Blogs

Illinois Extension educators have advice to carry you through all the stages of life: college, family, children, retirement. Read a blog post to help you with life's daily financial challenges.

Plan Well Retire Well Blog
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Grow your financial knowledge 1 hour at a time
Yikes! Making decisions about money can be very overwhelming. So often, a financial choice pops up and it seems impossible to even know where to...
To Do written on clipboard
What is your financial fall to-do?
Financial to-dos take a while to carry out, and they are often mentally challenging too. I like to pick one “to-do” at a time to work on. With kids...
counting dollars
Preventative care for financial wellness goals
Improving financial wellness takes some effort. Keeping your bills organized can help get a better understanding of where you are spending money. Do...
Moving boxes in an apartment
Surprises when shopping for a continuing care retirement community
You can teach something, but the doing is different. I’ve done workshops on choosing housing options as we age. I’ve even helped create a website...
girl blowing bubbles
How do you save money during the summer?
Summer is around the corner! For those of us in the colder regions of the U.S., the warmer months present us with options we longed for during the...
tax worksheet
Tax time financial review and decisions
As the April 15 tax deadline has just passed, most people have filed their income tax returns. What are you planning to do with your tax refund or...
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Help your child be a good financial manager
Do you have youth and teens in your life? This summer may be an excellent time for them to learn the skills and knowledge they need to be good...
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How does my credit affect renting?
Credit history plays a significant role when looking for housing. While I live in a college town with many housing options, finding a...
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Finding Financial Balance
Setting summer savings goals
The weather has been showing some signs of warming up recently, so what other changes does the new season bring? When taking control of your finances...
Making the most of a tax refund
Are you anticipating a tax refund this year? If you are expecting a refund, do you have a plan on how you will spend or save this money? An immediate...
Planning for pet costs
Caring for pets goes beyond the initial purchase price. When making a spending plan, prioritizing needs first is a common practice. When a pet...
Practicing basic financial self-care
When it comes to self-care, what comes to mind? Taking time to focus on your own personal needs can be challenging to prioritize. Busy schedules and...
What can you learn from your W-2, Wage and Tax Statement?
Have you received a Wage and Tax Statement for 2024? When you earn money ($600 or more) from an employer, you should receive a...
Prioritize saving this holiday season
Tis the season for holiday spending. Retail sales typically increase during the fourth quarter...
Financial Emergency Preparedness: Are you ready to weather the unexpected?
A financial emergency is any expense or loss of income you do not plan for, like a missed paycheck, a damaged roof, a flat tire, or a medical bill....
Spending plan categories: How many do you need?
The Consumer Expenditures 2023 report was recently released from the U.S. Bureau of...
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Fearless Financial Futures
"Family Financial Feuds Find peace of mind during financial changes"
Find peace of mind during financial changes
Endings can entail mixed emotions of happiness and sadness. Reminiscence amid endings might help people continue to be who they are as they pass...
"Family Financial Feuds Decluttering Your Life" with images of cluttered table next to organized table
Declutter your life
Does the clutter in your house cause you stress? Is the clutter a cause for conflict with other family members? Do you want less clutter but you are...
"Family Financial Feuds Cottage Food & Second Gigs" with images of cans, jars, and a piggy bank
Cottage Food & Second Gigs
The last few years have seen an increase in the percentage of self-employed according to a recent report from the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank. As...
"Family Financial Feuds Inclusive Financial Education and Practices"
Inclusive Financial Education and Practices
According to the National Disability Institute (NDI), individuals with disabilities who are Black, Indigenous, or Latinx have 28% to 36% higher...
Purple background with "Family Financial Feuds" and "Managing Credit when Prices are Rising"
Managing Credit when Prices are Rising
As a consumer, you have likely felt the impact of inflation on your wallet, but have you considered how inflation can affect your credit? Costs of...
Purple background with "Family Financial Feuds" and "Fraud: More than the Dollars", with a graphic depicting a person and fraud symbols
Fraud: More than the Dollars
According to data from the Supplemental Fraud Survey (2021), an estimated 3 million American adults reported being victims of personal finance fraud...
Purple background with "Family Financial Feuds" and "Fighting to Save Money", with a graphic depicting a person with boxing gloves and bag of money
Fighting to Save Money
Did you know that 32% of U.S. households do not have enough money saved to cover a $400 emergency expense? Maybe the needs in your household are...
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Understand your fair access to credit
When I first started using credit, it was exciting and intriguing to learn how I could build and improve my credit over time. At that time, I never...
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Be Centsible: For College Students By College Students
How can I save money while on vacation?
How can I save money while on vacation?
Vacations are costly, even if you start planning months before your vacation. While you are on the trip food, activities, and nightlife can get...
What are loans, scholarships, and grants?
What are loans, scholarships, and grants?
Choosing the right college can be daunting. One concern students often have when applying to college is the affordability of their college tuition....
How can I save up for my next big event?
How can I save up for my next big event?
As college students, money often runs tight, but we still want to blow off steam going to fun events or activities. I often find myself wondering how...
How can I prepare for a vacation?
How can I prepare for a vacation?
Traveling as a student can seem impossible. Between the checks from low paying university jobs and monthly allowances from parents, sometimes we must...
What are some common credit misconceptions?
What are some common credit misconceptions?
There are a lot of misconceptions around various personal finance topics. Many of this misinformation stems from confusion around credit scores and...
People shaking hands
What should I ask about a company's 401K when starting my first job?
Fantastic, you made it through college, walked across the stage at graduation, received your diploma, and got that first career job offer. What...
How can I stay motivated in achieving my financial goals?
How can I stay motivated in achieving my financial goals?
Congratulations! You have taken action to get your financial life in order. Whether your goal is saving, budgeting,...
Do you really need that? 
Do you really need that? 
In an age dominated by social media and keeping up with the latest trends, it is easy to overspend on “wants” and ignore spending on “needs”. It...
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Read Our Personal Finance Blogs

Plan Well. Retire Well
Finding Financial Balance
Be Centsible
Fearless Financial Future

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