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SMMC News & Events Blog
This blog highlights news, events, and informative articles on personal finance from University of Illinois System's Student Money Management Center. Feel free to navigate to different categories with the list of topics on the right or search for a specific topic next to the view all link below.
Education

blog posts

  • 2 women in a shop looking at an item together with white text: "Conscious Consumerism"

    Podcast: Conscious Consumerism

    Mar 13, 2023 12:00 pm81 views

    In episode 59 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki discuss the meaning of conscious consumerism and how aligning your spending with your values can make an impact.

  • Conscious Credit text on image of man on bench with headphones in, tablet in one hand and credit card in the other

    Podcast: Conscious Credit

    Apr 7, 2021 12:00 pm77 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: Cost of Living

    Sep 24, 2024 12:00 pm51 views

    In episode 94 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss the cost of living and why it matters when comparing costs and how far your dollars will go if you relocate.

  • Costs of Car Ownership

    Podcast: Costs of Car Ownership

    Nov 21, 2024 8:00 am16 views

    In episode 98 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea talk about the costs of car ownership and what to consider when deciding on if a vehicle is a need or a want for you. 

  • Podcast: Credit Reports Update

    Nov 29, 2023 12:00 pm47 views

    In episode 74 of Making Cents of Money, Credit Reports Update, we had a Consumer Alert! Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are allowing access to free, weekly credit reports indefinitely now. 

  • phone with credit score on screen & "Credit Scores" text

    Podcast: Credit Scores

    Nov 2, 2022 12:00 pm86 views

    In episode 51 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea discuss some of the ins and outs of credit scores, the credit ecosystem, and building credit to your advantage.

  • Podcast: Cryptocurrencies

    Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm33 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.

  • Podcast: Dealing with Emergencies

    Oct 5, 2022 12:00 pm38 views

    In episode 49 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea talk about dealing with a financial emergency, not just how to plan but how to recover once an emergency happens.

  • Episode 103 of Making Cents of Money: Economics of Cannabis [in Illinois]

    Podcast: Economics of Cannabis [in Illinois]

    Feb 7, 2025 12:00 pm42 views

    In episode 103 of Making Cents of Money, Vaughn Bentley, Deputy Director of Cannabis Control at IDFPR, joins Kimber and Andrea to discuss the economics of cannabis in Illinois.

  • Podcast: Emergency Funds

    Sep 16, 2021 12:00 pm45 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.

  • Podcast: Employment

    Feb 23, 2022 12:00 pm29 views

    In episode 35 of Making Cents of Money, Employment, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki continue the podcast series on economic indicators by discussing metrics related to employment.

  • Podcast: Establishing a Vision for Your Life

    Jan 20, 2022 12:00 pm44 views

    In episode 33 of Making Cents of Money, Establishing a Vision for Your Life, Andrea, Nikki, and Jake talk to Donovan Sanchez, CFP and instructor of financial planning at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign about making meaningful money choices that allow you to live life now and make progress towards the future.

  • flatlay of stethescope, mobile phone, and clipboard with "Federal Student Loan Forgiveness" text

    Podcast: Federal Student Loan Forgiveness

    Sep 21, 2022 12:00 pm82 views

    In episode 48 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki talk about the differences between the federal student loan cancellation in Biden-Harris Administration's Student Debt Relief Plan and the temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver that has a quickly approaching deadline of October 31st.

  • Federal Student Loan Updates [Debt Collection Resumes]

    Podcast: Federal Student Loan Updates [Involuntary Debt Collection Resumes]

    May 12, 2025 12:00 pm22 views

    In episode 110 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins Kimber & Andrea again to discuss the US Department of Education's resumption of involuntary debt collection on defaulted federal student loans.

  • Podcast: Fending Off Fraud

    Nov 19, 2020 12:00 pm44 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.

  • [Filing a] Tax Deadline Extension podcast episode

    Podcast: [Filing a] Tax Deadline Extension

    Apr 7, 2025 12:00 pm12 views

    In episode 108 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea discuss how to file for an extension if you won't meet the April 15th tax-filing deadline.

