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 return...
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...
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 ra...
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. Whet...
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 a...
Ever wondered how to grow your wealth without buying and selling another house? In this episode of Growing The Money, host Jack sits down with seasoned real estate investor and private money lender Rich Lennon to talk about how he transitioned from flipping hundreds of homes to earning consistent, high returns through lending. Rich opens up about the biggest lessons he has learned, the lifestyle decisions behind his business pivot, and how you can safely create passive income by being t...
What if you could grow your retirement money completely tax-free, and still move fast enough to jump on real estate deals as they come? Most investors don’t realize that their IRA can actually slow them down, especially when custodians take days to release funds. But there’s a smarter, faster way to take control, without breaking any rules. In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the exact setup he uses to lend through his IRA without the frustrating custodian delays. You’ll learn how...
Ever wonder how a small, overlooked lien could derail a real estate deal you thought was smooth sailing? Most investors and lenders assume that title insurance will catch everything, but mistakes happen, and the wrong policy could cost you thousands. In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down how a lender’s title policy can protect you when homeowners’ policies fall short. He shares a true story where a 15-year-old lien threatened a property sale, but thanks to the lender’s policy, the b...
Ever wonder why your payoff amount is higher than you expected, even when you close on time? The truth is, most borrowers and lenders are getting hit with hidden fees they don’t even know exist. Closing companies are quietly padding the bill, and it’s costing investors thousands in unnecessary interest. In this episode, Rich Lennon exposes how closing companies’ internal mistakes and slow processes end up costing you real money, and what you can do to stop it. If you’re a lender, flipper, or ...
Ever feel like you’re almost ready to make your first private money loan, but something keeps holding you back? You’re not alone. Most investors never take that first step because they don’t have the right systems, people, and mindset in place. In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the five essential things every new private lender needs before funding their first deal. These aren’t just theories; they’re the same steps his students use to confidently lend, protect their money, and earn 30...
What if the biggest opportunity of your lifetime is sitting right in front of you, and you’re too afraid to use it? Whether we like it or not, AI is changing how business, investing, and wealth-building work. Ignore it, and you risk getting left behind. In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down why embracing AI isn’t optional if you want to stay relevant and grow your money in the years ahead. From a wild story about recruiters secretly using AI to hire candidates to the eerie moment an AI mod...
Competition among private money lenders is heating up. Borrowers have more options, and if all you’re doing is competing on interest rates, you’ll eventually lose. The truth is, smart lenders don’t just lower rates; they employ strategies that make them more attractive to borrowers while still maintaining high returns. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon shares two proven strategies that let you stay competitive in today’s lending market without sacrificing your profits. You’ll ...
Private lending can be a safe and profitable way to build wealth if you know how to judge the risks. But even experienced lenders sometimes get uneasy when a deal doesn’t feel right. Knowing when that feeling is valid can help protect your money and keep your lending decisions smart. In this episode of Growing The Money, Rich Lennon shares the key questions private lenders should ask before funding a deal, especially when the money isn’t going directly into the property. He explains how to ev...
Most people believe saving for retirement means sacrificing their lifestyle today. But what if you could build long-term wealth and boost your cash flow right now? Rich Lennon challenges the common fear that growing your IRA means losing front pocket income and shows why the opposite can actually be true. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon breaks down the difference between “front pocket money”, the cash you live on daily, and “back pocket money”, the wealth waiting to gr...
Charlie Kirk’s sudden death shook the country and left many people struggling to process what it meant. For some, it was grief, for others confusion, but for all of us it was a reminder of how fragile life is and how divided we’ve become. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon shares why he paused from business talk to reflect on what this moment reveals about echo chambers, human nature, and how we can choose to listen, forgive, and support one another even when we disagree. You’l...
Private lending can be a goldmine for real estate investors, but it’s also full of pitfalls. Some lenders have habits that can quietly drain your profits, create headaches, or even put your deals at risk. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon highlights seven common practices from other private lenders that make him cringe and that every borrower should be aware of. If you’ve ever felt unsure about a lender’s motives or wondered whether you’re getting a fair shake, this epis...
Most private lenders believe that default is something to be avoided at all costs. The truth? Smart lenders actually use default as a built-in safeguard to stay in control of their money, their deals, and their outcomes. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon explains why default isn’t a worst-case scenario; it’s a protection tool. He walks through the exact terms, clauses, and penalties he builds into every loan so that if a borrower slips, he has the power to step in quickly and ...
With the market shifting and money tightening, a lot of people are asking the same question: Is now really the right time to be a private money lender, or the worst? In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down what today’s market means for private lenders and why uncertainty can actually create some of the best opportunities. He shares the exact principles and safeguards he uses to protect his money, avoid unnecessary risk, and still generate strong returns, even when the headlines say otherwise...
Not all borrowers are created equal. Some will make you consistent, predictable returns, and others could cost you everything. The difference often comes down to understanding exactly who you’re lending to. In this episode of Growing the Money, Rich Lennon breaks down the two main types of private lending clients you’ll encounter: real estate investors and lazy money clients. He dives deep into the subtypes of investors, from first-time flippers to experienced operators to those scaling aggre...
If you don’t understand the paperwork, you shouldn’t be lending money. Period. Two key documents stand between you and losing your shirt on a bad deal, and most new lenders barely know what they say. In this episode, Rich Lennon breaks down the note and deed of trust or mortgage, depending on your state in plain English. You’ll learn what they do, what they protect, and what absolutely must be in them before you ever wire a single dollar. Whether you’re lending for the first time or tightenin...