Financial adulthood has moved to the 30s: ‘the decade when people come to terms with where they are in life’

For most of American history, financial adulthood was marked by significant life events such as purchasing a home, acquiring a car, and managing insurance paperwork, typically occurring in the late 20s to early 30s. However, a new survey by fintech company Chime, which polled 3,000 U.S. adults as part of its Millennial Money Report, suggests that this pattern has shifted.

Eighty-four percent of millennials report that their 30s brought a fundamental shift in how they view money and success. The timing of this shift is no longer tied to specific milestones like buying a house or having children. Instead, it appears to be a more independent process, triggered by various personal financial realities, such as job loss or debt challenges.

This reevaluation of financial objectives occurs regardless of age, with different cohorts within the millennial generation experiencing it at varying times.