Episode 82: Five Red Flags That Saved My Client $200,000 (Before It Went to Zero)
Think a high-return deal is always a golden opportunity? Sometimes the numbers are so tempting that you want to jump in fast, especially when everyone around you seems excited. But underneath those promises and pressure, some clues reveal whether an investment is solid or headed for disaster.In this episode, Rich Lennon shares the five warning signs that helped his client avoid losing $200,000 in a deal that went completely to zero in just two months. He walks through how unrealistic returns, fuzzy math, group pressure, lack of security, and inexperience can quietly lead investors into terrible decisions. With clear examples and straightforward reasoning, Rich shows you how to evaluate opportunities and protect your money with real confidence.You’ll Learn How To:Recognize when unrealistic returns point to deeper problemsCheck whether the math actually makes senseAvoid group pressure that pushes you toward high-risk decisionsUnderstand why secured investments protect you betterLean on experienced investors to filter out dangerous dealsWho This Episode Is For:New investors learning to spot risky opportunitiesPrivate lenders evaluating deal securityAnyone tempted by high return promisesListeners building confidence in investment decisionsWhy You Should Listen:This episode shows how a few simple checks can save you from losing six figures. Rich breaks down how to evaluate deals so you can protect your money and resist pressure. You'll invest from a position of real control and confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Five warning signs that saved a client two hundred thousand[02:00] Why would they need your money if returns are truly that high[04:00] The danger of groupthink in investment decisions[06:00] Surrounding yourself with experienced investors[07:00] The bonus sixth factor, maintaining control of your money08:00] The Zillow housing market downgrade and what it means for lendingFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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Episode 81: The Hidden Math That Makes a 12% Loan Actually Cost 17.5%
Think a 12 percent loan really costs 12 percent? Think again. On paper, the numbers might look simple, but the way money moves tells a different story. The timing of payments, upfront points, and how interest is collected can quietly change your true rate of return or cost of borrowing. What happens when the math behind a 12 percent loan adds up to something much higher?In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the hidden rate loan structures and how timing, points, and payment collection can dramatically affect yield. He walks through how to understand your true rate of return and spot when lenders are tweaking the numbers. With the right knowledge and transparency, you can gain a real advantage in the lending world. You’ll Learn How To:Spot how loan terms like prepaid interest and points change true ROICalculate the internal rate of return (IRR) versus the stated annual interestAvoid being misled by “lower” advertised ratesUse transparency as a competitive edge in lending dealsEducate clients to build trust and long-term business Who This Episode Is For:Private lenders who want to understand real returns on their loansReal estate investors are comparing lending options and hidden costsBorrowers seeking to avoid surprise fees and inflated interest ratesAnyone who wants to make smarter lending and borrowing decisionsWhy You Should Listen:Behind every loan lies a story told by numbers. Rich Lennon shows how a few shifts in structure can raise a 12 percent loan to a 17.5 percent cost, and how knowing the math gives you the power to negotiate smarter, earn more, and lend with confidence.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Greetings from Orlando and the value of education[01:00] How payment timing and points affect loan returns[02:00] The risks of skipping payments and losing compounding[04:00] What makes a 12% loan effectively cost 17.5%[06:00] How educating clients reveals the true cost of borrowing[08:00] The impact of transparency on trust and repeat businessFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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Episode 80: Why 95% of Wealth Is Gone by the Third Generation (And How to Stop It)
Ever heard the saying, shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations? Sadly, it’s true, 95% of all wealth disappears by the third generation. The real reason? Most people spend their lives chasing wealth but never teach their kids how to build it, manage it, or respect it.In this episode, Rich Lennon shares the personal story behind The Lennon Bank, a simple system he created to teach his kids about earning, saving, investing, and responsibility. From peanut butter sandwiches to horse races, Rich breaks down how small, consistent lessons at home can change your family’s financial future for generations.You’ll Learn How To:Teach your kids real money habits without lectures or spreadsheetsTurn everyday family routines into lessons about work and rewardBuild generational wealth that lasts long after you’re goneUse earned ownership to help your kids value what they buyIntroduce financial lessons that stick, no fancy tools required Who This Episode Is For:Parents who want to raise financially smart, grounded kidsFamilies looking to break the cycle of spend it, lose it wealthAnyone serious about building a legacy that actually lastsWhy You Should Listen:Wealth isn’t just about money; it’s about mindset, habits, and stewardship. This episode gives you a practical, heart-level way to start teaching financial wisdom in your own home. You’ll walk away with ideas you can use right away to help your kids and grandkids build confidence, independence, and a real understanding of value.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] Why 95% of wealth disappears by the third generation[01:00] The origin story of The Lennon Bank and what it teaches kids[03:00] The simple $20-a-week system that builds money habits early[05:00] How earning before spending changed Rich’s family dynamic[07:00] What family vacations taught them about budgeting and priorities[09:00] The surprising money lesson that came from a horse race[10:00] How loss, choices, and ownership create lifelong financial wisdom[11:00] The lasting impact of The Lennon Bank on generational wealthFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
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Episode 79: The Market Shifts Every Private Lender Must Understand Today - Scott Brown
