Nobody taught her. So she taught herself.

Many young adults are expected to make major financial decisions long before they feel ready. Open a retirement account. Manage student loans. Choose investments. Plan for the future. But what happens when no one ever taught you how?

For 3rd Decade alum Danielle, that uncertainty felt familiar.

"If you didn't grow up in a family or with friends that discussed financial literacy regularly, as a young adult it can be difficult to know where to start educating yourself, or how to determine if a source is reliable and objective in the information it presents without a hidden agenda," Danielle said. "Prior to joining 3rd Decade, I often felt overwhelmed and confused, especially with topics such as retirement accounts and student loans."

Danielle joined 3rd Decade in 2023 while attending graduate school. Looking back, she can see how much financial knowledge she had been missing, not because she wasn't capable, but because no one had ever taught her.

"A decade ago when I was in my mid-twenties, I had a Traditional 401(k) sponsored by an employer. When I left that full-time position to pursue part-time and gig work, I knew enough to not withdraw the funds and 'let it sit there,' but I did not know that it could be converted to a rollover account that would have allowed me to continue contributing. Nor had I ever heard of a Roth IRA."

Like many participants, Danielle didn't need someone to manage her finances for her. She needed someone to help her understand the options available and build confidence in her own decision-making. She discovered 3rd Decade during the final year she was eligible for the program.

One of the biggest lessons Danielle learned was that financial literacy isn't about knowing everything. It's about having a foundation to build from.

"Navigating financial topics, projects, and decisions can feel really overwhelming when you don't already have the foundational knowledge needed," she explained. "3rd Decade provides this foundational knowledge and is very encouraging and inclusive in their approach to education."

She remembers feeling embarrassed at times about what she didn't know.

That support helped Danielle focus less on what she hadn't done yet and more on what she could do next.

"They helped me break financial goals down into smaller actionable steps that were reasonable for my current life constraints, while acknowledging that I had other financial goals that could be tended to during a different chapter of life."

The impact extended beyond her own financial journey. As a newly married couple, Danielle and her husband were learning to navigate finances together. Danielle is from the United States, while her husband immigrated from Chile. Along with blending different family experiences and perspectives around money, they were also navigating a financial system that was new to him.

"The curriculum provided my spouse and me with the education needed to better improve how we understood, discussed, and co-managed our financial decisions," Danielle said. "Prior to 3rd Decade, it was challenging for us to discuss certain financial topics because I was still learning the concepts and terms myself. The program helped give us the fundamental language and concepts to better discuss these topics."

Their mentor played a significant role in creating an environment where both partners felt supported.

In a world where much financial advice is tied to advertising, sponsorships, or product recommendations, Danielle found comfort in knowing her mentor had no hidden agenda. The volunteer mentor's only goal was helping the couple succeed.

"It increased my sense of psychological safety in discussing my questions related to financial literacy, especially when I didn't understand certain topics from the get-go. This is why the opportunity to work with a volunteer financial mentor for two years with the 3rd Decade program is unique and invaluable."

When asked about her relationship with her mentor, Danielle's appreciation is clear.

"My relationship with our mentor was open and supportive. She took a strengths-based approach to our meetings and was an exceptional listener. Throughout our sessions, she asked thoughtful questions to help us identify, clarify, and reprioritize our financial goals based on our values and current life situation. She helped me feel safe and confident to ask any question I had without fear of judgment."

Today, Danielle continues her financial learning journey as a member of the Beyond 3rd Decade alumni community. While she has gained knowledge and confidence, she says one of the greatest gifts of the program was realizing that financial literacy is not a destination.

For Danielle, 3rd Decade wasn't just about learning financial concepts. It was about gaining the confidence to ask questions, make informed decisions, and build a financial future on her own terms. And for many young adults, that's where lasting financial change begins.