The 3rd Decade Podcast

In this solo episode, Nikita covers the basics of stocks & bonds; how they are traded & the relative risks associated with investing in them. If you already understand the basics of investing, consider sharing this podcast with a friend or family member who could use a little primer.

Join Nikita for a conversation with Diana, the founder of All The Colors. Diana is a CFP© and Registered Life Planner™, and uses her personal values to drive her work as a money coach to financially empower others, with a particular focus on supporting women of color who are entrepreneurs. 

Join Nikita for a conversation with 3rd Decade Alumni, Kyle Mittan, on a discussion around his history with budgeting (or lack thereof) and how he became the diligent budgeter that he is today. We hope if you've been procrastinating on using a budget that this episode inspires you to get started. Some resources if you're interested in YNAB include:YNAB's YouTube ChannelThe "Get Started" PlaylistTheir Guide to Using YNAB on a Bi-Monthly Pay ScheduleTheir Guide on Sinking FundsTheir Guide on Managing Fluctuating ExpensesYNAB also offers a great selection of written guides, organized by topic, that anyone can use for free regardless of their subscription status. 

Join 3rd Decade Alumni, Rose (she/her) & Nikita (she/her) for a heartfelt conversation around the positive impact that budgeting has had in Rose's life. As a former "checking-balance-budgeter", Rose shares how building this habit into her life has actually allowed her to think less about money, and has also enabled her to support the causes near to her heart and create a meaningful impact. For anyone interested in connecting with Rose, you can do so here. 

In today's episode, Nikita speaks with Mary Cantor & Jacob Wingate, two of 3rd Decade's Alumni, on the financial transitions that come with marriage. Merging two adult's financial lives can be a significant challenge in a new marriage. Mary and Jacob share openly about their individual financial upbringings, how that impacted their relationship with money in adulthood, and ultimately what they've done to come together to form a healthy relationship around shared finances that honors their individual interests as well as their strengths.

3rd Decade Alum, Sarah Ventre, shares in detail how she hustled her way through unpaid internships & temp jobs in her 20s and ultimately built herself a successful career in the audio journalism and production industry. If you need inspiration or someone to relate to if you're currently walking that path, look no further.  To find more of her work, you can visit her website at sarahventre.com

Join Nikita & Nina as they discuss the many factors to consider when determining what car to buy (and whether to seek a new or used car). When making a purchase, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of both options to ensure that you make the right decision for your needs and budget. We'll give you some guidelines to determine what you can afford, as well as some thoughts on how your values, needs, and priorities might influence the decision. We'll explore the benefits of buying new, including the warranty and the peace of mind that often comes with a new purchase. We'll also consider the advantages of buying used, such as lower prices and the potential for finding a car that can be worked on outside of a dealership.Ultimately, the decision to buy new or used comes down to personal preference and individual circumstances. Join us as we explore the factors to consider when making this decision, and how to ensure you make the best choice for your needs and budget.

Join Nikita & Nina (3rd Decade's Arizona Serve VISTA Program & Operations Coordinator) as they discuss alternatives to a 4-year degree after high school. In this episode, they discuss:# of Americans affected by student loansAlternative paths into college (community college)Tech SchoolsWork alternativesAmeriCorps& more workplace readiness items

In this episode, Nikita discusses how our upbringing informs our money mindset, and ways that (if this is holding us back), we can use budgeting to help us improve it. She goes over 5 different methods for budgeting, and speaks personally on value-based spending as well, and how budgets can serve as a way to give ourselves the permission to spend when we tend to save every penny out of anxiety. To respond directly to anything in this episode, you can write to Nikita at nikita.wolff@3rddecade.org

In this episode, Nikita covers all the basics of understanding investing. Many people struggle to differentiate different account names and tax treatment. This is a great starting place to build a solid foundation in your investment knowledge.Topics covered:What we consider "investing for retirement"Account types (401(k), 403(b), 457(b), IRA, Roth IRA)Tax-treatment (Roth vs. Traditional)General guidelines for how much to investNotoriously low-fee custodians

Join Nikita for this mini-episode on choosing the college that's right for you. In this episode, she discusses different factors to consider when making your selection. Including things like: college credentials, networking, location, cost, resources, and more. 

