Legacy Wealth & Smart Debt: How to Build Real Wealth (Without Waiting Until You're “Ready”)
Here’s something we don’t talk about enough:
If you want real wealth—the kind that changes your life and the lives of generations after you—you need two things:
- A vision for your legacy.
- The right tools to build it now.
And one of the most powerful tools to help you get there?
Smart debt.
Yes, I said it. Debt.
But not the kind you’ve been taught to fear. And not the kind that keeps you up at night wondering how to pay off that credit card.
I’m talking about smart debt—the kind that builds wealth. The kind that helps you create freedom, impact, and a legacy.
Let’s break this down.
Legacy Isn’t Something You Leave. It’s Something You Live.
Most people hear the word legacy and think it’s something they’ll figure out later.
Once they’ve got more money. Once they’ve “made it.”
Someday.
But here’s the truth (and I want you to hear this loud and clear):
Legacy starts right now.
It’s not just about the money you leave behind.
It’s about the life you live today. The choices you make. The beliefs you pass on.
Legacy is the courage you model. The wisdom you share. The way you show up.
So stop thinking about legacy as a someday thing.
You’re building it every single day—with every decision you make.
And that includes how you think about money.
Because money? That’s not just about security. It’s about opportunity.
The opportunity to create freedom for yourself.
The opportunity to lift up your family, your community, and the causes that matter to you.
That’s what legacy wealth is.
And debt—when used the right way—is one of the best tools to help you get there.
Debt Isn’t Bad. It’s a Tool.
Now, I know what you’re thinking.
Because I used to think it too.
“Debt is bad.”
“Avoid it at all costs.”
“Only irresponsible people take on debt.”
Or maybe you got the opposite message:
“Use debt. As long as you can pay the minimum amount, you’re cool.”
Swipe the credit card for shoes, vacations, whatever.
Both of those are wrong. And neither is helping you build wealth.
Here’s the real deal: Debt is just a tool.
Like fire.
It can cook your dinner—or burn down your house.
It depends on how you use it.
And the wealthy? They know how to use debt (or leverage, as it is sometimes called) to build wealth.
They use other people’s money (OPM)—from banks, investors, partners—to buy assets.
Assets are things that put money in their pocket.
Not shoes.
Not cars that lose value.
Not liabilities (i.e., things that take money out of your pocket)
Use debt to buy Assets.
Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: Let’s Get Real
Here’s the difference:
- Bad debt is debt for liabilities. Stuff that takes money out of your pocket.
Using credit cards for shoes, clothing, fancy dinners, etc. - things or experiences where money is gone or that lose value. - Good debt is debt for assets. Things that put money into your pocket.
Examples: Rental properties. Businesses. Investments.
When you use smart debt to buy an income-producing asset with a higher return than the debt, that debt works for you—not against you.
So stop feeling guilty about debt.
Start getting smart about it.
Real Estate: The Queen of Smart Debt
Here’s why real estate is my favorite way to use smart debt:
If you want to buy $100,000 worth of stock, you need to put down $100,000.
But if you want to buy a $100,000 property?
You might only need to put down $10,000 or even less.
On a typical mortgage, the bank can cover the rest.
You use other people’s money to buy an asset that pays you.
That’s leverage.
And that’s how you scale wealth faster.
The Game Changer: Raising Capital from Investors
Now, let me tell you a story that changed everything for me.
I used to think the only way to buy real estate was through bank loans.
I bought my first multi-unit property that way—lived in one unit, rented out the others.
But then I left my law career.
And suddenly, I wasn’t “bankable” anymore.
No steady W-2 income. The banks didn’t want to lend to me—even though I had money in the bank.
I felt stuck.
Until I learned how to raise capital from investors.
A mentor once told me:
“You’re limited by your own capital and credit. But if you bring investors together, you can buy 100- or 200-unit properties.”
That blew my mind.
I thought that was billionaire territory.
But real people do this???
And once I learned how…
I went from 2 rental doors to over 1,000 doors in one year.
Raising Capital the Feminine Way
Now, I know what you’re thinking:
“Raising capital sounds terrifying.”
“I don’t want to pressure anyone.”
“I’m not that slick.”
Guess what?
You don’t have to be.
Because there’s a feminine way to raise capital.
It’s not about pressure or persuasion.
It’s about connection.
It’s about enrolling the right people in a shared vision.
It’s about collaboration.
It’s about co-elevation—lifting each other up.
When you show up as your authentic self, people feel it.
That’s what makes you magnetic.
I’ve seen it happen over and over.
Women who thought they’d never raise a dime raised hundreds of thousands.
Not by being perfect—but by being themselves.
How to Use Smart Debt to Build Legacy Wealth
Here’s how you put this into action:
- Use debt for assets that make money
E.g., Borrow at 6%, invest in something earning 15%. That’s smart. - Know your numbers and exit strategy
Don’t borrow if you don’t understand how you’re paying it back. Period. - Be a great steward of OPM
Whether it’s a bank loan or an investor’s money, treat it like gold.
Your integrity is everything, and will lead to more in the future. - Get legal and financial guidance.
Raising capital is powerful, but it comes with rules. If you break those rules, you can get into a lot of trouble.
Make sure you’re doing it right. - Trust your gut
The numbers matter—but so does your intuition.
If something feels off, trust it.
Ready to Build Your Legacy?
If you’re reading this and feeling that full-body YES—like I did when I first learned about investors and scaling wealth—then stay close.
I’m creating something for women like you:
The Goddess Capital Collective—a 90-day experience to help you raise your first $1 million in capital.
Not the pushy, slick way.
The feminine way—aligned, authentic, and powerful.
So you can scale your wealth.
Create freedom.
Make a difference.
And build the legacy you know you’re meant for.
Stay tuned. Spots will be limited.
Make sure you’re connected so you don’t miss it.
By Monick Halm
