Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

by David Jesse, CPA (inactive)
(Cincinnati, Ohio, USA)

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki was the first book that really opened my eyes to the possibilities of owning my own business. He really brings into clear focus the differences between the four cash flow quadrants and ways of earning money (or having money work for you)...Employee, Self Employed, Business owner, and Investor.

Before I read Rich Dad Poor Dad, I thought the only way to earn a living was by having a job. After all those years of schooling, nothing prepared me for the real world of owning my own business like this book did. As a college graduate with degrees in Accounting and Math, all I was really prepared to do after graduation was to find a nice safe, secure job. By doing this, I was NEVER going to really get ahead financially in life, let alone spend my time doing the things I love. I was setting myself up for a life of constant work and stress over the next 45+ years of my life, spending the majority of my time working - away from the people I loved and cared about most.

Although there are many great books out there, Rich Dad Poor Dad helped shape the foundation of my core beliefs more than any other book I have ever read. I have this burning desire to enjoy life and control my own destiny financially, and Robert Kiyosaki's book provided me with all the basic ingredients I needed, as well as the COURAGE to make that "jump" out of Corporate America into a business of my own.

Now don't get me wrong, owning your own business isn't exactly "easy", but, in my opinion, life is too short to continue working for someone else every single day of your life, letting your employer control so much of your existence.

In addition to reading this book, I'd also highly suggest that you play Robert Kiyosaki's game, Cashflow 101, which will help you understand the "Rat Race" most of us currently live in, as well as some of the steps necessary to live a more abundant and free lifestyle.