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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.
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  • Money and Happiness

    Webinar Recording: Money & Happiness

    May 1, 2025 1:00 pm0 views

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

  • Steps to Investing - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Jan 26, 2022 1:00 pm3 views

    Learn more advanced concepts to take steps to investing from this webinar recording from January 26, 2022.

  • 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.

  • Image of cat in background with "Memes & Money: What are the Facts?" text overlaid

    Memes & Money: What are the Facts? - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Jan 25, 2023 1:00 pm5 views

    Learn about money memes, digital assets, and more by watching this webinar recording from January 25, 2023.

  • Image of earth from space with "How Your Spending Can Change the World" in white text

    How Your Spending Can Change the World - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Mar 29, 2023 1:00 pm5 views

    Explore how your spending can change the world by watching this webinar recording from March 29, 2023.

  • Leveraging FinTech - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Aug 19, 2021 1:00 pm5 views

    Learn about new financial technologies as well as considerations and protections that may be helpful in choosing fintech for navigating your financial journey.

  • Budget Hacks

    Webinar Recording: Budget Hacks

    Sep 12, 2024 1:00 pm5 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.

  • Steps to Investing: What to Know Now

    Webinar Recording: Steps to Investing - What to Know Now

    Feb 7, 2024 1:00 pm6 views

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

  • Webinar Recording: Investing 102 - Risks & Rewards

    Feb 20, 2025 1:00 pm6 views

    Take your investing knowledge to the next level! Watch Investing 102 to learn advanced concepts and key tips for successful investing.

  • 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 pm6 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!

  • 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. 

  • Webinar Recording: Investing 101 - Wealth Building Basics

    Feb 6, 2025 1:00 pm7 views

    Want to start investing? Watch Investing 101: Wealth Building Basics to learn basic investing terms and concepts to confidently begin your investment journey.

  • Balance board with risks and rewards blocks on each end & "Investing Risks & Rewards" text overlaid

    Investing Risks & Rewards - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Feb 8, 2023 1:00 pm7 views

    Discover investing risks & rewards by watching this webinar recording from February 8, 2023.

  • Student Loan Management

    Webinar Recording: Student Loan Management

    Apr 3, 2024 1:00 pm8 views

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

  • Spend Less, Travel More - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Dec 7, 2022 1:00 pm8 views

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

  • Money in Relationships - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Feb 9, 2022 1:00 pm9 views

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Investing Basics - Get Savvy Webinar Recording

    Mar 10, 2021 1:00 pm13 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!

  • National Financial Capability Month podcast

    Podcast: National Financial Capability Month

    Apr 4, 2025 12:00 pm13 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.

  • Costs of Car Ownership

    Podcast: Costs of Car Ownership

    Nov 21, 2024 8:00 am16 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. 

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

    Podcast: Tax Talk

    Feb 9, 2024 12:00 pm20 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.

  • 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!

  • Expect the Unexpected: Saving For Emergencies

    Jan 15, 2015 11:00 am21 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.

  • 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 pm22 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.

  • 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 pm22 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. 

  • IOUs: There's an App for That!

    Oct 14, 2016 3:30 pm22 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?

  • 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 pm22 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: Gross National Happiness

    Feb 9, 2022 12:00 pm23 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: Inflation

    Nov 17, 2021 12:00 pm24 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 pm25 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.

  • Podcast: Selling a Home

    Jul 20, 2022 12:00 pm25 views

    In episode 45 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Nikki discuss many aspects of selling a home so you can make more informed choices when it comes time to sell your own home.

  • Is Crypto the Wild West? with a sunset and silhouettes of saguaro cacti.

    Podcast: Is Crypto the Wild West?

    Feb 26, 2024 12:00 pm26 views

    In episode 78 of Making Cents of Money, Is Crypto the Wild West?, David DeCarlo and Jake Hamilton join us to discuss what regulation does and does not exist for consumers regarding crypto.

  • "Short-selling" text in white over image of two people's hands over a table with a stack of papers and glasses on top of it.

    Podcast: Short-selling

    Mar 24, 2021 12:00 pm26 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. 

  • Facilitator Guide - How to Throw a Webinar Watch Party

    Jun 11, 2024 10:00 am26 views

    We aren't able to accommodate workshops by request, but we have dozens of webinar recordings on YouTube and plan new, live webinars each academic year on different financial topics. You can empower your peers or students with increased financial knowledge by throwing a webinar watch party.

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

    Podcast: Buying a Car!

    Jul 21, 2021 12:00 pm27 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: Technology and Your Money

    Oct 5, 2020 12:00 pm27 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.

  • keychain in the shape of a house with keys on it. text says "Real Estate"

    Podcast: Real Estate

    May 5, 2021 12:00 pm28 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!

  • Funding New Year's Festivities

    Dec 10, 2019 2:30 pm28 views

    The best way to manage your finances on New Year’s Eve is to plan ahead and set a defined budget you are comfortable with. Read more tips to save while celebrating.

  • Podcast: What is Crypto Anyway?

    Jan 29, 2024 12:00 pm29 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.

  • Podcast: Employment

    Feb 23, 2022 12:00 pm29 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: Mortgages

    Apr 14, 2022 12:00 pm30 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.

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

    Podcast: Financial Resolutions!

    Dec 14, 2022 12:00 pm31 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: Cryptocurrencies

    Aug 18, 2021 3:00 pm33 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.

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

    Podcast: World Investor Week

    Oct 4, 2023 12:00 pm34 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.

  • Podcast: Protecting Pets

    May 10, 2022 12:00 pm36 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.

  • Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents

    Podcast: Free Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents

    Apr 22, 2024 12:00 pm37 views

    In episode 82 of Making Cents of Money, Free Financial Education Resources for Illinois Residents, Maggie Owen from the Illinois State Treasurer's Office joins us to discuss all the financial education programs Illinois has for residents. 

  • Podcast: Financial Planner vs AI

    Jul 12, 2023 12:00 pm37 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®.

  • Money and Relationships

    Podcast: Money and Relationships

    Feb 14, 2025 12:00 pm38 views

    In episode 104 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber discuss considerations for navigating financial management when it comes to relationships, be them romantic, familial, or with friends and roommates.

  • April 30th Student Loan Deadline

    Podcast: April 30th Student Loan Deadline

    Apr 8, 2024 12:00 pm39 views

    In episode 81 of Making Cents of Money, April 30th Student Loan Deadline, we discuss a critical deadline for FFEL, Perkins, or Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) borrowers on income-driven repayment (IDR) plans.