blog posts 6 Considerations for Finding Funding During COVID-19 Oct 2, 2020 4:45 pm96 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. Build Credit to Your Advantage - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Nov 9, 2022 1:00 pm4 views Learn about building credit to your advantage by watching this webinar recording from November 9, 2022. Buying vs Renting a Home - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Apr 13, 2022 1:00 pm3 views Explore the differences between renting & buying and what to consider when deciding what's best for your situation by watching this webinar recording from April 13, 2022. Conscious Consumerism - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Nov 11, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Learn how you can align your own behaviors with your personal values and goals with this webinar recording from November 10, 2021. 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. COVID-19 Update: Changes to SMMC Services Mar 13, 2020 3:00 pm50 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. Cultural Influences (Socialization) on Financial Literacy and Habits Apr 29, 2022 5:45 pm761 views This is the final article in the series for Financial Literacy Month. The article focuses on how cultural influences (socialization) affect financial literacy and habits. 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. Factors Influencing Financial Knowledge Apr 22, 2022 10:45 pm1711 views This article highlights some of the factors that influence financial knowledge, factors that affect one's appreciation of financial concepts, habits, and decisions. Financial Emergency Preparedness - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Mar 30, 2022 1:00 pm2 views Discover tools to help you prepare for dealing with potential financial emergencies by watching this webinar recording from March 30, 2022. Financial Literacy Around the World Apr 15, 2022 5:45 pm8590 views Financial education influences financial literacy and financial well-being around the world. This article highlights some statistics on financial literacy around the world, financial inclusion as well as financial resilience. Financial Socialization and Influences of K-12 Financial Education on Adult Financial Decisions Apr 8, 2022 11:30 am116 views Financial socialization, as well as formal financial education in the early stages of life, do influence adult attitudes, habits, and decisions concerning money. Looking at what state legislation exists in promoting K-12 financial education as well as resources for policymakers and parents in providing spaces for early exposure to financial education may help. Finding Funding Opportunities: Insights From a Current PhD Student Mar 13, 2019 3:00 pm57 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. Focus Your Spending with Lists Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm239 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending? Health Insurance Dissected - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Apr 12, 2023 1:00 pm0 views Dissect the ins and outs of health insurance by watching this webinar recording from April 12, 2023. How do people with vision impairments manage money? Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm334 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 Your Spending Can Change the World - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Mar 29, 2023 1:00 pm0 views Explore how your spending can change the world by watching this webinar recording from March 29, 2023. Identity Theft & Fraud - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Sep 16, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Find out how to protect yourself from fraud, recognize identity theft, and what to do if you're affected with this webinar recording from September 15, 2021. Inflation: When Prices Rise - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Sep 28, 2022 1:00 pm5 views Learn about how inflation impacts individual consumers by watching this webinar recording from September 28 2022. 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! Investing Risks & Rewards - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Feb 8, 2023 1:00 pm1 views Discover investing risks & rewards by watching this webinar recording from February 8, 2023. 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? 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. Memes & Money: What are the Facts? - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Jan 25, 2023 1:00 pm0 views Learn about money memes, digital assets, and more by watching this webinar recording from January 25, 2023. 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. My Account is in Collections! Now What? Jul 26, 2015 12:00 pm37 views Tips to help you cope with & resolve accounts in collections. Overcoming Spending Temptations Nov 16, 2020 3:30 pm427 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Planning for the Unforeseen - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Dec 8, 2021 1:00 pm0 views Learn about tools you can use in estate planning, like power of attorney, wills, and more, from this webinar recording from December 8, 2021. Podcast: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You Sep 23, 2020 12:00 pm28 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. Podcast: Becoming an Entrepreneur! Oct 19, 2022 12:00 pm28 views In episode 50 of Making Cents of Money, Steve Bob from UIC Entrepreneurial Support Program joins Andrea and Nikki to discuss what to think about when it comes to starting your own business. Podcast: Budgeting Jun 17, 2021 12:00 pm65 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: 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: Buying a Home! Mar 16, 2022 12:00 pm22 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: Choosing a Financial Professional Sep 1, 2021 12:00 pm37 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: Conscious Consumerism Mar 13, 2023 12:00 pm53 views In episode 59 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki discuss the meaning of conscious consumerism and how aligning your spending with your values can make an impact. 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. Podcast: Credit Scores Nov 2, 2022 12:00 pm31 views In episode 51 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea discuss some of the ins and outs of credit scores, the credit ecosystem, and building credit to your advantage. Podcast: Cryptocurrencies Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm18 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: Dealing with Emergencies Oct 5, 2022 12:00 pm16 views In episode 49 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea talk about dealing with a financial emergency, not just how to plan but how to recover once an emergency happens. Podcast: Emergency Funds Sep 16, 2021 12:00 pm25 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: 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: Establishing a Vision for Your Life Jan 20, 2022 12:00 pm28 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. Podcast: Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Sep 21, 2022 12:00 pm52 views In episode 48 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki talk about the differences between the federal student loan cancellation in Biden-Harris Administration's Student Debt Relief Plan and the temporary Public Service Loan Forgiveness Waiver that has a quickly approaching deadline of October 31st. Podcast: Fending Off Fraud Nov 19, 2020 12:00 pm15 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: Financial Education and Financial Literacy Jan 14, 2021 12:00 pm23 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: Financial Planner vs AI Jul 12, 2023 12:00 pm11 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®. Podcast: Financial Resolutions! Dec 14, 2022 12:00 pm21 views In episode 54 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki & Andrea talk about some recent changes in setting new years resolutions and how to make finances part of your goals for 2023. Podcast: Financial Security and Stress Dec 8, 2021 12:00 pm38 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: Fintech and Digital Assets Feb 1, 2023 12:00 pm44 views In episode 56 of Making Cents of Money, David DeCarlo, IDFPR's Regulatory Innovation Officer, discussed what consumers should know about digital assets and regulation in this new era of fintech. Podcast: Get Covered, Illinois May 22, 2023 12:00 pm4 views In episode 62 of Making Cents of Money, Brian Gorman, Director of Outreach & Engagement for Get Covered Illinois, answers our questions about managing healthcare costs.