EP 318: Die with Zero! w/John & Rich

When the math says one thing and your life says another, which one do you follow? In this episode of Entrepreneurs United, hosts John St.Pierre and Rich Hoffmann tackle a decision every entrepreneur and leader faces: when to follow the wealth calculator and when to choose lifestyle. Inspired by the book Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. This is not a book review. It is a practical conversation about weighing lifestyle against money in the moments that matter, from leaving a good-paying job to selling a company to deciding how and when to spend. Rich brings personal stories about his dad, his family, and the value of planning first and living well along the way. What you'll walk away with: - A simple lifestyle test to run alongside the wealth calculator - Why buying experiences, not just assets, and giving while you're alive can matter more than another line on a balance sheet - Why over-saving has a cost, and why a dollar isn't equally valuable at every age - How to plan with a financial planner first so a lifestyle decision is a confident one - How to live below your means without living so far below them that you stop enjoying the journey Connect with the hosts: John St.Pierre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnstpierre/ Rich Hoffmann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoffmann-rich/ Timestamps: - 00:00 Intro - 00:07 The question every leader faces: lifestyle or the wealth calculator - 00:32 The book behind the conversation: Die with Zero - 01:52 When the calculator wins and lifestyle loses - 03:18 Buy experiences, not just assets: Rich's dad and the fishing trip - 07:25 Legroom seats and other calculator decisions - 10:27 Don't over-save and spend at the optimal time - 12:51 Running away from something: when to leave the good-paying job - 14:51 Plan first: see a financial planner, then figure it out - 19:19 Make the lifestyle decision - 23:59 The Millionaire Next Door: enough is enough - 25:26 Closing thoughts