blog navigation

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.

blog posts

  • Podcast: What's a Credit Report Anyway?

    In episode 67 of Making Cents of Money, What's a Credit Report Anyway?, Nikki and Andrea discuss what's in your credit reports and how to get them at AnnualCreditReport.com.

  • Identifying Expenses: Fixed, Flexible, or Occasional?

    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.

  • Podcast: Password Managers

    In episode 66 of Making Cents of Money, Password Managers, we explore what password managers are and how they can be leveraged to protect your important information.

  • How I Avoided a Phone Call Scam in My First Week in the United States

    This article is meant to put people, particularly first-time travellers in the United States (US), on alert on the activities of phone call scammers. 

  • Podcast: Financial Planner vs AI

    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®.

  • Get $avvy - Grow Your Green $tuff Webinars for 2023-2024

    The 2023-2024 Get Savvy: Grow Your Green Stuff annual webinar series schedule is out. Register today and Get Savvy.

  • Podcast: Help for Renters

    In episode 64 of Making Cents of Money, Kari Byer, Director of the APLD & Investigations, joins us again to talk about programs designed to help find and afford renting a place to live.

  • Student Loan Updates Webinars for 2023/2024

    Our Student Loan Updates webinar series will run from July 2023 - March 2024 with 10-20 minute webinars on different topics each month.

  • Student Loan Updates - Mini Webinar Series for 2023-2024

    SMMC & IDFPR are co-hosting a monthly webinar series between July 2023 - March 2024. Each 15-20 minute webinar will focus on a different topic related to federal student loans as repayment begins again in October 2023.

  • Banking Locations Near Each University

    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.