SMMC News & Events Blog

Podcast: Illinois Digital Assets Update and Webpage Launch

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 CDT

In episode 125 of Making Cents of Money, Jake Hamilton returns as a guest to tell us about a new resource for consumers and businesses regarding digital assets (e.g., cryptocurrencies).

Know What You Owe Challenge - Spring 2026

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 CDT

About half of students at the University of Illinois take out loans to fund their degrees. Make sure you're not surprised by the amount of student loans you have taken out when you graduate by taking the Know What You Owe Challenge which runs until May 1.

Federal Student Loan Repayment Wizard

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:15:00 CDT

Generative AI was used to repurpose a Decision Tree created by Access Lex into an interactive tool to help Federal student loan borrowers understand their repayment options during the implementation transition of OBBBA legislative changes to loans.

Podcast: Managing Risk with Insurance, Part 2: Coverage & Compliance

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:00:00 CDT

In episode 124 of Making Cents of Money, Corbin McGhee joins us again to continue our conversation on insurance from Part 1 published in early February.

Mind the Gap - Financial Survival Tips for the Post-Grad Waiting Period

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Sahil Shimpi) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:45:00 CDT

Learn how to stretch your money, protect your mental health, and build a financial safety net during the post-graduation gap, with practical strategies for survival budgeting, bridge jobs, and managing student loans before your first payment hits.

Podcast: Considering Income-Driven Repayment for Federal Student Loans? Act by April 1

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:00:00 CST

In episode 123 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins to discuss an upcoming deadline for anyone who is considering a Direct Consolidation Loan for their currently held federal loans. If you want the flexibility of current Income-Driven Repayment plans, listen in.

Ready to Invest? Here's How to Actually Get Started

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 13:30:00 CST

Not sure where to begin with investing? This post breaks it down into six manageable steps — from building a financial foundation and figuring out how much you can contribute, to choosing the right platform for your goals. Wherever you're starting from, there's an approach that fits your situation.

Podcast: Managing Risk with Insurance, Part 1: Why and How

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 12:00:00 CST

Making Cents of Money is partnering with the Illinois Department of Insurance’s Corbin Mcghee for a two-part series about Managing Risk with Insurance. In Part 1, learn why insurance is important and how the coverage you select impacts your wallet and your peace of mind.

Stocks vs. Crypto

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither, edited by Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:30:00 CST

This article compares stocks and cryptocurrency as investment options, focusing on risk management for new investors. Stocks offer established regulatory protections, proven diversification strategies, and centuries of historical data, while crypto represents a newer asset class with extreme volatility, limited oversight, and minimal performance history. The key message is that both require informed decision-making, but they serve different risk tolerances and investment goals.

Understand Your Refund Challenge - Spring 2026

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:15:00 CST

Many students end up unable to register every semester because they owe money back to the university, even after receiving a refund. Learn answers to frequently asked questions about refunds and get entered to win one of five $50 gift cards.

Financial Feedback: Calculating Net Worth

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:45:00 CST

There are many measures we can use to track our personal finances. Typically, we talk about the subjective measures of financial well-being in the Student Money Management Center, because we're focused on helping our learners understand the nuance of financial decisions. However, traditional, objective financial measures, like net worth, can also be helpful in tracking our progress towards financial goals and gaining confidence.

Want to Start Investing? Read This First

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:00:00 CST

In this post, we cover financial foundations you need before investing—emergency savings, managing high-interest debt, and setting clear goals. Plus: how diversification and time horizons work, understanding the risk-return spectrum, and red flags to watch for.

Comparing Private Student Loans

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:45:00 CST

Private student loans currently make up less than 10% of outstanding student loan debt in the United States. However, with the impending changes to federal student loan options for students, more students and families may be onsidering private loans to accomplish their educational goals. Here's what to consider when comparing alternative loan options.

Increasing ROI for a College Degree

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:45:00 CST

A college degree is a significant investment, often funded through a cornucopia of funding types. This article describes how to increase the overall return on investment in a college degree, including short- and long-term strategies. Since the majority of students borrow to pay for school, we pay particular attention to student loan management methods that can save students and alumni money.

Podcast: Before You Give or Take Financial Advice, Listen to This...

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 CST

It’s a new year, and with that comes a slew of advice on financial topics to tie into your resolutions. But before you listen to that influencer, click that link, or even take guidance from a family member, there are important factors to consider. In this episode, Making Cents of Money dives deep into the topic of using caution before giving or receiving financial advice.

What You Need to Know About Neobanks

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:00:00 CST

Learn what neobanks are, how deposit insurance really works with these services, and the key differences between them and traditional banks. Essential reading before you move your money to a digital-only platform.

Set Financial Goals, Learn Compound Interest, Contribute to Research

apelleg3@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 10:00:00 CST

Transform your financial goals into achievable plans while learning about compound interest through our research study combining goal-setting with visualizations.

Podcast: Money & Happiness

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:00:00 CST

Can money really buy happiness? On this episode of Making Cents of Money, we unwrap the science behind money and joy with Donovan Sanchez who returns to discuss his primary research interest. From hedonic adaptation to pro-social spending, learn ways to boost well-being without breaking the bank.

What Happens to the Data You Feed LLMs?

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Emmy Tither) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 CST

Your data in AI tools goes further than you think—stored indefinitely, used for training, aggregated across conversations. In our new blog, we discuss what happens to the data you feed to LLMs, and how to protect yourself while still using AI effectively.

Podcast: Prioritizing Your Paid Time Off

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 12:00:00 CST

In episode 119 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber & Andrea discuss the value and importance of using your paid time off benefits. Don't let the benefits you've earned slip away, especially during the season of spending time with family & friends.

Emergency Mode: Why You Need a Rainy Day Fund

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Sahil Shimpi) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 15:45:00 CST

A quick guide on why a rainy day fund matters and how even a small savings buffer can reduce stress, prevent crisis decisions, and help you handle unexpected expenses with confidence.

Know What You Owe Challenge - Fall 2025

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (SMMC Staff) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:00:00 CST

Podcast: Student Loan Repayment in 2025

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:00:00 CST

In episode 118 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber summarize the last 5 years of student loan policy shifts and highlight recent changes impacting borrowers' options for managing their federal (and private) student loans.

SNAP Disruption: Where to Find Food Now

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:00:00 CDT

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.

Podcast: Why Regulation Matters

studentmoney@uillinois.edu (Andrea Pellegrini) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 CDT

In episode 117 of Making Cents of Money, IDFPR Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. joins Kimber & Andrea to explain the importance of regulatory initatives that protect consumers and how Illinois is leading the nation in instituting and enhancing consumer protections.