Nikita Wolff is joined by 3rd Decade graduate, Leroy Adams, to discuss how he's changing generational money habits within his own family. Throughout this episode, they discuss:Leroy's backgroundExpensive mistakesHow he's tackling these conversationsOvercoming shameTips on getting started& a lot in-between!

Nikita Wolff is joined by Cayla Vertreese, a 3rd Decade graduate,  and a 21 year old recent graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. Cayla received her Bachelors in Human Services and Minor in Psychology. Following her college graduation in May of 2021, she moved to Mesa, Arizona where she currently works for Mindfulness First, a nonprofit that offers scientifically-informed programs based on trauma-informed Mindful Awareness and Social-Emotional Learning which equitably support children, educators, and communities with tools to manage stress and navigate life’s challenges.In this episode, they discuss mental health, coping mechanisms, mindfulness, breathing methods, and much more. More specifically, Cayla shares some of the tools she uses in managing anxiety around finances. Resources:National Suicide Prevention LifelineCrisis Text Linemindfulnessfirst.org4-second box breathingSTOPMindful finance routineDan Siegel - Flipping Your LidCitations:National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental HealthAdvisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year

Nikita is joined by Co-Hosts Mary Rossi & Nolan DiFrancesco from Your World, Your Money, a podcast produced by the Global Thinking Foundation, which is a nonprofit focused on building a world free from economic abuses, where accessible, informed, and equitable economic participation is available to all.In this episode, we cover:How economic abuse is definedWho we see suffering from it most commonlyWays this might show up in intimate partner relationshipsBarriers for getting outWhat changes would benefit the "system"How to help a loved oneHow to get help if you find yourself in this situationResources:National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233National Network to End Domestic Violence

Nikita is joined by Co-Hosts of Black & Brown Make Green Podcast, Natasha & Damian Carrillo. In this episode, we learn more about their own finance story, talk about what generational wealth can mean, and discuss how to talk to your children about finances. 

Joe'Mar Hooper is 3rd Decade's new Executive Director. He joins our team with 20 years of leadership experience in government and the non-profit sector.  In his role with 3rd Decade, he will be charged with overseeing the delivery of 3rd Decade's mission, while ensuring the overall health of the organization.  Together, Joe'Mar & Nikita discuss his journey here, the vision he has for 3rd Decade, and some more about his background and how it shaped his passion for 3rd Decade's mission. Joe'Mar's email is: joemar.hooper@3rddecade.org

Welcome to Season 2!Join our new host Nikita Wolff & Co-Worker Nicole as they discuss behavioral finance; particularly what the main components of it are and how we can avoid falling into common psychological traps. In this episode, they discuss:Mental AccountingHerd BehaviorThe Emotional GapAnchoringSelf-AttributionConfirmation BiasThe Relativity TrapIrrational ExuberanceThe Superiority Trap

Join Scott Bennett & Jennifer Edwards as they discuss some of the expected changes with PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness). In this episode, they go over:Who this does and doesn't apply to.The types of loans that can apply for PSLF.What the specific (positive) changes are.This is the final episode in this season, as well as Scott Bennett's final podcast episode as our host, as he is embarking on a new adventure in a role as a Financial Advisor with TCI Wealth. Stay tuned for new episodes in Spring 2022.

Join Scott & Nikita for this off-beat episode, sharing some of the best & worst financial advice received by those who are part of the 3rd Decade community. Some topics covered in this episode pertain to:Student LoansPaying down debt vs investingCredit Cards"Looking" richSpeculative investmentsSocial SecurityFIRESetting it & forgetting itPaying for cars in cashMaxing out retirement accountsSigning up for our beloved program (awwwww!)We hope you enjoy this episode & feel a sense of relief that you are far from the only one who's heard some outrageous financial advice (and that there really are people out there that give good advice, too!).

In this episode, Scott & Nikita discuss at a high level what the differences are between "Term" and "Whole" Life Insurance policies. This episode covers:Larger-scale differencesWho might benefit from Whole Life InsuranceThe premium differences between "Term" & "Whole"Why most of our students are better suited for "Term Life Insurance" policies How "Whole Life Insurance" builds in an investing component Our recommendation is to consult with a "fee-only" advisor if you are looking for personalized guidance on this, since they would not be earning commissions on what they sell to you.