Choosing a Financial Planner: Why Balance Beats “Die With Zero”
At Verecan Capital Management Inc., we believe smart planning beats “die with zero.”
Why “Die With Zero” Doesn’t Add Up
A smart financial plan isn’t about dying with zero—it’s about balance. Save wisely, enjoy life, and ensure security for tomorrow’s curveballs.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life worked like a perfectly timed flight plan? One last vacation in the calendar, one last dollar in the bank, and then a graceful exit right on schedule. That’s the dream behind the “Die With Zero” rule: use up every cent so you don’t leave anything behind.
It’s catchy. It feels rebellious. It’s also terrible math.
On paper, it sounds efficient. In practice, it asks you to do something impossible: Know exactly how long you’ll live, how healthy you’ll be, how markets will behave, and whether your kids will still need help when they’re forty. It assumes you’ll never get blindsided by medical costs, a layoff, or a sudden opportunity you don’t want to miss out on.
Running your account down to zero only works if you can predict the future with the accuracy of a fortune teller. Most of us, even the pros, can’t predict next week’s weather.
The truth is, people don’t save out of habit. They save because they want to feel safe and able to handle the curveballs life throws. At the same time, the goal shouldn’t be to become the person who saves so diligently they never get to enjoy the money they worked so hard for.
That tension is the real problem to solve.
A better way to think about it is balance. Not hoarding, not draining. A plan that lets you enjoy life today but keeps the lights on tomorrow. One that covers the must-haves like housing and health, but leaves room for joy, travel, and spontaneous adventures. Think of it less like spending down to zero and more like landing a plane: the goal is a safe, comfortable touchdown, not a crash.
Here in the Kootenays, people value experience more than excess. We want to travel, spend time outdoors, support our communities, and share what we’ve built with family. That lifestyle is worth protecting. The stress of wondering if you’ll run out of money early is the opposite of freedom.
So no, you don’t need to “die with zero.” It would be great if we could make that line up, but we can’t. What we can, and should do, is make sure you live with enough. Enough to cover the basics, enough to feel secure, and enough to do the things that make the work worthwhile.
Catchy slogans will always come and go. But a solid plan that gives you flexibility and peace of mind? That’s the real rule worth following.
Verecan Capital Management Inc. is a Registered Portfolio Manager. See website for details.
About Ainsley Mackie
Ainsley Mackie, Portfolio Manager, is part of the team at Verecan, where she helps cut through financial jargon with a clear and candid voice. Her thoughts have been featured in national outlets including the Financial Post, The Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Star. In 2020, she received Wealth Professional Magazine’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service, recognizing her ongoing contributions to community and charitable initiatives. Ainsley brings the same approachable style to her work that she does to life in the Kootenays, keeping money matters grounded, human, and practical.
