Rich Dad, Poor Dad
A short, conversational memoir-style money book about a boy in Hawaii learning from two very different father figures. It gets people talking about the money stories they grew up with, and hardly anyone leaves without a memory to share.
Bring your favorite mug and your first money memory for a slow evening of island comfort food and friendly talk about Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Stretchy pants recommended, judgment not included.
Best for: Friends who want an honest, low-stakes chat about money, family, and dreams over something warm and filling.
Discussion
Warm-up
- 1.What's the first money memory you remember, like a piggy bank, an allowance, or a first paycheck, and how did it feel at the time?
- 2.Was there a phrase about money you heard over and over growing up, at the dinner table or in the car? Which one still pops into your head?
Digging in
- 1.The book is built around two father figures with very different ideas about money. Did either one remind you of someone who looked after you, and does that memory feel tender, funny, or complicated?
- 2.The author says fear and wanting things often steer our money choices. When have you felt money worry in your body, and what helped you feel calmer?
- 3.What does feeling 'safe' with money mean to you? A steady job, savings, time, or something else? Did the book shift that picture at all?
- 4.Part of the story is a kid learning outside the classroom. Who taught you something about life or work that school never did, and what would you tell them now?
Going deep
- 1.By the end of the book, which lesson made you feel hopeful and which made you feel a bit uneasy or left out? Why do you think it landed that way for you?
- 2.Looking back over the whole book, is there a small, kind step you'd like to take for your future self, or a money story you're ready to let go of? You don't have to share details, just how it feels.
On the table & to sip
To eat
To sip
Run of show
Host tips
- Money can be a tender subject, so say at the start that nobody has to share numbers or personal details. Feelings and stories are more than enough.
- Make the gravy, patties, and mochi the day before so you can sit with your guests instead of standing at the stove.
- Put a small basket of blankets near the seating and keep a pot of cider warming on low all night for easy refills.
Playlist
Soft island strings and easygoing acoustic songs, like a slow evening on a lanai.
- 01 Somewhere Over the Rainbow / What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
- 02 Hi'ilawe - Gabby Pahinui
- 03 Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson
- 04 Better Together - Jack Johnson
- 05 Father and Son - Cat Stevens
- 06 Lovely Day - Bill Withers
- 07 Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
- 08 Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
Trivia
- 1.In which U.S. state did Robert Kiyosaki grow up? (Hawaii (in Hilo, on the Big Island))
- 2.Who was the 'poor dad' in the book? (The author's own father, a highly educated man who worked in education)
- 3.Who was the 'rich dad'? (The father of the author's best friend, Mike)
- 4.Who co-wrote Rich Dad, Poor Dad with Kiyosaki? (Sharon Lechter)
- 5.In what year was the book first self-published? (1997)
- 6.What board game did Kiyosaki create to teach the book's money ideas? (CASHFLOW)
- 7.In which branch of the U.S. military did Kiyosaki serve as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War? (The U.S. Marine Corps)
- 8.What phrase does the book use for the endless cycle of working just to pay bills? (The rat race)
Bookmarks
Print, cut, and tuck one at every seat, a small keepsake from the night.
“Two voices at the kitchen table, both trying to love you.”
“Small savings, warm mugs, and a little more freedom.”
“Some of the best lessons come from outside the classroom.”
Rate the book
We hope the company was good and the conversation even better. Until the next chapter.