I recently received an e-mail from a young lady who had doubts about the principles of wealth found in "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". She mentioned a couple of past failed investments, and wanted to know what I thought about investing and financial freedom - whether it was just a myth, or whether it could be acquired. I thought I'd share it here for the benefit of those who have struggled with investing, or perhaps from ventures that didn't quite pan out. Here's what I wrote back to her:
"Dear ________,
I want to address your point below - because I think you make a very interesting point about money. I do believe that most people have a great opportunity to put Rich Dad's principles into practice to create wealth for themselves. You said "the rich get richer"...but remember, many who are rich did not start that way (many who have a large inheritance don't stay rich for long). In fact, they started very poor, with little to no money, and worked their way to freedom. HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES between those who achieve financial freedom and those who don't:
1) They have different beliefs about money.
The person who becomes wealthy believes differently about money than the person who doesn't. Example: The wealthy BELIEVE that "money should work hard for you" while the poor and middle class BELIEVE that "you should work hard for your money". These are opposite beliefs - so, the rich keep FINDING WAYS to have money work for them, while the poor and middle class keep FINDING WAYS to work harder for money. See the difference in beliefs, that ultimately effects the person's behavior and their results? Another example: If I believe that every person is valuable, then what happens? I treat every person I meet with respect. What about the person who believes that a particular race - African-Americans, or Asians, or Hispanics, or Americans are INFERIOR to their own race, or "bad" - how will that person treat them? With disrespect, or hatred, or both. You see? What someone believes in his/her heart correlates with how they will behave.
2) Those who become financially free never, ever give up - even after failing numerous times.
You mentioned trying a few investments that didn't work out. Why didn't they work out? I'm sure the reason comes from this one simple reason: you did not have enough information to evaluate the investment. So, even if you say "The opportunity was a scam", or "My friend made me do it", or "It wasn't the right time to invest" - all these reasons come from the fact that you did not adequately EVALUATE THE INVESTMENT. Evaluating an investment includes understanding the risks, having a contingency plan, and getting expert help to best make your decision.
3) Those who become wealthy never stop learning.
If you mess up in an investment, it doesn't mean give up. It means you look at the mistake and figure out why it happened to make sure you don't get yourself in that situation again - when you do this, you become WISER. The poor and middle class try something, and when they fail, they either blame a person or circumstances AND THEY NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT AGAIN. That's not good! Just because I mess up one real estate investment DOES NOT mean real estate is a bad investment!
I hope this helps - I'd like your opinions on what I've shared -
To your future.
Jim"
I'm still waiting to hear back from her - in the meantime, I hope this helps you.
(C) 2005 RadiusEnterprises.com. All Rights Reserved.
Jim Young is a published author, successful real estate investor, web developer, and internet marketer. He shows people how to actually generate substantial income on-line using very simple, easily modeled systems. An example of such a system that you can study and duplicate is at: http://www.RadiusEnterprises.com
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Not long ago I was laying on my son's floor... Read More
In this day and age of online brokers for virtually... Read More
Computerized investing. Online investing. Have you taken the next step... Read More
Grading coinsThe condition of a coin is commonly summarized by... Read More
If you're like many Americans over the age of 55,... Read More
There is a cat fight brewing between Direcway LLC, Starband... Read More
The cries are heard from the distance, "I need help... Read More
While there is not a lack of information on annuities,... Read More
If you know next to nothing, how do you go... Read More
My paternal grandparents were born near Lake Como, Italy. My... Read More
When thinking about the investors business daily responsibilities in today’s... Read More
The Light Crude Continuous Contract fell from $67.70 a barrel... Read More
When you invest, it simply means that you are putting... Read More
Let's face it, you're on a roll. After getting down... Read More
In the past most people never retired. They died. The... Read More
Even though inflation has been relatively quiet in the U.S.... Read More
Seniors on fixed incomes face a unique problem. Where do... Read More
This column has often focused on intangible investments like stocks... Read More
Every year I go to the Money Show in Orlando,... Read More
For those accustomed to viewing things a certain way, it... Read More
When you start your program to purchase your "ideal" company,... Read More
If you've ever listened to Warren Buffett talk about investing,... Read More
Of the 75 million baby boomers nearing retirement today, many... Read More
Rolling is defined in options online trading as moving a... Read More
Let me tell you about some legal ways to avoid... Read More
The Roth is kind of weird until you get used... Read More
Motivational guru Tony Robbins teaches that the reason for doing... Read More
The Federal Reserve recently raised its target federal funds rate... Read More
I've been involved in online trading, specifically with stock and... Read More
Are you ready to open your pathway to financial independence?Well... Read More
If you are interested in stock investing and the stock... Read More
Real Estate can be a useful tool for investing. The... Read More
The U.S. economic data reported this week showed strong output... Read More
Disgruntled investors are going after Wall Street once again, this... Read More
Let's see, he had some oats, fresh alfalfa and his... Read More
Yes, it's the time we've all been waiting for?tax season!... Read More
To understand stock options, we need to look at Webster’s... Read More
It always amazes me how much stock market investors resemble... Read More
The cries are heard from the distance, "I need help... Read More
One of the leading traders on Chicago Mercantile Exchange, because... Read More
An option is a traded security that is a derivative... Read More
If you do not have an investment plan in the... Read More
Some time ago I attended a seminar where participants were... Read More
In 1519, Hernando Cortes, beached on the shores of unexplored... Read More
Typical day traders and swing traders look for stocks with... Read More
Are you ready to open your pathway to financial independence?Well... Read More
Going public in this manner is ideal for companies that... Read More
There are many different ways to invest in world markets:... Read More
A barrel of oil bounced to over $60 Thu, which... Read More
There are a number of key reasons why individuals and... Read More
When thinking about the investors business daily responsibilities in today’s... Read More
Mutual fund managers use fake fund names to part you... Read More
You hear it over and over and over in books,... Read More
The forex market is what is called an international exchange... Read More
Do you rule your superannuation or does it rule you?It's... Read More
Today, I am going to start a multi-part series about... Read More
The syntax is tortured, the grammar mutilated, but the message... Read More
Denial is a ubiquitous psychological defense mechanism. It involves the... Read More
Market timing systems are based on patterns of activity in... Read More
Margin is one of those things that novices find puzzling... Read More
You have rowed a boat at some time haven't you?... Read More
In recent months, many advisors have talked a lot about... Read More
"You can be poor when you're young, but you can't... Read More
Scams and frauds are designed to take your money through... Read More
The following perspective on (day) trading comes from my many... Read More
What is the value of a good habit? Think of... Read More
Investing |