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Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestselling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, doesn’t always agree with Dave Ramsey’s advice when it comes to debt.
In a March 2025 tweet, Kiyosaki posted (1): “My friend Dave Ramsey says ‘Live debt free.’ I say ‘I use debt to invest. I am $1.2 billion in debt.’ Again, who is right?”
Kiyosaki champions an investment philosophy that leverages debt, not as a burden but as a tool to build wealth by investing in tangible assets such as precious metals.
In a recent interview on the School of Hard Knocks Podcast, Kiyosaki reiterated his belief in debt (2).
“If you can’t manage debt — live debt-free,” he said. “But the opposite side of that is to learn to handle debt. Because in 1971, when Nixon took the dollar off the gold standard, the US dollar became debt. So that’s why my rich dad said, ‘You better take a course on real estate, learn how to raise capital [and] invest. Learn how to talk to your banker about getting debt and then use the real estate to provide cash flow, not income.”
This dual focus on freedom to spend and security to weather financial storms contrasts with Ramsey’s emphasis on achieving financial security through strict debt elimination.
So, is Kiyosaki’s debt-driven strategy a viable path to building wealth?
If you want to invest like Kiyosaki without going into a billion dollars of debt, here’s where you can start.
Precious metals, like gold and silver, are widely favored as safeguards against inflation and economic instability. Kiyosaki agrees with this, acknowledging the U.S. dollar’s disconnection from the gold standard since 1971 during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
In October 2023 (3), Kiyosaki predicted, “Gold will soon break through $2,100 and then take off. You will wish you had bought gold below $2,000. Next stop, gold $3,700.”
In the two years following that tweet, gold surpassed his prediction, posting massive gains in 2025. Currently, gold is sitting at roughly $4,460 an ounce (4).
You can take advantage of the long-term market potential of this precious metal by starting a Precious Metals IRA with help from Thor Metals.
By enabling investors to include gold or silver in their portfolios, a Precious Metals IRA can be a secure and stable investment option, enhancing diversification and safeguarding your cash value against economic uncertainties.
Thor Metals offers expert guidance and secure storage of your precious metals assets in partnership with top-tier, IRS-approved depositories.
Plus, their investment guides help you better understand the market and make sound investment decisions.
To learn more, get Thor Metals’ gold and silver information guide for free.
Read More: Approaching retirement with no savings? Don’t panic, you’re not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast)
If you’re not an expert like Kiyosaki and Ramsey, deciding how to handle debt or what portfolio moves you should make can be a challenging task.
If you are seeking an easy way to get the latest market insights and picks from experts, Moby might be a valuable tool.
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If you’re unsure about where you fall on the debate between Kiyosaki and Ramsey, it might make sense to seek advice from a qualified financial professional.
Kiyosaki urges investors to be cautious when choosing a financial advisor. A February 2024 post from Kiyosaki reads: “Don’t be a loser. Choose your financial advisors carefully (5).”
While finding the right advisor isn’t always easy, there are free online services that can help match you with experienced professionals based on your unique needs.
Vanguard can connect you with a personal advisor who will help assess your portfolio and ensure you meet your financial goals in time for retirement.
All you have to do is fill out a brief questionnaire about your financial goals, and Vanguard’s advisors will help you set a tailored plan and stick to it.
Once you’re set, you can sit back as Vanguard’s advisors manage your portfolio. Because they’re fiduciaries, they don’t earn commissions, so you can trust that the advice you’re getting is unbiased.
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
@theRealKiyosaki (1), (3), (5); School of Hard Knocks Podcast (2); GoldPrice.org (4)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
