Die with Zero book club questions

1. 1.

   Perkins argues that dying with money unspent is a mistake. Does that framing resonate with you, or do you value leaving assets to family or causes enough that it changes the argument?

2. 2.

   The memory dividend concept suggests that experiences have diminishing value if delayed. What experience have you delayed that would have been better if you had done it earlier?

3. 3.

   Perkins is a wealthy energy trader writing for people who are likely to over-save. Is the book's advice applicable to you specifically, given your actual financial trajectory?

4. 4.

   The 'optimal age for experiences' argument implies a spending peak in middle age. Does your current spending pattern reflect the idea that experiences are time-sensitive?

5. 5.

   Perkins recommends giving money to children and causes when it can change their lives, not at death. What is your thinking about inheritance and charitable giving in terms of timing and impact?

6. 6.

   The book's prescription is deliberately provocative — work less, spend more, optimize for life rather than net worth. What would you actually change in your life if you internalized that prescription?

7. 7.

   How do you distinguish between spending on experiences that generate genuine memory dividends and spending on consumption that provides transient pleasure without lasting return?

8. 8.

   The fear of running out of money in old age is one of the most powerful financial anxieties. Does Perkins adequately address that fear, or does his advice underweight catastrophic longevity risk?

9. 9.

   What is the work you are currently doing that you would stop if you had enough money? And if you're honest: how much is 'enough' in your case?

10. 10.

    Perkins suggests your net worth should peak in your 60s. Does your current financial plan peak around then, much later, or does this way of thinking about the timeline feel foreign?

11. 11.

    The book is about life optimization, not just financial optimization. What metric beyond net worth captures what you're actually trying to maximize in your financial decisions?

12. 12.

    The die-with-zero instruction is an exaggeration of the actual advice. After accounting for a catastrophic-expense reserve and a longevity buffer, how much of a residual estate would you be comfortable leaving?

How to run the discussion

• Pick six to eight, not all of them. An hour of real discussion covers fewer questions than anyone expects, and racing the list is what makes a book club feel like homework.
• Open with what people noticed, not what they concluded. Asking for a verdict first hardens opinions before anyone has heard each other.
• Let the disagreement run. The questions below that split a room are the ones worth the time; the ones everyone answers the same way can be skipped.
• Ask the quiet person a specific question. A direct, narrow question is far easier to answer than an open invitation to contribute.