  • Podcast: Financial Education and Financial Literacy

    Jan 14, 2021 12:00 pm33 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: Financial Planner vs AI

    Jul 12, 2023 12:00 pm37 views

    In episode 65 of Making Cents of Money, Financial Planner vs AI, we discuss the pros and cons of using Artificial Intelligence language model, ChatGPT, to answer financial planning questions with the help of Donovan Sanchez, CFP®.

  • Financial Resolutions white text over image of a 2023 flatlay with notebook and coffee

    Podcast: Financial Resolutions!

    Dec 14, 2022 12:00 pm31 views

    In episode 54 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki & Andrea talk about some recent changes in setting new years resolutions and how to make finances part of your goals for 2023.

  • Podcast: Financial Security and Stress

    Dec 8, 2021 12:00 pm91 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.

  • Financial Socialization

    Podcast: Financial Socialization

    Dec 4, 2024 12:00 pm40 views

    In episode 99 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss financial socialization, how it develops, who contributes to it, and what it means for our relationship with money.

  • Podcast: Financial Wellness Concepts

    Jul 29, 2024 12:00 pm92 views

    In episode 88 of Making Cents of Money, Financial Wellness Concepts, Nikki and Andrea discuss several terms that are often used interchangeably related to financial wellness and their definitions.

  • Fintech and Digital Assets text on image of hands holding phone with money signs above it

    Podcast: Fintech and Digital Assets

    Feb 1, 2023 12:00 pm65 views

    In episode 56 of Making Cents of Money, David DeCarlo, IDFPR's Regulatory Innovation Officer, discussed what consumers should know about digital assets and regulation in this new era of fintech.

  • Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents

    Podcast: Free Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents

    Apr 22, 2024 12:00 pm37 views

    In episode 82 of Making Cents of Money, Free Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents, Maggie Owen from the Illinois State Treasurer's Office joins us to discuss all the financial education programs Illinois has for residents. 

  • Image of capital building and stethascope with white text that says "Get Covered, Illinois"

    Podcast: Get Covered, Illinois

    May 22, 2023 12:00 pm29 views

    In episode 62 of Making Cents of Money, Brian Gorman, Director of Outreach & Engagement for Get Covered Illinois, answers our questions about managing healthcare costs.

  • Podcast: Goodbye Nikki, Hello Kimber!

    Aug 12, 2024 10:00 am37 views

    In episode 89 of Making Cents of Money, Goodbye Nikki, Hello Kimber!, we have a bitter sweet send-off to long-time host, Nikki Giancola-Shanks but welcome a new voice, Kimber Beckler, to the show.

  • Podcast: Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Dec 22, 2021 12:00 pm40 views

    In episode 32 of Making Cents of Money, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Andrea, Nikki, and Jake explain Gross Domestic Product as part of an ongoing mini series on economic indicators. 

  • Podcast: Gross National Happiness

    Feb 9, 2022 12:00 pm23 views

    In episode 34 of Making Cents of Money, Gross National Happiness, Jake and Nikki discuss an alternative metric to Gross Domestic Product that some countries use to help monitor the health of their economies called Gross National Happiness.

  • Image of women with colored powder on them for Diwali with text that reads "Happy International Women's Day"

    Podcast: Happy International Women's Day!

    Mar 8, 2023 12:00 pm54 views

    In episode 58 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki interviewed SMMC's very own Ramya Vaidyanathan about her experience providing financial education to women in India.

  • Image of wooden family figurines and house with text "Help for Homeowners"

    Podcast: Help for Homeowners

    Jun 7, 2023 12:00 pm25 views

    In episode 63 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Byer, Director of the APLD & Investigations, joins us to talk about programs designed to help those who may be struggling with initial and ongoing homeownership costs.

  • Calendar with date circled that says Pay Rent! next to a roll of money

    Podcast: Help for Renters

    Jun 21, 2023 12:00 pm26 views

    In episode 64 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Byer, Director of the APLD & Investigations, joins us again to talk about programs designed to help find and afford renting a place to live.

  • sunset with utilities lines and white text that reads "Help with Utilities Bills"

    Podcast: Help with Utility Bills

    May 3, 2023 12:00 pm17 views

    In episode 61 of Making Cents of Money, we learn about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). If you're struggling to pay utilities, apply by May 31!

