The Science of Money

Evidence-based articles on the psychology of money, habits, self-regulation, and how we learn about money.

Explore the research

• The Psychology of Money — The psychology behind everyday money decisions — loss aversion, mental accounting, and money mindset, explained in plain English. (5 articles)
• The Psychology of Habits — The science of money habits — why financial habits stick, how to break bad money habits, and what works to build good ones that last. (5 articles)
• Self-Regulation & Money — Why willpower runs out when it comes to spending, and what behavioral science says actually helps with self-control around money. (5 articles)
• The Science of Learning About Money — The science of learning new money habits — growth mindset, spaced repetition, and why lasting financial change is a skill anyone can build. (5 articles)

Latest articles

• Willpower and Saving Money: Why You Can't Just 'Try Harder' — Struggling with willpower saving money? Learn the science of ego depletion and decision fatigue, and why 'trying harder' isn't the solution to debt.
• Why You Overspend at Night (and the 3-Step Fix) — Wondering "why do i overspend at night?" Discover the science of decision fatigue and ego depletion, plus a 4-step plan to regain control of your spending.
• Money Mindset Shifts That Actually Work (Backed by Research) — Explore the science of money mindset shifts. Learn how loss aversion, mental accounting, and money scripts influence your debt and spending habits.
• Why We Make Irrational Money Decisions — and What to Do About It — Understand why we make irrational money decisions. Explore loss aversion, mental accounting, and money scripts to stop the cycle of debt and financial stress.
• How to Learn New Money Habits as an Adult — Learn the science of how to learn money habits as an adult. Discover how growth mindset, spaced repetition, and choice architecture help you master your money.
• How to Change Your Financial Behavior (the Science-Based Way) — Understand how to change financial behavior using science-backed methods like growth mindset and spaced repetition. Learn why your brain resists money changes.
• Why Reading Personal Finance Books Doesn't Change Your Behavior — Discover the behavioral science behind why personal finance books don't work and learn how retrieval practice and a growth mindset can actually change habits.
• Atomic Habits Applied to Money: A Practical Walkthrough — Understand the science of atomic habits money principles. Learn how to break the spending loop and build financial calm using BJ Fogg and James Clear's research.
• How to Break Bad Money Habits (Without Willpower) — Learn how to break bad money habits using behavioral science. Explore the 'habit loop,' BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits, and why willpower isn't the answer to debt.
• Loss Aversion in Personal Finance: Why Losing $100 Hurts More Than Gaining $100 — Explore the science of loss aversion personal finance. Learn why losing money hurts so much and how to rewire your brain for calmer money decisions.
• Why Money Habits Are So Hard to Change (And What Actually Works) — Understand why is it hard to change money habits through the lens of behavioral science. Learn how the habit loop and environment design can help.
• What Is Decision Fatigue With Money? (And How to Beat It) — Understand the science of decision fatigue money struggles. Learn how ego depletion affects your spending and how to protect your mental energy from Bountisphere.