SMMC News & Events Blog

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Podcast: Choosing a Financial Professional
Sep 1, 2021 12:00 pm2 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.
Leveraging FinTech - Get Savvy Webinar Recording
Aug 19, 2021 1:00 pm0 views
From mobile banking to blockchain, financial technology continues to provide new opportunities for consumers to spend, save, and share their money. We discuss some of the new technologies that have become more popular in recent years as well as considerations and protections that may be helpful in choosing what fintech would work best for helping you navigate your financial journey.
Podcast: Cryptocurrencies
Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm6 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: Money Personalities & Financial Well-being
Aug 4, 2021 11:00 am8 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: Buying a Car!
Jul 21, 2021 12:00 pm4 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: Time to Travel!
Jul 7, 2021 12:00 pm12 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.
Travel Planning Templates
Jul 6, 2021 3:45 pm36 views
Getting excited to travel? You can use these templates to help get your planning started for your next trip!
Podcast: Budgeting
Jun 17, 2021 12:00 pm30 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.
Podcast: Real Estate
May 5, 2021 12:00 pm4 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!
Creating Your Own Financial Education Plan
Apr 19, 2021 4:00 pm10 views
Use this guide to identify what modules in the University of Illinois Financial Literacy Badges Program align with your financial education needs and make a learning plan for yourself!
Podcast: Conscious Credit
Apr 7, 2021 12:00 pm4 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.
Practicing Self-Advocacy in Your Financial, Professional and Social Life
Mar 29, 2021 4:30 pm50 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.
Podcast: Short-selling
Mar 24, 2021 12:00 pm8 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.
Investing Basics - Get Savvy Webinar Recording
Mar 10, 2021 1:00 pm0 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!
Save Money on Food - Get Savvy Webinar Recording
Feb 24, 2021 1:00 pm0 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: Preparing for Retirement
Feb 24, 2021 12:00 pm4 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.
Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan
Feb 10, 2021 12:00 pm26 views
Episode 11 of Making Cents of Money, Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan, explored 529 plans, including how they funciton, 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.
Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset Shift
Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am136 views
Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme!
Focus Your Spending with Lists
Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm49 views
Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending?
Overcoming Spending Temptations
Nov 16, 2020 3:30 pm111 views
Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season!
Setting Goals for Your Well-being
Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am699 views
Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals.
Budget Hacks - Get Savvy Webinar Recording
Oct 21, 2020 1:00 pm2 views
Money can be messy - it's not just about numbers, calculators and excel sheets. If you're looking for new ways to manage your money mess, we have the budget hacks for you! Learn how to take what we know about human behavior and choices to build better financial habits.
Podcast: Technology and Your Money
Oct 5, 2020 12:00 pm4 views
Episode 3 of Making Cents of Money, Technology and Your Money, explores how financial technologies are evolving and what that means for keeping our money safe.
6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19
Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm24 views
Finding money for your education, especially grad school, can be more difficult now. Read the 6 considerations for finding funding during COVID-19 to learn about searching for fellowships.
Podcast: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You
Sep 23, 2020 12:00 pm16 views
Episode 2 of Making Cents of Money, Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You, is all about defining unbanked/underbanked, the differences between banks & credit unions, and how to choose the right financial institution for you. Learn from Illinois' Director of Banking, Chasse Rehwinkel, and Director of Financial Institutions, Francisco Menchaca.
The 5 C's: A Guide to Self-Care on a Budget
Sep 18, 2020 12:00 pm71 views
We put together a few tips in an effort to add to your ideas and/or motivate you to start practicing self-care/self-love on a budget!
How do people with vision impairments manage money?
Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm28 views
Vision impairments can complicate how people manage their money. Learn about ways that people with reduced vision or blindness can be empowered to navigate finances on their own.
How to Support Wellness While Virtual
Mar 18, 2020 4:15 pm151 views
Learn ways to enhance your overall wellness in a virtual environment.
Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial Security
Mar 18, 2020 11:45 am380 views
We have defined a few financial terms to make it easier to stay up-to-date on how COVID-19 is impacting our finances.
UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial Habits
Feb 29, 2020 11:30 am48 views
The reality of personal finance is that it is personal and requires behavior change. Learn ways to make behavior changes easier to accomplish your goals.
UISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add Up
Feb 22, 2020 11:30 am81 views
An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up.
UISAVES Week 1: Goal-setting
Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am81 views
A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.org
UISAVES 2020 runs February 16 - March 7!
Feb 13, 2020 12:15 pm102 views
The overall goal of UISAVES is to create a culture of savings at our three universities – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Illinois at Springfield. Read on to learn what we're doing for the 2020 campaign!
Funding New Year's Festivities
Dec 10, 2019 2:30 pm18 views
The best way to manage your finances on New Year’s Eve is to plan ahead and set a defined budget you are comfortable with. Read more tips to save while celebrating.
Good Food, Good Mood
Sep 19, 2019 12:30 pm297 views
Is having to find consistent, affordable food always putting you in a bad mood? Read our article about ways to fight food insecurity to learn of resources that can help.
IOUs: There's an App for That!
Oct 14, 2016 3:30 pm16 views
Have you heard of Venmo? Squarecash? These are just a few of the apps that allow you to send money to anyone, anywhere, anytime. From a convenience standpoint, these advances are amazing—but what are the costs of convenience?
Expect the Unexpected: Saving For Emergencies
Jan 15, 2015 11:00 am10 views
Planning for the unexpected can ensure that you are able to weather a financial hardship should you lose your job, have a car repair, or any other unplanned expense. By having savings set aside for emergencies, you decrease the need to rely on credit cards or loans to cover emergency situations. Your college years can be an ideal time to create and build your emergency savings.

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