Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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93 of 94 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Try the software first, January 9, 2007
Like my title suggests, try the software version first. It allows you to play with multiple players on or off-line or vs multiple computer players. Plus the software version is cheaper. You can even use the multiplayer mode for yourself and use the different players to try different strategies. I found this technique very educational. I have the board game also to play with my wife and others and have yet to crack the wrapper. I stongly suggest going to the Rich Dad website and getting the software version before investing in the board game. The one draw back is that you must have the cd in your drive while playing, so if you want to load it on multiple computers you can only play it on the comnputer that has the cd.
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65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" Book first, October 17, 2006
I've played this at least a dozen times, and have to admit that the game itself is imperfect. However, it HAS taught me a number of things which Kiyosaki does not make clear in his books, and is essential practise for anyone wanting to take the next step after first having read the book.
My tips:
1. Read the book first before playing, otherwise it will probably all seem boring and too weird.
2. The game makes clear: The way to make passive cashflow is NOT on the positive cash flow from rental properties. (Suprised?) The rental income only secures the property, which you must be able to sell for a profit. The money made on the gains from selling the houses is then used to buy businesses - these are what give you the passive cashflow to finally "get out of the rat race."
3. Take the income statement sheet you've used playing the game and fill it out for your own life. You'll be surprised how little your free cash flow, and passive income really is. Use the excel worksheet to track your progess month to month. An excellent motivator.
Game Design Problems (and Fixes):
1. The cards which allow you to buy insanely low priced shares of stocks for $1, which you can be certain will go up to $20 or $40 later when the right card comes up. Life is not that predictable. Remove these cards from the deck.
2. Other players will frequently advise on what is a good deal or not. This is a mistake, because it doesn't allow other players to MAKE mistakes, and takes much of the fun out of the game. Instead, allow each player to make their choice to buy a property (or not) WITHOUT input, and only after let the other players give their opinion on this course of action.
3. The game takes a loooong time with 5-6 players. Since the players actions don't really affect each other, it is advisable to play with 3 players.
4. The game seems to suggest that the bank will allow you to borrow to purchase a business, this is usually not the case. Make it a rule not to allow this.
5. The interest rate charged on loans is excessive in the game. Set a more moderate rate of 1 % a month on all loans.
6. Don't get stuck playing this game over and over again, too afraid to apply the lessons in real life. (I've seen people paralyzed by fear, who keep playing the game instead of applying its lessons). Use it as a teaching tool, not a substitute!
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122 of 128 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cashflow 101 is well worth your time., December 29, 2004
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars
I bought the game a year ago, and have played it at least six times with 2 - 5 players. I like to get some friends together, eat a meal, and then spend a couple of hours playing the game. It's interesting to see how my friends approach financial decisions in the game – some are confident, others are very cautious.
This is a good way to help you think in a financially healthy way. You see that spending money on “doo-dads” doesn’t help your bottom line, that borrowing from the bank is sometimes necessary to purchase a good property, that the stock market can dramatically grow - or shrink - your capital, what to look for in rental properties, and you get an appreciation for the “big picture” – that you have to work toward increasing your passive income and not sweat little expenses. It’s all about helping you and your friends train your minds to think “passive income is preferable to a paycheck from my employer”.
Some people have criticized the game for using dice (like Monopoly), for not allowing people to decline the purchase of a “doo-dad”, and for having a bias toward using large stock market profits to catapult players into the fast track. The game is not perfect, it’s not identical to real life, and there will forever be ways to improve it.
Cashflow succeeds in it’s mission to teach you and your friends some of the roads to financial freedom.
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by Ken McElroy
