Why You Shouldn’t Work for Money

The Lessons of Rich Dad Poor Dad

In schools across the world, students learn specific skills to work in a specified industry all their lives. Unfortunately, this makes people dependent on their jobs and industries. They struggle to find work outside their area of expertise, making them almost like slaves to their jobs. The key is to understand that a person should not work for money if they want to escape the rat race and become financially free. This is a core message that Robert Kiyosaki emphasizes in his book, Rich Dad Poor Dad.

This concept may sound counterintuitive to what we are taught in schools and colleges. Growing up, we are told that we have to do well in school to get into college. Then, in college, we are advised to work hard, get good grades, and land a stable corporate job. For some, this might be the dream, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t financially educate themselves to secure their future.

Today, people are living longer, meaning they need more money to sustain themselves in their non-working years. The cost of living continues to rise, and pension plans are becoming obsolete, with companies shifting employees to riskier 401(k) plans. This reality forces people to work longer and delay retirement. Learning how to acquire assets to prepare for retirement and secure financial stability is more important than ever. Fortunately, it is never too late to start learning and take control of our financial futures.

Don’t Work for Money, Work to Learn

Why would someone work if not for money? Robert Kiyosaki explains that after college, he took several jobs to acquire different skills. His first job was with Standard Oil in their oil tanker fleet. His “poor dad” was thrilled because it was a secure job with great benefits—something most parents push onto their children. However, Robert took the job for an entirely different reason: to understand how international trade worked. Much to his father’s disappointment, he left soon after to join the Marine Corps.

At first glance, these jobs seem unrelated. However, Robert was strategically acquiring skills. To be a successful entrepreneur, one must learn leadership. Great leadership motivates employees, ultimately increasing a business owner’s return on investment. His final job before becoming an entrepreneur was in sales.

Sales and marketing are two of the most crucial skills one can acquire. A company can have the greatest product in the world, but if they can’t market and sell it, they won’t make a profit. Robert shares a story of a journalist in Singapore who asked how she could become a best-selling author. He advised her to take up sales. She scoffed, saying she hated salespeople. The problem is, people are recognized as “best-selling authors,” not “best-writing authors.” Sales is critical to success.

Robert worked for Xerox, which had a rigorous sales training program. Before this experience, he was reserved and quiet. Learning sales transformed him into a more well-rounded individual. After mastering sales, he started a company manufacturing wallets overseas and selling them in the U.S. The rest is history.

The Poor Work for Money, The Rich Have Money Work for Them

Most people spend their entire lives working for money. Their income comes in and immediately goes out to pay for mortgages, car payments, and taxes. They do not pay themselves first; instead, they pay everyone else. Even when they save, they are often too afraid to invest, keeping their money in a traditional bank account earning near-zero interest. Meanwhile, inflation erodes its value.

In many cases, people don’t save at all. Instead, they spend their increased income or extra money on luxuries like cars, clothes, and expensive homes. While these items bring temporary satisfaction, they often keep people trapped in the rat race.

The wealthy, on the other hand, buy luxuries last. First, they focus on acquiring assets that generate cash flow. An asset is something that puts money into one’s pocket, whereas a liability takes money out. Many in the middle class mistakenly believe their house is an asset, when in reality, it is often their biggest liability.

The rich continuously acquire assets so that their passive income exceeds their expenses. The key is to pay yourself first. Most people fear that if they don’t pay their bills immediately, creditors and the government will come after them. While this is true, paying yourself first forces you to find new ways to generate income.

Final Thoughts

In Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki challenges conventional wisdom. Working to learn instead of working for money contradicts societal expectations. However, some people desire more—they want financial freedom and the ability to live life on their terms.

This book is a great starting point for anyone interested in financial education. It is an easy read without complex jargon, and it opens the reader’s eyes to opportunities that exist beyond a traditional paycheck. Investing is only risky when one lacks knowledge; otherwise, it is calculated risk-taking. By educating ourselves and making strategic financial decisions, we can set ourselves on the path to financial freedom.

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