Emily Guy Birken

I remember doing two things as a kid: keeping careful track of my piggy bank, and reading every financial book I could find. I'm very interested in behavioral economics and how psychology affects our ability to make good money decisions.

Emily Guy Birken's bio

Latest articles by Emily Guy Birken

How We Brainwash Ourselves Into Brand Loyalty

If you think you're immune to marketing, think again — in fact, you might be convincing yourself to buy something and not even realize that you're doing it.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Shopping

Credit Cards Aren’t as Competitive as They Want You to Believe

Competition between businesses is what creates good deals for consumers, right? Then why the heck are credit card companies not more competitive?

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Credit Cards

Marketing, Life Insurance, and Behavioral Psychology

Many of us avoid thinking about life insurance because, well, it's kind of creepy. But it's also incredibly important. Learn why.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Insurance

Psychology and Loans: The Strange Reasons Why You Make Bad Decisions

You might think that when it comes to big financial decisions, you only make logical, rational decisions. But research suggests that you don't.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Consumer Affairs

A Brief History of Credit Card Marketing Tactics

Credit card companies have been trying to part us from our money for years — and their techniques are only getting more sophisticated.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Credit Cards

The Presenter’s Paradox: Why Less Really Is More

Whether you're getting something for free from a company or giving your significant other a gift, discover how our minds assign less value to more stuff.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Life Hacks

Mental Accounting: Why You Blow Your Tax Refund but Not Your Raise

Learn why we treat some money differently from other money — and how to get a better overall grip on your finances.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Taxes

Why Superstition Makes You Buy Insurance

Our illogical brains lead us to buy insurance when we need it the least and forget about it when we need it the most. Here's how to change the cycle.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Insurance

The Paradox of Choice and the Mortgage Crisis

We often think that having more choices is better. But in reality, having more options might cause us to make bad decisions — like getting risky mortgages.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Real Estate and Housing

How Credit Card Companies Prey on Your Basic Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs helps explain why humans react the way they do. And for credit card companies, it helps explain how to get more of your money.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Debt Management

How Retailers Manipulate You Into Spending

Whether you're at the mall or online, retailers have plenty of tricks to help separate you from your cash. Learn what they are so you can shop smarter.

by: Emily Guy Birken | channel: Shopping