to make smart loan choices—by understanding true costs, avoiding toxic loan features, and seeking cheaper alternatives like credit unions or family support—provides them with the defensive tools to navigate immediate financial crises, even under stress. Finally, building a deep and lasting foundation of financial literacy addresses the root cause of vulnerability, fostering long-term financial health, resilience, and trust in mainstream institutions. These three solutions are not independent but synergistic; effective policy sets the boundaries for a safer market, smart choices allow individuals to operate within it, and financial literacy ensures they understand why and how to do so. Only by integrating these approaches can policymakers, educators, and communities hope to break the cycle and secure a more stable financial future for young adults.