According to Robert Kiyosaki, everyday speech highlights a major gap in financial perspective between the wealthy and those who struggle financially.
The author of Rich Dad Poor Dad points out that statements such as “I can’t afford it,” “I’ll try,” and “the rich are greedy” reflect an individual’s financial mindset. Via a social media post on X, he explained that continuously voicing these concepts can cement a scarcity mindset.
The Phrases Kiyosaki Says Keep People Poor
Kiyosaki’s perspective extends past mere optimism. His core thesis is that affluent individuals view money through a different lens, particularly regarding how income is generated.
He categorizes income into three distinct types:
- Earned income consists of wages and typically carries the heaviest tax load.
- Portfolio income originates from investment vehicles like retirement accounts.
- Passive income is Kiyosaki’s preferred choice and can occasionally benefit from significantly lower tax rates.
This division clarifies one of his preferred illustrations: Warren Buffett.
Buffett has been known to pay a lower effective tax rate than his secretary during certain years because the bulk of his financial gains stem from investments instead of a paycheck.
ProPublica expanded on this dynamic. Utilizing leaked Internal Revenue Service records, a study calculated Buffett’s “true tax rate” to be a mere 0.1% spanning 2014 to 2018 when weighing taxes remitted against the growth of his total wealth.
That specific statistic remains a subject of debate because unrealized gains from investments are not typically classified as taxable income.
Why Kiyosaki Keeps Telling People to Stop Thinking Like Employees
For years, Kiyosaki has maintained a consistent core message: depend less on physical cash and focus on acquiring assets.
He notes that he has maintained positions in gold since 1971, silver since 1965, Bitcoin since 2012, and added Ethereum in more recent times.
While his market projections frequently generate buzz—with several targets for 2026 staying distant from present trading values—his primary message remains straightforward.
Ultimately, Kiyosaki maintains that how individuals speak about finances often demonstrates what they anticipate money can achieve for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three phrases Robert Kiyosaki says keep people poor?
Kiyosaki highlights “I can’t afford it,” “I’ll try,” and “the rich are greedy” as phrases that reinforce a scarcity mindset.
How does Robert Kiyosaki categorize income?
He splits income into earned income (wages), portfolio income (investments and retirement accounts), and passive income.
What assets does Robert Kiyosaki own?
He has stated that he owns gold (since 1971), silver (since 1965), Bitcoin (since 2012), and Ethereum.
