‘Die with zero’ gains momentum. How to turn it into a financial plan

"Die With Zero" has caught on to encourage retirees to spend to their hearts delight rather than scrimping, saving and ending up dying with few memories and experiences. But some financial advisers warn about what that takes and question if it's right for everyone.

"Die With Zero" is the title of a book by Skylar Capital founder Bill Perkins who advocates for people to stop accumulating retirement savings and instead, spend the money to enjoy their lives to the fullest. Memorable experiences early in life, including donating or giving money away, create a "memory dividend" that creates a compounding emotional return, paying joy back each time you recall or share those memories later, he says. So, turn around your thinking and instead of dying with the largest bank balance, aim for $0.

It's not a bad idea for those who meticulously plan and regularly save, but those who don't do either or are simply spendthrifts should probably sit out this movement, some financial advisers say. A 2026 Allianz survey showed nearly half of Americans (48%) do not have a written financial plan.

"Die with zero requires a lot of planning," said Ami Doshi, director of business development at Hightower Signature…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/money/