LATEST POSTS FROM THE BLOG

• How to Plan and Prepare for a Frugal Long-Distance Move
  “Don’t do your PhD at the same university you went to for your bachelor’s, and don’t postdoc at the same university you got your PhD from. You need to demonstrate success in multiple environments.” I […]
• How to Make Money without Working: Credit Card Rewards and 529s
  In this episode, Emily interviews Seonwoo Lee, a PhD student in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech. Seonwoo has mastered two methods to earn extra money without “working.” Emily and […]
• How Far Will My New Stipend or Salary Go?
  Virtually every PhD will experience this at one point (if not multiple points): You’re looking at an offer letter, whether for grad school, a postdoc, or a Real Job and you’re not sure what to think […]
• What to Do With Your 401(k) or 403(b) When You Start Grad School
  One of the common perks that companies and organizations give to their employees is access to a workplace-based retirement account such as a 401(k) or 403(b). They may even match your contributions […]
• Moving to a High Cost-of-Living City on a Postdoc Salary
  In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Sushmitha Vijaya Kumar, a postdoc at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Sushmitha recently completed her PhD at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, […]
• How to Start Grad School on the Right Financial Foot
  Starting a PhD program is, professionally and personally, one of the most exciting times of life. You’re meeting people who will be your peers and advisors in the coming years whose research […]
• Fellowship Income Can Trigger the Kiddie Tax
  The Kiddie Tax is an alternate, higher rate of calculating tax due that applies to young people. While it was intended to ensure that wealthy parents paid their full share of tax on their […]
• Where to Report Your PhD Trainee Income on Your Tax Return (Tax Year 2018)
  There are two broad categories of PhD trainee income: compensatory and non-compensatory. Compensatory pay is W-2 pay, whereas non-compensatory is any other regular type of income for a graduate […]
• Why You Should Contribute to Last Year’s Roth IRA
  Good news for you investors: The calendar may say 2019, but you can contribute to your 2018 Roth IRA up until tax day! Why is this good news? Because you can continue to contribute to your Roth IRA […]
• How to Successfully Plan for Retirement Before and After Obtaining Your PhD
  In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Brandon Renfro, a finance professor and financial advisor. Brandon shares the tortuous path that led him to his current faculty position at East Texas Baptist […]