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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.
Budgets

blog posts

  • Tackling Tax Basics

    Webinar Recording: Tackling Tax Basics

    Jan 16, 2025 1:00 pm3 views

    Get ready for tax season! Watch Tackling Tax Basics from January 16, 2025, to learn the basics of tackling taxes. Understand essential concepts to confidently manage your taxes.

  • Money and Happiness

    Webinar Recording: Money & Happiness

    May 1, 2025 1:00 pm3 views

    Can money buy happiness? Watch our webinar recording from May 1 to explore the relationship between money and happiness. 

  • Building, Protecting, and Leaving Your Nest Egg

    Webinar Recording: Building, Protecting, & Leaving Your Nest Egg

    Nov 7, 2024 1:00 pm4 views

    Plan your legacy with confidence. Watch Building, Protecting, & Leaving Your Nest Egg to learn essential concepts of asset management across the life span. Build, protect, and leave your nest egg for future generations.

  • Money in Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit

    Webinar Recording: Money In Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit

    Jan 24, 2024 1:00 pm5 views

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

  • Save Money on Food

    Webinar Recording: Save Money on Food

    Mar 6, 2024 1:00 pm6 views

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

  • Student Loan Repayment - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    May 18, 2022 1:00 pm6 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.

  • Budget Hacks

    Webinar Recording: Budget Hacks

    Sep 12, 2024 1:00 pm6 views

    Ready to save more and spend smarter? Discover practical tips and tricks to make your money go further and achieve your financial goals by watching Budget Hacks on YouTube.

  • Don't Get Phished: Avoid Scams & Fraud

    Webinar Recording: Don't Get Phished

    Nov 8, 2023 1:00 pm6 views

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

  • 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 pm7 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!

  • Spooked by Spending Plans?

    Webinar Recording: Spooked by Spending Plans?

    Oct 11, 2023 1:00 pm8 views

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

  • Money, Stress, and Bad Habits

    Webinar Recording: Money, Stress, & Bad Habits

    May 1, 2024 1:00 pm9 views

    Understand the connection between money, stress, and bad habits. Learn strategies to manage stress, break free from detrimental financial behaviors, and cultivate a healthier relationship with money.

  • Your Financial Tool Chest

    Webinar Recording: Your Financial Tool Chest

    Dec 6, 2023 1:00 pm9 views

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

  • Podcast: The [Episode] with All the Co-Hosts

    Dec 17, 2024 12:00 pm9 views

    In episode 100 of Making Cents of Money, all the co-hosts (past and present) reunite to celebrate the release of the 100th podcast episode.

  • Money in Relationships - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Feb 9, 2022 1:00 pm10 views

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

  • Financial Emergency Preparedness - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Mar 30, 2022 1:00 pm10 views

    Discover tools to help you prepare for dealing with potential financial emergencies by watching this webinar recording from March 30, 2022.

  • Student Loan Management

    Webinar Recording: Student Loan Management

    Apr 3, 2024 1:00 pm10 views

    Learn how to navigate your student loan journey. Understand crucial terms, tips, and tools for managing your education debt.

  • Buying vs Renting a Home - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Apr 13, 2022 1:00 pm14 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.

  • National Financial Capability Month podcast

    Podcast: National Financial Capability Month

    Apr 4, 2025 12:00 pm15 views

    In episode 107 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea talk about National Financial Capability Month which runs the entirety of April every year.

  • Basic Needs & Needs Insecurity

    Podcast: Basic Needs & Needs Insecurity

    Oct 7, 2024 12:00 pm15 views

    In episode 95 of Making Cents of Money, basic needs and needs security and some adjacent terms, like financial fragility, are discussed by our co-hosts, Kimber and Andrea.

  • Podcast: Tackling Tariffs (Part 2)

    Jul 23, 2025 12:00 pm17 views

    In episode 113 of Making Cents of Money, learn more from economist Chasse Rehwinkel about the economic impact tariffs have on specific industries and the domino effect that it has on the economy in the United States and abroad. 

  • Zombie Properties & Mortgages

    Podcast: Zombie Properties & Mortgages

    Oct 22, 2024 12:00 pm18 views

    In episode 96 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Beyer from IDFPR's Division of Banking is back to discuss the dangers of zombie mortgages and zombie properties in this special halloween-themed edition. 

  • Inflation: When Prices Rise - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Sep 28, 2022 1:00 pm19 views

    Learn about how inflation impacts individual consumers by watching this webinar recording from September 28 2022.

