Monthly Archives: August 2014

iGrad

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Personal finance is a more complicated topic than many realize. A recent study noted that most people in the world cannot answer three simple personal finance questions correctly. It also has become necessary to educate ourselves on personal finance on a continual basis due to the new tools and technology introduced in financial markets every day.

Fortunately, the University of Illinois has partnered with iGrad to provide a resource for you to expand your knowledge of financial topics. iGrad is an online financial literacy platform with a nine-module financial literacy course covering the following topics:

  • Financial Health
  • Smart Spending
  • Student Loans
  • Banking
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Reports
  • Identity Theft
  • Your Paycheck
  • Investing

In addition to having a robust financial literacy course, iGrad contains hundreds of articles, infographics, resources, tools and videos to help you make a variety of financial decisions. Use your Illinois NetID and Enterprise password to get started.

iGrad link opens in new window/tab

Written by Andrea Pellegrini, University of Illinois USFSCO Student Money Management Center

How can I build credit without a credit card?

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A great way to build credit without using a credit card is by taking out different types of loans. Now, we’re not saying you should take out a car or student loan, but if you have them already, that can work in your favor. Making those car and student loan payments on time helps build your credit history and shows that you not only are reliable, but you can use different types of loans for different situations. Also, signing up for utilities in your name helps build your credit. While it won’t establish a credit score, it can help first-time borrowers because it shows a history of responsible financial transactions.

If you’re still curious how to obtain credit without having it, here are two resources that can help guide you in the right direction: “Build Credit – Learn How to Establish a Solid Credit History” and “How to Establish Credit.”

Written by Alex Ziskind, University of Illinois USFSCO Student Money Management Center