FUNNY MONEY BOOK REVIEW
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter is one of the most famous self-help motivational business books in the last 20 years. Written in 1997, many successful entrepreneurs of our time credit this book as one of their favorite motivational business books.
It advocates the importance of financial literacy, financial independence and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate investing, starting and owning businesses, as well as increasing one’s financial intelligence (financial IQ) to improve one’s business and financial aptitude.
Rich Dad Poor Dad is written in the style of a set of parables, ostensibly based on Kiyosaki’s life. The titular “rich dad” is his friend’s father who accumulated wealth due to entrepreneurship and savvy investing, while the “poor dad” is claimed to be Kiyosaki’s own father who he says worked hard all his life but never obtained financial security. No one has ever proven that Rich Dad, the man who supposedly gave Kiyosaki all his advice for wealthy living, ever existed. Nor has anyone ever documented any vast reserves of wealth earned by Kiyosaki prior to the publication of Rich Dad, Poor Dad in 1997. [Wikipedia, 2020]
As with everything, there are always critics ready to pick things apart. There are people who question the validity of the stories contained within the book. These people obviously overlooked the fact that this book is intended to shift the way people think about money. It is a tool meant to do just that. Does anyone really care whether there was a real “Rich Dad”? Does that make the messages contained in the book any less valuable? I believe the critics are missing the point. In 2000, I was introduced to this book back. I come from a stereotypical blue-collared factory family. Growing up, finances were not discussed at all. Not even how to balance a checkbook. I subscribed to the go to school, get good grades, go to college, get a career, work 30+ years and collect a pension plan. Well, how times have changed. Pensions are all but an antiquated concept. As a young adult in my 20’s, I decided to seek out alternative paths. I talked my brother-in-law into joining me at a stock trading seminar.
At the seminar, we were interviewed and asked about our upbringing. I was given the action item to go read the Rich Dad Poor Dad book. They told me that I needed to change my way of thinking. That is exactly what happened after reading it. It was not meant to be a step by step road-map to riches. It was meant to break me out of my blue-collared way of thinking. That is exactly what it did. It was an introduction to a whole new category of books for me. It began my desire to be an entrepreneur and take more control of my future. I believe that is the whole reason why this book has been so successful. It is so popular that the president of the United States, Donald Trump, did a literary collaboration with Robert Kiyosaki back in 2006 when they authored the book called Why We Want You To Be Rich, Two Men One Message. Very impressive accomplishment.
In closing, I would recommend that you read Robert Kiyosaki Rich Dad Poor Dad or grab the audiobook if you haven’t already done so. Use it as a motivational tool to keep you striving towards the goal of financial freedom. No matter what that may mean for you. Best wishes on your journey!