  • Podcast: Shopping for Appliances

    Jul 8, 2022 12:00 pm20 views

    In episode 44 of Making Cents of Money, Nikki and Andrea talk about shopping for appliances, and they've focused on times when it may be a surprise shopping need!

  • Podcast: Student Loan Update

    Oct 6, 2021 12:00 pm21 views

    In episode 27 of Making Cents of Money, Student Loan Update, Jake and Nikki gave a quick update on the state of federal student loans.

  • Costs of Car Ownership

    Podcast: Costs of Car Ownership

    Nov 21, 2024 8:00 am22 views

    In episode 98 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea talk about the costs of car ownership and what to consider when deciding on if a vehicle is a need or a want for you. 

  • Tackling Tariffs Podcast Episode

    Podcast: Tackling Tariffs

    Jun 25, 2025 12:00 pm23 views

    In episode 112 of Making Cents of Money, we're celebrating 529 day with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer who manages two nationally acclaimed 529 qualified tuition programs: Bright Start & Bright Directions.

  • Podcast: Tackling Insurance! (Part 2)

    Nov 3, 2021 12:00 pm23 views

    In episode 29 of Making Cents of Money, Tackling Insurance! (Part 2), Nikki and Jake talked with Laura Pellikan from the Illinois Department of Insurance about the basics of health insurance and ways you can get covered.

  • A notebook on someone's lap with the word "Goals" written on the first page

    Podcast: New Year, New Financial Resolutions

    Dec 28, 2024 12:00 pm26 views

    In episode 101 of Making Cents of Money, join Kimber and Andrea for pointers on pursuing your financial resolutions in the new year.

  • Podcast: Inflation

    Nov 17, 2021 12:00 pm27 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: Renting!

    Mar 30, 2022 12:00 pm28 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.

  • Rabbit in a hat with white text stating "Demystifying the financial aid process"

    Webinar Recording: Demystifying the Financial Aid Process

    Aug 22, 2024 1:00 pm30 views

    Unlock the secrets of financial aid. Learn how to maximize your financial aid package and ease the burden of tuition. Join us to navigate the complex world of financial aid with confidence. 

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

    Podcast: Buying a Car!

    Jul 21, 2021 12:00 pm31 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: Gross National Happiness

    Feb 9, 2022 12:00 pm32 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.

  • Podcast: Mortgages

    Apr 14, 2022 12:00 pm32 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: The Money-Stress Habit Cycle

    Sep 15, 2025 12:00 pm32 views

    In episode 115 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber explore the habits that can impact your financial decisions and how stress plays a role in our spending decisions.

  • Podcast: Employment

    Feb 23, 2022 12:00 pm33 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.

  • Financial Resolutions white text over image of a 2023 flatlay with notebook and coffee

    Podcast: Financial Resolutions!

    Dec 14, 2022 12:00 pm35 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: Protecting Pets

    May 10, 2022 12:00 pm37 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.

  • Podcast: The Role of Loan Servicers

    Aug 21, 2025 12:00 pm37 views

    In episode 114 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber discuss the role of loan servicers in the United States. Whether you have a car loan, mortgage, or student loan, understanding how student loan servicing works can help you navigate repayment.

  • Podcast: Financial Planner vs AI

    Jul 12, 2023 12:00 pm38 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: Cryptocurrencies

    Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm38 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: Tackling Insurance! (Part 1)

    Oct 20, 2021 12:00 pm42 views

    In episode 28 of Making Cents of Money, Tackling Insurance! (Part 1), Deputy Director of Consumer Education & Protection at the Illinois Department of Insurance, Patrice Dziire, talked to us about auto, home, renters, and life insurance. 

  • Podcast: Buying a Home!

    Mar 16, 2022 12:00 pm45 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: Time to Travel!

    Jul 7, 2021 12:00 pm46 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: Establishing a Vision for Your Life

    Jan 20, 2022 12:00 pm47 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: Emergency Funds

    Sep 16, 2021 12:00 pm49 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: Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

    Dec 22, 2021 12:00 pm49 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. 

  • Saving Money on Holiday Travel text over photo of a toy plane and gift on pink table

    Podcast: Saving Money on Holiday Travel

    Nov 6, 2024 8:00 am53 views

    In episode 97 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss a variety of ways to save on travel during the holidays (and beyond)! 

  • Financial Socialization

    Podcast: Financial Socialization

    Dec 4, 2024 12:00 pm53 views

    In episode 99 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss financial socialization, how it develops, who contributes to it, and what it means for our relationship with money.

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

    Podcast: Understanding Your Paycheck

    Sep 5, 2023 12:00 pm54 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!