When I first read Die with Zero by Bill Perkins, it challenged everything I believed about money. Instead of saving endlessly, he suggests spending wisely while we’re alive to enjoy life, rather than leaving behind unused wealth.
At first, it sounded reckless—shouldn’t we save for the future? But then I realized: enjoying life and smart financial planning can go hand in hand. This book made me rethink Wills, debts, insurance, and trusts in a new way.
Why a Will Still Matters, Even If You Want to “Die with Zero”
Even if you don’t plan to leave a big inheritance, a Will ensures your money goes where you want. Without it:
- Your family may face legal delays to access your assets.
- The law, not you, decides who gets your money.
- Unpaid debts may become a problem for your estate.
A Will helps close things smoothly, no matter how much or little you leave behind.
Insurance: Enjoying Life Without Worry
Perkins encourages us to spend our money on experiences, but what if something happens to us unexpectedly? That’s where insurance comes in.
- It provides immediate cash to your loved ones, avoiding financial stress.
- It covers debts like home loans, so your family isn’t burdened.
- It gives you freedom to spend, knowing your family is protected.
With insurance, you can live life fully without leaving your family struggling.
Debts: The Silent Threat to “Dying with Zero”
One thing Die with Zero doesn’t emphasize enough is debt management. If you pass away with unpaid loans:
- Creditors may take part of your estate before your family gets anything.
- A mortgage could become a huge problem for your spouse or children.
To avoid this:
- Pay off major debts before old age.
- Use insurance to cover outstanding liabilities.
- Ensure your Will directs how debts are handled.
By clearing debts, you get peace of mind while enjoying your wealth.
Trusts: Controlling Your Money, Even After You’re Gone
If you want to make sure your money is used wisely after you pass, a testamentary trust is a great option.
- Provide for young children without giving them a lump sum.
- Ensure steady income for a spouse or elderly parents.
- Support causes you care about through a charitable trust.
Even if you don’t “die with zero,” a trust makes sure your money is used for the right purpose.
Final Thoughts: Spending and Planning Can Coexist
Before reading Die with Zero, I thought estate planning was only for those passing down wealth. Now, I see it’s about making sure money is used wisely, whether by you or your family.
The key balance:
- Enjoy life, but have a Will to keep things smooth.
- Use insurance to protect your family while spending freely.
- Pay off debts so they don’t become a burden.
- Use trusts to ensure your money is managed properly.
This way, you don’t just die with zero—you live with purpose and leave behind financial clarity.
You may make an appointment with our legal advisor here:
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《Die with Zero》如何改变我对遗产规划、保险和信托的看法
当我第一次读 Die with Zero 这本书时，它完全颠覆了我对金钱的认知。Bill Perkins 认为，我们应该在活着的时候好好享受财富，而不是拼命存钱，结果还没用到就离世，留下一大笔没花完的资产。
一开始，我觉得这样的想法太大胆了。难道不应该存钱以备不时之需吗？但读完之后，我发现，享受人生和做好财务规划，其实是可以并存的。这本书让我重新思考了遗嘱、债务、保险和信托的重要性。
即使想“Die with Zero”，为什么还是需要遗嘱？
很多人觉得，既然打算在生前花完钱，就不需要立遗嘱。但现实是，我们无法精确地算好钱刚好花完就离世，可能到最后还是会留下一些资产。
如果没有遗嘱：
- 家人可能要花很长时间才能拿到你的资产。
- 你的财产会按照法律分配，而不是按照你的意愿。
- 如果有未清的债务，可能会影响你的家人。
有了遗嘱，不管你剩下多少资产，都可以确保它被正确地分配，不会给家人带来麻烦。
保险：让你无忧无虑地享受人生
书里鼓励我们把钱花在体验上，而不是存到死。但如果突然发生意外，家人怎么办？这时候，保险就派上用场了。
- 保险金可以马上发放，避免家人因经济问题而手忙脚乱。
- 可以用来偿还贷款，让家人不需要背负沉重的债务。
- 让你更放心地花钱，因为家人的未来已经有保障。
有了保险，你可以放心享受人生，而不用担心万一发生意外，家人会陷入财务危机。
债务：影响“Die with Zero”的隐藏风险
书里主要讲如何聪明地花钱，但没有太多提到债务管理。如果你过世时还有未清的债务，可能会带来这些问题：
- 你的资产可能先被用来还债，家人拿不到任何遗产。
- 如果你还在供房贷，家人可能要继续还款，否则房子可能会被银行收走。
所以，在享受人生之前，最好先处理这些事：
- 尽量在退休前还清主要债务，特别是房贷和信用卡欠款。
- 用保险覆盖贷款，避免家人继承你的债务。
- 在遗嘱里明确说明如何处理债务，减少法律纠纷。
管理好债务后，你才能真正安心去享受你的人生。
信托：让你的财富被妥善使用
如果你担心家人不懂得理财，把你留下的钱一下子花光，那信托（Trust）是一个很好的选择。
- 如果孩子还小，信托可以确保他们成年后才拿到钱，而不是一次性全部继承。
- 如果有年迈父母，可以安排每个月支付生活费，而不是让他们一次性拿到一大笔钱。
- 如果有特殊需求，比如想支持慈善机构，可以用信托安排定期捐款。
这样，即使你没有“Die with Zero”，你的钱还是可以按照你的意愿被好好利用。
结论：享受人生和财务规划可以共存
以前，我以为遗产规划只是有钱人才需要做的事。但看完这本书后，我发现它的真正意义在于：确保你的钱，不管是你自己花掉的，还是你离世后留下的，都能被好好利用。
找到适合自己的平衡点：
- 尽情享受人生，但也要有一份遗嘱，避免家人日后麻烦。
- 用保险保障家人，让自己可以更放心地花钱。
- 别让债务成为负担，尽早清理，不要留给家人。
- 用信托确保你的财富不会被浪费，而是用于真正重要的事情。
这样，我们不只是“Die with Zero”，而是活得精彩，同时也让家人有财务上的清晰规划。
