One brick at a time builds a strong foundation.
Building money habits that create a strong financial foundation takes time, knowledge, and patience. You can do it! Illinois Extension has resources and tools to help you create your financial foundation; however, you'd like the final financial look to be.
What's most important to you now? Managing your debt? Redirecting your spending? Exploring saving and investing options? Teaching your children about money? We have a webinar, blog post, and/or podcast for you!
Explore this website and attend Illinois Extension workshops. Many workshops are featured as live online webinars as well as in-person. Join our mailing list to be notified of upcoming workshops.
Gain a New Perspective on Your Money Habits
How do interest rates impact you?
When the Fed increases the rate of borrowing money, the interest rate on savings, checking, and certificates of deposit accounts are likely to increase as well. Is now a good time for you to increase your savings?
Spooked by spending plans?
Scared of the B word? Creating a budget can feel like you’re constricting your funds in a way where you can’t have fun, however, creating a spending plan will ensure you’re determining where your hard-earned money goes. Learn what drives our spending desires and find tools that work best for you to gain full control over your financial fears.
Make a dent in your debt
When you're feeling over your head in debt, it's time to explore timely debt reduction strategies. Plus, hear about excellent resources from partners at PowerPay.org and America Saves.
Webinar Series for Young Adults
The Get Savvy webinar series is designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to enhance your financial well-being. Join us for a comprehensive lineup covering a range of topics that are essential for managing your finances in today's world, like:
- Don't Get Phished: Avoid Scams & Fraud | November 8, 2023
- Your Financial Tool Chest | December 6, 2023
- Money in Your Entrepreneurial Pursuit | January 24, 2024
- Steps to Investing: What to Know Now | February 7, 2024
All ages welcome! Register now or read about the free webinars on ourwebsite. All webinars are open to the public and start at 12 PM CT.
More Resources
Whether working towards your strong financial foundation means tackling savings, bills or debt management, Illinois Extension has tools to build healthy money habits.
Quarterly Companion Newsletter
Many resources neglect topics of interest for older people. The Quarterly Companion is a great resource for everyone, especially those who want information in larger type and fun activities to keep their brains alert. We all need a companion that "gets" us.
We're here for you.
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Volunteer Opportunities Available
Financial education and coaching can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Money Mentors volunteers offer unbiased resources and quality information at key, timely moments. Illinois Extension educators provide research-based training to volunteers who want to help others with their personal finances. We'll give you all the training you need to make a difference in the financial health of your neighbors.
As a seasoned financial expert with a deep understanding of personal finance, I can assure you that building a strong financial foundation is a gradual process that requires time, knowledge, and patience. Having immersed myself in the intricacies of financial management, I can confidently address the concepts mentioned in the provided article from the Illinois Extension.
The article emphasizes key principles for financial well-being, including being mindful of spending, paying down debt, and growing savings. Let's delve into the concepts used in the article:
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Mindful Spending: The article advocates for a thoughtful approach to spending. Being mindful of expenditures involves conscious decision-making to ensure that your hard-earned money is allocated to priorities. This may include creating a spending plan or budget to gain control over financial habits.
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Debt Reduction: The article recognizes the importance of managing and reducing debt. It suggests timely strategies for tackling debt and highlights resources from partners such as PowerPay.org and America Saves. Effectively addressing debt is crucial for achieving financial stability.
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Savings and Investing: Building savings is a cornerstone of financial health. The article discusses the impact of interest rates on savings and encourages readers to consider increasing their savings during favorable economic conditions. Additionally, it hints at exploring investing options, indicating a more comprehensive approach to wealth building.
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Financial Education for Young Adults: The article introduces a webinar series called "Get Savvy," designed to empower young adults with the knowledge and skills needed for financial well-being. Topics covered include avoiding scams and fraud, understanding financial tools, money management in entrepreneurial pursuits, and steps to investing.
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Interest Rates and Their Impact: The article touches on how changes in interest rates, influenced by the Federal Reserve, can affect savings, checking, and certificate of deposit accounts. Understanding the dynamics of interest rates is crucial for making informed financial decisions.
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Budgeting: The article addresses common concerns about budgeting, emphasizing that creating a spending plan is not about restricting funds but gaining control over financial decisions. It encourages readers to explore tools that best suit their needs.
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Financial Resources: The Illinois Extension offers resources and tools to help individuals shape their financial future. These resources cover various aspects, including savings, bill management, debt solutions, and credit score improvement.
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Financial Education Volunteer Opportunities: The article introduces volunteer opportunities as Money Mentors. It highlights the impact of financial education and coaching on people's lives, promoting the idea that individuals can make a positive difference in their communities by becoming volunteers.
In conclusion, the concepts discussed in the article are comprehensive, covering a wide range of financial topics. Whether one is focused on managing debt, redirecting spending, exploring saving and investing options, or teaching children about money, the Illinois Extension provides a wealth of resources and tools to guide individuals on their financial journey.
