The meaning and purpose of wealth and creating it will be different for each of us. Recently, I’ve written about the perils of wealth. And fame. And power. And how these things sound great until you or someone becomes a puppet to it. This was true for Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and international star Taylor Swift. Having or creating wealth just for the sake of it, sucks. You must have a reason for it all. A reason that can give your effort meaning. But then we run into what Kevin Kelly talks about in his new book, Excellent Advice for Living.
“Aim to die broke. Give everything to your beneficiaries before you die. It’s more fun and useful to them. Spend it all. The last check should go to the funeral home and it should bounce. Don’t burden your kids. - Kevin Kelly
To die broke, that may scare you a bit. But what good is all the money if you aren’t going to use it for enjoyment. Or generosity. What Kevin is saying here is enjoy your life and the wealth you’ve built. You may not be able to do that today, at this moment. Wealth takes time to build and it takes discipline to do so. It’s a practice that you spend most of your life working on. Avoiding debt. Steadily investing. Living a life where you don’t spend more than you make.
Once you’re there then what? Give your money away. Enjoy your money. You’ve spent a life time procuring a number on a screen that is supposed to mean something. Money on its own means nothing, until you give it meaning. Money on its own has no values or morals. Money simply takes on the values and morals of the person who has it. Which is why we have philanthropists and why lotto winners go broke in under two years. Values of money are different.
The people coming up behind you should just have it all. That is the plan anyway, so why make them wait? Giving them the money sooner is helpful to them and it frees you from the worry and stress of what is going to happen once you die. By choosing to die broke, you will have lived a rich life. If you have raised good children that turn into great adults, give it all to them. So that you can see how you did as a parent and as an example. So that if they still need the guidance you’re at least still alive to give it to them.
The last check to the funeral home should bounce. You did your job. Your beneficiaries are well taken care of. Nothing is left to chance.
Sure all of this is radical. The point here that Kevin is making; live with intentionality. You cannot take your money with you. Sure, you’ve heard this before. However, that is the point of the message.
Thought Provoking Questions : What values do you have with money? Do they align with how you use/spend/give it ?
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions.
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