Liz Hagg's Finance Blog

Starting around age 10, we gave our kids a set amount of spending money before each trip. That was their money for souvenirs, treats, and extras. If they spent it all on Day 1...that was their choice. If they carefully made it last...great. If they came home with money left over...they got to keep it. What I loved most wasn't what they bought. It was watching them start to think differently. Instead of me constantly being the "Yes” or “No" person, they became the decision-mak

Sometimes the hardest parenting decisions become the ones our kids appreciate most later. For some families, it’s high school graduation season… and for others, it’s college visit season for rising seniors. As families tour campuses and talk about the future this summer, I thought I’d share one of the hardest financial conversations we had as parents — and a few things I’ve learned since becoming a financial coach. My daughter had just toured a school she absolutely loved. Tu

Over the last three weeks, we’ve talked about DRIFT OPTIONS FRICTION Drift happens quietly. Options shape behavior. Friction creates pause and intentionality. Today I want to talk about something deeper. Identity. Because identity is what ultimately sustains change. You can change behavior for a while. You can follow a plan. You can even get great results. But if the identity underneath doesn’t shift, old patterns often return. Because identity shapes what feels normal. Someo

Money Momentum is open. If you’ve built a money foundation and want steady, intentional progress — this is for you. Money Momentum is a small, monthly group experience designed for those who already have a basic framework in place and want forward movement with structure. We meet the last Thursday of each month to: Get clear on what you want next through guided reflection and intentional planning Strengthen your relationship with money by challenging old patterns and beliefs

What If Debt Wasn’t an Option?💭 Here’s Where Friction Comes In (Part 3 of 4) Over the last two weeks, we’ve talked about drift … and options. Drift happens quietly. Options shape behavior. Today, let’s go deeper. Let’s talk about friction. Ease drives behavior. Swipe a card → instant relief. Click “confirm” → done. Auto-fill → effortless. No pause. No interruption. No reflection. And the truth is — the world around us is designed that way. I recently watched a documentary a

Last week, we talked about drift. (click on link to read) How it happens slowly. Quietly. In health. In money. And we left off with this question: What actually causes some people to stay out of debt… while others drift back? Let’s go deeper. Let’s talk about something simple — but powerful. Options. Because behavior often follows availability. If certain food isn’t in my house… I won’t eat it. Not because I’m strong. Because I removed the option. Now apply that to money. I