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Behavioural Insights
Thoughtful analysis of how psychology shapes financial behaviour, spending habits, and long term decision making, translating academic research into practical insights that help individuals make smarter, more intentional financial choices.
Packaging Matters
The holiday season. Spending time with loved ones. Singing carols, having family dinners and exchanging gifts whilst sitting underneath...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 26, 20184 min read
BIG Data
It’s all the rage: Big data. The bigger the better. But why do we love it so much? And how will it help us gain deeper and more...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 17, 20184 min read
What does it mean to be Normal?
It seemed to be the most important thing when younger. Being normal. Not standing out. God forbid you were seen as abnormal. There’d be...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 15, 20184 min read
How to Fail Properly
Failure, it’s the one thing we try to avoid like the plague. We try to avoid it to the extent it causes us anxiety, pain, sleepless...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 7, 20185 min read
Fear of Failure
In my previous post I outlined how there has been a trend towards glorifying “the struggle.” Part of this, I think, has been driven by...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 3, 20184 min read
The Dangers of Continuously Struggling
There seems to be a consensus as to what people find inspiring: struggles and overcoming them. It is great to look to people who have...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 30, 20184 min read
Nudging yourself to Success!
Do you think being aware of all your biases and heuristics is enough? Do you think awareness of them will change your inability to stick...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 23, 20187 min read
From Nudge to Sludge
In the previous post I outlined the basic premise of nudging, and examplified it. The examples are well-known throughout academic...
Merle van den Akker
Nov 12, 20184 min read
What is Nudge?
Nudging is a very popular concept with behavioural economics. There is a lot of research on it. Famous books have been written about it....
Merle van den Akker
Nov 8, 20184 min read
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