Jan 12, 2026
While we adhere to strict editorial guidelines, partners on this page may provide us earnings.
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
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.
Must Read
- Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake — here’s what it is and the simple steps to fix it ASAP
- Robert Kiyosaki begs investors not to miss this ‘explosion’ — says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year
- Vanguard reveals what could be coming for U.S. stocks, and it’s raising alarm bells for retirees. Here’s why and how to protect yourself
Join 250,000+ readers and get Moneywise’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
Who’s right?
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.
Moby’s team of former hedge fund analysts and experts provide superior research and stock picks that have outperformed the S&P 500 index by an average of roughly 12%.
You can sign up and become a wiser investor in just five minutes.
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.
Managing high-interest debt
While Kiyosaki advocates using debt to acquire assets, it’s important to remember that this approach carries many inherent risks, and debt on assets is very different from high-interest credit card debt — which is not advisable as it can quickly spiral out of control.
If you are buried in retail debt, Credible can help you consolidate various debts into one manageable payment.
Credible helps you find the lowest interest rates on loans up to $100,000. Instead of throwing away your hard-earned money on multiple interest payments, Credible can help you combine all your debt into a single, simple payment, so you don't have to juggle multiple lenders with different interest rates.
If you owe a substantial amount, you may also want to see if you qualify for a debt relief program to help clear a significant portion of your debt.
With Freedom Debt Relief, you can speak with a certified debt relief consultant for free, who can show you how much you can save by partnering with them.
If you're eligible, they can negotiate settlements with your creditors until all of your enrolled debt is resolved.
Article sources
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)
You May Also Like
- Turning 50 with $0 saved for retirement? Most people don’t realize they’re actually just entering their prime earning decade. Here are 6 ways to catch up fast
- This 20-year-old lotto winner refused $1M in cash and chose $1,000/week for life. Now she’s getting slammed for it. Which option would you pick?
- Warren Buffett used these 8 repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Start using them today to get rich (and stay rich)
- Here are 5 easy ways to own multiple properties like Bezos and Beyoncé. You can start with $10 (and no, you don’t have to manage a single thing)
The Moneywise Editorial Team is a group of passionate financial experts, seasoned journalists, and content creators who are deeply committed to providing unbiased, relevant, and accurate financial information. With years of combined industry experience, our team is dedicated to maintaining the highest journalistic standards and delivering informative and engaging content. From personal finance and investing to retirement planning and business finance, we cover a broad range of topics to suit the financial needs of our diverse readership. You can trust the Moneywise Editorial Team to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make wise financial decisions.