What happens when the lending game changes overnight? Do you adapt fast enough to protect your money or get swept up with everyone else?In this episode, Rich sits down with private lender and entrepreneur Scott Brown, who’s weathered multiple market cycles and built a thriving lending business from the ground up. From buying homes for $10,000 during the 2008 crash to structuring recession-proof loans today, Scott reveals how smart lenders survive, and even grow, when the economy shifts.Whether you’re new to lending or managing millions, this episode will help you see market changes before they happen, protect your capital, and stay profitable when others panic.You’ll Learn How To:Spot early warning signs that a market correction is comingProtect your capital by lending at the right loan-to-value ratiosUse simple cash-flow principles to survive any downturnStructure loans that keep paying, even when property values dropAvoid the emotional traps that take lenders out of the gameWho This Episode Is For:Private lenders who want to lend safely and confidently in today’s marketInvestors who wish to learn from someone who’s been through every cycleAnyone who wants to build financial freedom through secure lending strategiesWhy You Should Listen:Markets always move, but with the right strategy, you can move faster. Scott’s real-world experience and timeless principles will provide you with clarity, confidence, and a clear roadmap for lending success, no matter what the economy does next.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] The story of how Scott went from an orphaned kid to a seasoned investor[02:30] Lessons learned from surviving multiple market cycles[06:00] The warning signs that tell you a shift is already happening[09:30] How to structure your loans for long-term safety and profit[12:45] The biggest mistakes new lenders make in changing markets[16:00] How cash flow, not appreciation, is your real safety net[20:00] Why private lending still wins, even in uncertain times[23:00] How to connect with Scott and start applying these strategies todayFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Think you can fund a flip without understanding construction? Think again. Most private lenders lose money not because they picked the wrong borrower, but because they underestimated the rehab. When you don’t understand what goes into a renovation, it’s easy to get blindsided by blown budgets, bad contractors, and projects that drag on for months.In this episode, Rich Lennon sits down with Brandon Lindsey, founder of The Rehab Playbook, to break down what every private lender needs to know about construction. From how to spot red flags in a deal to understanding what $40 per square foot really means, Brandon shares practical ways to protect your money and fund flips like a pro.You’ll Learn How To:Tell if a rehab budget actually makes senseSpot costly issues before they spiralEstimate light vs. full-gut rehabs fastAvoid funding hidden construction headachesAsk smart questions to protect your moneyWho This Episode Is For:Private lenders who want to avoid funding bad rehab dealsNew investors who don’t understand construction risk but want to learn fastAnyone lending to flippers and looking for a repeatable way to verify deal safetyWhy You Should Listen:You don’t need to be a contractor to lend safely, but you do need to know what to look for. This episode gives you a clear, straightforward framework to evaluate renovation projects so you can lend confidently, avoid costly surprises, and build long-term wealth the smart way.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: [00:00] The story behind Brandon’s start in construction and how it shaped his investing [03:00] Why understanding the scope of work is the difference between profit and loss [09:00] The real cost per square foot for cosmetic, heavy, and full-gut rehabs [13:00] How to identify big-ticket systems that blow up budgets [17:00] Foundation, mold, and waterproofing, how to catch problems early [19:00] The types of houses lenders should avoid funding and which ones are safest [23:00] How to spot bad contractors and the importance of trust and transparency [25:00] Why good communication and documentation protect both sides [27:00] Inside Brandon’s Rehab Playbook, how it’s helping investors and lenders winFollow Rich Lennon here:Website: https://richlennon.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Want to grow your money at 30% to 50% per year—without the stock market rollercoaster, soul-crushing 80-hour workweeks, or gambling on risky get-rich-quick schemes?Do you crave financial freedom but feel stuck in the outdated “work harder, save more, retire someday” model?Welcome to The Growing the Money Podcast, where host Rich Lennon pulls back the curtain on the wealth-building strategies the banks, billionaires, and ultra-wealthy use every day to grow their fortunes—strategies that YOU can start using today.If you’re ready to take control of your financial future, this podcast is your shortcut to creating sustainable, long-lasting wealth. Forget Wall Street’s 4% “safe” retirement model or risky investment fads. Instead, Rich will show you how to build wealth smarter, faster, and with less risk—all while keeping your time and sanity intact.Whether you’re a:Real estate investor looking to scale your portfolio without overleveraging...Private money lender searching for higher, more predictable returns...Entrepreneur ready to grow your income streams and outsmart traditional financial systems...Or a professional tired of working harder just to stay stuck in the rat race...This show is your blueprint to financial freedom.Every week, Rich shares his proven money frameworks—strategies designed to grow your wealth faster and more sustainably, all while protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build. You’ll learn how to:Achieve 30% to 50% annual returns without relying on the stock market or complex schemes.Put your money to work for you, so you’re not trading your time for dollars.Avoid the pitfalls that keep most people broke and stressed about money.Unlock the same wealth-building secrets banks and the rich use to grow their empires.But this is more than just a podcast—it’s a movement to help you flip the script on your financial life.If you love podcasts like The Suze Orman Show, The Dave Ramsey Show, or BiggerPockets Money Podcast, or if you’re inspired by money minds like Grant Cardone, Robert Kiyosaki, or Tony Robbins, you’ll feel right at home here.No fluff. No gimmicks. Just real-world strategies to grow your money smarter, faster, and without the stress.It’s time to stop following the same tired advice that keeps you stuck in the grind. It’s time to grow YOUR money. Let’s reclaim your financial freedom together.
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