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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.


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


Questions & Suggestions
Quick update here on my part. As I am really happy the blog has been well received, I should potentially make it a bit more clearer what...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 18, 20182 min read


Balancing Savings and Debt
Not everyone has savings, some just have debt. Others have faired better and have no debt, and on top of that even have savings. Some...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 17, 20184 min read


Mental Accounting Mishaps
When I was younger and got pocket money I always made sure I saved half and was allowed to spend the other half on candy and later on...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 16, 20185 min read


Clinical Consumption
There are tightwads and there are spendthrifts. But even most spendthrifts know when to quit: when the money runs out. But some people...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 14, 20184 min read


Clueless about Contactless
Contactless as a method of payment has been introduced in 2007 within the UK. As of December 2014, there were approximately 58 million...

Merle van den Akker
Aug 13, 20184 min read
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