Why ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ Blew My Mind (And How It Can Unf*ck Your Finances)
I read Robert Kiyosaki’s classic, and here’s why you need to stop being financially dense and start building wealth like the rich do.
I’ve been reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, and now my brain hurts (in the best way)
You ever read something that makes you question everything you thought you knew?
Yeah, that’s what happened when I picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (affiliate link).
This book is like a financial slap in the face, and I don’t mean the polite, “Here’s your change, sir” kind of slap — I’m talking about the wake up, shit-head, you’ve been doing it wrong type.
So, because I love you all so much (and I really want us all to stop being broke), I’m going to share the best bits that rocked my world — and hopefully yours too.
1. The rich think differently about money… and we’ve been playing ourselves
In Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki compares his “Rich Dad” (his friend’s dad) to his “Poor Dad” (his actual father).
Poor Dad isn’t actually poor in the way we think.
He’s smart, educated, working a decent job — but still broke.
Why?
Because he’s stuck in this same tired financial hamster wheel most of us are on.
You earn, you spend, you save a little, and repeat.
That’s it.
It’s the equivalent of trying to run a marathon on a treadmill — you’re sweating, but you’re not going anywhere.
Rich Dad, on the other hand, doesn’t think like that.
He uses his money to make more money.
Money works for him.
Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, we’ve been out here working for money like it’s some kind of vindictive boss who loves overtime.
Kiyosaki sums it up beautifully in this one sentence:
For example, one dad would say, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” The other, “The lack of money is the root of all evil.” — Robert Kiyosaki
No wonder we’re skint.
2. Chasing pay-packets is like being on a financial treadmill
Here’s another brutal truth I learned: chasing a payday isn’t going to make you rich.
Rich Dad Poor Dad spells it out loud and clear.
Most of us think, “Oh, if I just make a little more, life will be easier.”
Guess what?
Kiyosaki makes it plain that even if you make more, you’ll just spend more.
It’s like stuffing your face at a buffet — you’re full, but somehow still thinking about dessert.
We inflate our lifestyles as fast as we inflate our bank accounts.
The rich, though?
They break the cycle.
They know that wealth isn’t about how much you make — it’s about what you do with it.
So, instead of drooling over the next pay-packet, they’re putting their money into things that generate more money.
Imagine your salary isn’t a finish line but a stepping stone.
That’s the mindset shift right there.
3. Assets vs. liabilities: I thought I knew, but turns out I was clueless
We’ve all heard the terms “assets” and “liabilities,” right?
Well, guess what?
We’ve been getting it wrong.
According to Kiyosaki, an asset isn’t just something that looks good on paper.
No, it’s something that actively makes you money.
So, your fancy car?
That’s not an asset — that’s a liability.
It’s bleeding your wallet dry faster than you can say “monthly payment.”
Rich people stack assets like they’re collecting Pokémon cards.
Real estate, stocks, businesses — stuff that’s putting money in their pockets while they sleep.
Meanwhile, most of us are over here collecting liabilities — cars, gadgets, overpriced lattes — things that make us feel rich for about two seconds, until we check our bank balance and cry.
4. Schools taught us a lot of sh*t, but not how to handle money
Let’s just put this out there: our education system has failed us.
Yeah, they’ll teach you how to calculate the circumference of a watermelon using some cryptic formula, but will they tell you how to invest in real estate or save for retirement?
Fuck no.
Rich Dad Poor Dad points out the obvious: Financial education should’ve been a thing, and it wasn’t.
Kiyosaki’s advice?
Educate yourself.
Stop waiting around for some guru or system to teach you how to handle your money.
Get curious.
Read, watch, learn, then apply.
If you don’t, you’re voluntarily signing up to stay broke, like you’re somehow allergic to success.
5. Wealthy people love boring sh*t — and that’s the secret
Here’s something I didn’t expect: the rich do the boring stuff.
They invest consistently, they save strategically, they stick with their plan for decades.
It’s about as exciting as watching paint dry, but guess what?
It works.
They’re playing the long game.
Meanwhile, the rest of us are out here chasing the next shiny thing, trying to get rich quick, and wondering why we’re still eating instant noodles for dinner.
This was a big takeaway for me (and not of the food variety!).
Stop looking for excitement in your finances.
If your money plan looks like an adrenaline-packed action movie, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Stick with the basics, and don’t screw with the process.
6. Your house isn’t an investment — it’s a money pit
This one stung a little.
Kiyosaki goes off on the idea that a house is always a great investment.
Turns out, your house is a liability.
Sure, owning property sounds grown-up and responsible, but unless that property is making you money, it’s just a drain on your finances.
The rich don’t count on their homes to make them wealthy — they invest in things that generate passive income.
They’ll rent out property, flip houses, or invest in rental properties — but their personal home?
That’s just where they sleep.
7. It’s all about cash flow, not net worth
Here’s the thing about net worth: it’s a lie.
Okay, maybe not a full-on lie, but it’s overrated.
Rich Dad Poor Dad hammers home that cash flow is the real deal.
You can have all the assets in the world, but if they aren’t putting money into your account each month, what’s the point?
Cash flow is king — it’s what lets you live comfortably without working.
So, next time someone brags about their net worth, ask them what their cash flow looks like.
If they hesitate, you know they’ve got all their money locked up in things they can’t easily use.
And where’s the freedom in that?
8. Stop thinking you need to be lucky — you need to be smart
Finally, the Rich Dad Poor Dad reality check: luck is overrated.
People who build wealth aren’t just lucky — they’re smart.
They know how to spot opportunities and they’re not afraid to take risks.
You don’t get rich by sitting around waiting for your lottery ticket to hit; you get rich by making calculated moves.
Kiyosaki doesn’t sugarcoat it: you have to work for it.
But if you play the game right, the rewards are endless.
Kiyosaki’s tough love isn’t just for the rich
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Rich Dad Poor Dad, it’s that we’ve all been getting it wrong.
If you want to stop being broke and start building real wealth, you’ve got to rewire your brain.
Stop chasing quick wins, stop thinking your house is your biggest asset, and for the love of frogs, start investing in things that actually make you money.
Kiyosaki’s advice might sting a little, but trust me, it’s the kind of sting that wakes you up.
So, go read the book, unf*ck your financial mindset, and start playing the game like the rich do.
And no, I don’t have all the answers (yet), but I’m definitely done with playing this financial game on “hard mode” when the cheats have been out there all along.
Ready to stop being broke and start thinking like the rich?
Look, I get it — changing the way you think about money is like trying to teach a cat to fetch: possible, but it takes some work.
But here’s the thing — you’ve already started.
Just by reading this, you’re ahead of most people still stuck in the “Fuck! Please come soon, payday!” hamster wheel.
But don’t stop here.
Take action.
Don’t let this knowledge collect dust in the back of your mind like that gym membership you swore you’d use.
Start thinking like the rich, invest in your financial education, and make your money work for you.
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