Why We Want You To Be Rich. Robert T. Kiyosaki
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we all know people whose homes have increased in value but their incomes have not. For example, I have a classmate from Hawaii who inherited his parents’ home after they died. Since the real estate prices have skyrocketed and the house has no debt on it, he is technically a net-worth millionaire, but he and his wife still struggle financially because they earn less than $90,000 a year. They have three kids in school and are wondering about how to afford their college educations.”
“So they are asset-rich and cash-poor,” said Donald.
“Yes. They are millionaires on paper, but very middle class in reality. If one of them or their children becomes ill, they could easily slip into poverty.”
“That does happen to a lot of people, especially after they retire and stop working. They have to sell everything if they become ill, just to survive,” added Donald with a somber tone.
“And the problem will grow as the baby-boom generation retires in a few years.”
“Yes, I know,” said Donald. “Even more than Social Security, Medicare is the biggest debt our nation bears. I don’t know how we will afford to pay for 75 million new retirees, their health care, their medicine, and their long-term care once they grow really old. I worry about my kids’ generation and how they will afford to pay for our generation’s financial dependence upon our government.”
“Maybe that is what we should write about,” I said.
“Well, I did write about it in The America We Deserve. Though it never got the readership I would have liked. I think it was my best book because it was about the problems we face, not just about getting rich. But it didn’t sell nearly as many copies as my other books.”
“I had one of those books, too,” I said. “It was Rich Dad’s Prophecy, released in 2002. It’s about the demise of the stock market when baby boomers retire and the inadequacies of our 401(k) plans. It’s also about how a lot of workers will lose their pensions and retirement in the near future.”
“And it didn’t sell either?” asked Donald.
“No. Like your book, many people said it was my best book, yet it didn’t sell like it. But even worse was the Wall Street publications that didn’t appreciate my predictions.”
“What happened?” asked Donald.
“It upset me for a while. And frustrated me. Then, just a few months ago, both the New York Times Magazine and TIME magazine ran cover stories saying almost the same things I was saying in 2002.”
“And what did they say?” asked Donald.
Since I had both publications with me for my PBS show, I pulled them out of my briefcase. “This is the October 31, 2005 issue of TIME magazine. The cover headline is, ‘The Great Retirement Ripoff.’ The subtitle says, ‘Millions of Americans who think they will retire with benefits are in for a nasty surprise. How corporations are picking people’s pockets—with the help of Congress.’”
“Yes! I did read that,” said Donald. “I remember that part about corporations picking pockets with the help of Congress. The article said the rich are stealing from the workers, legally, with the government’s help.”
“Isn’t that disturbing?” I asked.
“And what did the New York Times Magazine say?” asked Donald.
Lifting up the publication, I said, “Well, the cover on October 30, 2005 reads, ‘We Regret To Inform You That You No Longer Have A Pension.’ The subtitle states, ‘America’s next financial debacle.’”
Donald nodded. “You and I have been concerned about many of the same things.”
“It seems that way. That’s why I teach, write, and create board games. It’s not for the money, although the money is good. There are far easier ways to make money. I teach and create educational products out of a deep concern. I believe our country is in trouble and so are millions of our people.”
“Me, too,” said Donald. “When you and I do events and speaking engagements, we often travel for two days, just to deliver a talk. That’s a lot of time and energy for a two-hour talk. As you say, there are much easier ways to make money.”
Kim and I nodded in unison. Kim, who teaches as well, added, “We all make more money, much easier money, in real estate and other investments. Yet teaching is our passion. It is passion that gets us on those planes to fly all day, spend a night, deliver a short talk, and then fly back home. It’s sure not the money.”
Donald agreed. “When we speak to those large groups of people, don’t you feel for those people? Here they are, spending time and money to listen to us. While some are already rich and some will become rich, many will face lives of constant financial struggle. That breaks my heart.”
“Maybe this is what you need to write about,” said Meredith. “Maybe people need to know why you want them to be rich. What your concerns are.”
“Also,” interjected Kim, “why you two keep working even though you don’t have to. You both have enough money, but you’re not planning to retire. Why not write about what keeps you going…what really drives you. Isn’t motivation more important than money?”
“Well, I teach because I like to teach,” said Donald. “But I am truly concerned. I hope I’m wrong, but I think America is in financial trouble. I believe our government has been grossly mismanaged. Now, I’m not saying it’s because of the Democrats or Republicans. It’s senseless to point the finger and blame one group or another. I’m afraid the middle class is in trouble and shrinking no matter which party is in charge. As I have often said, I’m afraid many of today’s middle class will become the new poor, or worse, slip into poverty, even after years of hard work.”
“Maybe we should write a book about ending poverty through financial education,” I said. “After all, it is the lack of financial education that got us into this mess. Why not let financial education get us out?”
“Great idea, but we need to let people know how to save themselves before we attempt to end poverty on a global scale…which may take generations. We need to do that first—before we can hope to change the education system.”
He continued: “In just a few years, millions of baby boomers will retire, the government will have to admit it is out of money, the price of oil is going through the roof, our dollar is dropping in value, inflation is out of control, and we are still at war in the Middle East. We need to have some answers for those who are searching for answers now We need to teach people to be rich, or at least how to survive the next few years today…not tomorrow.”
At that moment, I knew why we were coming together to write a book.
Donald’s View
The Beginning
The first time I met Robert Kiyosaki was one of those big surprises that life likes to give us now and then. I knew of Robert’s credentials, namely having sold millions of books and remaining on The New York Times best seller list for five years. These are no simple accomplishments. I expected him to be a powerhouse, and an intimidating one at that.
I was right about the powerhouse prediction—Robert has positive energy that spills out and touches everyone around him. He doesn’t seem to be making an effort to do this. It’s just a natural occurrence. I was impressed by that. What I found disarming about Robert was that he was very humble, very modest, even self-effacing. This was the guy who has sold over 26 million books? Amazing. I was wondering to myself if that was an act, a facade, a role he played for some reason. I can be skeptical sometimes.
It didn’t take me long to figure out that Robert was genuine. After we spoke a few times, I knew he was sincere and that he enjoyed teaching—probably as much as I do. When I told him the only reason I agreed to do The