Episode 43: The Fastest Way to Build Wealth (And Avoid Getting Taken Advantage Of)
Think lending money is the fastest path to building wealth? It can be, but only if you do it the right way. Every week, people lose tens of thousands of dollars simply because they lack the necessary paperwork, structure, or support. And after hearing from two more people who were taken advantage of, Rich Lennon knew it was time to speak up.In this episode, wealth strategist and private lending expert Rich Lennon reveals why lending can be one of the fastest and safest ways to build long-term wealth, provided it is done properly. He breaks down the exact steps to protect yourself, structure deals the right way, and avoid the costly mistakes that wipe out investors. If you’re sitting on idle cash or looking for a more secure way to grow your money, this episode shows you how to do it through lending and doing it the right way, so you don’t get taken advantage of.You’ll Learn How To:Avoid the most common mistakes new lenders makeUnderstand what “first position” means and why it mattersUse the right documents to protect yourself and your moneyFractionalize investments to boost returns and reduce riskPlug into a trusted community with education, support, and group callsWho This Episode Is For:People with extra cash who want it to grow (without guessing)Investors who’ve been burned before and want to do it right next timeAnyone looking for a smarter, safer path to financial freedomWhy You Should Listen:This episode can save you from losing tens of thousands of dollars literally. Rich shares real stories of what not to do, then walks you through a system that’s helping people like you succeed. If you want to build wealth the right way, this is the kind of episode that makes a real difference.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:[00:00] – Why Rich felt the urgent need to speak up after two people lost big[01:00] – What he's learned from working with 1-on-1 clients and building a beta group[02:40] – Why he's reopening the group and what it's designed to teach[04:00] – What private lending really looks like, and how to do it safely[05:15] – The importance of doing first-position loans (and what that even means)[06:00] – The power of group calls, community, and getting your questions answered[07:11] – How to stay safe from hackers and protect your payoffs[08:12] – Where to get started: Download the Smarter Wealth BlueprintFollow 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 42: The Dangers of Lending with a Partner and How to Protect Yourself
What happens when your lending partner takes everything and leaves you with nothing? In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down a real deal gone wrong involving a private lender who brought in a partner for a $20,000 second-position loan and ultimately wiped them out during foreclosure. The borrower never worked on the property, and the first-position lender foreclosed, recouping their full amount while leaving their partner with nothing. Rich emphasizes the moral responsibility of those who structure deals, especially when using other people's money (OPM), and highlights how mistakes in loan structure, foreclosure sequence, and partner communication can permanently damage reputations and tax-advantaged accounts, such as self-directed IRAs.You’ll Learn How To:Evaluate the real risks of second-position lendingStructure deals to protect your partners and reputationMake ethically sound decisions even when legally protectedUse foreclosures correctly to avoid harming othersWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:01:16 – 01:38- What second position exposes investors to01:41 – 02:23- If you’re putting the deal together, take responsibility03:32 – 04:15- How the first position foreclosure can be morally wrong04:20 – 06:13- Why foreclosing from the second can protect everyone06:57 – 07:37- The IRA trap: tax-free, now value-free08:02 – 08:32- Why legal action is rarely feasible for small loans09:02 – 09:44- Moral consequences of using OPM irresponsiblyWho This Episode is For:Private money lenders using self-directed IRAsNew investors partnering on real estate loansExperienced lenders lending in the second positionAnyone considering using OPM (Other People’s Money) Why You Should Listen:This episode challenges conventional thinking on deal-making ethics, exposing how legal doesn't always mean right. If you want to build a sustainable lending business that protects partners, reputation, and returns, this is essential listening.Follow 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 41: How Much Money Do You Really Need to Start Making 30-50% Returns
