blog postsExpect the Unexpected: Saving For EmergenciesJan 15, 2015 11:00 am2 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.My Account is in Collections! Now What?Jul 26, 2015 12:00 pm35 views Tips to help you cope with & resolve accounts in collections.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?Finding Funding Opportunities: Insights From a Current PhD StudentMar 13, 2019 3:00 pm50 views Funding is one of the biggest factors in determining what kind of financial decisions you make as a graduate student. Taking on federal student loans, using your employment to fund your degree, using your savings, getting help from family members, etc. We all want to make decisions that will benefit us most--and while the above are all good options depending on your individual situation, nothing beats “free money” like fellowships, assistantships, grants and scholarships. UISAVES Week 1: Goal-settingFeb 16, 2020 11:30 am73 views A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.orgUISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add UpFeb 22, 2020 11:30 am79 views An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up. UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial HabitsFeb 29, 2020 11:30 am46 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.COVID-19 Update: Changes to SMMC ServicesMar 13, 2020 3:00 pm49 views All financial coaching appointments will be conducted via zoom, and no in-person events or presentations will be available through SMMC until further notice. Read on for details.Coronavirus Challenges Our Financial SecurityMar 18, 2020 11:45 am342 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.Virtual Financial EducationMar 18, 2020 1:00 pm218 views We put together a list of ways you can enhance your financial knowledge through virtual means as well as a few tips if you're teaching online for the first time.Top 5 Financial Reminders for International StudentsJun 1, 2020 5:45 pm62 views Tuition & fees will be due before you know it, so here are the top 5 financial reminders for International Students.Summer 2020 #UIMoney Tweet Chat SeriesJun 2, 2020 12:30 pm71 views SMMC is hosting several tweet chats this summer to help our students, alumni, and friends prepare for a variety of financial transitions during a time filled with uncertainty.How do people with vision impairments manage money?Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm24 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.Podcast Partnership Launching with Illinois Division of Financial & Professional Regulation!Aug 31, 2020 9:15 am62 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!Podcast: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for YouSep 23, 2020 12:00 pm2 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.Financial Tools for Uncertain Times - Get Savvy Webinar RecordingSep 23, 2020 1:00 pm0 views Extraordinary times leads to uncertainty, especially with our finances. Join in our discussion to learn strategies for building positive financial habits during ordinary and uncertain times. Start the academic year strong and put these practical financial tips into action.6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm10 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 MoneyOct 5, 2020 12:00 pm2 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.Podcast: Preventing Identity TheftOct 22, 2020 12:00 pm0 views Episode 4 of Making Cents of Money, Preventing Identity Theft, looks at identity theft and fraud statistics as well as how we can protect our money from potential theft.Setting Goals for Your Well-beingNov 6, 2020 9:00 am95 views Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals.Podcast: Understanding CreditNov 10, 2020 12:00 pm2 views Episode 5 of Making Cents of Money, Understanding Credit, explores the complicated world of credit to help demystify things like scores, reports, and credit management.Overcoming Spending TemptationsNov 16, 2020 3:30 pm99 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Focus Your Spending with ListsNov 18, 2020 4:00 pm43 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending?Podcast: Fending Off FraudNov 19, 2020 12:00 pm10 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 DatabaseDec 3, 2020 12:00 pm4 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 GoalsDec 17, 2020 12:00 pm2 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 LiteracyJan 14, 2021 12:00 pm4 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: TaxesJan 26, 2021 12:00 pm3 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 RecordingJan 27, 2021 1:00 pm0 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.Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset ShiftJan 29, 2021 11:00 am17 views Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme!Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings PlanFeb 10, 2021 12:00 pm0 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.Podcast: Preparing for RetirementFeb 24, 2021 12:00 pm0 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 RecordingFeb 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!