blog posts Opening a Bank Account in the United States Jun 17, 2025 11:15 am131 views Looking to establish a relationship with a financial institution? We've highlighted reasons you might need one and steps to opening a checking or savings account in the U.S. 13 Ways to Avoid Unlucky Losses in 2025 Jun 13, 2025 8:00 am19 views Friday the 13th is often considered an unlucky day, but let's talk about how to improve your luck with 13 financial planning tips! Webinar Recording: Money & Happiness May 1, 2025 1:00 pm0 views Can money buy happiness? Watch our webinar recording from May 1 to explore the relationship between money and happiness. 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. Webinar Recording: Money, Stress, & Bad Habits Apr 3, 2025 1:00 pm3 views Stress impacting your finances? Watch this webinar recording on YouTube to uncover the connection between stress, money, and bad habits. Learn strategies to improve your financial health and overall well-being. 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. Webinar Recording: Psychology of Money - Stages of Change Mar 13, 2025 1:00 pm3 views Transform your financial habits! Explore the Psychology of Money and the Stages of Change. Learn how to achieve lasting financial well-being. Podcast: Stages of Financial Behavior Change Mar 10, 2025 12:00 pm62 views In episode 105 of Making Cents of Money, Emily Harmon, Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, joins Kimber & Andrea to delve into the Transtheoretical Model which can help explain why behavior change relating to finances can be challenging. 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: Unclaimed Property in Illinois Jan 22, 2025 12:00 pm114 views In episode 102 of Making Cents of Money, Treasurer Michael Frerichs joined as a guest to discuss the state of Illinois' process for getting unclaimed property back to the owners. 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. Podcast: The [Episode] with All the Co-Hosts Dec 17, 2024 12:00 pm9 views In episode 100 of Making Cents of Money, all the co-hosts (past and present) reunite to celebrate the release of the 100th podcast episode. 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: 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. Budgeting for a Week: A Realistic Approach Nov 8, 2024 4:00 pm997 views Budgeting empowers you to work toward reasonable financial goals, keeping you from overspending and accruing debt. Explore steps you can take this week to start building a budgeting habit. Podcast: Saving Money on Holiday Travel Nov 6, 2024 8:00 am47 views In episode 97 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss a variety of ways to save on travel during the holidays (and beyond)! Podcast: Zombie Properties & Mortgages Oct 22, 2024 12:00 pm15 views In episode 96 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Beyer from IDFPR's Division of Banking is back to discuss the dangers of zombie mortgages and zombie properties in this special halloween-themed edition. Podcast: Basic Needs & Needs Insecurity Oct 7, 2024 12:00 pm14 views In episode 95 of Making Cents of Money, basic needs and needs security and some adjacent terms, like financial fragility, are discussed by our co-hosts, Kimber and Andrea. 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. Webinar Recording: Budget Hacks Sep 12, 2024 1:00 pm5 views Ready to save more and spend smarter? Discover practical tips and tricks to make your money go further and achieve your financial goals by watching Budget Hacks on YouTube. Webinar Recording: Demystifying the Financial Aid Process Aug 22, 2024 1:00 pm22 views Unlock the secrets of financial aid. Learn how to maximize your financial aid package and ease the burden of tuition. Join us to navigate the complex world of financial aid with confidence. Facilitator Guide - How to Throw a Webinar Watch Party Jun 11, 2024 10:00 am26 views We aren't able to accommodate workshops by request, but we have dozens of webinar recordings on YouTube and plan new, live webinars each academic year on different financial topics. You can empower your peers or students with increased financial knowledge by throwing a webinar watch party. 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. Webinar Recording: Money, Stress, & Bad Habits May 1, 2024 1:00 pm9 views Understand the connection between money, stress, and bad habits. Learn strategies to manage stress, break free from detrimental financial behaviors, and cultivate a healthier relationship with money. 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. Podcast: April 30th Student Loan Deadline Apr 8, 2024 12:00 pm39 views In episode 81 of Making Cents of Money, April 30th Student Loan Deadline, we discuss a critical deadline for FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) borrowers on income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. Webinar Recording: Student Loan Management Apr 3, 2024 1:00 pm8 views Learn how to navigate your student loan journey. Understand crucial terms, tips, and tools for managing your education debt. Podcast: Building Wealth After Graduation Mar 25, 2024 12:00 pm90 views In episode 80 of Making Cents of Money, Building Wealth After Graduation, Donovan Sanchez returns to talk about how to navigate juggling multiple goals during the transition to life after college. Podcast: What Happens When a Bank Fails? Mar 11, 2024 12:00 pm22 views In episode 79 of Making Cents of Money, What Happens When a Bank Fails?, Chicago City Comptroller and former Illinois Director of Banking, Chasse Rehwinkel joins us to discuss recent incidents of bank failure and how these differed from others in history. Webinar Recording: Save Money on Food Mar 6, 2024 1:00 pm6 views Hungry for savings? Uncover tricks for affordable dining. Say goodbye to overspending and hello to tasty savings. 