The First Meeting with Rich Dad

Hello people! Here comes the first part of the first lesson 'The Rich Don't Work For Money', followed by Introduction: There is a need and Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Out of all the chapters in this book, this is one of my favourites and I'm sure it will become your favourite too. In whichever financial phase you are in your life, reading this chapter will definitely open up your mind to reality. I have divided this lesson into three parts as this is pretty lengthy. Here goes the first part, The First Meeting with Rich Dad -

(This lesson is narrated by Robert Kiyosaki)

The year was 1956. I was 9 years old. By some twist of fate, I and my best friend, Mike attended the same public school where the rich people sent their kids. I wanted to know how to get rich as Jimmy (one of the rich kids) denied to take us to their beach house saying that we were poor. I asked my Dad on how to get rich. To which he replied, "Well, use your head, son," which meant, "That's all I'm going to tell you,” or "I don't know the answer, so don't embarrass me.” The next morning, I told Mike, what my dad had said. We spent all morning coming up with ideas on how to make money. Finally, that afternoon, a bolt of lightning came through our heads. Excitedly, we shook hands, and the partnership now had a business. For the next several weeks, Mike and I worked on our business. In those days, toothpaste tubes were made of lead instead of plastic. We ran around our neighbourhood and collected toothpaste tubes. We were casting nickels out of the lead as how it was explained in our Science book. Soon, our excitement turned into disappointment when my dad gently explained what the word counterfeiting meant. Our dreams were dashed. My father was just leaving as he said, "If you boys want to learn how to be rich, don't ask me. Talk to your dad, Mike.” With that, Mike and I got excited again. Later that night, Mike called to inform me that his dad had agreed to meet us next Saturday. At 7:30 Saturday morning, I caught the bus to the poor side of town. I walked up to Mike's simple, small and tidy home. Suddenly, Mike's dad burst onto the porch. Mike and I jumped to our feet, not out of respect but because we were startled. "Mike says you want to learn to make money? Is that correct, Robert?"

I nodded my head quickly. “OK, here's my offer. I'll teach you, but I won't do it classroom-style. You work for me, I'll teach you. You don't work for me, I won't teach

you. I can teach you faster if you work, and I'm wasting my time if you just want to sit and listen, as you do in school. That's my offer. Take it or leave it.” "Take it,” I said. "Take it,” said Mike. "Good,” said Mike's dad. The offer was for 10 cents an hour and we have to work three hours every Saturday, taking canned goods off the shelves and, with a feather duster, brushing each can to get the dust off, and then re-stacking them neatly in one of his supermarkets of Mike's dad. For three weeks, Mike and I reported to Mrs Martin and worked for three hours. By noon, our work was over, and she dropped three little dimes in each of our hands. By Wednesday of the fourth week, I was ready to quit. I had agreed to work only because I wanted to learn to make money from Mike's dad, and now I was a slave for 10 cents an hour. On top of that, I had not seen Mike's dad since that first Saturday. “I'm quitting," I told Mike at lunchtime. This time Mike smiled. "What are you laughing at?" I asked with anger and frustration. “Dad said this would happen. He said to meet with him when you were ready to quit. He will explain on Saturday." To be continued... Happy Reading!