In this Episode, Nikita welcomes Co-founder & CEO of Waterlily, Lily Vittayarukskul, on to discuss the need for Long-Term Care Planning. Lily's professional path was redirected after she experienced first-hand the financial and familial stress that long-term care costs put on her family when her family member became ill. In this episode, they discuss what average costs are for care, what types of care may be needed in old age, why it matters, and ways to plan for its potential financial impa...
Jun 30, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Nikita is joined by Adam Van Deusen (Volunteer Mentor & CFP®) for a discussion on the steps you can take for a higher credit score. Furthermore, this episode covers: What a credit score is What makes up a credit score Accessing credit reports Myths Resources: Annual Credit Report FICO...
Jun 02, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Nikita is joined by Adam Van Deusen (Volunteer Mentor & CFP®) for a discussion on how a person can make money on credit cards and dip their toes into the world of "travel hacking". Furthermore, this episode covers: Who is a good candidate for these strategies Types of credit card rewards Categories of spending Sign-up bonuses When/if to cancel or downgrade Premium cards Travel perks beyond free flights Pitfalls to avoid Resources: Frequent Miler Blog Skyscanner PointsYeah...
May 05, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Nikita & Joe'Mar discuss the importance of solid financial planning when it comes to having or starting a family. Each brings their own perspective (Nikita: inviting 2 new members for the first time; Joe'Mar: having 2 older children). In this episode, they discuss: Short & long-term goal setting Values-based budgeting Tracking income & expenses, and adjusting when needed Different levels of mixed finances Reducing & avoiding debt Building an appropriately sized emergency fund Hea...
Dec 02, 2024•47 min•Ep. 55
Nikita & Joe'Mar demystify life insurance by discussing what type of policies are out there, as well as which policies to avoid. Furthermore, this episode covers: What factors affect your premiums How to find a good insurance company Calculating the amount needed for a policy Resources: Life Insurance Calculator (Spreadsheet) Life Insurance Calculator (Bankrate Online Calculator) Life Insurance Policy Comparison Insurance Company Ratings 3rdDecade.org...
Nov 15, 2024•28 min•Ep. 54
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.
May 03, 2024•13 min•Ep. 53
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.
Jan 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 52
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 Channel The " Get Started " Playlist Their Guide to Using YNAB on a Bi-Monthly Pay Schedule Their Guide on Sinking Funds Their Guide o...
Jun 28, 2023•21 min•Ep. 51
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 ....
May 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 50
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 in...
May 03, 2023•45 min•Ep. 49
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
Apr 05, 2023•46 min•Ep. 48
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, in...
Mar 08, 2023•55 min•Ep. 47
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 loans Alternative paths into college (community college) Tech Schools Work alternatives AmeriCorps & more workplace readiness items
Jan 11, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 46
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...
Oct 24, 2022•12 min•Ep. 45
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 invest Notoriously low-fee custodians...
Jul 13, 2022•11 min•Season 2Ep. 44
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.
Jun 29, 2022•4 min•Season 2Ep. 43
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 background Expensive mistakes How he's tackling these conversations Overcoming shame Tips on getting started & a lot in-between!
Jun 15, 2022•45 min•Season 2Ep. 42
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,...
Jun 01, 2022•42 min•Season 2Ep. 41
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 defined Who we see suffering from it most commonly Ways this might show up in intimate partner relationships Barriers for getting out What ch...
May 18, 2022•38 min•Season 2Ep. 40
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.
May 04, 2022•28 min•Season 2Ep. 39
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'...
Apr 20, 2022•14 min•Ep. 38
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 Accounting Herd Behavior The Emotional Gap Anchoring Self-Attribution Confirmation Bias The Relativity Trap Irrational Exuberance The Superiority Trap...
Apr 06, 2022•14 min•Season 2Ep. 37
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 epis...
Dec 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 36
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 Loans Paying down debt vs investing Credit Cards "Looking" rich Speculative investments Social Security FIRE Setting it & forgetting it Paying for cars in cash Maxing out retirement accounts Signing up for our beloved program (awwwww!) We hope you enjoy this episode & fe...
Dec 01, 2021•29 min•Ep. 35
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 differences Who might benefit from Whole Life Insurance The 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 ...
Nov 17, 2021•22 min•Ep. 34
In this short solo episode, Nikita goes over the topic of combining (or not combining) finances in a relationship. She goes over common approaches to navigating finances in a partnership, and what experts tend to agree on as the "best approach". Additionally, Nikita covers how to navigate joint finances if one partner isn't working (especially in cases of raising children), when incomes are lopsided, and the logistics of how to split things equitably rather than equally. You may see this change ...
Nov 03, 2021•6 min•Ep. 33
In this episode, Scott discusses what 529 Plans are. Some topics covered: Benefits Limitations How to navigate your options
Oct 20, 2021•15 min•Ep. 32
3rd Decade Program Manager, Nikita Wolff & Lead Financial Mentor, Jennifer Edwards discuss the dilemma between renting or buying (depending on your situation). In this episode, they cover: Tax benefits (or the myth of them to the common tax payer) Hidden costs The 5% rule as an easy way to find equivalent rents/mortgages Recommended Debt to Income Ratios (that are more sensible than industry standards) General advice to future homeowners Pros & Cons of both renting & buying We hope t...
Oct 06, 2021•20 min•Ep. 31
In this episode, Scott & Nikita discuss refinancing. Often times refinancing is sold as a "no brainer" if you can lower your monthly payment. There are, however, some additional aspects to consider. Including, but not limited to: If you used a first-time home buyers program with special clauses What your closing costs on the new loan will be How long you want to be in the house If you're investing your extra money now or just spending more and extending your loan If you're evaluating this de...
Sep 22, 2021•18 min•Ep. 30
In this episode, Scott discusses Rollover IRAs: what they are, when they're relevant, & their benefits. Common reasons for establishing a Rollover IRA are: Consolidating where your accounts are held Lower fees than 401ks More control over your money If you have an old retirement account from a previous job, you may want to consider this for yourself. Scott points out some of the things to keep on your radar, how to start this process, and the benefits of doing a "direct transfer" to a Rollov...
Sep 08, 2021•16 min•Ep. 29
