Rich Dad Poor Dad is a 1997 personal finance book by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter that challenges traditional ideas about money and employment. Written as a series of parables, the book contrasts the financial philosophies of Kiyosaki's biological father, an educated government employee labeled the "Poor Dad," with the father of his best friend, a self-made entrepreneur known as the "Rich Dad."

At its heart, the book argues that financial struggles stem from a lack of financial education. While the "Poor Dad" preached the conventional path of getting good grades, finding job security, and working hard for a steady paycheck, the "Rich Dad" taught that true wealth comes from understanding how money works and making capital work for you. A central focus is redefining basic financial terms, most notably arguing that a primary residence and consumer purchases are liabilities rather than assets, because they drain cash rather than generate it. Ultimately, the book serves as a psychological and practical guide to escaping the "rat race" of trading time for money by building businesses, investing in income-producing assets, and developing financial literacy.