When I Thought I Knew Better
When I was 20, I read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. Like many young people, I was fired up. The book praised entrepreneurship, financial freedom, and breaking away from the “rat race.” It drew a sharp contrast between the financially savvy “rich dad” and the risk-averse, salary-dependent “poor dad.” I swallowed that narrative whole.
At the time, I couldn’t help but see my own father— a lifelong government worker— as the “poor dad” stereotype. He wasn’t wealthy. He didn’t talk about investments. He worked 9 to 6, came home, and spent weekends with the family. I admired him, but I thought: I want more than that. I want to be free.
Now, at 45, I am also a salaried worker in the government. And I see things very differently.
The Overlooked Freedom of Stability
While financial independence still has its appeal, I’ve come to appreciate another kind of freedom—the freedom within stability.
Fixed hours mean I can plan my evenings. A steady paycheck lets me sleep at night. I may not be raking in profits from real estate or startups, but I have something many “free” people don’t: time I can count on.
This stability has given me space to grow, time to reflect, and the ability to be present for the people I love. It’s not flashy. But it’s deeply freeing in its own quiet way.
Seeing My Father Again—Through Older Eyes
My dad raised three kids on a single income. My mum worked part-time, mostly staying home to care for us. We never felt deprived. We had home-cooked meals, family holidays (modest, but wonderful), and parents who were present.
Now, as an adult, I marvel at how much he managed with so little. In an age where many couples struggle to raise even one child with two incomes, my father’s quiet competence feels extraordinary.
“A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.” — Unknown
He never bought a luxury car or chased the latest gadget. He has few wants, and even fewer complaints. He is content— something I am still trying to learn.
Middle Class ≠ Mediocre
It’s easy to feel behind in today’s world. Social media screams “more”—more income, more hustle, more success. Modern culture bombards us with a relentless message: you are only as good as what you own. Bigger homes, better phones ($2600 phones?? wth), side hustles, passive income, hustle culture—it never stops. But studies show that beyond a certain point, more money doesn’t increase happiness.
According to research by Nobel laureates Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton, happiness plateaus after about $75,000/year in income (PNAS, 2010). After that, what matters more is purpose, relationships, and gratitude.
“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” — Seneca
Learning Gratitude—One Day at a Time
Every day, I try to notice the small things: a peaceful morning with my wife, a cozy meal in our home, the joy of discovering a good book or sharing a laugh with an old friend. These things don’t appear on bank statements, but they nourish the soul.
There’s something strange about our culture. We celebrate flashy success stories but forget the quiet heroes: the parents who show up every day, the workers who stay steady, the people who live simply and love deeply.
Maybe being a “poor dad” in the Kiyosaki sense isn’t such a bad thing. Maybe it’s something we need more of.
A Belated Father’s Day Tribute
This piece could be seen as a late Father’s Day tribute. But really, it’s a reflection for anyone feeling behind, stuck, or “average.” Middle class is not mediocre. Stability is not failure. And a quiet, decent life can still be a great one.
I’m still learning how to be like my father— with my own updates and personal goals, of course. But if I can combine his contentment with my curiosity, his groundedness with my growth, I think I’ll be just fine.
And if one day, someone calls me a “poor dad,” I’ll smile— and take it as a compliment.
Takeaways for Lifelong Learners
- A salaried job provides freedom in disguise—structure, stability, and mental space.
- Wealth isn’t just money. It’s love, presence, peace, and purpose.
- Don’t underestimate your parents. They may have taught you more by their example than any book ever could.
- Gratitude is a habit—and it’s a muscle worth training.
- A quiet life can still be a rich one.
