Episodes

  • Find peace of mind during financial changes

    Find peace of mind during financial changes
    Jun 22 2023
    In this episode, Personal Finance expert Kathy Sweedler, Extension Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Camaya Wallace Bechard, and Financial Planning Education Consultant at eMoney Sasha Grabenstetter wrap up the Family Financial Feuds podcast series. They explore recent research on endings, discuss different trends in personal finance, reminisce about their favorite podcast episodes, and provide suggestions for where to get accurate money management information and resources. Check out the new finances website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    46 mins
  • Decluttering Your Life

    Decluttering Your Life
    Jan 27 2023
    In this episode, Personal Finance expert Kathy Sweedler and Chelsea Byers, Family Life Educator, Illinois Extension, discuss decluttering, disadvantages of letting clutter accumulate, common issues encountered when decluttering, and they provide tips on how to stay motivated and tackle all of that clutter! For information about how long to keep financial documents, contact an accountant or visit the IRS website, https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc305 Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    39 mins
  • Cottage Food & Second Gigs

    Cottage Food & Second Gigs
    Dec 21 2022
    In this episode, Personal Finance expert Kathy Sweedler and Jenna Smith, MPH, RD, Nutrition and Wellness Educator, Illinois Extension, discuss Illinois cottage food law, how this type of self-employment can benefit the cottage food producer, how cottage food benefits the consumer and local economy, and common challenges cottage food producers encounter. They provide tips on what to look out for as a consumer when buying cottage food and resources to learn more about Illinois cottage food guidelines and filing taxes when self-employed. Resources we discussed during the Podcast: • Illinois Extension’s Cottage Food Website, https://extension.illinois.edu/cottage-food • IRS Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center, https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    27 mins
  • Inclusive Financial Education and Practices

    Inclusive Financial Education and Practices
    Oct 28 2022
    In this episode, Extension Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Camaya Wallace Bechard and Personal Finance expert Kathy Sweedler discuss what it means to have inclusive practices in financial education, inclusive leadership, and working with individuals with disabilities and culturally diverse communities. They provide strategies and information on inclusive personal finance programs that Illinois Extension offers. The episode also includes an important announcement and information about upcoming changes with the Family Financial Feuds podcast! Resources we discussed during the Podcast: • The Key to Inclusive Leadership, Harvard Business Review - hbr.org/2020/03/the-key-to-inclusive-leadership Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    37 mins
  • Managing Credit when Prices are Rising

    Managing Credit when Prices are Rising
    Sep 29 2022
    In this episode, Extension Educator Camaya Wallace Bechard and Kathy Sweedler discuss managing credit during times of inflation, common credit score myths, rising interest rates, and provide strategies and resources to help you increase your purchasing power and save money. Resources we discussed during the Podcast: • Get Savvy webinar series registration - https://extension.illinois.edu/finances/get-savvy • CFPB auto loan comparison sheet - https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/201606_cfpb_auto-loan-worksheet.pdf • CFPB article on rising vehicle costs - https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/market-monitoring-examining-potential-credit-impact-high-vehicle-costs-for-consumers/ Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    17 mins
  • Fraud: More Than The Dollars

    Fraud: More Than The Dollars
    Aug 30 2022
    In this episode, Extension Educator Camaya Wallace Bechard and Kathy Sweedler discuss the impact of financial exploitation on your financial well-being, common types of scams, warning signs to look out for, and provide strategies to help you protect yourself, as well as resources for reporting scams when they do happen. Resources we discussed during the Podcast: • When grandpa gets exploited, soundcloud.com/familyfinancialfeuds/when-grandpa-get-exploited • Reportfraud.ftc.gov - reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/ • Adult Protections Services – (locator) www.eldercare.acl.gov Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    28 mins
  • Fighting to Save Money

    Fighting to Save Money
    Jul 28 2022
    In this episode, Extension Educator Camaya Wallace Bechard and Kathy Sweedler discuss barriers associated with short-term and long-term savings goals, and provide some strategies and resources to help address those barriers and start saving more. Resources we discussed during the Podcast: Longevity Calculators: • Social Security Life Expectancy Calculator, www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/longevity.cgi • How Long Will I Live Calculator, www.blueprintincome.com/tools/life-expectancy-calculator-how-long-will-i-live/about/dean-foster Get Savvy Webinars: Investing Basics and Steps to Investing, go.illinois.edu/GetSavvyPlaylist Related Research: • Hou, Wenliang, “How Well do Retirees Assess the Risks They Face in Retirement?” Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, July 2022, Number 22-10. • Angrisani, Marco et al, “The Early Impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Americans’ Economic Security” Michigan Retirement and Disability Research Center, University of Michigan. Working paper WP 2021-426, UM21-11. Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    28 mins
  • Happy Travels

    Happy Travels
    Jun 28 2022
    In this episode, Extension Educator Camaya Wallace Bechard and Kathy Sweedler discuss travel, look back on their own travel experiences, and explore how to save money while traveling, top motivations and benefits associated with traveling, and current research on travel trends in America. Resources we discussed during the Podcast: Save on Travel webinar, go.illinois.edu/SaveOnTravels America Saves https://americasaves.org/ What to Save For, America Saves americasaves.org/what-to-save-for/?goal=vacation Check out our new website at www.extension.illinois.edu/finances for more resources!
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    32 mins