Submitted By: Rahmat Ullah
Profession/Background: Coffee Roaster & Barista in Saudi Arabia with a deep interest in self-development
Book Title: Rich Dad and Poor Dad
Author: Robert T. Kiyosaki
Before Reading the Book:
Before reading Rich Dad and Poor Dad, I had a very typical mindset about money. I believed that working hard, saving money, and having job security were the ultimate goals in life. I thought the only way to become successful was to study hard, get a stable job, and slowly build savings over the years. The concept of financial freedom was just a dream — not something I thought someone like me could actually achieve.
I didn’t know much about investing or how money truly worked. I used to believe that money was the root of all evil, and rich people were just lucky. In fact, I feared taking any kind of financial risk. My life was structured around the “Poor Dad” mentality — study hard, work hard, retire at 60.
Discovering the Book That Changed Everything:
One day, while scrolling through personal finance videos on YouTube, I came across a short summary of Rich Dad and Poor Dad. The ideas were completely different from what I had grown up believing. It talked about making money work for you, building assets, and thinking like an investor — not a laborer.
That same evening, I downloaded the book and started reading. Page after page, my eyes were opening to a whole new world. It felt like someone had finally explained what was missing in my life: financial education.
After the Book:
After finishing the book, I couldn’t go back to my old mindset. The contrast between the “Rich Dad” and the “Poor Dad” became very clear. I realized I had always followed the “Poor Dad” — focused on job security, saving pennies, and avoiding risk. But the “Rich Dad” taught something much deeper: build assets, take smart risks, and don’t trade time for money forever.
I started looking at money not as something to save and protect, but something to invest and grow. I began learning about passive income, business, and financial independence. I even began talking to my friends differently — helping them see the importance of investing time into learning financial skills, not just job skills.
The Transformation:
This book changed the way I live and think. I no longer see my job as my only source of security. I’ve started developing ideas for side businesses, especially online and digital ones. I’m also planning small investments and exploring e-commerce, blogging, and digital product creation.
One of the biggest changes was in my daily mindset. I no longer say, “I can’t afford this.” Now I ask, “How can I afford this?” That shift alone has opened doors to creative thinking and problem-solving.
Most importantly, I realized the difference between an asset and a liability — a concept that school never taught me. Instead of dreaming about a big house or a new car, I now dream of building income-generating assets — websites, online tools, or even a small farm-based business back in Bangladesh.
The book made me more confident and hopeful. It taught me that wealth isn’t just for a chosen few — it’s for anyone willing to change their mindset and learn.
My Favorite Line & How It Helps Me Every Day:
“The rich don’t work for money. They make money work for them.”
This single line hits me hard every time I feel stuck in the cycle of just earning and spending. It reminds me to think long-term, to invest in myself and my future, and to never depend on a single source of income.
Every day, when I’m at work roasting coffee beans or making a latte, this quote echoes in my mind. I know I’m not stuck here forever. I’m building my future on the side — just like Robert Kiyosaki did with his first steps toward financial freedom.
To Anyone Considering This Book:
If you are someone who wants to change your life, your mindset, and your financial future — read this book. It’s not a typical finance book full of numbers and budgets. It’s a book full of ideas and new thinking.
Whether you’re a student, a worker abroad, a small business owner, or someone living paycheck to paycheck — this book will speak directly to your situation. It doesn’t matter how much you earn. What matters is how you think, what you learn, and how you use your money.
This book gave me hope. It gave me direction. Most of all, it made me believe that financial freedom is not a dream, it’s a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned.