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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 Need for Impact
In my previous post I outlined the theory of Maslow: how several needs drive our motivation. In this article I am going to explain how...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 27, 20185 min read


If Needs Must
Have you ever asked yourself what you really need from life? Or what it is that drives you to get out of bed. What makes you go to work...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 26, 20184 min read


First Year PhD Review
I promised to answer questions on the blog as well. And no question was as popular as my honest opinion on my first year of the PhD, as I...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 25, 20187 min read


Not that Selfish after all...
The homo economicus is selfish. He does not give to others. But how about the actual human being? Are we that selfish? My dear friend...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 24, 20184 min read


Are you a Sheep?
A woman in Kew Gardens, Queens was stalked and stabbed multiple times. She screamed for help for over half an hour, 38 people were...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 23, 20184 min read


Now vs. Later
Later is such a non-concept. Now is much more concrete. I know what now looks like. Now, I know what I like, what I don’t like and what I...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 22, 20184 min read


I want it NOW!
I’m impatient. My mom is even worse. For us having something now is of much higher value than having it later. Later is an awful word...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 21, 20185 min read


To PhD or not to PhD?
As I have started this blog I have been getting quite a few questions about what motivated me to do a PhD. Now I know deciding to do a...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 20, 20186 min read


Save First
I have told you how credit cards and contactless make you spend more compared to cash. How you can inhibit spending. How some people...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 19, 20184 min read
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