I played a game called Cash Flow the other night created by Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad). It was fascinating. It is kind of like Monopoly- only designed to teach financial literacy. You play the game right off your game financial statement. You get a career and paycheck, buy doodads (like big screen TV's), get laid off, have kids, and make investments in real estate and stock. When your monthly cash flow from your investments is higher than your monthly expenses, you are financially independent or free from the "rat race." After several hours I was able to get out of the "rat race". I did this by buying and selling a 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental home and some stock- and then buying an apartment building that had a lot of cash flow. Now I just need to pull that off in real life! I have played about ten times now and I can sometimes notice how it has subtly changed my thinking toward being more financially independent.

You can buy the Cash Flow game at www.Rich Dad.com- it is an investment in itself- but well worth it if you play it. Or you can find Cash Flow groups in your area. We have a Cash Flow group that meets monthly in Yakima, Washington on the first Tuesday of the month at 8003 Tieton, Yakima, WA 98908 at 6:30pm. We are looking to add a second time on the third week of the month based on popular demand. Come out and play!