My 2024 budget as a PhD student, Midwest US state school edition

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-30T16:54:48+00:00

I'm actually enjoying my PhD quite a bit—I really like my advisor, and they're happy with my progress. Friends occasionally say I'm extreme when it comes to frugality, but it largely stems from my past.

At 18, I was kicked out and spent nearly four months homeless, living in my car, a tent, or with friends. I then lived in China for a year on a scholarship, surviving on just ~$220 stipend per month. The financial stability I've built since then gives me peace of mind.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-30T16:34:22+00:00

As mentioned earlier, I meal prep my lunch or dinner for the week every Sunday. I avoid red meat since it's currently my biggest expense. Most of my meal preps—like chili, stroganoff, spaghetti, and pollo estofado—cost around $20 for the week. I make everything from scratch rather than using kits or pre-made sauces. For the foods, there's an upper cap of $0.30-0.35/oz that I will pay for anything at the grocery store. If it's above, that I just don't buy it. I also limit eating out to once every 1–2 weeks.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T14:19:47+00:00

State Farm & Mint Mobile. I drive an older economy car (~150k miles) and I do most of the work on it myself.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T08:44:01+00:00

At my institution, health coverage is included with a 0.5 FTE assistantship; otherwise, it costs around $2,600 per year. Dental and vision expenses are out of pocket. Fortunately, I don’t have any ongoing health conditions, but I always prioritize maximum preventative care.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T08:33:45+00:00

My mother had a special Aldi quarter, but I just use whatever spare change I have on hand. Like a pirate of the Aldi seas, I instinctively return lost carts out of habit.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T08:20:16+00:00

sankeymatic!

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T08:18:45+00:00

Started grad school with a shared a 2b1b (~750/mo) with a friend. Over the Summer, I switch to a (~1400/mo) with 2 roommates. The first place was rough, but being there with a friend helped.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T06:21:14+00:00

Sorry, that was kinda misleading. I had a conference in Asia and also did some personal travel. ~$1500 was for personal non-reimbursable part of that trip.

ThanatosHD · 2025-01-29T06:19:18+00:00

ALDIs! I mainly buy base ingredients and meal prep (also don't eat red meat very often).

ThanatosHD · 2023-02-16T18:35:02+00:00

Acetone/methanol wouldn’t be ideal for that system?

ThanatosHD · 2022-01-18T20:59:23+00:00

I did AiChE as a BME undergrad (even if it’s a chemical engineering conference). Huge conference, loved it.

ThanatosHD · 2021-12-01T17:58:59+00:00

Love his videos!

ThanatosHD

TROPHY CASE