Not all self-help books are created equal
In my quest for a self-guided education (until I can afford a real one), I come across books that I've heard about in the media that I think might help me in my journey. With my personal success in the 7 Habits, I have a tendency to seek these kinds of books to better understand the things which I currently do not.
In comes "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. This was something I'd heard about many times over the years, and picked it up at Half Price Books a few days ago. Keenly aware that my financial aptitude leaves much to be desired (the first step to solving a problem...), I expected this book to offer some hardcore truths on what I habits and attitudes I can adopt that can help me become more financially sound.
What I got was an education in bullshit.
The first two chapters didn't seem too bad, though I got the sense that the "Rich Dad" character was highly embellished at best, a complete fabrication at worst. I was uncomfortable with the author's hyperfocus on making money just for the sake of making it, without even creating anything "useful" to humanity in the form of a product or service. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and figured that his passion was in "the art of the deal". I did not understand some of the jargon because I am not versed in real estate, stocks, and mutual funds, which the author loves; then come to find out some of that jargon itself was a complete fabrication as well.
Thankfully, I only invested a total of about five hours of my life reading this book, and one hour of internet research debunking it. It wasn't a total loss, though, as I was still able to take away a few pointers here and there, nothing I didn't already know, though. I wish I had read the Amazon reviews before I bought it, but I figure the debunking was an education in and of itself. Good to know that my skeptical analysis is still alive and kicking.
I have "The Millionaire Next Door" next on my list, which came highly recommended.
In comes "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. This was something I'd heard about many times over the years, and picked it up at Half Price Books a few days ago. Keenly aware that my financial aptitude leaves much to be desired (the first step to solving a problem...), I expected this book to offer some hardcore truths on what I habits and attitudes I can adopt that can help me become more financially sound.
What I got was an education in bullshit.
The first two chapters didn't seem too bad, though I got the sense that the "Rich Dad" character was highly embellished at best, a complete fabrication at worst. I was uncomfortable with the author's hyperfocus on making money just for the sake of making it, without even creating anything "useful" to humanity in the form of a product or service. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and figured that his passion was in "the art of the deal". I did not understand some of the jargon because I am not versed in real estate, stocks, and mutual funds, which the author loves; then come to find out some of that jargon itself was a complete fabrication as well.
Thankfully, I only invested a total of about five hours of my life reading this book, and one hour of internet research debunking it. It wasn't a total loss, though, as I was still able to take away a few pointers here and there, nothing I didn't already know, though. I wish I had read the Amazon reviews before I bought it, but I figure the debunking was an education in and of itself. Good to know that my skeptical analysis is still alive and kicking.
I have "The Millionaire Next Door" next on my list, which came highly recommended.