Dying with Zero
Manage episode 449593527 series 3614588
let's get into today's topic. It won't be a long one, but it is a good one. So today we're talking about dying with zero. Have you heard of this idea? It's from a book by a man called Bill Perkins, but I've heard many other authors and coaches speak about this as well. And I've always found it problematic.
So the basic concept is that we should ensure we run out of money just the same as we run out of life when we are nearing the end of our lives. Use all our money to the point of zero to maximize our own lives and our experiences in this world. My personal belief is that it's an idea that comes from a place of privilege for many people of color, and I know for other races as well.
It is an honor to be able to leave some sort of legacy to future generations. Black people in particular have experienced such an immense sense of lack due to all the harm we have endured. We thoroughly understand that leaving nothing for our children doesn't even leave them on the same level playing field as the children of others.
In fact, they will be starting from way behind, much the same as previous generations. The systemic racism and biases and marginalization still exist and persist now, which our children have to deal with later on. They will have to learn to navigate the same things that we are learning to navigate, leaving them with knowledge in every facet of life, including financial is so truly very important to the future collective wealth, not just the black community, but the countries that we live in.
Being accepted as equal contributors will help the world globally. Now, our children need to be educated to understand that although the past is over, and we do have better opportunities, not all opportunities are given to us freely, no matter how hard we work. So having a legacy to build from is so crucial.
There's actually a Bible verse that sums this up so well. It says in Proverbs, Chapter 13, verse 22, a good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children. I believe it is our duty to leave a legacy for our children, even if you're not a parent. Leaving something for the children you help to raise is so vital to their sense of well being in this world.
Not everyone has the financial resources to leave money or an asset, but we can always leave knowledge of financial literacy, even if it is what not to do. We can point them in the right direction of where to become financially literate. I know that is something that my father did for myself and our siblings.
He decided late in his life to become a financial advisor. Much of what he tried to teach us went over our heads back then. And he ended up passing away when I was 24 and he was 52. He was quite young. So we didn't get all the knowledge that we could have from him. But he had given us just enough to find out for ourselves later on.
We actually ended up being very much like him in many ways, and one of my brothers actually also ended up becoming a financial advisor. That was our financial legacy, a shift in the right direction, and I'm so grateful for that. Because we know we are carrying on something my father started, something he knew would be crucial to our well being and that of our children.
But how much faster would we have built? Well, if we had. Actual financial legacy and asset or liquid assets. I know that was his intention that he never got to truly realize. Now that is part of my money story and that of my siblings. But it's a part of my story that I embrace as a complete win. The thought of starting out without anything from a parent who raised you is very sad to me.
I wouldn't wish it on anyone, and I know there are many who have even less than knowledge that was passed down to them. For those who do have more, it's important to give fu
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Money Paradigms Quiz Link: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/6729107d7306756304d94bbe
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