TRANSFORM YOUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY
LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE, CONNECT WITH YOUR VALUES, DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE

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All Posts | Meaning/Purpose | Resilience | Happiness | Mindfulness | Financial Psychology

WHY EXPERIENCES DELIVER MORE VALUE THAN STUFF

Experiences create joy before, during, and long after they happen—through anticipation, the moment itself, and the memories that stay with you.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SPENDING

Spending isn’t just the moment you buy something. Anticipation, the experience itself, and the memory afterward all shape how satisfying a purchase feels.

WHEN YOUR VALUES PULL YOU IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

When two important values ask for different things, it doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong. It means more than one thing matters—and priorities shift with context.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR VALUES IN ONE BASKET

When life revolves around one value, it becomes fragile. True balance comes from finding meaning in more than one place.

HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BRAIN'S NEGATIVITY BIAS

Your brain was built to protect you—not to make you happy. Gratitude and self-affirmation help balance what’s wrong with what’s already right.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MONEY STORY

We all have a money story. It’s not just about dollars—it’s about meaning, memory, and the beliefs that quietly guide every financial decision we make.

THE BEST COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR BETTER CONVERSATIONS

Good conversations aren’t about saying the right thing—they’re about listening, pausing, and leading with genuine curiosity.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success."
-Buddha

RECENT MEANING/PURPOSE POSTS

WHEN YOUR VALUES PULL YOU IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

When two important values ask for different things, it doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong. It means more than one thing matters—and priorities shift with context.

THREE WAYS PSYCHOLOGY SHAPES YOUR DECISIONS

Money choices aren’t just math—they’re shaped by mental shortcuts, the stories we carry, and the meaning we want from life.

FACING LIFE'S CHALLENGES

We all face challenges; they're guaranteed. There is a difference between setbacks and obstacles. It's helpful to understand the difference.

AMERICAN DREAM? OR YOUR DREAM?

Many of us learned some version of following the American Dream. While this may be a good starting point, it won't leave you satisfied.

MONEY IS A TOOL

It's common to view money as a goal. Money is worthless in and of itself, though. It's only a means to an end. Money is a tool you can use.

"To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble."
-Bill Watterson

RECENT RESILIENCE POSTS

MONEY IS EMOTIONAL: WHY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MATTERS

Money isn’t just math—it’s emotion. Learn how emotional intelligence can help you make clearer, more confident financial decisions.

WHEN LIFE DOESN'T GO AS PLANNED

Plans change. Life surprises us. Acceptance helps us let go of what “should’ve been” and move forward with what is.

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AFTER SETBACKS

Reframe setbacks by asking "What now?" instead of "Why?" Focus on what you can control to build resilience and move forward.

FINDING BETTER PROBLEMS

Life is an endless stream of problems, and wishing otherwise is another problem. Since they're guaranteed, we might as well find better ones

GROWING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

The old saying is that there's no growth in the comfort zone. Putting yourself out there is how you find opportunities to grow and thrive.

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
-Carl Rogers

RECENT HAPPINESS POSTS

THE HIDDEN POWER OF COMPROMISE

Compromise isn’t failure—it’s focus. By lowering one slider, you free up resources to raise another and build a more balanced, meaningful life.

GROWING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

The old saying is that there's no growth in the comfort zone. Putting yourself out there is how you find opportunities to grow and thrive.

AMERICAN DREAM? OR YOUR DREAM?

Many of us learned some version of following the American Dream. While this may be a good starting point, it won't leave you satisfied.

MONEY IS A TOOL

It's common to view money as a goal. Money is worthless in and of itself, though. It's only a means to an end. Money is a tool you can use.

UNDERSTANDING LIFE TRANSITIONS

There's an old saying that the only constant in life is change. How we handle change determines the quality of our lives.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
-Steve Jobs

RECENT MINDFULNESS POSTS

THE HIDDEN POWER OF COMPROMISE

Compromise isn’t failure—it’s focus. By lowering one slider, you free up resources to raise another and build a more balanced, meaningful life.

IT IS WHAT IT IS: THE POWER OF WITHHOLDING JUDGMENT

Letting go of judgment helps us see clearly. Not everything needs to be labeled good or bad—it can just be what it is.

TRAINING YOUR MIND

Most of us talk to ourselves without realizing it. Mindfulness helps us notice, refocus, and respond with more clarity in everyday life.

ACCEPTANCE AND ACTION

Embrace life’s surprises—ditch the “but” and say “and, so.” Accept the unexpected and turn challenges into opportunities.

