Financial Psychology Blog

Insights, tips, and research on the psychology of money, behavioral finance, and mindful spending practices for a healthier financial life.

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December 31, 20285 min read

Why Budgeting Doesn't Work: The Diet Culture of Personal Finance

You've tried budgeting before. Maybe it was a spreadsheet. Maybe it was an app with colorful pie charts. Maybe it was the envelope method your financially…

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August 17, 20265 min read

How to balance a checkbook: 5 steps that make your spending visible again

Discover insights about how to balance a checkbook: 5 steps that make your spending visible again. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 16, 20265 min read

Examples of liquid assets: 9 that count, 4 that fool you, and the order your brain spends them in

Discover insights about examples of liquid assets: 9 that count, 4 that fool you, and the order your brain spends them in. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 13, 20265 min read

Investing in foreclosures: what that 27% discount actually costs

Discover insights about investing in foreclosures: what that 27% discount actually costs. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 13, 20265 min read

Recycling for cash: 6 things in your house you can turn into money (and why your brain resists)

Discover insights about recycling for cash: 6 things in your house you can turn into money (and why your brain resists). Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 10, 20265 min read

Income producing investments: what they are and why your brain loves getting paid

Discover insights about income producing investments: what they are and why your brain loves getting paid. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 10, 20265 min read

How do you buy a car with cash: 5 steps to walk in ready and drive out loan-free

Discover insights about how do you buy a car with cash: 5 steps to walk in ready and drive out loan-free. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 6, 20265 min read

Understanding credit cards: how they work and why your brain treats them like free money

Discover insights about understanding credit cards: how they work and why your brain treats them like free money. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 5, 20265 min read

Investment residential property: what it is and what your brain gets wrong before you buy

Discover insights about investment residential property: what it is and what your brain gets wrong before you buy. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 4, 20265 min read

Future value example: how $150 a month becomes $26,000 (and why your brain doesn't buy it)

Discover insights about future value example: how $150 a month becomes $26,000 (and why your brain doesn't buy it). Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

August 3, 20265 min read

Rate of return definition: what it actually means and why your brain rounds it up

Discover insights about rate of return definition: what it actually means and why your brain rounds it up. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 31, 20265 min read

Personal balance sheet template: 7 line items that show where you actually stand

Discover insights about personal balance sheet template: 7 line items that show where you actually stand. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 30, 20265 min read

How do you pay cash for a car? A 5-step plan your brain will actually follow

Discover insights about how do you pay cash for a car? a 5-step plan your brain will actually follow. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 27, 20265 min read

Compound interest or simple interest: why your brain treats them as the same thing

Only 4% of Americans aced FINRA's seven-question financial literacy quiz, and the question that stumped the most people, about 7 in 10, was the one about…

July 24, 20265 min read

Average car cost per year: 7 numbers your brain rounds down

Discover insights about average car cost per year: 7 numbers your brain rounds down. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 24, 20265 min read

Why Do I Spend Money When I'm Lonely?

Discover insights about why do i spend money when i'm lonely?. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 23, 20265 min read

Definition of liquid cash: what counts, what doesn't, and why your brain treats it differently

Only 63% of U.S. adults say they could cover a $400 surprise expense with cash or its equivalent, a number that has barely moved in years. If you've ever…

July 22, 20265 min read

Cost to do a will: what you'll actually pay in 2026 (and why you keep putting it off)

Discover insights about cost to do a will: what you'll actually pay in 2026 (and why you keep putting it off). Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 22, 20265 min read

TikTok Made Me Buy It: The Psychology of Viral Purchase Regret

Discover insights about tiktok made me buy it: the psychology of viral purchase regret. Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.

July 17, 20265 min read

USDA closing costs: what you'll really pay in 2026 (and how to cover them)

Discover insights about usda closing costs: what you'll really pay in 2026 (and how to cover them). Read more to learn about financial psychology and behavioral insights.