Personal Finance for PhDs

emily@pfforphds.com

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This Grad Student Fellow's Frugal Lifestyle Enables a High Savings Rate

June 29, 2026

In this episode, Emily interviews Michele Remer, a 4th-year PhD candidate at Michigan State University and repeat podcast guest. Michele breaks down her budget, detailing her top five largest expenses: rent, groceries, utilities, restaurants and social events, and transportation. During grad school, she has found ways to decrease her spending on some necessary expenses, which has allowed her to intentionally increase her spending in other areas of higher value. Due to her frugality and her Na...

How to Save Money as a Funded Graduate Student

June 16, 2026

In this episode, Emily explores how to save money as a funded graduate student so that you aren't in a constant state of financial stress. The first step is to open a savings account and establish a regular savings rate, even if it's only $5 per month. Second, you must either increase your income or decrease your expenses. Both may seem impossible in your current circumstances, but Emily introduces numerous accessible options that grad students have used in the past for each approach, includi...

How This PhD Solopreneur Manages Her Time and Money

May 18, 2026

In this episode, Emily interviews Dr. Leslie Wang, the professor-turned-solopreneur behind Your Words Unleashed and repeat podcast guest. Leslie works as a developmental editor and career coach primarily for academics. Leslie and Emily discuss in detail how Leslie manages her time and money, balancing the appointments and payment schedules of approximately three dozen clients throughout the year. Leslie has molded her business to fit the life she wants to live, including frequent travel and p...