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Die with Zero
This wonderful Sunday afternoon, I feel like sharing a life experience that resonates with the philosophy of Die with Zero!

Back in 2005, while persuing an advanced degree at the age of 24, my advisor proposed the idea of me traveling to a national lab in Paris for research work.

While he would cover the basic expenses, I had no more than a thousand dollars in my bank to plan any kind of fun activities while in Europe.

Believe it or not, two weeks before the trip, an airport bus totalled my cheap Toyota Corolla and their insurance paid 3K.

At this point, with a grand total of 4K in my pocket, I flew to Paris as a paying guest- worked all 5 weekdays and backpacked several countries in Europe with Rick Steve’s travel book in the hand (remember, Rick Steves?)

At the end of 3 months, I had visited 12 countries, met hundreds of people from across the world, made frnds for life and had the most incredible time of my life.

From getting lost in the streets of Luxembourg, to drinking wine in Nice, to walking the flooded streets of Venice to marveling the castles of Barcelona, I felt like I did it all. I was 20 lbs lighter from months of backpacking and “ravaging” Europe on foot!

Today, 25 yrs later, having saved handsomely from a career in engineering and a family to care for, I wonder if there is anyway I could repeat that experience.

I tried several more trips and visited several more countries as I aged, but none comes close to the craziness and thrill of living a young and free life in Paris.

There is a time for everything, and money alone can’t buy buy those experiences.

Die with Zero. Do the right thing at the right time.

It is a lifetime persuit!

[Cynthia]

Awesome!
I backpacked through Europe at 21 after Uni and knew I wanted to live here one day. At 25 I quit my NYC job and backpacked 1 year around Australia/NZ and at 29/30 I did it again around Asia.

But after that third big trip I never came home.

Instead, I stayed in Asia 13 years and only THEN could I realize my dream of raising a family in Europe.

Been in Italy 17 years now Travel has been a lifelong pursuit and, for me, the only dream worth having

[Rick]

Inspirational stuff! I want to do something similar but the other way round. With enough passive income, I could visit South America and eventually the US as well.

I’ve always wanted to see the numerous National Parks, and marvel at the natural beauty on other continents.

Politics aside, while the US may seem more hostile towards Europe in the short term from this side of the pond, index investing teaches us to look at the bigger picture over the long term, and in the long run, I believe that the US will rediscover the values and principles that made it great.

I wouldn’t DCA index funds if I didn’t.

[Lacie]

We get a thrill out of using a long layover to explore a city with our kids. We’ve done 18 hours in Cairo, 10 hours in Rome, 13 hours in Istanbul, and 8 hours in Copenhagen.

All have been incredibly rewarding. While we could afford to do a proper trip, these ‘micro-vacations’ within our vacation have been really exciting and fun.

[Stephany]

I suggest walking on of the routes of the Camino del Santiago. Start with the French, Portuguese, or the Del Norte along the coast.

Each is about 30-35 days.

You’ll meet incredible people from all over the world, stay in hostels for €10/night and have simple but very good 3 course pilgrims meal for €12.

[Julie]

Reading this book now! It’s helped me take the ‘plunge’ with putting in a pool at a time in our lives when our kids will benefit and love it for years.

We’ve been waiting and saving and dreaming for this for years but I really had a hard time as it felt so foolish.

So, reading this book helped me make the decision to move forward since we felt like we have other things working for us and we wanted to focus on our life enjoyment at home!

[Marcia]

I relate so much to this. I took off to India in my early 20s and the experience was unforgettable. I didn’t need much money.

I’m grateful that I had the courage to really do things back then- even when it was by myself and seemed a little scary.

[Maria]

Love this!
I balance my life with 4-5 trips to Europe per year. Even if it’s just a long weekend – I do one city Friday to Sunday.

I love the food, air, water there. These trips prolong my life!

[Sam]

Great book. I had been kind of stumbling around the idea, but the book gave me clarity.
I’m doing a chapter per month this year with all my leadership coaching clients.

One said “I’m more worried about dying FROM zero than WITH zero!!!” hahah

[Mark]

My wife and I recently spent 3 weeks in Spain, had a wonderful time. I was last in Spain with an old girlfriend 50 years ago. We spent one night in a train station.

Another night we booked an all night train ride with our rail pass because we couldn’t afford a hotel room.

I remember almost nothing of that trip but I’m sure I had a great time! Lol!

[Brooke]

Last Friday I received a text from my old high school friend. She was asking if by chance I wanted to go to the Cayman Islands the next week, the villa is paid for and I just needed airfare and excursion money.

(A 3rd partner had to cancel at the last minute) I already have a couple trips planned this yr, but I said yes.

I’m so grateful for adventures, and grateful for my family juggling things with kids at home so I can go.

I left 24 hours later, and returned yesterday. So, refreshing. Work hard, play hard.

[Debbie]

I would say, step outside your comfort zone when you go to visit other places. When I was a kid and had a wonderful experience on a ranch out west, the first week was terrifying and I told myself I would stay the month and it was the best summer of my life.

I think as we get older, we just don’t move outside that comfort zone and then you don’t have those experiences.

[Trevis]

The context he puts on the value of money with age is an incredible prospective.

Reminds me of taking my first cross country road trip to the western United States. It was like a week long for 200 dollars.

We ate the cheapest food we could find. Slept on the floors of friends and family. And it was amazing.

That trip would be utter misery now.
FI is a worthy goal, but you have to live your life too.

[Marcus]

I traveled in my 20s and early 30s, still traveling now albeit less. Just took a spontaneous trip last week to Andorra to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday.

Live in the moment, tomorrow is not guaranteed.

[Michelle]

I love your story! Thank you for sharing. THIS is what life is about…not just scrimping and saving in perpetuity.

[Melissa]

Rick Steve’s is still a thing, he’s from the Seattle area and still takes tours across Europe, has a great little store as well

[Donna]

Thanks for sharing! I always believe that money is God given tools. In the end when it’s time go back home, He will ask each one of us and ask how we used our talents (money), and I hope everyone is making it worthwhile.

We don’t know when our time is up so use your time and talents wisely.

[Kris]

Reminds me of my 3 years in the Navy. I did not save a penny, in fact I owed a couple thousand on my cc when I left.

No regrets

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