look like decades from now. Trying to calculate the precise amount you'll need to spend so that your assets reach zero at the moment of your death is an exercise in uncertainty.

You could spend too much and outlive your savings. You could spend too conservatively and die with money left over. Neither outcome is entirely within your control. You can't predict your lifespan or future expenses.

People are living longer, and planning for a potentially lengthy retirement is essential. Your parents' lifespans can provide some context, but they don't tell you how long you'll live. Some people live well into their 90s while their children pass away in their 50s. There are too many variables at play to know how old you’ll be when you die.

Healthcare costs introduce another layer of uncertainty. You might need expensive treatments, ongoing assistance, or long-term care later in life. Even a carefully constructed financial plan can't predict every possible expense decades in advance.

Inflation also matters. The cost of maintaining your lifestyle will likely change over time, even if you're relatively conservative with your spending. Healthcare, transportation, groceries, utilities, and more will most likely increase in price over the next 10, 20, or 30 years.

All of these variables make a precise end-of-life spending target difficult to establish. Retirement withdrawal guidelines can help provide context. The widely known [4% rule](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2026/05/17/4-percent-rule-why-matters-retirement/90096205007/), developed from research by financial adviser William Bengen in 1994, was designed to help retirees estimate how much they could initially withdraw from a portfolio, with subsequent withdrawals adjusted for inflation, over a roughly 30-year retirement under historical market conditions. It's a useful starting point for understanding retirement income, but it [isn't a universal guarantee](https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personal-finance/retirement/2026/08/31/die-with-zero-financial-plan-memories-retirement/91507637007/) or a personalized spending recommendation. Your circumstances, investment portfolio, retirement timeline, and market conditions all matter.

Your personality matters, too. Your relationship with money plays a role in whether this philosophy feels realistic. Some people genuinely enjoy their work and find satisfaction in building a business, growing their investments, or pursuing professional goals. If that's you, there's nothing wrong with continuing to work hard, provided you're making room for the other things that matter to you. Other people may feel trapped by the expectation that they must always be working toward the next financial milestone.

The important distinction is whether your choices reflect your actual priorities or habits you've developed without questioning them. If you're naturally inclined to save, you may need to become more comfortable spending money on experiences you value. If you're inclined to prioritize immediate gratification, you may need to establish stronger financial boundaries. Neither approach requires you to adopt a completely different personality. It requires you to recognize your tendencies and build a financial plan that accounts for them. You don't have to die with zero to benefit from the philosophy. You just need to be intentional about how you balance the life you're living now with the life you'll need to support in the future.

## How Can You Plan to Die With Zero?

If you want to apply the Die With Zero philosophy, start by separating the factors you can control from those you can't. You can't control your lifespan, future market returns, inflation, emergencies, or the cost of healthcare. You can influence some of your expenses through your lifestyle choices, and you have considerably more control over how you spend your time and money. That distinction gives you a practical place to start.

### Build A Financial Foundation First

Before increasing your spending, understand [where you stand financially.](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/mid-year-financial-clarity)

Review your current savings, investments, debt, expected retirement income, and major future expenses. Consider whether you have an adequate emergency fund and whether you're saving enough to support the retirement you want.

If your financial foundation needs work, address those priorities first. A philosophy centered on enjoying your wealth should not become an excuse to accumulate high-interest debt, neglect retirement savings, or spend money you can't afford to lose.

### Identify The Experiences You Don't Want To Postpone

Think about what you want your money [to make possible](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/real-wealth-isnt-just-money-why-rational-finance-is-your-path-to-financial-prosperity).

Maybe it's traveling while you're young enough to enjoy physically demanding activities. Maybe you want to spend more time with your children, support them financially while they're starting their own lives, or take a break from work to pursue something meaningful. Put those goals on your timeline.

Once you know what matters to you, you can start planning for those experiences rather than leaving them indefinitely in the category of things you'll do someday.

### Match Your Lifestyle To Your Goals

This is where the philosophy becomes practical.

If you're choosing to prioritize experiences throughout your life, your spending needs to reflect that decision. You may need to allocate more money toward travel, hobbies, family, or other meaningful activities while adjusting spending in areas that matter less to you. That doesn't mean spending without limits. It means [making deliberate trade-offs.](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/peace-prosperity-decisions)

If a meaningful experience is affordable and fits within your financial plan, you don't necessarily need to postpone it just because saving more is always an option. At the same time, your lifestyle needs to remain sustainable. A plan that funds your current priorities but leaves you unable to support yourself later isn't a successful application of the philosophy.

### Review Your Plan As Life Changes

Your priorities, income, health, and family circumstances will change over time. Your financial plan needs to change with them.

You might decide to spend more on experiences during one stage of life and focus more heavily on saving during another. You might also discover that a goal you once considered essential no longer matters as much. [Reviewing your plan](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/rational-financial-checkup) regularly allows you to make those adjustments while keeping your broader financial goals in view. The objective isn't to follow a rigid spending schedule for the rest of your life. It's to maintain enough financial flexibility to respond to changing circumstances while continuing to use your resources intentionally.

### Work With A Financial Advisor To Understand Your Options

Balancing present-day experiences with long-term financial security involves more than choosing a spending target.

