We learn best by doing the real thing and the least by reading. Check out the Cone of Learning, by Edgar Dale:

When I think back to the first digital camera I ever bought, I realise how true this statement is. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted when I first bought my Olympus u400. I wanted a camera to take photos of my rock climbing outdoors. I figured I needed something that was hardy and could withstand a little bit of wet weather conditions. I didn’t think I needed to look deeper than this because a camera was just a camera. You point and shoot and you get your pictures.

Barely two weeks of using my brand new camera, I had learned its limitations and failings. It took too long to start and I often missed a good shot because my camera wasn’t ready. It took too long between shots so if I accidentally clicked at the wrong moment, I’d miss the right moment. Due to the limitations of the flash, I couldn’t get good shots indoors. My videos were limited to 30 seconds of recording and I couldn’t capture sounds. I knew pretty soon after that what I wanted in my next camera.

It was the same when I was buying my first laptop. I thought I had done all the research necessary to ensure I was getting the best deal for my needs, but until I was actually carrying and using the laptop, there were little things I missed out. For instance, I bought a big laptop because I wanted a big screen. I realised I would have been happy to sacrifice the big screen for a smaller laptop that was lighter since I moved around a lot and took that laptop with me everywhere. I would get to a point where I was too lazy to take my laptop with me because of the thought of having to lug that monster around. That, of course, defeated the purpose of having a laptop in the first place - portability.

Learning about attaining financial freedom is the same. We learn best by “doing”, so the best way is to get involved and put some money out there. Sometimes we’re afraid of making mistakes, which stops us from getting involved. The next best thing we can do is simulate the real thing. That’s why RichDad created the game “Cashflow 101″ - to help us learn how we can get out of the rat race and achieve financial freedom in a safe and fun environment.

Check out the game Cashflow 101. It comes in two versions - you can choose to play the board game with your friends or the online e-game with people from all over the world. Once you’ve mastered Cashflow 101, learn the advanced business and investment techniques used by technical investors, such as “short-selling stock”, “put-options”, “call-options”, “straddles” and real estate exchanges in Cashflow 202 - also available as a board game or the online e-game.

Kick start your child’s financial education with the Cashflow for kids board game or online e-game.