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.

In episode 128 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea discuss how to compare private education loans as federal student loan changes shift how students are able to fund their degrees.

In episode 127 of Making Cents of Money, our very own SMMC Support Specialist, Emmy Tither, joined the podcast to talk about how your data may be used with generative AI like large language models (LLMs) and what to do to protect yourself.

Watch this recorded webinar to make informed housing decisions by learning to calculate true ownership costs beyond mortgage payments, evaluate market conditions, and assess your personal financial situation.

In episode 126 of Making Cents of Money, Zach Smith from AccessLex joins to discuss upcoming shifts related to federal student loans in the coming 2026-2027 academic year after a series of legislative changes. 

Learn how to spot social engineering traps, protect your bank accounts, and recover from modern fraud, with practical strategies for slowing down under pressure, verifying familiar brands, and securing your identity before a scam costs you.

Watch this recorded webinar to master effective strategies for managing student loan debt by learning about repayment options, forgiveness programs, refinancing considerations, and techniques to pay off loans faster.

 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). 

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.

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.

Watch this recorded webinar to learn how insurance protects your financial security by exploring different coverage types including health, auto, renters, and life insurance to get the best value for your protection dollars.

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. 

Watch this recorded webinar to advance your investment knowledge with strategies for protecting your investments, diversification techniques, performance evaluation tools, and risk management to optimize long-term results.

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. 

Watch this recorded webinar to start your wealth-building journey by learning fundamental investing concepts, exploring different investment options, understanding risk and return, and creating a simple investment strategy.

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.  

Watch this recorded webinar to master financial aid applications by learning to navigate FAFSA forms confidently, understand different types of aid, identify scholarship opportunities, and avoid costly mistakes.

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.

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.

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. 

Watch this recorded webinar to protect your wallet and personal data during holiday activities by learning essential cybersecurity tips, spotting common scams, and handling holiday hacks if they happen. 

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.

Watch this recorded webinar to navigate career transitions and economic uncertainty by learning how to create backup plans, evaluate compensation packages, and budget for extended job searches.

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.

Watch this recorded webinar to overcome budgeting fears with this Halloween-themed approach to creating realistic spending plans that stick, tracking expenses effectively, and transforming financial stress into confidence.

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.

In episode 116 of Making Cents of Money, Mark Smith from Gies College of Business who teaches Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign discusses what to consider when buying a business.

Watch this recorded webinar to discover practical meal planning techniques and smart shopping strategies that may help you reduce your grocery expenses and costs of food away from home while maximizing nutrition for any household size.

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.

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.

In episode 114 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea & Kimber discuss the role of loan servicers in the United States. Whether you have a car loan, mortgage, or student loan, understanding how student loan servicing works can help you navigate repayment.

Watch this recorded webinar to learn how to estimate your tax liability and make strategic decisions about pre-paying taxes or adjusting withholdings to avoid penalties and unexpected tax bills, especially for students earning income or receiving fellowships, scholarships, and grants.

The 2025-2026 'Get Savvy - Grow Your Green Stuff' webinar schedule is now live! Topics include tax-planning for students, saving money on food, budgeting, career planning, and more. Register today!

In episode 113 of Making Cents of Money, learn more from economist Chasse Rehwinkel about the economic impact tariffs have on specific industries and the domino effect that it has on the economy in the United States and abroad. 

Whether we mean to or not, we all do it at some point in our lives--give or take financial advice that may be ill-informed. Read what to watch for when taking financial advice and what risks exist for giving financial advice.

In episode 112 of Making Cents of Money, we're celebrating 529 day with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer who manages two nationally acclaimed 529 qualified tuition programs: Bright Start & Bright Directions.

In episode 111 of Making Cents of Money, we're celebrating 529 day with the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer who manages two nationally acclaimed 529 qualified tuition programs: Bright Start & Bright Directions.

In episode 110 of Making Cents of Money, Brad Fletcher joins Kimber & Andrea again to discuss the US Department of Education's resumption of involuntary debt collection on defaulted federal student loans.

There are more things to consider with a job offer than salary. Read this article to learn how to evaluate the true value of a job position. 

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

When it comes to retirement-focused investing, understanding the tax treatment and rules of different accounts is essential for long-term financial planning. In the U.S., these typically fall into two main categories: Traditional and Roth accounts.

In episode 109 of Making Cents of Money, Kwabena Adjei, our own SMMC Support Specialist, joins Kimber and Andrea to explain how to avoid job scams based research he did for his recent blog post.

In episode 108 of Making Cents of Money, Kimber and Andrea discuss how to file for an extension if you won't meet the April 15th tax-filing deadline.

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.

Stress impacting your finances? Watch this webinar recording on YouTube to uncover the connection between stress, money, and bad habits. Learn strategies to improve your financial health and overall well-being. 

In episode 106 of Making Cents of Money, Andrea and Kimber discuss the nuances of neurodiversity as it relates to navigating money management.

Transform your financial habits! Explore the Psychology of Money and the Stages of Change. Learn how to achieve lasting financial well-being.

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.

There are many things to be aware of when it comes to managing those loans from application to pay-off (or forgiveness). Learn the terms, tips, and tools to make managing your education debt easier.

In this article, Kwabena Sarfo Adjei discusses job search due diligence and how job seekers can navigate the perilous journey of landing a dream job while avoiding becoming a victim of a job scam in this digital age.   

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