If you purchase this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher In such case neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.” This publication is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered However, it is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or other professional advice Laws and practices often vary from state to state and country to country and if legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought The author and publisher specifically disclaim any liability that is incurred from the use or application of the contents of this book Copyright © 2011 by Kim Kiyosaki All rights reserved Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher Published by Plata Publishing, LLC Rich Woman, CASHFLOW, Rich Dad, Rich Dad Advisors, ESBI, Triple-A Triangle, and B-I Triangle are registered trademarks of CASHFLOW Technologies, Inc are registered trademarks of CASHFLOW Technologies, Inc Plata Publishing, LLC 4330 N Civic Center Plaza Suite 100 Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (480) 998-6971 Visit our Web sites: PlataPublishing.com, RichWoman.com, RichDad.com First Edition: November 2011 ISBN: 978-1-61268-087-3 Cover photo credit: Seymour & Brody Studio DO Act… Apply Without action—the do—the best education, coaches, mentors, support team, and all the commitment in the world will not move the needle on your Dream Meter Do… Aspire to your dreams Do… Acquire the knowledge and skills to build your confidence and become better equipped to make sound, informed decisions Do… Apply all that you learn and rise up to meet your challenges, your intelligences—and your dreams You can it I know you can It’s Rising Time! PREFACE It’s Rising Time! A call for women… To rise up to what it really takes for the reward of financial freedom To rise up… means “to become powerful, to grow larger, to stand up, to move upward, and to soar.” It’s Rising Time! declares your commitment to not quit, to move beyond the obstacles, and to keep moving upward, even in times of doubt This is an agreement with yourself to whatever it takes to reach your financial dreams It’s Rising Time! is about you being true to who you are and going for what you want … to what it really takes… What does it really take? It takes all of you—your body, your mind, your thoughts, your emotions, and your spirit Going for your financial dreams, your financial freedom, is a fantastic journey! I have tremendous respect for the women who take it on It is no small feat, yet one of the most rewarding You cannot help but grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from your experiences on this quest It really takes more than the data of how to find, buy, hold, and sell investments It will take more than study and research Data and information alone will not get you there It takes gathering the facts and figures, and then stepping out and putting it into practice— actually doing it It is in the doing that true learning occurs You will hear from many women throughout this book who did just that and succeeded You’ll also hear about the challenges they faced, and yet they kept going That is the key It is because of what it really takes—dealing with the obstacles, the fears, the unknowns—that some women never start, or else they stop at some point before achieving their dreams The purpose of It’s Rising Time! is to give you tools, real-life stories, inspiration, and encouragement to rise beyond whatever stands in your way and to keep going, no matter what … for the reward of financial freedom The reward is the achievement of your dream But you get even more than that Financial freedom is really well beyond financial It is a woman free to be who she really is Sometimes we are so busy putting everyone else first—husbands, partners, children, parents, bosses—and playing so many different roles in life—mother, wife, businesswoman, employee, daughter, sister—that we lose sight of who we really are and what we want It’s Rising Time! will clarify that You see, by achieving your financial dream, who you have to become in the process is not the same woman you are today You will have to grow, get better, and get spiritually and emotionally stronger in this process In other words, whatever has held you back in the past or kept you less than who you really are will have to vanish The powerful, happy, playful, brilliant you will emerge That truly is the reward How will you it? By taking one step, doing one thing every day that will get you closer to your own financial dream The key lies in taking action You simply cannot have something without doing something to get it It’s Rising Time! truly is a call for women—for women who want more in their lives, for women who are not afraid of a challenge, for women who are willing to stand up and be role models, for women who are willing to what it takes today for their freedom and happiness tomorrow, for women who want it all! If this is you, then welcome to an incredible adventure It’s Rising Time! Dedication To women throughout the world who want a shot at their dreams! Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says, “Oh, crap, she’s up!” CONTENTS Epigraph Preface Dedication Introduction PART ONE Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Chapter Aspire: Choosing Your Dream Money Does Not Make You Rich Seeing the Invisible Courage and Consequences It All Starts Here The Money Question No One Asks Two Life-Changing Words Shift Your Focus It’s All About… You PART TWO Chapter Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Acquire: Gaining the Knowledge to Make It Happen Question the “Expert” Advice Finding Real Advisers Sending Out an SOS Expect Unexpected Turbulence Figure-atively Speaking Take the “Numb” Out of the Numbers Debt Is Not a Four-Letter Word The Investor’s Prize A Different State of Mind A Recipe for Raising Capital Good Partners = Good Deal PART THREE Apply: Bringing It All Together Chapter 20 Four Assets Are Better Than One Chapter 21 Good Deal to Great Deal Business Chapter 22 Getting Started… in Business Chapter 23 Ruffles to Riches Chapter 24 Choices and Journeys Chapter 25 A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Chapter 26 Sweet Inspiration Real Estate Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Getting Started… in Real Estate Turning Problems Into Profits Taking Calculated Risks Partners in Life, Partners in Business Practice Makes Perfect Paper Assets Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Getting Started… in Paper Assets Focus on the Fundamentals Bouncing Back from Broke Taking Stock of Your Life Commodities Chapter 36 Getting Started… in Commodities Chapter 37 The Silver Lining Chapter 38 Assets Are a Girl’s Best Friend PART FOUR Achieve: Realizing Your Financial Dreams Chapter 39 Aligning All the Pieces Afterword Final Thought Acknowledgments About the Author References and Resources hard to put into words Priceless comes to mind The Rich Woman team and I support and cheer on every woman who is pursuing her financial dream in life We applaud every woman who is willing to stand up and be a role model for women young and older And we truly appreciate every woman who is willing to what it takes today for her freedom and happiness tomorrow The Rich Woman community is designed precisely to bring together like-minded, going-for-yourdreams women for the purpose of building each woman’s confidence to take that next step on her journey to financial security and independence Aspire towards your dream, acquire the knowledge, and apply that knowledge to achieve all that you want in your life One final story… Can’t Stop the Waves Living many years in Hawaii, I always appreciated the men and women who could surf I never was a surfer I borrowed my friends’ boards a few times, but I just didn’t get it I remember one time, many years ago, when I was practicing on tiny waves and became excited because I was so close to standing up Not paying attention to a slightly larger wave behind me, I was quickly knocked off my board and right onto a reef of sharp coral Ouch! That was the end of my surfing career Robert was a surfer growing up in Hilo, Hawaii Living part-time now in Hawaii, he bought a surfboard He wanted to take his new board out in the waves so we went to Waikiki and, for $10 per hour, I rented one of those long, floatable beginner surfboards We both paddled out to the waves For about one hour I struggled, not coming close to catching any waves I looked to my left, and I noticed an older local surf instructor working with three young kids about ten years old I paddled closer to listen He instructed them through the steps, from lying down on the board, to getting up on their knees, to then standing up I took in all he was teaching them He glanced over at me and said, “You wanna surf today?” I shook my head yes “Okay,” he said, “just what I say Turn your board around to face the shore When I say paddle, paddle as hard as you can Don’t stop And when I yell, ‘Stand up,’ you stand up.” I shook my head yes “I can this,” I thought to myself “Get ready,” he said “A wave is coming.” I turned and looked, and there was a small wave building “Paddle!” he yelled “Paddle! Paddle harder, harder!” I was paddling as hard as I could, but the wave passed me by He just looked at me “When I say paddle, I mean paddle You quit on the wave You sure you want to this?” he asked gruffly “Yes!” I shouted “Then what I say, and don’t quit,” he ordered “Get in position.” “Paddle!” he shouted “Paddle!” I started paddling my heart out, and then my board was on the wave, and the wave was pushing my board I was so excited I almost forgot the next step until I heard the old guy yelling, “Stand up! Stand up now!” Fearing that he’d hurt me if I didn’t what he said, I got to my knees and then stood up “Wow!” I thought “I’m standing up!” And as soon as I had that thought, I fell right off But I experienced the feel of actually riding a wave I couldn’t wait to paddle out for my next wave As he was ending his class with the ten-year-olds he waved to me, “You’re on your own now Well done!” “Thanks for your teaching!” I shouted back I stayed out in that water for the next two hours, and by the end, I was actually standing up and riding waves into the shore I loved it! The Moral of the Story I aspired to ride a wave With no instruction, I was frustrated and confused by the surf The waves just kept coming… and I didn’t know what to The waves were winning All it took was a little bit of learning, acquiring some knowledge, to know what to Paddling, missing waves, and paddling harder until I was on a wave, I applied the knowledge until I achieved my dream of riding a wave And here was the magic—not only did I ride the waves, but I actually loved the experience! Here’s to loving those rising-time moments! AFTERWORD It’s Rising Time! Time to rise above whatever gets in your way and deal with it Time to rise beyond where you thought you could go in smarts, courage, action, and results Time to rise to your financial genius—and create magic in your life You’ve heard from many women throughout