Book Review: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

🧠 What It’s Really About

Rich Dad Poor Dad is less about tactical investing and more about financial mindset. Kiyosaki contrasts the money philosophies of his two “dads”:

• One follows the traditional path of education, career, and saving (the “Poor Dad”)
• The other (his best friend’s father) preaches entrepreneurship, asset-building, and financial independence (“Rich Dad”)

It’s a story-driven book that challenges the way we’re taught to think about jobs, money, and security.

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💡 What Hit Me Hard

• “The rich don’t work for money; they make money work for them.”
  It reframes the goal from earning income to building assets. Mindset shift = unlocked.
• Financial education isn’t taught in schools.
  We’re trained to be employees, not owners. That gap creates lifelong consequences.
• Assets vs. Liabilities is everything.
  Buy things that generate income. That car or big house might feel like success, but if it drains cash—it’s a liability.
• Fear and comfort are expensive.
  Many people stay in jobs they dislike because they fear financial instability. That fear fuels the “rat race.”
• The tax system favors business owners and investors.
  A blunt truth, but an important one—especially in the U.S.

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👥 Who This Book Is For

• Young professionals just starting their financial journey
• Anyone stuck in a paycheck-to-paycheck loop
• People who feel like the “rules” of money aren’t working for them
• Aspiring entrepreneurs or investors who need a mindset kickstart

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✅ What You Can Actually Do With It

• Track your income and expenses, and identify what truly qualifies as an asset
• Start investing in cash-flowing assets—even small ones (ETFs, side hustles, rental shares)
• Rethink your career goals: are they giving you financial freedom or just stability?
• Invest in financial education—not just formal schooling
• Start asking: “Is this purchase helping me earn, or just helping me feel?”

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🧾 Final Thoughts

Kiyosaki isn’t for everyone. Some of his ideas can feel extreme or overly simplified. And he doesn’t always back things up with data. But if you’re in need of a mental reset about how wealth is actually built, this book delivers. It’s not a playbook—it’s a spark.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
✔️ Provocative
✔️ Accessible
✔️ Mindset-altering
✖️ Light on specifics
✖️ Can feel repetitive