BEFRIENDING YOUR INNER VOICE

Many of us view our inner critic as something that has to be beaten or fought against. Recognizing that it wants what's best for you helps!

"He who has a 'why' to live can bear almost any 'how'."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

RECENT FINANCIAL PSYCHOLOGY POSTS

HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BRAIN'S NEGATIVITY BIAS

Your brain was built to protect you—not to make you happy. Gratitude and self-affirmation help balance what’s wrong with what’s already right.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MONEY STORY

We all have a money story. It’s not just about dollars—it’s about meaning, memory, and the beliefs that quietly guide every financial decision we make.

UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND YOUR FINANCIAL CHOICES

Your money choices make sense when you understand your beliefs, stories, and experiences—and how they quietly shape your financial decisions.

THREE WAYS PSYCHOLOGY SHAPES YOUR DECISIONS

Money choices aren’t just math—they’re shaped by mental shortcuts, the stories we carry, and the meaning we want from life.

WHY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMES FIRST IN FINANCIAL DECISIONS

We don’t follow advice just because it’s smart—we follow it when it feels right. Emotional intelligence helps us make decisions that actually stick.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Hi, I'm

DEREK HAGEN

Every Thursday I send out the Meaningful Money Memo. I write (and draw) about topics such as the psychology of money, happiness, Money Scripts, financial purpose and clarity, and values-based life design.

Learn More

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- NA

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-LL

"I love Money Health Weekly. There are great posts every week. I love the drawings; they inspire me."

- DR

"I love Money Health Weekly. I always have someone in mind to share it with."

- EF

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Contact Derek

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to reach out. You can also schedule a phone call.

Contact Derek

TRANSFORM YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE, CONNECT WITH YOUR VALUES, DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE

Featured On

Sign up now and join over 2,900 other people who get weekly updates

All Posts | Meaning/Purpose | Resilience | Happiness | Mindfulness | Financial Psychology

RECENT POSTS

WHY EXPERIENCES DELIVER MORE VALUE THAN STUFF

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SPENDING

WHEN YOUR VALUES PULL YOU IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR VALUES IN ONE BASKET

HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BRAIN'S NEGATIVITY BIAS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MONEY STORY

THE BEST COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR BETTER CONVERSATIONS

ARCHIVE

CATEGORIES

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success." -Buddha

RECENT MEANING/PURPOSE POSTS

WHEN YOUR VALUES PULL YOU IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

THREE WAYS PSYCHOLOGY SHAPES YOUR DECISIONS

FACING LIFE'S CHALLENGES

AMERICAN DREAM? OR YOUR DREAM?

MONEY IS A TOOL

"To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble." -Bill Watterson

RECENT RESILIENCE POSTS

MONEY IS EMOTIONAL: WHY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MATTERS

WHEN LIFE DOESN'T GO AS PLANNED

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AFTER SETBACKS

FINDING BETTER PROBLEMS

GROWING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." -Carl Rogers

RECENT HAPPINESS POSTS

THE HIDDEN POWER OF COMPROMISE

GROWING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

AMERICAN DREAM? OR YOUR DREAM?

MONEY IS A TOOL

UNDERSTANDING LIFE TRANSITIONS

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." -Steve Jobs

RECENT MINDFULNESS POSTS

THE HIDDEN POWER OF COMPROMISE

IT IS WHAT IT IS: THE POWER OF WITHHOLDING JUDGMENT

TRAINING YOUR MIND

ACCEPTANCE AND ACTION

BEFRIENDING YOUR INNER VOICE

"He who has a 'why' to live can bear almost any 'how'." -Friedrich Nietzsche

RECENT FINANCIAL PSYCHOLOGY POSTS

HOW TO BALANCE YOUR BRAIN'S NEGATIVITY BIAS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR MONEY STORY

UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND YOUR FINANCIAL CHOICES

THREE WAYS PSYCHOLOGY SHAPES YOUR DECISIONS

WHY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMES FIRST IN FINANCIAL DECISIONS

MEET THE AUTHOR

- NA

-LL

- DR

- EF

Contact Derek If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to reach out. You can also schedule a phone call.

TRANSFORM YOUR
RELATIONSHIP WITH MONEY
LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE, CONNECT WITH YOUR VALUES, DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success."
-Buddha

"To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble."
-Bill Watterson

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
-Carl Rogers

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
-Steve Jobs

"He who has a 'why' to live can bear almost any 'how'."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Contact Derek

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to reach out. You can also schedule a phone call.