Growing the Money with Rich Lennon

108 episodes

Episode 107: The $75K Credit Card Loan That Vanished - 3 Mistakes That Destroyed a Private Lender.
2/16/2026 | 9 mins.
What if trying to make a safe 12% return ended up costing you $75,000, plus 25% interest? This episode is different. Rich shares a real call he received from a private lender who wired $75,000 to a local flipper, using a 0% credit card. No mortgage. No deed of trust. No security. And now the borrower has disappeared, while the credit card company wants its money back.
It’s a tough story. But it’s also a powerful lesson. In this short but important episode, Rich breaks down the three critical mistakes that destroyed this deal and how you can make sure you never end up in the same position.
You’ll Learn How To:
Avoid lending institutional money, such as credit cards or lines of credit
Protect every loan with the right security instrument
Recognize red flags like gap funding and bridge loans
Separate community reputation from real due diligence
Think like a lender, not like a people-pleaser
Who This Episode Is For:
New private lenders who want to avoid painful mistakes
Real estate investors approached for quick bridge loans
Anyone considering using credit cards to fund investments
Investors who want to grow wealth without blowing it up
Why You Should Listen:
Private lending can be one of the best wealth-building tools in real estate. But only if you do it right. This episode is a wake-up call. Rich walks through exactly what went wrong, from lending borrowed money to wiring funds without security, to ignoring the warning signs behind gap funding requests. It’s not about fear. It’s about being smart, protected, and prepared. Because if you won’t protect your money, no one else will.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[00:00] The call that sparked this episode
[01:30] Why lending credit card money is a dangerous move
[03:00] The massive mistake of not securing the loan
[04:30] Why reputation is not collateral
[05:00] The red flags behind gap funding and bridge loans
[06:30] What happens when a borrower disappears
[07:30] The hard truth about trying to recover your money
Follow Rich Lennon here:
Website: https://richlennon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Episode 106: Why I Changed My Mind on Debt Three Times (The Wealth Curve That Explains Everything)
2/12/2026 | 10 mins.
Is debt the key to building wealth, or the thing that quietly puts you at risk? The honest answer? It depends on where you are in your journey.
In this short yet powerful episode, Rich Lennon breaks down how his opinion on debt has changed three times as his net worth, confidence, and priorities have evolved. From wanting everything paid off, to leveraging hard to grow, to shifting back toward security, this episode walks through the real-life thought process behind each move.
You’ll Learn How To:
Know when debt helps you grow and when it holds you back
Think about leverage based on your stage of wealth
Use return on equity to guide smarter decisions
Balance growth with peace of mind
Adjust your strategy as your life changes
Who This Episode Is For:
Rental property owners are unsure whether to pay off properties
BRRRR investors are debating how much leverage is too much
Entrepreneurs trying to grow without overextending
Anyone who feels torn between safety and speed
Why You Should Listen:
Debt isn’t good or bad. It’s a tool. And tools only work when you use them at the right time. In just nine minutes, Rich gives you a simple framework for thinking about debt through the lens of the wealth curve, so you can make decisions that match your goals, not someone else’s strategy.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

