LATEST POSTS FROM THE BLOG

• As a Single Parent, This Graduate Student Utilizes Every Possible Resource
  In this podcast episode, Emily interview Lauri Lutes, a fourth-year PhD student at Oregon State University and single mother. Lauri’s stipend is equivalent to the local living wage for just one […]
• The First Step to Complete Your Grad Student Tax Return (2018)
  There is one vital step grad students need to take when starting to prepare their tax returns. It’s a super simple step, but most often overlooked, and skipping it can lead to an inaccurate […]
• Can a PhD Achieve FIRE?
  Would you like for paid work to become optional for the rest of your life? What would you do with your time if you didn’t have to work? When you become “financially independent,” […]
• An Unfunded Summer Didn’t Deter this PhD Student Thanks to Her Creative Side Hustle
  In this episode, Emily interviews Bailey Poland, a rising second-year PhD student in rhetoric and writing at Bowling Green State University. Bailey earns a stipend of just $14,000 for the academic […]
• This Prof Used Geographic Arbitrage to Design Her Ideal Career and Personal Life
  In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Amanda, a tenure-track professor at a small college in the Midwest. While a postdoc, Amanda listened to career advice from R1 university faculty, but ultimately […]
• Working Hard and Playing Hard as a Grad Student in NYC
  On this episode, Emily interviews Nicholas Giangreco, a bioinformatics graduate student at the Columbia University Medical Center. Nick’s expenses in Manhattan are relatively high – such as spending […]
• Before PhD Admissions Season Starts, Discover What a Standard Offer Is in Your Field
  At this point in the year, you should be (nearly) done preparing your PhD program applications and looking forward to receiving at least one offer of admission. Congratulations on your progress! If […]
• How This Grad Student Had a Baby, Landed a TT Job, and Defended Her PhD within Six Months
  In the last half-year of her PhD, Dr. Heather birthed her first child, completed and defended her dissertation, and landed a tenure-track job… all while caring for her infant alongside her […]
• Solve Your Irregular Expenses Problem with Targeted Savings Accounts
  Imagine this: A spending opportunity arises (your friend’s destination wedding, a non-functioning car or computer, a conference, a tax bill) and as much as you scrimp that month and the next you just […]
• PhD Job Transitions Are an Opportunity to Break Negative Financial Habits
  Pursuing a PhD and post-PhD jobs usually means frequent professional and personal upheaval. Changing jobs/”jobs” and moving are typical for each stage of training and possibly career: […]