The Adulting Project

Retirement accounts and mangaging finances can feel overwhelming—but what’s the difference between a 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, 403(b), and all the other options? In this episode, we break down the different retirement and investment accounts, how they work, their tax advantages, contribution limits, and when each might make sense.

We’ll cover Traditional vs. Roth, employer-sponsored plans, employer matches, HSAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and strategies for building wealth in your 20s. We also discuss how your income, lifestyle, and retirement goals can influence where you put your money.

Understanding your options is the first step to investing for your future!

Resources:

1. HSA Receipt Tracker: https://app.hsatracker.ai/auth

2. Retirement Calculator: Best recommendation is talking to AI about your goals to help it calculate a more nuanced and personalized response

We're taught that knowledge is power, but the more we know, the harder it can be to unplug, decide, or simply be present. In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita explore the tension between knowing more and living well, whether ignorance really is bliss, how too much information fuels anxiety, and where the line sits between curiosity and overwhelm.

In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita talk about ambition vs. contentment. If your ambitions were stripped away tomorrow, who would you be? This episode sits with that question; exploring the line between healthy ambition and the kind that becomes your whole identity. We talk hustle culture, the Stoic idea of detaching from outcomes, and why contentment isn't something that happens to you... it's something you practice.

In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita discuss rosy retrospection—the tendency for our brains to remember the past more fondly than it actually was, often framing it as “the good old days.” They explore why this happens and share their personal thoughts and perspectives on how it shapes the way we view past experiences.

In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita talk about the red flags we often ignore in relationships and everyday interactions. As you grow older, it becomes easier to recognize behaviors and traits that may not align with your values. They break down some of the most common red flags you might encounter and why learning to spot them matters.

On this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita sit down with successful realtor-investor Chad Rocke to break down the world of real estate. They talk about why real estate matters, how to get started, and why investing in your twenties can be a powerful move for your future.

Chad Rocke is originally from Wisconsin and got started in real estate investing back in 2015 with a duplex in Milwaukee. Today he owns nine doors across short-term, long-term, and rent-by-the-room strategies. He’s been a licensed agent since 2021 and currently serves as the lead agent on the FI Team, where he helps train and recruit new agents. His main focus is helping buyers, sellers, and investors make smart, long-term decisions. He has personally closed over 125 transactions and has been involved in more than 500 at the team level. He truly believes real estate is one of the most powerful wealth-building tools out there—but it’s a long game, and patience is everything. If you are interested in connecting with him, please email him at [email protected]

In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita discuss the critical subject of how attached people are to their phones/screens and the implications of this habit over the long-term. They share their personal struggles and how it has affected their lives. Rather than just addressing the problem, they also provide several solutions to combat this addiction to live healthier and more fulfilled lived. Tune in for honest and relatable conversation that could be the spark to your own realizations!

In this episode of The Adulting Project, Nikhil and Sharita dive into the complex world of body dysmorphia and body image struggles. They share their personal experiences, discussing the challenges they face in navigating self-perception, cultural, and societal pressures. While they offer their own coping strategies and solutions, they also remind listeners that the journey toward self-acceptance is ongoing. Tune in for an honest and relatable conversation about learning to live in—and love—your own skin.

In this episode of The Adulting Project, hosts Nikhil and Sharita sit down with Jillian Reilly — author of The Ten Permissions. Jillian’s book challenges readers to give themselves permission to rethink how they live, work, and thrive in the 21st century — and to design lives that embrace possibility in an ever-changing world.

Together, they explore how the landscape young adults are navigating today is vastly different from past generations. The conversation dives into the importance of self-permission — breaking free from the expectations of what we “should” do and leaning into what we actually want to do to create fulfilling, authentic lives.

In this episode, Nikhil and Sharita dive into the complex and fast-evolving world of AI — highlighting both its powerful benefits and growing concerns.

Nikhil explores how AI is transforming daily life and work, raising important questions about critical thinking and the long-term cognitive impact on a generation driven by convenience.

Sharita, who works in AI governance, risk, and compliance, brings real-world insights from the front lines. She shares how AI is already affecting job markets, creativity, and authenticity — and what we can do to balance innovation with responsibility.