What does Robert Kiyosaki teach in the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a personal finance and self-help book written by Robert Kiyosaki. Published in 1997, it explores the contrasting financial philosophies and practices of two father figures in Kiyosaki’s life: his biological father (referred to as "Poor Dad") and the father of his best friend (referred to as "Rich Dad"). The book advocates for financial education and presents key concepts, such as the importance of assets, passive income, and entrepreneurship, as the path to financial success and independence. "Rich Dad Poor Dad" has become a widely influential book in the realm of personal finance and is known for challenging conventional wisdom about money and investing.
Chapter 1: Rich Dad, Poor Dad
In the opening chapter, Robert Kiyosaki introduces his two "dads." His biological father, whom he refers to as "Poor Dad," is a well-educated man who emphasizes the importance of job security and traditional education. In contrast, his best friend’s father, "Rich Dad," is a successful entrepreneur who teaches him about the importance of financial education, financial independence, and investing.
Quotes:
- "I noticed that my educated dad had a great deal of difficulty understanding and using one of the most powerful tools of money—compounded interest."
- "The lack of money is the root of all evil."
Chapter 2: The Rich Don’t Work for Money
In this chapter, Kiyosaki discusses the idea that the rich don’t work for money; instead, they focus on making money work for them. He introduces the concept of the Cash Flow Quadrant, which classifies people into four categories: Employee, Self-Employed, Business Owner, and Investor. He emphasizes the importance of moving from the left side of the quadrant (Employee and Self-Employed) to the right side (Business Owner and Investor).
Quotes:
- "The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth."
- "The problem with simply working harder is that each of these three plans has a ceiling. Someone is deciding your income, and that someone is your boss."
Chapter 3: Why Teach Financial Literacy?
Kiyosaki argues that the lack of financial education in traditional schooling is a significant problem. He discusses the importance of understanding financial statements, such as income statements and balance sheets, and the impact they have on one’s financial well-being. The chapter stresses the need for financial literacy to make informed financial decisions.
Quotes:
- "Financial struggle is often directly the result of people working all their lives for someone else."
- "What keeps the poor and the middle class working hard are their financial statements."
Chapter 4: Mind Your Own Business
This chapter delves into the concept of assets and liabilities. Kiyosaki explains that the rich focus on acquiring income-generating assets, while the poor and middle class tend to accumulate liabilities. He emphasizes the importance of building a business or investing in assets that produce passive income.
Quotes:
- "The rich buy assets. The poor only have expenses. The middle class buys liabilities they think are assets."
- "In the world of money, it's not how much you make but how much you keep."
Chapter 5: The History of Taxes and the Power of Corporations
Kiyosaki discusses the history of taxes and how the wealthy use legal tax strategies and corporate structures to reduce their tax burdens. He introduces the idea that financial education allows individuals to take advantage of tax incentives and build their own corporations.
Quotes:
- "You will never get rich by working for corporations, no matter how big or how small."
- "The tax laws are the only laws that give you a fair advantage. Everyone has the same opportunity."
Chapter 6: The Rich Invent Money
In this chapter, Kiyosaki emphasizes the role of creativity and entrepreneurship in generating wealth. He argues that the rich are often innovators who create money by solving problems and providing value to others.
Quotes:
- "One of the great lines in the New Testament is, 'The meek shall inherit the earth.' The world will be owned by the righteous people, the people who have money. Unrighteous people will never own the world. They will be the slaves."
- "A true capitalist is someone who has the ability to raise money. If you don't know how to raise money, you're a slave."
Chapter 7: Work to Learn—Don’t Work for Money
This chapter encourages readers to invest in their education and personal development. Kiyosaki stresses that learning and acquiring new skills are more valuable than a high-paying job.
Quotes:
- "In the real world, the smart are people who make money work for them."
- "The moment you make passive income and portfolio income a part of your life, your life will change."
Chapter 8: Overcoming Obstacles
Kiyosaki discusses common obstacles that individuals face on their journey to financial independence, including fear, cynicism, laziness, and bad habits. He provides guidance on overcoming these challenges and encourages readers to embrace mistakes and learn from them.
Quotes:
- "Don't be addicted to money. Work to learn. Don't work for money."
- "Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success."
Chapter 9: Getting Started
This chapter provides practical steps for getting started on the path to financial independence. Kiyosaki advises readers to seek out mentors, gain experience, and take calculated risks in building their financial IQ.
Quotes:
- "If you want to be rich, you need to be financially literate."
- "The moment you make passive income and portfolio income a part of your life, your life will change."
Chapter 10: Still Want More? Here Are Some To Do’s
The book concludes with a list of recommended actions for readers to take in order to achieve their financial goals. Kiyosaki encourages continuous learning, taking action, and making financial education a lifelong pursuit.
Quotes:
- "The power of 'can't': The word 'can't' makes strong people weak, blinds people who can see, saddens happy people, turns brave people into cowards, robs a genius of their brilliance, causes rich people to think poorly, and limits the achievements of that great person living inside us all."
- "If you realize that you're the problem, then you can change yourself, learn something, grow wiser, and become more valuable. Do not wish for less problems; wish for more skills."
"Rich Dad Poor Dad" challenges conventional beliefs about money, emphasizing financial literacy, asset building, and passive income. Kiyosaki's book encourages readers to think differently about their financial future and take control of their financial destinies by applying the principles he outlines in each chapter.