this book about what it really takes to realize your financial dreams These are all brilliant women, just like you Not one of them had any financial education or head start, and most had little, if any, money The advantage they had was that they were willing to what it took to bring their dream to life They certainly faced their rising moments They encountered turbulence, but they relished in their moments of triumph, small and large Today they are smarter, stronger, self-fulfilled, and happier because of all their experiences I believe this book is important for women at this time because, no matter where you are in your personal and financial life, you know what it is you want to change The question is simply, “When?” When will you have the courage to truly go for what you want in your life? It is the difference between sitting on the bench or playing in the game I believe we women want it all—all of who we are, all that we can give, and all the positive difference we can make in the world As you rise up and go for your financial dreams, you instantly become a role model to those women around you And heaven knows, we need strong, positive women role models in this world Please use this book as a reference whenever you want assurance along your journey that yes, you are right You may not always get what you want or expect, but just brush yourself off and keep going This journey is a fantastic adventure in wisdom, experience, personal growth, humor (yes, we’ve got to laugh at ourselves sometimes), astonishing results, and those awe-inspiring rising moments Embrace all of it, because all of it makes you who you are, and all of it earns you the rewards you deserve It is my honor that you chose this book Our lives are simply the result of the choices we make Choose wisely for yourself It’s Rising Time! FINAL THOUGHT All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them —Walt Disney ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Here’s to women in cities throughout the world who are rising up to their financial greatness! Here’s to the women who generously and openly shared their stories with us in It’s Rising Time! Here’s to the Rich Woman team and the Rich Dad team—true team players who what they so brilliantly and inspire me to what I best Here’s to Mona Gambetta for going above and beyond to get It’s Rising Time! into the hands of readers Here’s to Anita Rodriguez, Rhonda Hitchcock, Marian Van Dyke, and Mike Joe—no better book team in the world Here’s to Lisa Lannon for giving unconditionally of her time and knowledge to encourage women worldwide to be financially savvy Rich Women Here’s to Robert—my best friend, my business partner, my husband… in that order I thank you with all my heart ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kim Kiyosaki Successful entrepreneur Best-selling author As an internationally renowned speaker, author, entrepreneur, and real estate investor, Kim Kiyosaki knows what it takes to succeed and be a financially independent woman Drawing on a lifetime of experience in business, real estate, and investing to support her mission of financial education for women, Kim is a sought-after speaker, television and radio talk-show guest, the host of a PBS Rich Woman show, as well as a columnist for WomanEntrepreneur.com Through her international brand, Rich Woman, Kim draws on her lifetime of experience in business, real estate, and investing to be an advocate for women in the marketplace, and is passionate about providing financial education through her Rich Woman products A self-made millionaire, Kim is a happily married (but fiercely independent) woman, and often travels and speaks with her husband, Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad Her first book, Rich Woman, was a Business Week bestseller and is one of the top 50 best-selling personal-finance books of all time REFERENCES AND RESOURCES RichWoman.com RichDad.com CASHFLOW 101 Board Game CASHFLOW Clubs Look for a CASHFLOW Club in your city where people get together on a regular basis to play the CASHFLOW game Rich Woman Coaching Rich Dad Education Books: Books by Kim Kiyosaki Books by Robert Kiyosaki Books by Robert Kiyosaki and Donald Trump Business Books Garrett Sutton, Rich Dad Advisor Blair Singer, Rich Dad Advisor Tom Wheelwright, Rich Dad Advisor Real Estate Books Ken McElroy, Rich Dad Advisor Paper Asset Books Andy Tanner, Rich Dad Advisor Commodities Books Mike Maloney—Gold and Silver Women Featured in It’s Rising Time! Kim Babjak • KimCo LLC kimbabjak.com Lesley Brice • MC Residential Communities mccompanies.com mcresidential.com Lisa Lannon • Journey Healing Centers JourneyRecoveringCenters.com Kim Snider • Snider Advisors kimsnider.com How to Be the Family CFO: Four Simple Steps to Put Your Financial House in Order Eileen Spitalny • Fairytale Brownies brownies.com Other Resources Kolbe Index kolbe.com/itsrisingtime Rich Dad Tools richdad.com/resources/tools.aspx NOTES ... with yourself to whatever it takes to reach your financial dreams It s Rising Time! is about you being true to who you are and going for what you want … to what it really takes What does it really. .. stepping into what may seem at times foreign and clumsy It s Rising Time! is about what it really takes to go from where you are today financially to where you want to be And what it takes may... it I know you can It s Rising Time! PREFACE It s Rising Time! A call for women… To rise up to what it really takes for the reward of financial freedom To rise up… means to become powerful, to