Financial Wellness Center Blog

The Covid-19 Pandemic isn’t over yet, but with vaccines rolling out across the country, the end may be in sight. As states begin to reopen and the world is figuring out what the “new normal” will look like, it’s important to think ahead financially. After long months of lockdown, everyone is eager to go out into the world and enjoy new things, but we need to be wise about our spending habits. As things like travel, dining, and public activities become available to us again, now it’s a great time to look at and update your budget! Here are some steps to do so..

You don’t have to be a finance major to learn about money and take charge of your personal finances. Summer is a great time to do some extracurricular research. Perhaps you’ll become a personal finance guru by the time fall semester rolls around. I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite personal finance books, podcasts, and blogs to dig into while you sit poolside!

Budgeting is one of the most important concepts of financial literacy. Budgets force people to spend within their means and show where money can be saved. Creating and sticking to a budget can save anyone hundreds of dollars. Creating a budget is fairly easy. There are countless ways to set one up, whether it be through an app, a spreadsheet, or a simple scratch piece of paper. However, sticking to a budget is a different story. Keeping track of how much you spend and what that money is going towards requires a bit of work and discipline. What if there was an app out there that forced you to stick to this budget? Enter Qube Money.

For many college students, heading off to college means leaving the nest and renting your own apartment. It’s a dream come true, your perfect pad, a refuge from the world. But while getting your own place can feel a-ma-zing, it is important that you consider some of the pitfalls of renting, know your rights, and protect your finances when you sign a lease. Here are some tips to being a savvy renter!

Like many of you, I was bored out of my mind when the world went into lockdown due to the COVID pandemic. With no work, no classes to be at, and no sports to occupy my free time, I needed something to do besides playing video games and binge watching every show known to man. So around late March last year, I decided to start investing in stocks on Robinhood. I thought, “Things can’t possibly get any worse, we’ll be out of this by the summer”. Clearly, I was very wrong.

Americans usually spend around $150 dollars to treat their loved ones to a Valentine’s Day date, but when you’re in college it can be hard to keep up! These date ideas are all inexpensive and perfect for a simple and fun date in February!

You’ve stayed up until midnight, watched the ball drop, and said a great big “Bye Felicia!” to 2020. A new year can feel so refreshing. It's a great time to ditch bad habits and set new goals. Perhaps you’re going to level up that fitness game, read more, set healthy boundaries, or (fingers crossed) travel more. While you’re swearing off procrastination and vowing to declutter closets, consider adding a few financial resolutions to your list too.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Snow begins to fall, suddenly you have a hankering for peppermint treats, and soon enough- a much needed reprieve from schoolwork. The holidays can be a glittering wonderland of tradition, warmth, and happiness- but they can also be expensive. It’s hard to enjoy the holiday season and look forward to a new year when you’re feeling financially stressed. So before you deck the halls and start adding gifts to your online cart, it’s important to make a holiday game plan and a budget. Here are some of the Financial Wellness Center’s tips and tricks for successful holiday spending.

Congratulations! You are moving into your new place! As exciting as it can be, things can be daunting. Packing up and moving can take anywhere from days to weeks to months depending on where you're going and how much you have to move. Hopefully, these tips can help you think through the process of moving and simplify your life.

Your alarm rings, it’s 8:00 am. You struggle to get out of bed and after being on your phone for what feels like forever, you finally find the will to get up and begin your day. You make yourself a fresh cup of coffee, and as you go outside you feel the cool breeze on your skin reminding you that fall has just begun. You smile, go back to your room and change into your comfiest sweater.