Rich Dad Poor Dad Book Review – Book by Robert Kiyosaki. This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our Affiliate Disclosure.
When I first picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad, I wanted to see why this book is so often described as life-changing. In this Rich Dad Poor Dad book review, I’ll share what I learned about money, mindset, and how it changed my own approach to financial abundance.
I wanted to understand how this book could encourage an approach to wealth that isn’t about greed, but instead about abundance, belief, and living a life that’s clearly aligned with your higher purpose. I read the book in just a few sittings, underlining paragraphs and filling the margins with little notes to myself. It sparked countless conversations with friends and even shaped how I think about money as an energy that can create positive change.
One quote that always lingers with me is:
“The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind. If it is trained well, it can create enormous wealth.”
For anyone interested in living in financial freedom, the idea that wealth starts with your beliefs is really important. This totally resonates if you’re someone who’s digging into the Law of Attraction (like me) or just searching for a new way to look at money and self-worth. And if you’re building a business and want to know how to invest your time, focus and money wisely, then this is the book for you.
Review Overview
Book Name: Rich Dad Poor Dad
Author: Robert Kiyosaki
My rating out of 10: 9/10
Print Length: About 336 pages
Publisher: Plata Publishing (April 11, 2017 – 20th Anniversary Edition)
Cost: Prices start from around £7 for paperback to about £20 for hardcover
Formats Available: Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook
Worth a read? Absolutely. Whether you’re new to money concepts or deep into mindset, this book offers a surprisingly practical framework for switching up your financial mindset and the way you practically approach money. You’ll get simple, direct advice that’s easy to use in daily life, making it especially helpful if you want to succeed financially.
Buy Rich Dad Poor Dad on Amazon
Who is Robert Kiyosaki?
Robert Kiyosaki has a varied background. He is a businessman, investor, educator, and the author behind the Rich Dad brand, which now includes a series of books, workshops, and online resources. For me, what makes his background especially interesting is how he bridges classic business ideas with deeper lessons about beliefs and self-worth.
Robert Kiyosaki – By Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128795493
His experiences growing up are key to his writing. Robert writes from a place of contrast. His biological father (the “Poor Dad”) was educated and responsible, but often struggled with finances, while his friend’s father (the “Rich Dad”) was an entrepreneur who valued decision making, lifelong learning, and taking smart risks. These two influences shaped how Robert approaches abundance and freedom, making his message feel real instead of abstract. He is clear that anyone, no matter where they start, can shape their financial experiences by choosing new beliefs and habits.
What’s the Rich Dad Poor Dad book really about?
Rich Dad Poor Dad is part memoir, part financial guide, and part motivational toolkit. The story is told through the lessons that Robert learned from his two fathers. One encouraged him to follow the path of school and a steady job, while the other pushed him to think independently and use money as a resource for freedom.
Kiyosaki lays out the differences in how the two dads think about wealth, work, and success. The “Poor Dad” believes in working hard for money and sees financial security as tied to employment and saving. This is the way that many of us are taught in school and society – work hard at school, get a good job, save for your retirement!
The “Rich Dad” believes in having money work for you, investing, and developing assets that create ongoing income regardless of where you start in life. At every step, Robert challenges the idea that financial abundance is reserved only for a few lucky people. Instead, he encourages readers to claim their power, change their thoughts, and develop habits that match up with abundance.
Summary of Core Lessons
- Mindset shapes money: Your thoughts and beliefs about money influence what you attract and how you handle what you’ve got. This is very close to Law of Attraction concepts, where your inner world sets the tone for your outer reality
- Assets vs liabilities: Kiyosaki breaks down the basic principle that wealthy people focus on buying assets (things that put money in your pocket) while those struggling often buy liabilities (things that take money out). He argues that understanding this simple distinction is a huge switch, and I totally agree with him
- Learning over earning: Instead of only chasing a bigger paycheque or waiting for ‘dead men’s shoes’, Robert suggests focusing on what you can learn. Every skill and every setback has value, so long as you treat them as part of the adventure toward mastery and abundance. In today’s economy, with AI, the internet and the rise of social media, I couldn’t agree more
- The power of taking action: Getting what you want in life is not just about wishing. It’s about matching your intention with inspired action. Kiyosaki encourages readers to get out of their comfort zones, try new things, and start small if needed. This aligns so closely with how I approach my online business too
- Generational impact: The way you talk about and handle money shapes not just your life, but your children, your friends, and your wider circle. So, be wary of how you talk and think about money, for it sends out a signal to those around you, and the universe itself!
Going into these lessons, it’s easy to see why so many people connect with the book. Kiyosaki not only spells out ideas for personal growth, but gives readers concrete actions to take. By focusing on changing your own habits, you start to step up your entire financial experience. The book also reminds us that learning and growth don’t stop after school, they’re lifelong adventures.
Reception and responses
Since its release, Rich Dad Poor Dad has stirred up strong opinions. Some people love the fresh perspective and practical advice. Readers often say the book helps them finally “get it” when it comes to money and abundance. Others find the examples a bit simple, but even then, the big ideas still spark useful reflection. I often see reviews from readers who grew up around scarcity, saying the book gave them hope and a sense of possibility for the first time.
The main takeaway is that you are never stuck, and changing your beliefs about money can have a ripple effect on everything else you care about—relationships, creativity, health, and purposeful living.
It’s also important to mention the impact Rich Dad Poor Dad has had on financial education globally. From classrooms to community groups, people use its core ideas for everything from personal budgeting to generational wealth planning. The approachable style makes these sometimes tricky concepts much easier to grasp.
Key Quotes From Rich Dad Poor Dad
- “It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.”
- “Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success.”
- “Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.”
- “I’d rather welcome change than cling to the past.”
- It’s not, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” but “The lack of money is the root of all evil.”
Formats and Where to Buy
You can buy Rich Dad Poor Dad in paperback, hardcover, on Kindle, or as an audiobook. So, however you prefer to read (or listen), there’s an option. Buy on Amazon here
Prices change a bit depending on the format and where you buy, but it’s great value for the practical wisdom you receive. I recommend picking up a version where you can highlight and jot down your reactions, since so many ideas are worth coming back to.
For audiobook fans, the story is easy to listen to on-the-go and can give you the push you need to try some new money habits. The flexibility of having several formats means you can choose the style that matches your daily routines or learning preferences. This adds to the book’s appeal for readers who are on the move or enjoy learning through listening.
My thoughts after reading
Rich Dad Poor Dad is straightforward, friendly, and free from jargon, making it ideal for anyone curious about blending personal development with financial success. What meant the most to me was the way the book changed my relationship with money, helping me view abundance without guilt and sparking a sense of responsibility for the world I’m creating.
Having grown up in a household where we were constantly told “Money doesn’t grow on trees” and “Money is the root of all evil”, it was no wonder that my money mindset was messed up. Only later, after reading this book and when a friend of mine said, “Gail – Good people do good things with good money”, did my relationship with money finally move on.
This is a book I return to at different points in my adventure. I think you’ll get a lot from reading Robert’s story and applying it to your own money adventure. I’d love to hear what you think if you decide to read it, or if, like me, it’s already helped you see money and abundance in a new, more effective way.
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Attracting money with the Law of Attraction – top tips to creating wealth
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