aqvarivs: Have you read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" yet? I would suggest it's not that useful. Firstly, it's one of those books where it's told as a recollection or series of conversations, so it's really padded out. Secondly, it's really light on detail. What detail/advice it does provide is pretty standard stuff provided elsewhere, but it's provided better elsewhere. If you'd prefer something written as a story, I'd suggest "The Richest Man in Babylon" instead.

About the best bit of information I got from "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" was this maxim (and the accompanying diagrams and explanations):

The rich have assets (ie. things that passively make them money and/or grow in value, eg. shares, investment properties, etc.);
the middle class have liabilities (ie. things they think are assests but which cost them money and/or decrease in value, eg. new cars, houses too big for them, etc.);
the poor have expenses (pretty self-explanatory).

Also, there's a fair bit of bad press about Kiyosaki of two varieties: 1. that the "Rich Dad" he writes about is purely fictional; and 2. that how he makes his money is by aggressively selling real estate "investments" through his seminars (and through the seminar fees of course).

Still, take what you will from the book if you read it.

shorbe, thank you for that synopsis. I was actually thinking of reading the book but, hadn't fully investigated. I glad you gave me the inside on the possible slant coming from Kiyrosaki. Personally, I can't support that type of thing. Too much like telemarketing swindles or buying into timeshares. :-) *I will look into the other though.

cheers

Aqva, I can't help but be amused by your audacity:) You spend a whole
thread, arguing against my point, which was that third world women
should have the same choices that Western women, Australian women
have. Now you claim to be pro choice!

You would be well aware that I cannot repost a whole thread, which
was wiped by the moderators, for their own good reasons. I am still
curious as to why, but when it comes to religion etc, there could
be many reasons and pressures. I will leave that to their judgement.
I actually mentioned some of those pressures and lobby groups in
my postings.

I am not about to turn a debate about Christian schools, into an
abortion debate.

The best I can do is to point out to newer posters, that yes they
will find some gems on OLO. But there will also be characters who
just want to argue for the sake of it. They won't even remember
their points of argument from a few days back, so best to not take
them too seriously, for their agenda is a bit too obvious.

aqvarivs: I think unless you're interested in getting into some really specialised form of investment (which I'm personally not interested in -- both because I'm not a professional and because I don't want to put the time into it), then a basic kind of financial success overview book is the way to go. There aren't really any massively complicated concepts to be learnt. From what I've read so far (having gone from a relative novice to having read maybe a dozen or so books, plus other stuff, and having talked to various people over the past eighteen months) I think it's best to just side step the "motivational" writers/speakers all together. Maybe I'm just a natural cynic, but I don't go in for that stuff at all.

Stick with someone who, 1. provides pretty basic, common sense, long term principles for wealth accumulation (as opposed to a lot of hype about "if you dare to dream, you can be a millionaire next week" kind of stuff); 2. provides definitions/explanations (including the downfalls and potential pitfalls) of financial jargon and different types of investments, along with ways to get more information if necessary. Paul Clitheroe or even Scott Pape (he writes for a younger audience) are both good in this respect.

"The Millionaire Next Door" is also a very, very good book. I should mention that "The Richest Man in Babylon" is told as a series of stories that are almost like kids' stories (but still good -- it says all the same sort of stuff everyone else seems to say, eg. live within your means and pay yourself first).

yabby, a very self righteous attitude. Now form a quorum, then a party.
In the real world at 1000ft. your gravy. Sadly you don't even know what I'm talking about. Can you say protection.

Shorbe, I'm not trying to be smart about this stuff. I grew up around it. My father. A very uncomplicated man who spent 1939- 1945 fighting for a sense of universal freedom. A boy who came home a young man from that experience and made his first million at 45. I wish I had that talent. Pride. I wouldn't even ask any one to believe it. I'm stunned. I just hope my children have a life that offers such opportunity and advantage..and if I have to pay the extra for the full package... well mate, thats on me...right?