blog posts Know What You Owe Challenge Nov 15, 2020 12:00 pm116 views About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge. Overcoming Spending Temptations Nov 16, 2020 3:30 pm496 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Focus Your Spending with Lists Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm284 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending? Podcast: Fending Off Fraud Nov 19, 2020 12:00 pm20 views Episode 6 of Making Cents of Money, Fending Off Fraud, discusses what you need to know about the different types of fraud scamers use (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, how to prevent fraud, and what to do if you become a victim. Podcast: The Anti-Predatory Lending Database Dec 3, 2020 12:00 pm44 views Episode 7 of Making Cents of Money, The Anti-Predatory Lending Database, discusses predatory lending and the Anti-Predatory Lending Database (APLD) in Illinois. Katie Liss from IDFPR Division of Banking breaks down predatory lending in mortgages and how the APLD helps mitigate some predatory lending practices. Podcast: Holiday Savings Tips and New Year's Goals Dec 17, 2020 12:00 pm16 views Episode 8 of Making Cents of Money, Holiday Savings Tips and New Year's Goals, explored tips to help prepare for a less stressful holiday season over the coming year as well as ways to set S.M.A.R.T. goals, be it financial or otherwise. Podcast: Financial Education and Financial Literacy Jan 14, 2021 12:00 pm23 views Episode 9 of Making Cents of Money, Financial Education and Financial Literacy, reviewed the state of financial literacy in the United States, programs for pre-K through high school students, and resources to help parents and teachers support learning about finances in a variety of ways. Podcast: Taxes Jan 26, 2021 12:00 pm23 views Episode 10 of Making Cents of Money, Taxes, discussed common terms, forms, and considerations for filing taxes in preparation for our Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff webinar, Tackling Taxes, on 1/27. Tackling Taxes - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Jan 27, 2021 1:00 pm30 views Taxes are complicated, whether you’re a first time filer or have been filing for years. How do you know if you’re required to file? What are deductions and credits? Why are there so many forms, and what are they for? Join us as we walk you through the basics of taxes and provide resources to help you file for free. Understand Your Refund - Spring 2021 Jan 28, 2021 3:30 pm278 views Hundreds of students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund. Learn how to avoid being one of them. Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset Shift Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am534 views Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme! Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan Feb 10, 2021 12:00 pm154 views Episode 11 of Making Cents of Money, Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan, explored 529 plans, including how they function, a bit on their history, and how they differ from other savings vehicles. Listen to special guests, Fernando Diaz and John Mitchell, from the Illinois Treasurer's Office to learn more about options in Illinois. Podcast: Preparing for Retirement Feb 24, 2021 12:00 pm46 views Episode 12 of Making Cents of Money, Preparing for Retirement, discussed the retirement savings crisis, the different types of retirement plans that exist, and the Secure Choice plan in Illinois. Listen to special guest, Courtney Eccles, from the Illinois Treasurer's Office to learn more about the Secure Choice program for small businesses in Illinois. Save Money on Food - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Feb 24, 2021 1:00 pm1 views At the end of a busy day, when you’re hungry and tired, do you go home knowing you’re all set to prepare a tasty, healthy dinner? Are you happy with how much money you spend on food? Would you like to learn some tricks for eating well for less money? If any of these questions resonate with you, then How to Save on Food is the educational opportunity for you! Podcast: Investing Basics Mar 9, 2021 12:00 pm18 views Episode 13 of Making Cents of Money, Investing Basics, covered common terms and concepts related to investing in the stock market in preparation for our Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff webinar, Investing Basics, on 3/10. Investing Basics - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Mar 10, 2021 1:00 pm8 views Investing - it's not for the faint of heart, because investing in the stock market involves risk. Knowing and understanding terminology, fees, types of professionals, as