Why are you just staring at it? It’s time to learn from Robert’s experiences - valuable insights are waiting for you. Just dive in!
Robert Kiyosaki explains that his two fathers had completely different beliefs about money and success. His highly educated father believed that loving money was wrong and that making large profits meant a person was greedy. Even though he worked hard, was honest, and cared deeply about education, he often said things like, “Money isn’t important,” “I can’t afford it,” and “Investing is risky.” As a result, he stayed financially insecure despite his education and professional success.
In contrast, Kiyosaki’s rich dad believed that money was important because it supported freedom and a better life. He didn’t believe people should spend their entire lives working for money. Instead, he believed in building businesses and investments so that money and systems could work for you. According to him, wealth provided time for family, health, travel, charity, and helping the community. For rich dad, money was not the goal itself - it was a tool that created freedom and opportunities.
Kiyosaki says this difference in mindset shaped his own choices. He became interested in the “B” (Business Owner) and “I” (Investor) side of the CASHFLOW Quadrant because those paths offered long-term financial freedom. Through observing both fathers, he noticed that small differences in thinking about money eventually created huge differences in lifestyle and financial security over time.
One major lesson came from watching his educated father’s career collapse. After standing up against political corruption and losing his government position, his father struggled financially for the rest of his life. Although he was intelligent and respected, he had spent his whole life in the employee world and lacked the skills and mindset needed to succeed in business. His attempts to become self-employed failed, leaving him frustrated and dependent on government support later in life.
Meanwhile, Kiyosaki’s rich dad continued growing wealthier with age because he had spent years building businesses and investments. Instead of working harder for money, he created systems that generated income and gave him more free time.
From these experiences, Kiyosaki concludes that success is not just about choosing a career, but about choosing the kind of person you want to become financially. He argues that schools mainly prepare people to become employees, while the skills needed to succeed as business owners and investors are rarely taught. The main message of the chapter is that each quadrant in the CASHFLOW system represents a different way of thinking, living, and earning money, and understanding these differences can help people choose the financial path that best fits their goals and values.
The next chapter reveals a powerful shift in thinking - don’t miss it!
