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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.
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  • Expect the Unexpected: Saving For Emergencies

    Jan 15, 2015 11:00 am12 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.

  • IOUs: There's an App for That!

    Oct 14, 2016 3:30 pm17 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?

  • Good Food, Good Mood

    Sep 19, 2019 12:30 pm321 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.

  • Funding New Year's Festivities

    Dec 10, 2019 2:30 pm22 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.

  • UISAVES 2020 runs February 16 - March 7!

    Feb 13, 2020 12:15 pm106 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!

  • UISAVES Week 1: Goal-setting

    Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am119 views

    A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.org

  • UISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add Up

    Feb 22, 2020 11:30 am86 views

    An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up. 

  • UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial Habits

    Feb 29, 2020 11:30 am51 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.

  • Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial Security with Image of Empty Wallet

    Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial Security

    Mar 18, 2020 11:45 am388 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.

  • Wellness While Virtual Title over smoothie and fruit ingredients

    How to Support Wellness While Virtual

    Mar 18, 2020 4:15 pm170 views

    Learn ways to enhance your overall wellness in a virtual environment. 

  • Collection of Several Hundred Dollar Bill Bundles in US Currency

    How do people with vision impairments manage money?

    Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm513 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.

  • Person doing yoga on a beach

    The 5 C's: A Guide to Self-Care on a Budget

    Sep 18, 2020 12:00 pm172 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! 

  • Podcast: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You

    Sep 23, 2020 12:00 pm32 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.

  • Chair with mortarboard / graduation cap hanging over the edge of the top of the chair with the words "6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19

    6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19

    Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm106 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: Technology and Your Money

    Oct 5, 2020 12:00 pm15 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.

  • Budget Hacks Presentation Title Slide with brain icon

    Budget Hacks - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Oct 21, 2020 1:00 pm50 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.

  • Setting Goals for Your Well-being

    Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am3858 views

    Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals.

  • 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! 

  • Pair of glasses with "Focus Your spending with Lists" laid over the image

    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?

  • Two silhouetted people standing in front of a sunrise.

    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!

  • 4 college students studying at a table together

    Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan

    Feb 10, 2021 12:00 pm151 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.

  • Preparing for Retirement with pink piggy bank smiling

    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.

  • Title slide for How to Save Money on Food with icons of groceries like milk, corn, cans, eggs, etc.

    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!

  • 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!

  • "Short-selling" text in white over image of two people's hands over a table with a stack of papers and glasses on top of it.

    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. 

  • Image of hand between domino-style blocks - some standing up, others already laying down

    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.

  • 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 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. 

  • Creating Your Own Financial Education Plan

    Apr 19, 2021 4:00 pm39 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!

  • keychain in the shape of a house with keys on it. text says "Real Estate"

    Podcast: Real Estate

    May 5, 2021 12:00 pm17 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: 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.

  • 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.

  • Woman sitting in car smiling and holding up a car key

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Podcast: Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Dec 22, 2021 12:00 pm24 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: Establishing a Vision for Your Life

    Jan 20, 2022 12:00 pm31 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.

  • Steps to Investing - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Jan 26, 2022 1:00 pm0 views

    Learn more advanced concepts to take steps to investing from this webinar recording from January 26, 2022.

  • Podcast: Gross National Happiness

    Feb 9, 2022 12:00 pm9 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.

  • Money in Relationships - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Feb 9, 2022 1:00 pm2 views

    Explore methods of communicating and managing money in relationships by watching this webinar recording from February 8, 2022.

  • Podcast: Employment

    Feb 23, 2022 12:00 pm18 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: Buying a Home!

    Mar 16, 2022 12:00 pm24 views

    In episode 36 of Making Cents of Money, Buying a Home!, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki explain terminology, tools, and the basics steps of buying a home.

  • Podcast: Renting!

    Mar 30, 2022 12:00 pm14 views

    In episode 37 of Making Cents of Money, Renting!, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki discuss the basic steps and what to watch for when renting a place to live.

  • Podcast: Mortgages

    Apr 14, 2022 12:00 pm21 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.

  • Podcast: Protecting Pets

    May 10, 2022 12:00 pm25 views

    In episode 39 of Making Cents of Money, Protecting Pets, Andrea, Jake, and Nikki discuss pet insurance and other ways to handle the financial risk of vet bills for our pets with Presley Fee, Digital Financial Planning Program Coordinator at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.