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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.
Why is the U.S. lagging on Contactless?
Every single time I present my contactless research, I have to specifically mention that my research is done in the UK, where contactless...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 7, 20194 min read
How much should Kids know about Finance?
At what time in your life did your parents teach you about money? Did you ever know about how well off you family was? How much money...
Merle van den Akker
Oct 3, 20195 min read
Is Your Phone Tricking You Into Spending More?
We have come a long way from bartering – going to a market with bales of hay to trade against liters of milk. Yes, we have come a long...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 30, 20195 min read
Interview with Ganna Pogrebna
In today's interview the answers are provided by Ganna Pogrebna. Ganna is a decision theorist and a behavioral scientist.
Merle van den Akker
Sep 26, 20197 min read
Does it Pay to be Obsessed with Money?
Money, money, money, always sunny, in a rich man’s world. If ABBA sings it, could it possibly be untrue? In my previous article I focused...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 23, 20195 min read
Mental Health and Money
It is often assumed that the more money you have, the more you can do for yourself in terms of (mental) health and self-care. The rich...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 19, 20194 min read
Making a Case for Simpler Science
One of the characteristics of science seems to be that it has to be hard. Difficult. Incomprehensible unless you are one of the “gifted...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 16, 20195 min read
Interview with Chris Starmer
Behavioural Economics is a rapidly expanding field and everyday new research is being developed in academia, tested and implemented by...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 12, 20194 min read
Handing out Free Money; Does it Work?
Here you go: 1000 dollars. A gift from me. What would you do with this? Buy a new laptop? Go on holiday? Pay off some of your debt? Or...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 9, 20195 min read
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