well as investment methods can be a whirlwind of terms and confusing concepts. Learn the basics and have a better understanding on how investing works! Podcast: Short-selling Mar 24, 2021 12:00 pm15 views Episode 14 of Making Cents of Money, Short-selling, allowed us to interview Chasse Rehwinkel about the investing method that's become so popular in the media over the past few months. Practicing Self-Advocacy in Your Financial, Professional and Social Life Mar 29, 2021 4:30 pm230 views Self-advocacy is an important skill to practice, particularly right now. Whether it's getting the resources you need to succeed in school or setting boundaries with your loved ones so you can focus on your own well-being, it's important to communicate with others about your needs, wants, and struggles throughout your life. Know What You Owe Challenge Apr 1, 2021 12:00 pm159 views About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs April 1 - May 1, 2021. #SMMCSharingIsCaring Contest Apr 5, 2021 12:00 pm14 views Share and interact with #SMMCSharingIsCaring tagged posts from SMMC on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook between April 5 - 16, 2021, to get entered to win one of 10+ financial wellness kits in honor of National Financial Capability Month. Podcast: Conscious Credit Apr 7, 2021 12:00 pm58 views Episode 15 of Making Cents of Money, Conscious Credit, demystifies parts of the credit system in the United States thanks to our guests, Camaya Wallace Bechard, from University of Illinois Extension, and Natalie Daniels, from DePaul University. Podcast: Student Loans Apr 13, 2021 12:00 pm111 views Episode 16 of Making Cents of Money, Student Loans, lays out some student loan statistics, considerations, and protections for borrowers in preparation for our webinar on Student Loan Repayment tomorrow! Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Apr 14, 2021 1:00 pm9 views There are 8 repayment plans for federal student loans, 10 federal student loan servicers, and an abundance of terms, tools, and tips to remember to manage federal, institutional, and private student loans. Watch our Student Loan Repayment webinar recording to learn about your options as a borrower. SMMC Grad Hourly Job Opening at UIUC Apr 20, 2021 5:00 pm797 views Are you looking for an opportunity to enhance your professional skills while in school as well as your knowledge of personal finance? University Bursar's Student Money Management Center has an open position at Urbana! Apply to be an SMMC Support Specialist! Podcast: Real Estate May 5, 2021 12:00 pm18 views Episode 17 of Making Cents of Money, Real Estate, explains the world of real estate professions and what to consider when hiring professionals to help you buy or manage a home or other real estate property! Podcast: Professional Licensure in Illinois May 19, 2021 12:00 pm12 views Episode 18 of Making Cents of Money, Professional Licensure in Illinois, helps us understand the scope of professional licensing in Illinois across many different industries and some protections in place for consumers. Podcast: Reintroductions Jun 2, 2021 12:00 pm7 views Episode 19 of Making Cents of Money, Reintroductions, lets us learn more about one of the co-hosts, Jake Hamilton, the history behind the podcast, and what's in store for the future of this audio teaching medium. Podcast: Budgeting Jun 17, 2021 12:00 pm93 views In episode 20 of Making Cents of Money, Budgeting, Nikki, Andrea, and Jake cover a few of the most popular budgeting (or spending plan, if you prefer) methods to help you think about building a financial plan. Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinars for 2021-2022 Jun 29, 2021 12:00 pm106 views The 2021-2022 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff annual webinar series schedule is out. Register today and #GetSavvy. Travel Planning Templates Jul 6, 2021 3:45 pm87 views Getting excited to travel? You can use these templates to help get your planning started for your next trip! Podcast: Time to Travel! Jul 7, 2021 12:00 pm28 views In episode 21 of Making Cents of Money, Time to Travel!, Nikki, Andrea, and Jake discuss travel aspirations, goals, and tips for planning a trip to help you make your next dream vacation a reality. Podcast: Buying a Car! Jul 21, 2021 12:00 pm17 views In episode 22 of Making Cents of Money, Buying a Car!, Nikki, Andrea, and Jake explain the true costs of car ownership as well as the terms and tools to know about before you buy your next vehicle. Podcast: Money Personalities & Financial Well-being Aug 4, 2021 11:00 am45 views In episode 23 of Making Cents of Money, Money Personalities & Financial