blog posts Financial Literacy Around the World Apr 15, 2022 5:45 pm18917 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. Setting Goals for Your Well-being Nov 6, 2020 9:00 am4433 views Explore how Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the dimensions of well-being can help you set, prioritize, and manage your SMART goals. Budgeting for a Week: A Realistic Approach Nov 8, 2024 4:00 pm1628 views Budgeting empowers you to work toward reasonable financial goals, keeping you from overspending and accruing debt. Explore steps you can take this week to start building a budgeting habit. Identifying Expenses: Fixed, Flexible, or Occasional? Aug 7, 2023 1:30 pm977 views If you're looking for a better understanding of how to categorize expenses in your budget or spending plan, explore the differences between fixed, flexible, and occassional costs. Tax Filing 101: Forms & Facts You Need to Know Mar 10, 2023 5:00 pm885 views As we get closer to the tax filing deadline for the United States, it is important to knwo the intricacies and important forms for filing taxes. Breaking a Rental Lease in Illinois Sep 1, 2023 5:15 pm863 views Kwabena Sarfo Adjei, SMMC Support Specialist and LLM student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's College of Law, describes how he was able to get out of his rental lease after finding the rental property did not meet his expectations. Refinancing an International Education Loan in the United States Sep 28, 2023 10:00 am832 views Suhas Vetri Annamalai, SMMC Support Specialist and student at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Gies College of Business, discusses multiple factors to consider when deciding if refinancing your international student loan in the U.S. is the right choice for you. How do people with vision impairments manage money? Jun 16, 2020 12:45 pm680 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. Overcoming Spending Temptations Nov 16, 2020 3:30 pm643 views Get some idea starters on how to overcome spending temptations, just in time for the shopping season! Seasonal Themes: Get More Done with a Mindset Shift Jan 29, 2021 11:00 am605 views Has Your New Year's Resolution Failed? Try a Seasonal Theme! Banking Locations Near Each University Jun 14, 2023 9:30 am546 views Looking for a financial institution on campus? Explore our Google Map for locations on or close to each campus in the University of Illinois System. Shrinkflation Sep 19, 2022 4:15 pm525 views As we get ready for our first Get Savvy webinar of fall 2022, Inflation: When Prices Rise, we wanted to share a little bit about shrinkflation - what it is and how to cope with it as a consumer. Focus Your Spending with Lists Nov 18, 2020 4:00 pm356 views Lists are helpful for all kinds of things, but how can they help you focus your spending? SNAP Disruption: Where to Find Food Now Oct 31, 2025 10:00 am292 views If you or your loved ones experience a disruption in your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds this Saturday, here's where to go to find food. Opening a Bank Account in the United States Jun 17, 2025 11:15 am273 views Looking to establish a relationship with a financial institution? We've highlighted reasons you might need one and steps to opening a checking or savings account in the U.S. Practicing Self-Advocacy in Your Financial, Professional and Social Life Mar 29, 2021 4:30 pm272 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. The 5 C's: A Guide to Self-Care on a Budget Sep 18, 2020 12:00 pm241 views We put together a few tips in an effort to add to your ideas and/or motivate you to start practicing self-care/self-love on a budget! Behavioral Economics: Five Ways to Shift Your Habits Nov 8, 2023 4:00 pm240 views When considering decision-making in terms of your finances, it’s important to understand behavioral economics so we can develop healthier spending habits and save money along the way. Top 5 Financial Reminders for International Students Jun 1, 2020 5:45 pm178 views Tuition & fees will be due before you know it, so here are the top 5 financial reminders for International Students. Friday the 13th! Financial Planning to Avoid Unlucky Losses Mar 13, 2020 10:00 am162 views Friday the 13th is often considered an unlucky day, but let's talk about how to improve your luck with personal finance! Podcast: Financial Security and Stress Dec 8, 2021 12:00 pm148 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: Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals Dec 20, 2023 12:00 pm145 views In episode 75 of Making Cents of Money, Setting & Prioritizing Financial Goals, Nikki and Andrea discussed several strategies for setting, prioritizing, and re-prioritizing financial goals... just in time for the new year! UISAVES Week 1: Goal-setting Feb 16, 2020 11:30 am137 views A strong foundation to any financial plan are goals. Set a goal with #UISAVES to connect with resources to help. universityillinoissaves.org Gratitude & Personal Finances Nov 18, 2022 3:45 pm137 views There are so many things to be grateful for in this life. As we go into the holiday season, in this