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 wealth of knowledge in personal finance, I've dedicated years to understanding the intricacies of building a strong financial foundation. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I have actively engaged in financial management, debt reduction strategies, and investment planning, achieving tangible results.
The article emphasizes key concepts crucial for establishing a robust financial base. Let's break down these concepts:
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Be Mindful of Spending: The article underscores the importance of conscious spending. Controlling expenses is fundamental to financial stability. This involves creating a spending plan, as opposed to a restrictive budget, to direct hard-earned money purposefully.
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Pay Down Debt: Addressing debt is a pivotal aspect of financial health. The article suggests exploring timely debt reduction strategies, indicating a proactive approach to managing and alleviating debt burdens. The mention of resources from PowerPay.org and America Saves demonstrates a commitment to providing practical tools for debt management.
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Grow Savings: Building savings is a cornerstone of financial stability. The article discusses the impact of interest rates on savings, checking, and certificates of deposit accounts. It encourages readers to assess whether the current economic climate is conducive to increasing savings, highlighting the importance of staying informed about financial trends.
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Interest Rates and Their Impact: The article educates readers on the relationship between interest rates and various financial accounts. It explains how changes in the Federal Reserve's rate can influence the interest rates on savings, checking, and certificates of deposit accounts.
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Creating a Spending Plan: Acknowledging the potential aversion to budgeting, the article promotes the idea of creating a spending plan. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors that drive spending desires and encourages individuals to find tools that grant them control over their financial fears.
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Webinar Series for Young Adults: The Get Savvy webinar series is designed to empower young adults with essential financial knowledge and skills. Covering topics such as avoiding scams, understanding financial tools, navigating entrepreneurial pursuits, and investing, the series demonstrates a commitment to educating individuals at different stages of their financial journey.
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More Resources: Illinois Extension offers a range of resources to address diverse financial goals, whether it's saving, managing bills, or debt. The article invites readers to explore tools for building healthy money habits and provides links to resources addressing financial protection, expenditure tracking, and understanding credit scores.
In conclusion, the provided information from Illinois Extension caters to a broad audience, offering valuable insights and practical tools for individuals at various stages of their financial journey. The emphasis on education, resources, and community involvement reflects a holistic approach to financial well-being.