Well-being, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki discuss several financial personality inventories and the CFPB's financial well-being scale as tools to better understand financial values, habits, and internal feelings around money. Podcast: Cryptocurrencies Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm19 views In episode 24 of Making Cents of Money, Cryptocurrencies, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki talk to Professor Lamont Black from DePaul University about cryptocurrencies, discussing everything from the blockchain technology behind them to their utility in the world of fintech. Leveraging FinTech - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Aug 19, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Learn about new financial technologies as well as considerations and protections that may be helpful in choosing fintech for navigating your financial journey. UIUC - Emergency Grants Available for Graduate Students Aug 23, 2021 9:30 am64 views The application period is now open for HEERF III COVID-19 Emergency Grants for graduate students at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Podcast: Choosing a Financial Professional Sep 1, 2021 12:00 pm45 views In episode 25 of Making Cents of Money, Choosing a Financial Professional, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki talk to Kathy Sweedler from University of Illinois Extension about type of financial professionals, credentials, and how to choose one that best meets your needs. Understand Your Refund - Fall 2021 Sep 1, 2021 1:00 pm1115 views Hundreds of students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund. Learn how to avoid being one of them. UIC - U-PASS Program Opt-Out Deadline is September 12 Sep 8, 2021 9:45 am0 views UIC students have the option to opt-out of the CTA U-PASS program before September 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM. Podcast: Emergency Funds Sep 16, 2021 12:00 pm26 views In episode 26 of Making Cents of Money, Emergency Funds, Jake, Nikki, and Andrea discuss the value of building emergency funds and a few ways to get started. Identity Theft & Fraud - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Sep 16, 2021 1:00 pm5 views Find out how to protect yourself from fraud, recognize identity theft, and what to do if you're affected with this webinar recording from September 15, 2021. Podcast: Student Loan Update Oct 6, 2021 12:00 pm8 views In episode 27 of Making Cents of Money, Student Loan Update, Jake and Nikki gave a quick update on the state of federal student loans. Podcast: Tackling Insurance! (Part 1) Oct 20, 2021 12:00 pm21 views In episode 28 of Making Cents of Money, Tackling Insurance! (Part 1), Deputy Director of Consumer Education & Protection at the Illinois Department of Insurance, Patrice Dziire, talked to us about auto, home, renters, and life insurance. What's Your Job Worth? - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Oct 27, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Explore with us how job benefits can add up to big dollars. Walk into your new job ready to make informed choices that can significantly increase your net worth. Podcast: Tackling Insurance! (Part 2) Nov 3, 2021 12:00 pm7 views In episode 29 of Making Cents of Money, Tackling Insurance! (Part 2), Nikki and Jake talked with Laura Pellikan from the Illinois Department of Insurance about the basics of health insurance and ways you can get covered. Conscious Consumerism - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Nov 11, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Learn how you can align your own behaviors with your personal values and goals with this webinar recording from November 10, 2021. Know What You Owe Challenge - Fall 2021 Nov 15, 2021 12:00 pm170 views About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs November 15 - December 15, 2021. Podcast: Inflation Nov 17, 2021 12:00 pm15 views In episode 30 of Making Cents of Money, Inflation, Jake, Nikki, and Andrea discuss what inflation is as one of many metrics to gauge how an economy is doing and how it impacts our spending power as consumers. Podcast: Financial Security and Stress Dec 8, 2021 12:00 pm50 views In episode 31 of Making Cents of Money, Financial Security and Stress, Andrea, Nikki, and Jake talk about statistics related to both financial security and stress and tips to deal with them. Planning for the Unforeseen - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Dec 8, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Learn about tools you can use in estate planning, like power of attorney, wills, and more, from this webinar recording from December 8, 2021.
