Millennials coming of age today are entering adulthood under a unique set of circumstances. They have access to technology that Boomers and Xers did not have at that stage of life. They’re concerned about climate change, as natural disasters strike with severity and frequency. Growing up in a post-9/11 world has inspired a greater sense of caution. Most importantly, the difficult economic conditions since 2008 have changed their timelines for typical adult experiences like establishing a career, moving out of their parents’ house, getting married, and starting families. How is this combination of factors affecting their life choices and experiences?

Tr3s looked for answers to that question in its 2012 study, Hispanic Adult Millennials Living the Next Normal: Age of Uncertainty. Risk aversion is a key theme among all Millennials – and they take care to avoid the types of extreme behavior that they perceive in their Boomers and Xer predecessors. While they are anxious about their prospects and trying to make their way as best they can, that doesn’t mean they’re unhappy, however.

Here are a few of Tr3s’s key findings about Hispanic Adult Millennials’ current approach to life:

In these uncertain times, life is hard – and an exercise in risk assessment. Because of the tough economy, Millennial are analyzing everything before them for risk potential. This is true for big choices, like moving out independently vs. living with Mom and Dad, or getting married vs. just living together. It’s also true for smaller decisions, like taking great effort to buy things at a satisfactory price. This relationship to risk isn’t exclusive to Hispanic Adult Millennials – it’s a core Millennial value.

They seek balance in life, avoiding extremes. This desire for balance is also a core Millennial value. Some of the areas they’re most commonly aiming to keep in check are work vs. life, convenient vs. healthy food choices, and virtual/digital vs. real experiences. And since money can be hard to come by, they see saving as a protective talisman – because in their words, “anything can happen.” Ostentatious wealth is highly unfashionable and getting rich is not a priority. In fact, pragmatism is cool.

Despite their anxieties, happiness outweighs stress. Six in ten Hispanic Adult Millennials consider themselves to be very happy, so they’re not too weighed down by dashed expectations. In general, humor is important to them in everyday life. When it comes to entertainment, they enjoy watching comedy (including comedy within drama). Family fun is Hispanic Adult Millennials’ number one release valve. More than one in five Hispanic Adult Millennials say their family is closer and more supportive than others, and nearly a fifth believe their family is funnier.