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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.
Education

blog posts

  • What's Your Job Worth? - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Oct 27, 2021 1:00 pm0 views

    Explore with us how job benefits can add up to big dollars. Walk into your new job ready to make informed choices that can significantly increase your net worth. 

  • Your Financial Tool Chest

    Webinar Recording: Your Financial Tool Chest

    Dec 6, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

    Unlock the power of financial tools! Explore the best services for your goals, safety, and cost-efficiency.

  • Steps to Investing - What to Know Now

    Webinar Recording: Steps to Investing - What to Know Now

    Feb 7, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

    Ready to start investing? Learn investing basics and explore new trends in securities. 

  • Spooked by Spending Plans?

    Webinar Recording: Spooked by Spending Plans?

    Oct 11, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

    Discover spending motivations and find money management tools that work for you to face your financial fears.

  • Save Money on Food

    Webinar Recording: Save Money on Food

    Mar 6, 2024 1:00 pm0 views

    Hungry for savings? Uncover tricks for affordable dining. Say goodbye to overspending and hello to tasty savings. 

  • Read Before You Sign: Renting & Leasing

    Webinar Recording: Read Before You Sign

    Sep 6, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

    Get savvy about renting & leasing! Understand your rights & responsibilities when it comes to renting a place to live. 

  • Money in Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit

    Webinar Recording: Money In Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit

    Jan 24, 2024 1:00 pm1 views

    Master your finances as an entrepreneur. Learn best practices for money management while building your business.

  • Don't Get Phished: Avoid Scams & Fraud

    Webinar Recording: Don't Get Phished

    Nov 8, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

    Stay one step ahead of scams and fraud! Learn ways to protect yourself, recognize identity theft, and take action if affected.  

  • Cash at College

    Webinar Recording: Cash at College

    Aug 16, 2023 1:00 pm0 views

    Discover how spending, saving, and student loans impact your college experience.

  • Virtual Financial Education title over woman sitting cross-legged with laptop

    Virtual Financial Education

    Mar 18, 2020 1:00 pm266 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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

  • Top 5 Financial Reminders for International Students

    Jun 1, 2020 5:45 pm148 views

    Tuition & fees will be due before you know it, so here are the top 5 financial reminders for International Students.

  • Tackling Taxes Presentation Title Slide

    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.

  • Summer 2020 #UIMoney Tweet Chat Series

    Jun 2, 2020 12:30 pm78 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.

  • Student Loans Webinar #8 Recording: Different Types of Student Loans

    Feb 16, 2024 1:00 pm3 views

    It's important to know the types of loans that you have in order to understand your repayment and other student loan management options.

  • Student Loans Webinar #7 Recording: Public Service Loan Forgiveness

    Jan 19, 2024 1:00 pm2 views

    Learn if you can qualify for PSLF as a federal student loan borrower working in public service.

  • Student Loans Webinar #6 Recording: Managing PLUS Loans

    Dec 15, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We explored the unique features of Direct Parent PLUS loans and Graduate PLUS loans. Direct Parent PLUS loans have more unique repayment considerations than all other types of Direct Loans.

  • Student Loans Webinar #5 Recording: Fresh Start & On-Ramp to Repayment

    Nov 17, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We discussed both the On-Ramp to Repayment and the Fresh Start Program during this webinar. If you had loans previously in Default, the Fresh Start program may be a good program for you. 

  • Student Loans Webinar #4 Recording: Know Options if You Can't Pay

    Oct 20, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We focused on what your options are if you can't make a payment, including the differences between deferment and forbearance. 

  • Student Loans Webinar #3 Recording: Review Consolidation or Refinancing

    Sep 15, 2023 1:00 pm2 views

    We discussed interest and the differences between consolidating and refinancing your student loans. Carefully consider the consequences of using a private refinance loan to pay off federal student loans.

  • Student Loans Webinar #2 Recording: Explore Repayment Plans with the Loan Simulator

    Aug 18, 2023 1:00 pm4 views

    We explained the many repayment plan options available for federal loans, but the primary action item we wanted you to focus on was using the Loan Simulator to explore repayment plan eligibility.  

  • Student Loans Webinar #1 Recording: Logging into FSA to Update Contact Info

    Jul 14, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

    We discussed many aspects of returning to repayment during this webinar, but the primary action item we focused on was updating your contact info in your FSA account.

  • 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.

  • Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    May 18, 2022 1:00 pm0 views

    Learn about managing student loan repayment once it restarts and the limited time PSLF waiver by watching this webinar recording from May 18, 2022.

  • image of cash and graduation cap with "Student Loan Management" text

    Student Loan Management - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    May 3, 2023 1:00 pm1 views

    Explore methods of student loan management by watching this webinar recording from May 3, 2023.

  • 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.

  • Spend Less, Travel More - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Dec 7, 2022 1:00 pm4 views

    Learn about how to spend less to travel more by watching this webinar recording from December 7, 2022.

  • Side Hustles & Small Businesses - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Oct 26, 2022 1:00 pm4 views

    Learn about side hustles & small businesses by watching this webinar recording from October 26, 2022.

  • Setting Goals for Your Well-being

    Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am3843 views

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

  • Two silhouetted people standing in front of a sunrise.

    Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset Shift

    Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am532 views

    Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme!

  • Saving Up for a Side Hustle

    May 12, 2023 1:00 pm44 views

    To complement our Side Hustles & Small Businesses webinar from last fall, we wanted to share some tips on saving up for starting a small business.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Image with line chart and graph behind white text that reads World Investor Week

    Podcast: World Investor Week

    Oct 4, 2023 12:00 pm8 views

    In episode 71 of Making Cents of Money, World Investor Week, Andrea interviews Alan Sorcher and Anne McKinley from the US Securities & Exchange Commission in honor of World Investor Week on ways investors can learn about securities throughout the year.

  • What's a Credit Report Anyway?

    Podcast: What's a Credit Report Anyway?

    Aug 9, 2023 12:00 pm12 views

    In episode 67 of Making Cents of Money, What's a Credit Report Anyway?, Nikki and Andrea discuss what's in your credit reports and how to get them at AnnualCreditReport.com.

  • What is Crypto Anyway?

    Podcast: What is Crypto Anyway?

    Jan 29, 2024 12:00 pm6 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.

  • What happens when a bank fails? in white text over picture of piggy bank sinking in water

    Podcast: What Happens When a Bank Fails?

    Mar 11, 2024 12:00 pm6 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.

  • Wealth Building as a Balancing Act text over image of hand holding a balanced scale

    Podcast: Wealth Building as a Balancing Act

    Jan 19, 2023 12:00 pm41 views

    In episode 55 of Making Cents of Money, Donovan Sanchez from University of Illinois' Financial Planning program talks about wealth building as a balancing act.

  • Man smiling while holding paycheck. White text reads "Understanding Your Paycheck"

    Podcast: Understanding Your Paycheck

    Sep 5, 2023 12:00 pm23 views

    In episode 69 of Making Cents of Money, Understanding Your Paycheck, Nikki and Andrea talk about something you're bound to love: your paycheck!

  • Podcast: Understanding FAFSA

    Oct 18, 2023 12:00 pm37 views

    In episode 72 of Making Cents of Money, Understanding FAFSA, Beth Groves, Professional Development Specialist from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) talks about major changes to the FAFSA, delays, and its importance for anyone considering post-secondary education.

  • Podcast: Understanding Credit

    Nov 10, 2020 12:00 pm67 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.

  • 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.

  • Magnifying glass over newspaper focusing on Interest Rates with white text that reads "The Impact of Compound Interest"

    Podcast: The Impact of Compound Interest

    Sep 20, 2023 12:00 pm5 views

    In episode 70 of Making Cents of Money, The Impact of Compound Interest, Andrea and Nikki explore the complicated relationship we can have with compound interest when it comes to accomplishing financial goals.

  • The Financial Impact of Digital Illiteracy

    Podcast: The Financial Impact of Digital Illiteracy

    Aug 23, 2023 12:00 pm28 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.

  • Chicago skyline with "Community Reinvestment Act" as text overlay

    Podcast: The Community Reinvestment Act

    Aug 17, 2022 12:00 pm13 views

    In episode 47 of Making Cents of Money, Chasse Rehwinkel joined Nikki & Andrea to discuss the Community Reinvestment Act and how it is intended to support economic equality.

  • Podcast: The Anti-Predatory Lending Database

    Dec 3, 2020 12:00 pm44 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: 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.

  • Episode 77 - Tax Talk with two people speaking to each other over some paperwork.

    Podcast: Tax Talk

    Feb 9, 2024 12:00 pm6 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.