A MONOGRAPH ON APPLIED COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE BRAIN, MONEY, AND OUR TRUE SELF The Neuroscience Behind Young Adults’ Financial Well-Being Why Do Intelligent People Still Make Unhealthy Money Decisions?

This monograph explores the relationship between the brain, financial behavior, and financial well-being among young adults. It presents financial well-being as more than an economic condition, highlighting the roles of behavior, emotion, self-control, and psychological responses in everyday financial decisions.

The book examines the cognitive and neural mechanisms that influence financial choices, including reward processing, dopamine, emotional salience, loss aversion, and prefrontal control. It also discusses how stress can affect decision-making and why financial difficulties should not simply be viewed as a matter of intelligence or personal discipline.

The final chapters translate these insights into practical strategies for healthier financial behavior. Through neuroplasticity, intentional decision-making, spending rules, automated saving, emotional awareness, and simple weekly routines, readers are encouraged to build sustainable financial habits while maintaining balance and personal well-being.