blog posts

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  Increasing ROI for a College Degree

  by Andrea PellegriniJan 22, 2026 3:45 pm

  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.

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

  by Andrea PellegriniJan 20, 2026 12:00 pm

  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.

  
  

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  What You Need to Know About Neobanks

  by Emmy TitherJan 12, 2026 1:00 pm

  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.

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  Set Financial Goals, Learn Compound Interest, Contribute to Research

  by Andrea PellegriniJan 8, 2026 10:00 am

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

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  Podcast: Money & Happiness

  by Andrea PellegriniDec 19, 2025 12:00 pm

  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. 

  
  

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  What Happens to the Data You Feed LLMs?

  by Emmy TitherDec 10, 2025 8:00 am

  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.

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  Podcast: Prioritizing Your Paid Time Off

  by Andrea PellegriniNov 24, 2025 12:00 pm

  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.

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  Emergency Mode: Why You Need a Rainy Day Fund

  by Sahil ShimpiNov 21, 2025 3:45 pm

  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.

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  Know What You Owe Challenge - Fall 2025

  by SMMC StaffNov 14, 2025 2:00 pm

  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 December 15.

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  Podcast: Student Loan Repayment in 2025

  by Andrea PellegriniNov 6, 2025 12:00 pm

  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.