I hope people aren't suggesting that the goal of life is to reach the end of it with a net worth as close to zero as possible.
Why ever not?
My goal is to die broke. That goal does not preclude me giving money to the Elephant Sanctuary when I am still alive. Here's how that would work: I am lying on my death bed with at least 1 more day of cognitive function. I see how much I've got in the bank, I write checks to Elephant Sanctuary, Bulldog Rescue, Campbell House, etc,
I don't have children and do not give a fig about handing down wealth to family members. Now, that said--my leftover money may well go to nieces and nephews because it's likely I will die before DH, and DH is a real penny pincher! He will not die broke (even though he is on board with the concept) because he just does not spend money.
I'd rather see it thoughtfully disbursed than hoarded and going to people I barely know. But that's me, and I get to do that with my money.
You get to do whatever you like with your money.
There really is no one correct way to think. And p.s there is a book called
Die Broke : A Radical Four Part Financial Plan by Stephen Plan that lays out this philosophy.