Customer Reviews

Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets About Money--that You Don't Learn in School! (Miniature Edition)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

This book is an excellent introduction to the how and why of finance. Author Robert T. Kiyosaki has written this short book in clear concise language that cannot be misunderstood by the teen in your family. At the outset, Kiyosaki puts the young reader at ease by talking about the myth of IQ and intelligence. He immediately erases any thoughts of "I am not smart enough to understand this book". Once again, as in his previous books, Kiyosaki emphasizes how the rich think differently from those who are in the middle and poor class. Rich Dad Poor Dad For Teens is an easy to read 'think positive about finances' book for young people. Included is a two-page glossary that proved to be very helpful to the young teen (age 15) who read this book after I did.

In this day and age of consumer greed and high end designer clothing for teens, there is a chapter that addresses Stretching the Dollar. Kiyosaki does not say be frugal, instead he advices the teen to think of ways to recycle old clothing, how to buy in bulk, etc. I was particularly impressed with a revealing exercise under the heading of The People Whom You Spend Your Time with Are Your Future . Now that can be scary--but what a powerful statement. I had earlier talks with my young friend concerning this very subject. Reading and discussing Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens together gave us the opportunity to delve into this troubling issue again, this time with very positive results. He walked away feeling good about himself.

I recommend Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens: The Secrets About Money--That You Don't Learn in School! This book can definitely help teens to accept and understand financial responsibility.

Vannie(~.~)
Work & Family @ BellaOnline.com
http://www.bellaonline.com/Site/workandfamily

I'm fourteen and I've read four of Kiyosaki's books. I liked all of them, except for this one. He doesn't get into the facts about investing. Pretty much, all he says is get a job, control your spending, and invest. Save yourself $15 and buy Rich Dad Poor Dad instead.

Despite the controversy surrounding the author, Robert Kiyosaki, I strongly feel that this particular book is still worth reading by teens, as it offers good teen-friendly advice on achieving financial headstart & freedom.

Overall, his advice is also given in a straight-talk, easy-to-understand manner.

In a nut shell, this particular book covers basic principles of cash flow, assets & liabilities, savings & investments, as well as spotting money-making opportunities. There is even useful information about personal learning style while developing financial intelligence.

Yes, the author's published stuff to some extent may seem hyberbolic on the surface, but deep down, you can always discern some useful learning from some of his teachings. [Personally, I have encountered the author in Hawaii. Frankly, I don't like his arrogant attitude & his seemingly characteristic propensity for running circles around people who ask pertinent questions, but I do respect some of his thoughtware.]

His core financial advice to teens is certainly realistic:

- work to learn, not to earn;
- don't work for money, make money work for you!;
- play games to learn!

Allow me to share this simple reading philosophy of mine: Absorb what is useful; reject what is useless; research your own experience & add what is specifically your own!

The "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" series has been enormously popular on the lecture circuit and in book stores. Authors Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter have distilled a fair amount of useful financial advice using the medium of Kiyosaki's autobiographical remembrances of the lessons his two 'Dads' taught him. In brief, one father (his biological father) is a teacher who stresses education and finding a 'good' job, while his other father (actually the father of his best friend Michael) taught him how to manage money, seize opportunities, and build financial independence. Like many other self help financial books, this series has a good mix of practical advice and a fair amount of platitudes designed to give readers confidence in themselves so they will take some risks in the pursuit of their dreams.

I was expecting a slightly easier to read version of the same message from this book. My wife asked that I skim it to see if it was appropriate for her grandchild. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that this book was not just a easier to read version of the original 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad.' Instead, Kiyosaki and Lechter have moved beyond the usual boundaries of the financial self help guide to discuss multiple intelligences and (surprise) the value of education in all its forms. Of course, the best of the advice found in 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' is repeated here as well. You should buy assets, not liabilities. Debt is a tool for developing assets, not means to purchase the latest gizmo that you absolutely have to have right now. But the authors also talk extensively about Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences. They correctly recognize that kids (indeed, all of us) have certain innate intelligences not all of which are developed in a traditional classroom setting. They encourage young people to develop and use their own talents and gifts in pursuit of a financial education. They rightly remind their readers that all of them are born geniuses.

In conclusion I liked this book considerably more than the original volume of the 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' series. In that volume, Kiyosaki concluded that he learned from both of his Dads, but the Rich Dad gets a far more positive portrayal. The teacher father comes up short in many ways. But in this book, education is correctly seen as one form of wealth. It is not the only form, despite what many of my colleagues in the teaching profession might say. But it is one form. A life with great books and music is also wealth. And so is financial independence. Indeed, without the latter, it is difficult to appreciate the former. And I think the authors give both forms of wealth their due in this book. That is a good message for teens to read.

Clearly a very introductory work for a teen. Maybe a 12 year old or something. I'm 17 and I've been reading a lot about the stock market, studying individuals like Warren Buffett. If you have No Idea about money, read this one. It has some interesting things to say, like all books do.

I found the original Rich Dad Poor Dad book interesting, but,...

THIS "book" is 3 inches by 3 inches by 1/4 inch.
It is a little piece of fluff, not a serious book.
And it uses large print!
I kid you not.
It has 5 or ten pages of material in it.
I returned it.
Sheesh.

The author, while he does suggest education is important, does not stress it - he suggests advanced education is important only if you are entering into a professional career. (Read the introduction to see what I mean) - You may want to speak to the your children on that, I felt a bit uncomfortable knowing that's what my chilren would be reading.

It was just 2 paragraphs. Maybe I am sensitive to education and what it means, but I certainly don't want to give anyone `permission' to not study. Formal education or financial education both take time and effort, nothing comes easy.

All else was golden, especially hearing it as young people. As in all things, we take what is good, and leave the rest.

I am a teenager who had previously heard of his book for adults under the same name. I bought the teen one because it looked like it would be simpler and I felt I would learn better with the exercises. But I feel it was too simplistic and I wonder if I would have been better off getting the book for adults.
It is still useful but maybe what I was looking for was more information. This stuff felt too general talking about assets versus liabilities or good debt versus bad debt. Since I am still interested in the subject matter I will not give up.
I might try one of his adult books before I give up completely.

It is a tiny miniature book. Not worth it at all. Deceptive advertising in my opinion.

With all of the 1 star reviews saying this book is a tiny piece of fluff, I thought I would point out a couple facts. There are two versions of this book. One is a miniature version and is ABRIDGED. The other is a full size book with all of the benefits of an UNABRIDGED book. The bad reviews obviously didn't realize they bought the former, and not the full version.

This book is great, but spend your money on the full variety. Teens will find this book worth it's weight in gold.