Shawn Graylon David W.
Financial Education in the Welcome Letters. "Entertainment Purposes Only" in the Contract.
I participated in Derek Moneyberg’s programs from December 2024 through March 2026. I completed Moneyberg Mentoring and Markets Mastery, went through Real Estate Riches twice, and began a third RER cycle. Before I became a customer, Derek stated in a YouTube video: “If you don't have a million dollars yet, you're living a much lesser life than what could be easily available to you with the right guidance,” and directed viewers to strategy calls with his “head coach.” I took that statement seriously. RER was a 10-week program built around prerecorded modules, reading, homework, accountability calls, live webinar-style sessions, and video reviews. The materials described a time commitment of about 22 hours per week. The base price was $4,997. I later paid $5,000 for the “Unlimited Spots” option, plus nine required books purchased separately. I later reviewed the recurring Moneyberg Program Policy agreements I had signed. Clause 3 required participants to acknowledge that the ideas, concepts, techniques, and views were “opinion only,” “to be used for entertainment purposes only,” and “not to be considered as professional advice.” At the same time, Tony's welcome letter described the program as “financial education,” “theory and practice,” and direct practical application; he also described himself as a “teacher's assistant” and Derek as the professor. Derek's welcome letter stated that the courses look and feel like university courses. He also wrote, “I do not coach these mentoring programs to entertain you.” Clause 8 stated “ALL SALES ARE FINAL” and a “STRICT NO REFUND POLICY.” Clause 10 contained a broad release of liability. Yet, Derek's welcome letter stated: “I DO NOT CARE AT ALL ABOUT YOUR SHORT-TERM FEELINGS. I DO CARE VERY DEEPLY ABOUT YOUR LONG-TERM OUTCOMES.” The financing history became the most significant part of my experience. After I told Tony Bianco that I lacked funds for more programs, I was repeatedly sent financing links. I applied through Elective, Klarna, PayPal, Upstart, Affirm, Zip, and others. My audit showed 29 approved credit sources used for Moneyberg fees and 24 declined applications. On April 18, 2025, during one call, Tony sent me 14 Elective application links in approximately 81 minutes. Two $5,000 loans were approved at 9.99% APR. Six other applications generated adverse-action notices stating: “Loan to income ratio too high.” Eight days later, after another Elective decline citing both “Credit score too low” and “Loan to income ratio too high,” I texted Tony: “I need to focus on knocking down the overall debt before requesting more loans, man.” Additional financing occurred during the call, including a $1,950 Affirm loan at 35.98% APR and a $450 Zip transaction. By July, I again stated that paying down existing loans was my priority. Tony replied: “How about we stick with the plan, and I re-explain on the phone lol.” I responded: “Haha, no thanks. I'm good.” I then used the Upstart funds that had arrived to pay existing lenders. Under my audit methodology, principal paid for tuition and program fees totaled $60,037. I calculated $6,333.27 in capital costs, including interest, finance charges, and associated taxes. After accounting for $7,765 Wealthy, Inc. transferred back to me, my audit calculated a net financial outflow of $58,605.27. My Chase Credit Journey score reached 673 in March 2025 and later fell to 463 in November 2025. That was the “long-term” financial outcome of my participation reflected in the records I reviewed. Among the traits of a good friend are dependability and trustworthiness. I'll be a good friend to you by telling you this: If you want help understanding real estate investing, seek out established educational alternatives that offer a recognizable credential and concrete résumé-building value, such as professional certificate programs offered through eCornell at Cornell University (an Ivy League university). If someone wants you to pay $5,000 for a course or $20,000 for a Mastermind group that, in my assessment, offers little value beyond polished promises, while the contract says the material is for “entertainment purposes only,” provides no refunds, and releases Moneyberg, including its officers and employees, from liability to you for any damages, including direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, I'm taking your hand, and we're walking away. And if you are told not to “look for reasons” to avoid getting “the help you know you need,” remember you have choices. Based on my experience, that help is not something I would seek from Derek Moneyberg or Tony Bianco. Needing the help you know you need does not mean you need their help. Share your story.