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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.
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
Financially Independent, Retiring Early?
I have come across a FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) article and it got me intrigued. In this article a couple had managed to...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 4, 20196 min read
Second Year PhD Review
One of my most popular articles on here is my review of my first year as a PhD student. As soon as I had written this article, I knew I...
Merle van den Akker
Sep 2, 20197 min read
Work Deeper, not Harder
Best-selling author Cal Newport has written another book: Deep Work. Hardly surprising that he has written yet another, if you know what...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 29, 20195 min read
Why you Shouldn't do a PhD
I have written thirteen articles about my experiences as a PhD student. I have even written one specifically asking myself and my reader:...
Merle van den Akker
Aug 26, 20197 min read
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