Striving for maximum net fulfillment means optimizing life for memorable experiences before it's too late. Most people are over-saving and under-living, missing out on valuable experiences that could bring them joy and fulfillment. Health and wealth are important, but they should be balanced with time to ensure a well-rounded, fulfilling life.
People overlook time because they get caught up in the autopilot mode of working to survive and accumulate wealth. They forget to think about what they truly want out of life and how to allocate their time for maximum fulfillment. This autopilot mode leads to a lack of deliberate planning and appreciation for the present moment.
Bill Perkins thinks about risk in terms of risk-reward ratios and opportunity costs. He believes in taking calculated risks where the reward is commensurate with the risk. He also fears missing out on opportunities more than running out of money, emphasizing the importance of using resources wisely to maximize fulfillment.
Bill Perkins believes in giving money away during one's lifetime to maximize its impact. He argues that the utility of money decreases as one ages, so giving it away earlier allows recipients to use it more effectively. He also suggests that giving money away thoughtfully and strategically can have a greater return on investment than market returns.
Bill Perkins suggests that net worth should peak in one's 50s, as the ability to enjoy experiences and maintain health starts to decline with age. He emphasizes the importance of spending down assets during the period when they have the most utility, rather than accumulating wealth until old age.
Bill Perkins recommends breaking down the reasons why people are stuck in autopilot mode and helping them realize that work is not the only source of socialization, mental stimulation, and purpose. He encourages them to exercise other muscles, such as socializing outside of work, and to think about what truly fulfills them to create a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Since writing 'Die With Zero,' Bill Perkins has continued to think deeply about the interplay between wealth, health, and time. He has become more focused on social experiences and throwing parties to create shared memories with friends and family. He also emphasizes the importance of teaching children how to use money as a tool rather than dictating how they should use it.
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Bill Perkins is one of the world’s most successful hedge fund managers and entrepreneurs, and the author of the bestseller, Die With Zero. In this episode, Bill unpacks the Die With Zero philosophy which challenges conventional thinking related to the balance between health, wealth, and time—the three variables important for fulfillment. Bill makes the case that we should strive for maximum net fulfillment rather than net worth (or even health). He argues that we need to optimize our life to have memorable experiences before it’s too late and that most people are over-saving and under-living. Bill also explains how one can apply the principles in Die With Zero to break out of “autopilot” and optimize their life to achieve maximum net fulfillment.
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