[00:00] Why Rich’s view on debt changed over time
[01:30] His early goal of owning properties free and clear
[03:00] How leverage helped him grow faster
[04:30] The moment security started to matter more
[06:00] Understanding the wealth curve
[07:30] How return on equity changes the game
[08:30] Why your strategy should evolve as you grow
Follow Rich Lennon here:
Website: https://richlennon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Episode 105: 140+ Loans, Zero Losses -The Private Money Lending System Every Investor Needs - Part 2
2/09/2026 | 34 mins.
What if the real secret to safe, consistent lending isn’t finding better borrowers, but writing better loans?
In Part 2 of this series, Rich Lennon goes deep into the actual mechanics that protect private lenders when things go wrong. This isn’t theory or hype. It’s the real-world structure Rich has used across 140+ loans without a single loss.
He breaks down exactly how notes, deeds of trust, defaults, penalties, insurance, and personal guarantees work together to give lenders control, not hope. If you’ve ever wondered how experienced lenders protect themselves before money goes out the door, this episode answers that question clearly and honestly.
You’ll Learn How To:
Structure notes so there’s no confusion at payoff
Use default clauses as leverage, not punishment
Protect yourself with insurance, guarantees, and cross-defaults
Control deals when borrowers stop communicating
Lend confidently without needing perfect borrowers
Who This Episode Is For:
Private lenders who want real downside protection
Investors lending on flips or BRRRRs
Anyone using self-directed retirement money
Operators ready to transition from active deals to lending
Investors who want predictable returns without surprises
Why You Should Listen:
Most people think losses happen because of bad borrowers. In reality, they happen because of weak paperwork and unclear terms. This episode shows you how professional lenders design loans that work even when things go sideways, so you stay in control no matter what.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[00:00] Why the note is where real lender power starts
[03:00] Per-annum interest vs short-term rate confusion
[06:30] How default clauses actually protect lenders
[10:30] Using penalties as leverage, not enforcement
[14:30] Insurance requirements most lenders miss
[18:00] Why personal guarantees matter more than LTV
[21:30] Cross-default and cross-collateral strategies
[25:30] How experienced lenders control risk during rehabs
[29:00] Why lending beats every other real estate strategy long-term
Follow Rich Lennon here:
Website: https://richlennon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Episode 104: 140+ Loans, Zero Losses - The Private Money Lending System Every Investor Needs -Part 1
2/05/2026 | 35 mins.
What if lending money felt safer than flipping houses? No rehabs. No tenants. No late-night phone calls. Just steady returns and real control. This isn’t theory or hype. It’s a practical, asset-based approach built from years of experience, including what to do when deals go sideways and how to protect yourself before they ever do
In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the private money lending system he’s used to fund over 140 loans without a single loss. He shares the real rules he follows, the mistakes he sees new lenders make, and why lending became the most predictable part of his real estate business. If you’ve ever thought about lending money but weren’t sure how to do it safely, this episode lays the foundation.
You’ll Learn How To:
Lend money without relying on trust or emotions
Protect your downside with simple, repeatable rules
Structure loans that give you control if things go wrong
Avoid the most common mistakes new private lenders make
Think like a lender instead of an operator
Who This Episode Is For:
Investors who are curious about private money lending
Landlords and flippers looking for more predictable returns
People with capital who want fewer headaches
Anyone who wants their money working without active involvement
Why You Should Listen:
Most investors focus on finding deals. Smart investors focus on protecting capital. This episode shows how private lending flips the script, putting you in control of the deal, timeline, and risk. Rich explains it in plain English, using real examples from his own lending experience, so you can decide if this strategy fits your goals.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[00:00] How Rich got started lending and why he shifted away from active investing
[04:30] Why asset-based lending removes emotion from deals
[08:30] The biggest mistakes new private lenders make
[13:00] How Rich structures loans to stay protected
[17:30] What really matters when underwriting a deal
[22:00] Why short-term loans give lenders more control
[26:00] How to think about risk before you ever wire money
Follow Rich Lennon here:
Website: https://richlennon.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rich.lennon.121
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richlennon92/
Episode 103: Why I Pay My Taxes With Credit Cards (The Unpopular Airline Miles Strategy)
2/02/2026 | 9 mins.
What if paying taxes didn’t have to feel like pure pain? What if it could actually work in your favor? Most people dread tax day. Some would literally rather swim with sharks than deal with it. But in this episode, Rich Lennon shares an unconventional strategy he personally uses to turn one of life’s biggest expenses into something useful: airline miles.
Rich walks through why paying taxes with credit cards can make sense if you do it the right way, how extensions really work and where people mess this up, and why overpaying slightly can be smarter than underpaying. No loopholes. No gimmicks. Just practical thinking about cash flow, penalties, and using everyday expenses to your advantage.
You’ll Learn How To:
Avoid costly tax penalties that most people don’t see coming
Understand when extensions help, and when they don’t
Use credit cards strategically without going into debt
Turn unavoidable expenses into airline miles
Think about taxes like a money manager, not a victim
Who This Episode Is For:
Investors and business owners who want to be smarter with taxes
Anyone curious about airline miles and travel strategies
People are tired of tax season stress and surprises
Those looking for simple, practical money ideas that actually work
Why You Should Listen:
Taxes aren’t optional, but how you approach them is. This episode breaks down a realistic way to reduce friction, avoid mistakes, and make tax season a little less painful. Rich keeps it honest, practical, and grounded in real-life experience rather than theory.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
[00:00] Why so many people fear tax day, and why you don’t have to
[01:15] What filing an extension actually does, and doesn’t do
[02:45] The penalties and interest most people underestimate
[04:00] Why Rich prefers to overpay instead of underpay slightly
[05:10] The unpopular reason he pays taxes with credit cards
[06:30] How airline miles really work in plain English
[07:45] Using tax strategy to support long-term wealth building
Follow 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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About Growing the Money with Rich Lennon

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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