Is $10K enough to earn 30–50% returns in private lending? Many new investors hope so, but Rich Lennon reveals why starting with too little could backfire ethically and financially. In this episode, he breaks down the real cost to lend responsibly, the two rules that matter most, and how to structure deals that protect your partners. If you're serious about private lending, this nine-minute masterclass will sharpen your thinking and strategy.You’ll Learn How To:Evaluate first-position vs second-position loansUnderstand the true capital required to protect your partner and returnsAvoid risky structures with imbalanced moral positioningUse fractional lending responsibly and ethicallyWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode00:04 – 00:21 How much do I need to start lending?00:34 – 01:09 First position is non-negotiable (Rule #1).01:16 – 02:29 Median home price determines lending base02:36 – 02:49 Fractional lending done right with real numbers03:42 – 05:08 Lazy money shouldn’t take first losses05:18 – 05:58 Bad practices in payment structure flagged06:22 – 08:16 How much skin is enough? (Rule #2)08:28 – 09:08 Payments, protection, and partner-first structuresWho This Episode is For:New private lenders evaluating initial deal structuresPassive investors seeking to partner in loan dealsReal estate entrepreneurs exploring lending as a strategyEthical investors who care about partner protectionWhy You Should Listen:Rich Lennon doesn’t sugarcoat it. This episode reveals exactly how much capital you need to safely earn high returns — and the two critical rules that make or break deals. It’s not just about how much money you bring, but how you protect your partners while earning those high yields.Follow 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 40: Why Passing Down Rentals Could Ruin Your Family
Is passing down your rental properties the best way to build generational wealth? Most real estate investors assume their legacy will live on through their properties, but what if that decision does more harm than good?In this episode, wealth strategist and real estate expert Rich Lennon reveals why leaving rental properties to your kids or spouse can actually create chaos, conflict, and lost equity. He breaks down what often goes wrong and shares more innovative legacy strategies that protect your wealth and your family. If you want to pass on value, not problems—this one’s for you.You’ll Learn How To:Avoid family drama when passing down propertyUnderstand why inherited rentals often lose valueUse “paper” (notes and seller financing) as a better alternativeSet up long-term notes that generate income for your heirsProtect your equity with a solid exit strategyWho This Episode Is For:Real estate investors thinking about legacy planningLandlords with multiple propertiesParents who want to leave behind wealth, not headachesFinancial planners working with real estate clientsEntrepreneurs planning for their family’s futureWhy You Should Listen:You’ve spent years building wealth through real estate, but the wrong exit strategy could undo everything. Rich explains how traditional inheritance approaches often backfire, leading to mismanaged properties, family tension, and lost equity. He offers a clear path forward that keeps your hard-earned assets in the family while removing the burden from your loved ones.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview00:27 Challenges of Inheriting Rentals01:31 Conflicts and Mismanagement03:54 Alternative Strategies for Wealth Transfer05:13 Benefits of Mortgage Notes07:44 Final Thoughts and Recommendations08:59 Conclusion and ResourcesFollow 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 39: The Secret to Doubling Your Money Every 3 Years
What if you could double your retirement savings every three years without working overtime or taking big risks? It’s not a gimmick. It’s a real strategy used by real investors, and it all starts with understanding how to make your IRA work smarter for you.In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lenon breaks down how to grow your retirement savings using self-directed IRAs, money lending, and the Rule of 72. He shares why reaching your first $100K is such a key milestone and how it can open the door to long-term, tax-free wealth. Stick around to learn how this simple strategy can set you up for real freedom in retirement, plus grab Rich’s free Smarter Wealth Blueprint.You’ll Learn How To:Hit your first $100K in investable retirement incomeUse the “Rule of 72” to double your money efficientlySet up and grow a self-directed IRAMake passive income by lending money backed by real estateRetire tax-free with a solid game plan that most people don’t talk aboutWho This Episode Is For:People in their 30s, 40s, or 50s planning for real financial freedomReal estate investors looking for smarter retirement toolsAnyone curious about how to actually live off their IRA in the futureWhy You Should Listen:Because most people don’t realize there’s a better way to grow their retirement savings, and this episode lays it all out. If you're tired of slow gains, feeling stuck with your IRA, or just unsure how to actually live off your money one day, Rich gives you a clear path forward. He shares a proven strategy that real people are using right now to retire earlier, tax-free, and with a lot more peace of mind.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:00:00 The First Million00:20 The Hardest Money to Make01:12 Building Wealth with IRAs03:25 The Power of Self-Directed IRAs04:33 Doubling Your Money: The Rule of 7205:49 A Strategy for Retirement07:49 Final Thoughts and ResourcesFollow 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.