Blog Archive

Be Centsible 2020

2020 Coronavirus Stimulus Package

How can I receive a stimulus check?

In the past several months, many people have endured some type of loss due to COVID-19. A situation that many, particularly college students, have found themselves to be in is unemployment. Fortunately, Congress passed the CARES Act to provide relief to those who faced financial difficulties...
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Why do credit card companies offer reward programs?

Why do credit card companies offer reward programs?

As counterintuitive as it may sound, offering 5% cash back on goods users purchase actually increases a credit card company’s profit margin. The reasoning behind this lies within how credit card companies generate money. (Sometimes a bank or credit union issues the credit card). First, by offering...
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How can I better plan to apply for graduate programs?

How can I better plan to apply for graduate programs?

Choosing to continue with education beyond a Bachelor’s degree is a huge investment. Even after researching the tuition and fees of potential programs, there are other hidden costs that can be unexpected and add up quickly. Here are some hidden fees to know about especially when considering...
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How do I choose the credit card that is right for me?

How do I choose the credit card that is right for me?

Credit cards are a helpful tool that can build your credit history, allow you to make purchases that can be paid off over time, and save you from fidgeting around with cash at the register. When applying for a credit card however, it is important to keep in mind that some cards may better suit your...
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woman holding $100 bills

What should I do with my student refund?

Who doesn’t love that feeling when a big chunk of change hits your bank account? You think, “What can I buy with that?” and start fantasizing about all the goodies you’ve had your eye on. But, hold on, before you burn through that cash, let’s think for a minute about what else you can do with your...
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How can I save money on textbooks?

How can I save money on textbooks?

When each semester begins, the bookstore is crowded with students. I used to be among these people but later I realized that it was financially unwise to buy all my textbooks from the bookstore. Have you ever had the same feeling? Have you ever spent hundreds of dollars buying textbooks and wanted...
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Financial Wellness Checkup Campaign

Financial Wellness Checkup

Join in the fun! Illinois Extension is hosting a 5-week social media campaign, Financial Wellness Checkup. During Financial Wellness Checkup, enjoy practical tips and personal finance resources. The campaign will be live July 6 through August 10. There is a new theme each week: Create a Credit...
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How often should I check my credit score?

How often should I check my credit score?

Before understanding how often you should check your credit score, it’s important to note the differences between a credit score and a credit report. A credit report refers to a detailed report of your personal information and payment history prepared by the credit bureaus. A credit score is a...
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Are your subscription services taking over your budget?

Are your subscription services taking over your budget?

Subscription services are becoming very popular in society and almost everyone has at least one subscription service they use frequently. Subscription services can range from beauty supplies, to television and movie platforms, and food delivery. There is no need to have every subscription service...
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How should we prepare for unplanned expenses?

How should we prepare for unplanned expenses?

Unplanned expenses often come at times when we'd least expect. Throughout our everyday lives, things are always happening. Cars need maintenance, we get sick, something in the house may need to get fixed, etc. There are so many things that can be encountered when it comes to having to spend money...
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What are the different types of credit cards? 

What are the different types of credit cards? 

Nowadays, financial institutions offer all kinds of credit cards that have different features. It is important to understand each type of credit card to determine the type of credit card that best suits your needs. There are five major categories of credit cards: balance transfer, low-interest,...
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