  • Podcast: Holiday Savings Tips and New Year's Goals

    Dec 17, 2020 12:00 pm32 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: Inflation

    Nov 17, 2021 12:00 pm24 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: Investing Basics

    Mar 9, 2021 12:00 pm32 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. 

  • White piggy bank with text: Investing to Reach Financial Goals

    Podcast: Investing to Reach Financial Goals

    Feb 15, 2023 12:00 pm55 views

    In episode 57 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki interviewed Alan Sorcher and Anne McKinley from the US Securities and Exchange Commission on strategic ways to approach investing to build wealth.

  • Is Crypto the Wild West? with a sunset and silhouettes of saguaro cacti.

    Podcast: Is Crypto the Wild West?

    Feb 26, 2024 12:00 pm26 views

    In episode 78 of Making Cents of Money, Is Crypto the Wild West?, David DeCarlo and Jake Hamilton join us to discuss what regulation does and does not exist for consumers regarding crypto.

  • Lines of Injustice: What is Redlining?

    Podcast: Lines of Injustice: What is Redlining?

    May 6, 2024 12:00 pm98 views

    In episode 83 of Making Cents of Money, Lines of Injustice: What is Redlining?, DFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. discusses the topic of redlining and how it leads to disparities for generations. 

  • Podcast: Loan Payments Resumed in October

    Oct 31, 2023 12:00 pm21 views

    In episode 73 of Making Cents of Money, Loan Payments Resumed in October, we discussed the "on-ramp" to repayment being implemented by the U.S. Department of Education as millions of borrowers started making payments on their federal loans again in October.

  • Money and Relationships

    Podcast: Money and Relationships

    Feb 14, 2025 12:00 pm38 views

    In episode 104 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber discuss considerations for navigating financial management when it comes to relationships, be them romantic, familial, or with friends and roommates.

  • Podcast: Money Personalities & Financial Well-being

    Aug 4, 2021 11:00 am93 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: Mortgages

    Apr 14, 2022 12:00 pm30 views

    In episode 38 of Making Cents of Money, Renting!, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki interview IDFPR's Anti-Predatory Lending Database Director, Kari Beyer, about the ins and outs of mortgages.

  • National Financial Capability Month podcast

    Podcast: National Financial Capability Month

    Apr 4, 2025 12:00 pm13 views

    In episode 107 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea talk about National Financial Capability Month which runs the entirety of April every year.

  • Neurodiversity and Financial Strategies

    Podcast: Neurodiversity and Financial Strategies

    Mar 26, 2025 12:00 pm60 views

    In episode 106 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss the nuances of neurodiversity as it relates to navigating money management.

  • A notebook on someone's lap with the word "Goals" written on the first page

    Podcast: New Year, New Financial Resolutions

    Dec 28, 2024 12:00 pm22 views

    In episode 101 of Making Cents of Money, join Kimber and Andrea for pointers on pursuing your financial resolutions in the new year.

  • On Ramp to Repayment Ends September 30 for Federal Student Loan Borrowers

    Podcast: On Ramp to Repayment Ends 9/30 for Federal Loan Borrowers

    Sep 16, 2024 12:00 pm43 views

    In episode 93 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins us yet again to talk about the On Ramp to Repayment ending on September 30, 2024, and what that means for borrowers currently in repayment.

  • Podcast Partnership Launching with Illinois Division of Financial & Professional Regulation!

    Aug 31, 2020 9:15 am136 views

    A new podcast launched today, Making Cents of Money, co-hosted by our very own Andrea Pellegrini and Illinois Division of Financial & Professional Regulation's Nikki Giancola-Shanks!

  • Password Managers

    Podcast: Password Managers

    Jul 28, 2023 12:00 pm45 views

    In episode 66 of Making Cents of Money, Password Managers, we explore what password managers are and how they can be leveraged to protect your important information.

  • piggy bank with grad cap on money

    Podcast: Paying for College with Scholarships

    Nov 18, 2022 12:00 pm128 views

    In episode 52 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea talk to special guest, Kara Holloway, Director of Scholarships at UIC, about paying for college with scholarships.

  • Preparing for Retirement with pink piggy bank smiling

    Podcast: Preparing for Retirement

    Feb 24, 2021 12:00 pm66 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.