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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.
The Value of Having a Play Account
Having moved to Australia I’ve come into a very different mindset towards money. People seemed oddly informed here about managing...
Merle van den Akker
Mar 24, 20225 min read
Does the Payment Cycle Matter?
For those who keep somewhat up to date with me as a person rather than as a writer, you may have noticed I’ve moved to Australia. I also...
Merle van den Akker
Mar 10, 20226 min read
Is Buy-Now-Pay-Later the Right Option for YOU?
Klarna, Afterpay, Clearpay, Paypal’s “Pay in 3” are all examples of Buy-Now-Pay-Later, or BNPL, systems in which you can postpone...
Merle van den Akker
Feb 17, 20227 min read
Building a Budgeting Tool That Works
In the previous article on budgeting you’ll have learned that the way we have been taught to think about budgeting isn’t necessarily the...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 27, 20226 min read
What Behavioural Science Says About Budgeting
New year, new me, new money? Or at least more money. Or just a better grip on your money. Yes, let’s go with that. A better grip on your...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 20, 20226 min read
Practical Tips for Teaching Kids About Finances
When a child becomes an adult their financial habits don’t come from nowhere. Financial habits are formed from an early age, as young as...
Merle van den Akker
Jan 6, 20223 min read
Teaching Personal Finance DOES Work
It was a devastating day when I learned that teaching personal finance, or personal finance education if you will, does not work. As in,...
Merle van den Akker
Dec 23, 20217 min read
A Miaowing Debit Card?!
ANNA, a company managing your business finances through invoicing, tracking your expenses and sorting your company taxes, has recently...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 2, 20214 min read
What's Going on with Crypto?!
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. And now? Now there’s just the time where everyone who gives a damn is trying to...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 12, 20217 min read
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