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luminarythos

Building Better Money Habits

Redefining Financial Education Through Behavioral Science

At luminarythos, we've spent six years developing research-backed methodologies that address the psychological barriers preventing people from building healthy financial habits. Our approach goes beyond traditional budgeting advice.

The Cognitive Friction Framework

Most financial education fails because it ignores how our brains actually process money decisions. We've identified seventeen specific cognitive biases that consistently derail financial planning efforts.

Our methodology focuses on reducing what we call "cognitive friction" – the mental resistance people experience when trying to stick to financial goals. Rather than relying on willpower alone, we redesign the decision-making environment itself.

This isn't about complex spreadsheets or overwhelming charts. We break down financial concepts into manageable, psychologically-informed steps that work with human nature instead of against it.

Behavioral Mapping

We analyze individual spending patterns to identify unconscious triggers and develop personalized intervention strategies.

Micro-Habit Design

Financial changes happen through tiny, consistent actions rather than dramatic overhauls. We design sustainable micro-habits.

Context Engineering

We help reshape your financial environment to make good decisions automatic and bad decisions more difficult.

Research Foundation

Our methodology emerged from collaborations with behavioral economists at three Canadian universities. We've tested our approaches with over 2,400 participants across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds since 2019.

2019-2020

Initial studies on decision fatigue in financial planning with University of Toronto's behavioral economics lab.

2021-2022

Large-scale field studies testing micro-habit interventions across 800 participants in the Greater Toronto Area.

2023-2024

Development of the Cognitive Friction Framework through partnerships with McGill University and UBC researchers.

2025

Launch of our comprehensive certification program incorporating five years of validated behavioral finance research.

2,400+
Study Participants
17
Cognitive Biases Mapped
73%
Habit Retention Rate
3
University Partners

The People Behind the Research

Our team combines academic rigor with practical experience. We've lived through our own financial struggles and understand that knowledge alone isn't enough – you need the right psychological tools.

Zara Pemberton, Research Director

Zara Pemberton

Research Director

Former behavioral economics researcher at University of Waterloo. Zara spent four years studying why people make irrational financial decisions, even when they understand the logical choice. She's published twelve papers on cognitive bias in financial planning.

Mikhail Thornbury, Methodology Lead

Mikhail Thornbury

Methodology Lead

Previously a financial advisor who became frustrated with traditional approaches that ignored human psychology. Mikhail developed our Cognitive Friction Framework after working with over 600 clients and noticing consistent patterns in financial self-sabotage.

What Makes Our Approach Different

Evidence-Based

Every technique is backed by peer-reviewed research and field-tested with real participants.

Psychology-First

We address the mental and emotional aspects of money management, not just the mathematical ones.

Culturally Informed

Our research includes diverse Canadian perspectives on money, family obligations, and financial success.

Sustainable Focus

We design long-term behavioral changes rather than quick fixes that fade after a few months.