Bill Perkins: I’m Planning to Die with Zero Dollars in the Bank and You Should Too | Finance E288

Bill Perkins showed up at the New York Mercantile Exchange every day until he got a job as an assistant peon. He started with a salary below $16,000 per year and drove a limo in the evenings to make ends meet. Yet, he dedicated his nights to reading books on trading, the oil market, and options. Through unwavering determination, he became a millionaire by 30. Today, he is one of the world's most successful hedge fund managers and entrepreneurs. In this episode, Bill shares his wisdom about making money and how to spend it. He also explains why your goal should be to die with zero dollars in the bank instead of as a millionaire. Bill Perkins is a hedge fund manager, film producer, and high-stakes poker player. He trained on Wall Street before finding success as an energy trader in Houston, TX. He's the author of Die With Zero, which advocates prioritizing experiences over wealth accumulation for retirement. In this episode, Hala and Bill will discuss: - Bill’s foray into finance - His advice for aspiring millionaires - What commodities hedge funds do - His approach to taking calculated risks - Why he prioritizes experiences over possessions - Money as a tool to drive fulfillment - The balance between work and play - The pitfalls of saving yourself out of a life - The peak utility of your money - The fear of dying broke vs. not living life to the fullest - Planning for optimal fulfillment with time bucketing - And other topics… Bill Perkins is a hedge fund manager, film producer, author, and high-stakes poker player. After studying engineering, he trained on Wall Street and later moved to Houston, TX, where he made a fortune as an energy trader. During the 2007-2008 financial crisis, he profited $1.25 million in one week trading Goldman Sachs stock. His fund saw gains of over 100% in 2021 and 208% in 2022 by betting on rising natural gas prices ahead of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. His book, Die With Zero, advocates prioritizing memorable experiences over wealth accumulation. Bill views his career as an engine for personal growth and spends his time exploring the world, savoring his relationships, and taking in all that life has to offer.