Resolutions rarely last past February. This year, try a framework instead.

If you feel like you are standing at the base of a "new mountain" in 2026—whether that is a financial milestone, a career pivot, or a new season of parenting—you cannot use your old map to climb it.

In this New Year’s special, I sit down with Performance Coach Rob Tracz to dismantle the traditional "New Year, New Me" hype. Instead, we focus on alignment. We discuss why willpower fails, why you need to stop chasing your "past self," and how to build a family culture that hits goals automatically through lifestyle design.

If you are tired of setting goals that you forget by March, this episode provides the compass you need.

In this episode, you will learn:

• The "Rugby Lesson": Why trying to perform like your "old self" is a recipe for burnout (and injury).
• The F.L.A.G. Framework: A 4-step system (Foundational Values, Lifestyle Alignment, Aspirations, Growth) to filter what actually matters this year.
• Lead vs. Lag Measures: Why obsessing over the result (the scale, the bank account) actually slows you down—and what to focus on instead.
• Family Buy-In: How to set goals with your kids (even the reluctant teenagers rolling their eyes).

Mentioned in this episode:

• Rob Tracz: https://robtracz.com
• Rob’s Podcast: Surviving the Side Hustle

Resources for Parents:

• NEW YouTube Channel: I’ve launched a dedicated "How-To" channel for teaching kids about money. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@DominicDeLaquil
• Mentorship: Ready to fast-track your child’s financial independence? Learn more about the Millionaire Habits for Families program: https//:dominicdelaquil.com

Key Quotes:

"You can't chase a previous version of yourself if you're trying to accomplish new goals. You need to step into who you need to become next." — Rob Tracz

"Goals are a lag measure. The daily habit is the lead measure. You can't control the result today, but you can control the action." — Dominic DeLaquil

Financial Independence, Parenting Teens, Goal Setting, Family Finance, Money Habits, Rob Tracz, New Year Resolutions, F.I.R.E., Atomic Habits, Homeschooling, Lifestyle Design.

https://www.youtube.com/@DominicDeLaquil

https://dominicdelaquil.com

There is no new full episode of FI for Kids this week or next, as we take a short break to enjoy the holiday season. However, Dominic has a major announcement to share!

In this update:

• The Return: We are back on January 1st, 2026, with special guest Prime Performance Coach Rob Tracz to help you kick off the new year with the right mindset.
• The Announcement: Dominic has officially launched his new YouTube channel! While the podcast covers high-level discussions, the YouTube channel focuses on the specific "how-to" strategies of teaching kids about money, investing, and financial independence.

• Coming Up: A new weekly series begins in January on YouTube covering the habits and skills needed to set your kids on the path to financial freedom.

Links:

• Subscribe to the New YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DominicDeLaquil
• Website: https://dominicdelaquil.com
• 
  

Happy Holidays, and we will see you in 2026!

Should parents buy investment properties for their kids, or sell properties to them?

In this episode of FI for Kids, host Dominic DeLaquil speaks with real estate investor and coach Amelia Misenheimer about growing up in an entrepreneurial family and how those lessons shaped her path to financial freedom.

Amelia shares a heartbreaking but powerful story about collecting rent as a child (the "Go-Kart" story) that taught her the difference between having "stuff" and having security. We also dive deep into advanced strategies for young adults, including how parents can act as the bank to help their college-aged kids house hack and build equity early.

In this episode, we cover:

· Money Memories: Growing up in a mobile home dealership and learning to negotiate.

· The "Go-Kart" Story: A powerful lesson on prioritizing bills over toys.

· Tactile Money: Why kids need to physically handle cash and write checks.

· Real Estate for Young Adults: How to structure a "Real Estate Contract" to sell a home to your child.

· 3D Investing: Managing rentals overseas as a military spouse.

Whether you want to help your child buy their first home or just want to teach them to be money smart, this conversation is full of unique insights.

Timestamps:

· 00:00 Intro: Growing up in a business family

· 01:21 The "Go-Kart" Story: A lesson on values & rent

· 05:57 Why kids need to write checks & handle cash

· 11:23 Money doesn't have to be serious (The "Tool" Mindset)

· 23:32 The Nail Salon Story: Learning from overdrafts

· 26:18 Real Estate for College Kids (House Hacking)

· 35:12 How Parents Can Be the Bank (Real Estate Contracts)

· 38:45 "3D Investing": Real Estate as a Military Spouse

· 41:58 Designing your own Financial Freedom plan

Connect with Amelia Misenheimer: https://www.ameliamisenheimer.com

Episode links:

https://dominicdelaquil.com

https://fiforkids.com

Music: Douglas Cameron: https://www.reverbnation.com/douglascameron

The Zoo Human Project: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2kNCM6z0SHjdumOldVWLOc?si=pSnGVAAFRUaJ0xmcGYG7VA

#RealEstateInvesting #MoneySmart #FinancialFreedom #ParentingTips #HouseHacking #MilitaryMoney #RealEstateForBeginners #FIforKids