[A financial advisor](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/what-makes-a-great-relationship-with-a-trusted-financial-advisor) can help you evaluate your retirement readiness, model different spending scenarios, account for potential risks, and understand how your decisions affect your long-term plan. That can be especially useful if you've accumulated [substantial wealth](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/how-high-net-worth-individuals-choose-their-advisor) but aren't sure how much you can comfortably spend, or if you're struggling to move away from a lifelong habit of saving as much as possible. The goal is to give you a clearer understanding of what you can afford, what trade-offs you may need to make, and how to use your wealth to support the life you want.

 

 

The Die With Zero philosophy raises an important question: What good is accumulating wealth if you never use it to create the life you want?

Saving and investing are essential parts of a sound financial plan. They provide security, create opportunities, and help prepare you for the future. But wealth accumulation without a clear purpose can become an endless pursuit, leaving you with little time or energy for the experiences that make life meaningful. At the same time, spending everything you have in pursuit of today's experiences can leave you vulnerable to risks you can't predict. For most people, the answer lies somewhere in between.

[![PFW Blog CTA - Retirement - Banner - 2026](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/45057694/interactive-202741586202.png)](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJcHRcwqyvk0K5tfKfWVm%2BYGHXzs4jmuJFTSUU%2FRsMFXsN2kP3HlwqYzBJAeE4m1PXhfJwh%2B%2BirrrG%2FKOZmdIsoM0BMbUL4bsikaQHXn8R7iQLJR%2BocgKKt2wFWhgaaDuGUVLCeO3v2qhDbP6Brj5nQtyQgmKBveui5DXaKxG%2FTvTu41N8mVCx%2FqC2EjTqcEvDvTnKGESZ22io5dE0ZuwJG92yLYkHJU1lvJhNaagNjLjb0MsXn58%2B9j%2FzMH4jjkEheotQgiS9ExjEweuIdL9gGSnsInfetl4yhX08c%2BKTBmU8TshQ6j3A6rwx%2BGqqroyg%3D&webInteractiveContentId=202741586202&portalId=45057694)

Build the financial foundation you need. Identify the experiences and goals that matter to you. Make room for them in your financial plan, and revisit your priorities as your life changes. Your financial success shouldn't be measured solely by how much money you accumulate. It should also be measured by how well that money supports the life you want to live. You don't need to know exactly how much money you'll have when you die. You need a plan that helps you enjoy the present while preparing for the future.

###### Investment advice offered through PFW Advisors, LLC, a Securities and Exchange Commission-Registered Investment Advisor. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Any media logos and/or trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and no endorsement by PFW Advisors, LLC or its representatives is stated or implied. The information contained herein is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, any tax, legal or investment advice. Investing involves the risk of loss, including the possible loss of principal. You are advised to seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decision based on any specific information contained herein. The particular tax consequences of any investment or strategy will depend on your specific tax situation.

###### The links above are provided as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these websites. When you access one of these websites, you are leaving our website and assume responsibility and risk for your use of the websites to which you are linking.

[finance](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/tag/finance) [financial health](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/tag/financial-health) [thought leadership](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/tag/thought-leadership)

## Similar posts

[![logo](https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hubfs/logo.png)](https://pfwadvisors.com/)

#### Secure your family’s financial future.

[Request our Firm Overview\>](https://pfwadvisors.com/pitch-book-landing-page/?__hstc=233546881.5e0d44d9c1c78cf753d2fd3221e4525f.1710171502208.1713386356645.1713451970073.7&__hssc=233546881.19.1713451970073&__hsfp=3016618557)

[Schedule a discovery meeting\>](https://pfwadvisors.com/connect/?__hstc=233546881.5e0d44d9c1c78cf753d2fd3221e4525f.1710171502208.1713386356645.1713451970073.7&__hssc=233546881.19.1713451970073&__hsfp=3016618557)

### OFFICE ADDRESS:

- 3350 RIVERWOOD PARKWAY SE  
  SUITE 650  
  ATLANTA GA 30339

### PHONE:

- [404-848-0950](tel:%20404-848-0950)

### FAX:

- [404-848-0951](tel:%20404-848-0951)

### LINKS:

- [IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES](https://pfwadvisors.com/disclosures/)
- [CRS](https://pfwadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PFW-Form-CRS_08-11-23-final.pdf)
- [PRIVACY](https://pfwadvisors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/PFW-Privacy-Policy.pdf)
- [ACCESSIBILITY](https://pfwadvisors.com/accessibility/)

INVESTMENT ADVICE OFFERED THROUGH PFW ADVISORS, LLC, A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE, AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON FOR, ANY TAX, LEGAL OR INVESTMENT ADVICE. YOU ARE ADVISED TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION BASED ON ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ANY INVESTMENT OR STRATEGY WILL DEPEND ON YOUR SPECIFIC TAX SITUATION.”

 

© 2024 PFW Advisors, All rights reserved

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Scott MacKenzie, MBA, CFP®, CIMA®, CLU®",
    "url" : "https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/author/scott-mackenzie"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-11-10T15:28:24.429Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-11-10T15:28:24.000Z",
  "headline" : "Should You Really Plan To Die With Zero?",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hubfs/PFW%20Advisors%20-%20Blog%20Post%20Banner%20-%20Die%20With%20Zero.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/blog/should-you-really-plan-to-die-with-zero",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.pfwadvisors.com/hubfs/PFWAdvisors_Logo_FINAL-Pantone.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "PFW Advisors"
  }
}
```