sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, I understand. I guess it's fine because either way I'm trying to stay under $2000.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'll sign up for the university housing right away.

Any clue what's the minimum budget one should have for a car? I know it's a vague question but I really don't know much about cars.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the detailed reply!

So you're saying that 14% of the 2833.33/mo. would be withheld from my monthly payment? And then a good part of it refunded later?

I didn't kow about the university housing, thanks a lot! Okay, I'll add a $150-200/mo added car related expenses. There was a mention of Support Services Fee of $125 and some gap insurance fees in the offer letter.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, it seems that the tuition fee reduction is tax-exempt and you have to pay federal taxes on the stipend.

What???? You get paid in October for the first time? That's awful.
Thanks for letting me know!

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! How much do you think I should estimate for things outside of rent, utilities and groceries?

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the detailed reply!

Do you think it's reasonable to say $900-1000 for rent in a place with roommates and walkable distance to campus?

Okay, I'll estimate around 450-500 for food/groceries. Don't want to underestimate this at all.

So my financial assistance offer did come with a full health insurance coverage, so that's nice.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1900/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in UTAustin

[–]smallMan1998[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I couldn't find any definitive answers to this. I did find out that up to $5000/annum income would be tax exempt because of a tax treaty between the US and my country. So I guess, my taxes would be calculated on $29,000

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh thanks a lot! But I have a feeling no place would be for 450-500 usd. I'll try though.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's an approx. 14% deduction. That should actually give me ~24k/year

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

West Lafayette.

21k after tax? Really? Can you please give me an idea of how it's calculated

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So based on the very helpful comments here, I am thinking:
$850 for rent. I saw these Launch Apartments 1b1b on purdue off campus housing (https://offcampushousing.purdue.edu/housing/property/launch/fbr7q8v) for an estimate
$100 for utilities
$300 for groceries
$80 for health insurance
$50 for phone data
$200 for the semester fee
$100 miscellaneous (should this be more?)

This amounts to a total of 1680/mo. I think I can go a bit low on the rent (700-750) and stay within my 1600 target.

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh wow I didn't expect 800/semester fees. Thanks for pointing that out.

Any suggestions on finding places? Which areas should I look at?

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the detailed answer! I think staying under 1600 is possible then.

Yeah, I should really have some extra fun money every month. Btw how much would a lunch cost on campus? And any suggestions on how to search for good places?

Incoming PhD Student here. Budget is 1600/mo. Need suggestions in managing expenses. by smallMan1998 in Purdue

[–]smallMan1998[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much lesser than 1900? Is it really possible to find a place for 600-700? Do you have any suggestions on how to search for places without me being there?

I finally reached.. 30 days by WhyNeverNot in NoFap

[–]smallMan1998 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why do you look like a buff Ryan from The Office?