blog posts Expect the Unexpected: Saving For Emergencies Jan 15, 2015 11:00 am11 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 Student Mar 13, 2019 3:00 pm55 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-setting Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am91 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 am85 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 am49 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 Services Mar 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 Security Mar 18, 2020 11:45 am382 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 Education Mar 18, 2020 1:00 pm264 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 Students Jun 1, 2020 5:45 pm132 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 Series Jun 2, 2020 12:30 pm76 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 pm89 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 am98 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 You Sep 23, 2020 12:00 pm18 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. 6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19 Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm75 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 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. Podcast: Preventing Identity Theft Oct 22, 2020 12:00 pm4 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-being Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am2061 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 Credit Nov 10, 2020 12:00 pm12 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 Temptations Nov 16, 2020 3:30 pm287 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Focus Your Spending with Lists Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm102 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending? Podcast: Fending Off Fraud Nov 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 Database Dec 3, 2020 12:00 pm36 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 Goals Dec 17, 2020 12:00 pm3 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 Literacy Jan 14, 2021 12:00 pm18 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: Taxes Jan 26, 2021 12:00 pm11 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 Recording Jan 27, 2021 1:00 pm30 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 Shift Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am263 views Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme! Podcast: Saving for College with a 529 Savings Plan Feb 10, 2021 12:00 pm42 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 Retirement Feb 24, 2021 12:00 pm7 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 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: Investing Basics Mar 9, 2021 12:00 pm11 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. 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! 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. Practicing Self-Advocacy in Your Financial, Professional and Social Life Mar 29, 2021 4:30 pm120 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: Conscious Credit Apr 7, 2021 12:00 pm35 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: Student Loans Apr 13, 2021 12:00 pm67 views Episode 16 of Making Cents of Money, Student Loans, lays out some student loan statistics, considerations, and protections for borrowers in preparation for our webinar on Student Loan Repayment tomorrow! Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Apr 14, 2021 1:00 pm9 views There are 8 repayment plans for federal student loans, 10 federal student loan servicers, and an abundance of terms, tools, and tips to remember to manage federal, institutional, and private student loans. Watch our Student Loan Repayment webinar recording to learn about your options as a borrower. Podcast: Real Estate May 5, 2021 12:00 pm9 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: Professional Licensure in Illinois May 19, 2021 12:00 pm2 views Episode 18 of Making Cents of Money, Professional Licensure in Illinois, helps us understand the scope of professional licensing in Illinois across many different industries and some protections in place for consumers. Podcast: Reintroductions Jun 2, 2021 12:00 pm0 views Episode 19 of Making Cents of Money, Reintroductions, lets us learn more about one of the co-hosts, Jake Hamilton, the history behind the podcast, and what's in store for the future of this audio teaching medium. Podcast: Budgeting Jun 17, 2021 12:00 pm47 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: Time to Travel! Jul 7, 2021 12:00 pm14 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. Podcast: Buying a Car! Jul 21, 2021 12:00 pm9 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 am14 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 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. 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 pm23 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 pm5 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.