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. Podcast: Tax Talk Feb 9, 2024 12:00 pm20 views In episode 77 of Making Cents of Money, Tax Talk, Andrea and Nikki talk tax... forms, terms, and more as the April 15 federal tax deadline approaches. Podcast: What is Crypto Anyway? Jan 29, 2024 12:00 pm29 views In episode 76 of Making Cents of Money, What is Crypto Anyway?, Jake Hamilton, a previous podcast co-host, comes back to provide an overview of how crypto works and what the future looks like for this financial technology. Webinar Recording: Money In Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit Jan 24, 2024 1:00 pm5 views Master your finances as an entrepreneur. Learn best practices for money management while building your business. Podcast: Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals Dec 20, 2023 12:00 pm122 views In episode 75 of Making Cents of Money, Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals, Nikki and Andrea discussed several strategies for setting, prioritizing, and re-prioritizing financial goals... just in time for the new year! Webinar Recording: Your Financial Tool Chest Dec 6, 2023 1:00 pm7 views Unlock the power of financial tools! Explore the best services for your goals, safety, and cost-efficiency. Behavioral Economics: Five Ways to Shift Your Habits Nov 8, 2023 4:00 pm186 views When considering decision-making in terms of your finances, it’s important to understand behavioral economics so we can develop healthier spending habits and save money along the way. Talking to Family About Money During Holidays Nov 1, 2023 8:00 am41 views As the holidays are coming in, you are probably thinking of the trips, events, food, and gifts that come with it. However, this holiday, you may consider having a conversation with your family about how the pressures of this season can affect your resources (financial or otherwise). Webinar Recording: Spooked by Spending Plans? Oct 11, 2023 1:00 pm8 views Discover spending motivations and find money management tools that work for you to face your financial fears. Refinancing an International Education Loan in the United States Sep 28, 2023 10:00 am619 views Suhas Vetri Annamalai, SMMC Support Specialist and student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business, discusses multiple factors to consider when deciding if refinancing your international student loan in the U.S. is the right choice for you. Webinar Recording: Read Before You Sign Sep 6, 2023 1:00 pm5 views Get savvy about renting & leasing! Understand your rights & responsibilities when it comes to renting a place to live. Breaking a Rental Lease in Illinois Sep 1, 2023 5:15 pm748 views Kwabena Sarfo Adjei, SMMC Support Specialist and LLM student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Law, describes how he was able to get out of his rental lease after finding the rental property did not meet his expectations. Podcast: The Financial Impact of Digital Illiteracy Aug 23, 2023 12:00 pm55 views In episode 68 of Making Cents of Money, The Financial Impact of Digital Illiteracy, Andrea and Nikki explore the financial implications of digital Illiteracy in our digital age. Decreasing Borrowing While in School Aug 14, 2023 1:30 pm42 views Student loans can be a valuable tool for increasing access to higher education, but it does come with a cost. Learn how to limit those costs while in school so you decrease future costs of compounding interest. Funding a College Education Aug 11, 2023 1:30 pm44 views Funding your education can be a daunting task, but there are many tools to help students and their families cover the cost of a college education. Financial Aid Notifications: Cost of Attendance is Estimated Aug 9, 2023 1:30 pm60 views Financial aid notifications, or award letters, contain valuable information that help you understand the costs of college. However, it's important to remember that Cost of Attendance is an estimate. Identifying Expenses: Fixed, Flexible, or Occasional? Aug 7, 2023 1:30 pm798 views If you're looking for a better understanding of how to categorize expenses in your budget or spending plan, explore the differences between fixed, flexible, and occassional costs. 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®. Banking Locations Near Each University Jun 14, 2023 9:30 am414 views Looking for a financial institution on campus? Explore our Google Map for locations on or close to each campus in the University of Illinois System. Tax Filing 101: Forms & Facts You Need to Know Mar 10, 2023 5:00 pm875 views As we get closer to the tax filing deadline for the United States, it is important to knwo the intricacies and important forms for filing taxes.
