Katy Milkman

Katy Milkman, born and raised in Massachusetts, is an award-winning author who specializes in both business and personal finance. Her writing credits include The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The Washington Post, and many other publications. She has also authored three books.

For those unfamiliar with Milkman’s work, a general overview of her career is in order. After graduating from Harvard in 2009, she worked as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs in New York. In 2011, she returned to Harvard as a lecturer and associate director of the school’s Social Impact Initiative. The next year, she co-founded a start-up called “Choose but Choose Wisely,” which provided personal financial advice to young adults.

In addition to teaching and lecturing, Milkman has authored three books that focus on personal finance and financial decision-making. Her first book, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, explored the science behind decision-making, and how people can make better financial choices. The book was praised for its groundbreaking, accessible treatment of complex topics in psychology, economics, law, and more.

Her second book, The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated, was an instant New York Times bestseller. Written in collaboration with her father, Hal Milkman, the book provided readers with real-world strategies for managing their money. The main focus of the book was that personal finance doesn't have to adhere to complicated advice from “experts.”

Her third book, Thrift: The History of an American Cultural Movement, focused on the thrift movement since the late 19th century. Through historical sources, personal stories, and anecdotes, Milkman illustrated how thriftiness enables Americans to create financial security for themselves.

Outside of her written work, Milkman is a frequent speaker on the topics of personal finance and decision-making. She appears on radio and television shows and has given lectures at universities, businesses, and other venues around the globe. As of 2020, she is an advising editor at The Atlantic Monthly and holds the Malcolm Klein Chair in Behavioral Science and Public Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.

With her deep insight into financial decision-making, Milkman provides a valuable teaching point for the average person. Her books, while grounded in scientific and historical research, center on the practical application of financial knowledge. For readers looking to better understand and manage personal finance, Milkman’s thought-provoking and accessible advice makes her a valuable figure in the publishing and finance worlds.