Die with Zero

Hello. I'm Yamada from the Shinjuku head office.

I recently read the popular book "Die with Zero."
My attitude towards money has changed. As I and my friends reach their 40s,
Many people handle money with the mindset of "saving money anyway" or "preparing for the unexpected."
Through this book, I deeply resonated with the idea that "the experiences you can only have now are what have value."

Recently, when I look at how young people, in particular, spend their money, I think,
It often feels like money is spending you, rather than that you are spending it yourself.
Influenced by social media and online advertisements, we impulsively buy things we don't know if we need or not.
I feel anxious if I don't have the same thing as someone else.

　Every time I see a scene like this, I can't help but ask myself, "Are you really using that money with your own will?"

Of course, there's nothing wrong with buying what you want.
But if that is the result of being influenced by "someone's eyes" or "a momentary mood,"
I think sometimes you are left with just a feeling of emptiness afterwards.
I used to be like that too. I would buy trendy things one after another and then stop using them.

What "Die with Zero" taught me is that money only has meaning if it is transformed into experience.
What particularly impressed me was the idea that there is an ``optimal timing for experiences'' in life.
When you're young, you have adventures and challenges that require physical strength, when you're middle-aged you spend time with your family, when you're old you have emotional fulfillment -- there are experiences that you can only have at that time. That's why the author of "Die with Zero" argues that money should be used for those experiences.

It's very important to have "intention" when spending your money. For example, spend generously on experiences that move you, such as trips with family, meals with friends, and hobby lessons. Of course, you want to avoid waste, but as long as you feel that "this is enriching my life," the amount doesn't matter.

And by sharing the experience with your family and friends,
The conclusion of the book is that this will multiply and enrich your life.

Recently, I've started telling my children that money isn't just something to save.
Even if it is a small amount, think about what you want to spend it on and what you want to get out of it.
I believe that this habit will make a big difference in the future.

"Cherish this moment right now." It may seem like a simple thing to say, but I think it's something we tend to forget about in the busyness and anxiety of everyday life. No matter how much money you have in your bank account at the end of your life, it doesn't guarantee happiness. Rather, I feel that a life where you feel like you've "spent it all" or "done everything" is much more fulfilling.

I will continue to believe that "spending money = enriching my life."
I wanted to continue spending time together in a way that I was satisfied with.