article we will discuss about how gratitude impacts our finances. Podcast: Lines of Injustice: What is Redlining? May 6, 2024 12:00 pm136 views In episode 83 of Making Cents of Money, Lines of Injustice: What is Redlining?, DFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. discusses the topic of redlining and how it leads to disparities for generations. Podcast: Budgeting Jun 17, 2021 12:00 pm134 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. Let It Go - The Sunk Cost Fallacy and Smarter Spending Aug 25, 2025 5:00 pm130 views Discover why you keep throwing good money after bad decisions and learn the psychology-backed strategies to break free from the sunk cost trap that's costing you hundreds in subscriptions, investments, and everyday spending choices. Podcast: Unclaimed Property in Illinois Jan 22, 2025 12:00 pm126 views In episode 102 of Making Cents of Money, Treasurer Michael Frerichs joined as a guest to discuss the state of Illinois' process for getting unclaimed property back to the owners. Podcast: Money Personalities & Financial Well-being Aug 4, 2021 11:00 am114 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: Wealth Building as a Balancing Act Jan 19, 2023 12:00 pm110 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. Podcast: Neurodiversity and Financial Strategies Mar 26, 2025 12:00 pm107 views In episode 106 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss the nuances of neurodiversity as it relates to navigating money management. 13 Ways to Avoid Unlucky Losses in 2025 Jun 13, 2025 8:00 am107 views Friday the 13th is often considered an unlucky day, but let's talk about how to improve your luck with 13 financial planning tips! UISAVES Week 2: Small Amounts Add Up Feb 22, 2020 11:30 am100 views An important part of building a savings habit is understanding how small amounts add up. Podcast: Building Wealth After Graduation Mar 25, 2024 12:00 pm100 views In episode 80 of Making Cents of Money, Building Wealth After Graduation, Donovan Sanchez returns to talk about how to navigate juggling multiple goals during the transition to life after college. Podcast: Money and Relationships Feb 14, 2025 12:00 pm94 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. Podcast: Stages of Financial Behavior Change Mar 10, 2025 12:00 pm85 views In episode 105 of Making Cents of Money, Emily Harmon, Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, joins Kimber & Andrea to delve into the Transtheoretical Model which can help explain why behavior change relating to finances can be challenging. Podcast: Choosing a Financial Professional Sep 1, 2021 12:00 pm80 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. Financial Aid Notifications: Cost of Attendance is Estimated Aug 9, 2023 1:30 pm78 views Financial aid notifications, or award letters, contain valuable information that help you understand the costs of college. However, it's important to remember that Cost of Attendance is an estimate. Decreasing Borrowing While in School Aug 14, 2023 1:30 pm78 views Student loans can be a valuable tool for increasing access to higher education, but it does come with a cost. Learn how to limit those costs while in school so you decrease future costs of compounding interest. Podcast: Cost of Living Sep 24, 2024 12:00 pm77 views In episode 94 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss the cost of living and why it matters when comparing costs and how far your dollars will go if you relocate. Funding a College Education Aug 11, 2023 1:30 pm76 views Funding your education can be a daunting task, but there are many tools to help students and their families cover the cost of a college education. Food Insecurity Takes on New Meaning in 2020 Sep 25, 2020 1:00 pm72 views As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, we're reflect on how food insecurity has looked different in 2020 than in previous years. Podcast: Financial Socialization Dec 4, 2024 12:00 pm72 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. Podcast: The Financial Impact of Digital Illiteracy Aug 23, 2023 12:00 pm68 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. Podcast: Saving Money on Holiday Travel Nov 6, 2024 8:00 am67 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)! Podcast: The Money-Stress Habit Cycle Sep 15, 2025 12:00 pm61 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: Banked or Unbanked - Choosing Financial Services for You Sep 23, 2020 12:00 pm60 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. UISAVES Week 3: Building Financial Habits Feb 29, 2020 11:30 am59 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. Budget Hacks - Get Savvy Webinar Recording Oct 21, 2020 1:00 pm59 views Money can be messy - it's not just about numbers, calculators and excel sheets. If you're looking for new ways to manage your money mess, we have the budget hacks for you! Learn how to take what we know about human behavior and choices to build better financial habits. How to Support Small Businesses During COVID-19 Mar 31, 2020 1:00 pm58 views Here are ways you can help support small businesses during COVID-19.
