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    My 2025 budget as a PhD student right outside Chicago [OC]
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    My 2025 budget as a PhD student right outside Chicago [OC]


    My 2025 budget as a PhD student right outside Chicago [OC]

    Posted by Shacolicious2448

    View 26 Comments

    26 Comments

    1. Shacolicious2448 on

      * Source: Self
      * Tool: Sankeymatic
      * Location: Greater Chicago Area, IL. USA
      * Currency: USD ($)

      I got some fun comments last year and I was wondering if last year was unique in some way, but my spending is pretty close to the same this year. I couldn’t invest in my 403(b) due to my appointment, so the extra money just went into savings.

    3. Danimalomorph on

      I suppose it’s depressing, but the thought of putting by 17k a year whilst being in full time education made me guffaw.

    4. gargar070402 on

      You’re able to save close to 20k a year on a PhD stipend!? Holy shit good for you!!!

    5. simpleton360 on

      I am incredibly impressed with your discipline! The fact that you are putting more than half of your very modest net income into savings and investments is amazing, and will set you up well for the future. Less than $2,000 a year all in for fun money, including restaurants. Can you talk a little more about your social life, family, travel? $17 a week for out to eat. How does that breakdown?

    6. iRambL on

      11k a year in rent is pretty good for outside Chicago? Renting a room in a house I assume?

    7. PlAkpot on

      So you rent for 900/month and sublet your parking spot for 450? Thats 450 net for rent, quite nice!

    8. Izawwlgood on

      Hot damn when I was a grad student my stipend was only 29k. It upped to 33k by the time I graduated. That was with a student union! Outside of Boston!

    9. mattv911 on

      That’s awesome that you are able to save the max for the ROTH IRA on that tight budget

    13. themodgepodge on

      Do you have any healthcare expenses? (insurance, payments before you hit a deductible, copays, etc.)

    14. Zeddicus11 on

      I wish I had maxed my Roth IRA when I was in grad school. Then again, consumption smoothing and all that. Props to you!

    15. magneticanisotropy on

      Wait, how are you able to contribute to the Roth if you don’t have taxable income?

    18. pythor on

      No tuition or other school related expenses? Or is that all under the “Misc” and less than $300?

    19. MyCoolName_ on

      Congrats, what you make during your PhD is what I made in my first job – after my first raise – after my PhD!

    20. marquiso on

      Forgive a dumb question but I really like this style of graphic but have no idea what app is used to create if.

      Appreciate if someone could enlighten me.

    21. dropkicked_eu on

      You can’t be showing savings on a PHD stipend they are going to cut the pay!! But well done budgeting seriously

    22. aredm02 on

      No laundry, internet or other utilities. I guess it must be included in the rent. That’s very cheap rent for everything you’re getting! I guess you have to share a toilet and shower with a stranger which is probably not nice, but I didn’t know it was possible to find something for less than $1,000 a month near Chicago.

    23. Gamesandbooze on

      Really nice graphic and very solid work on your life. As someone who had a similar budget in gradschool… make sure you are enjoying your life. I personally wish I had spent a little more considering I got a 6 figure job right out of grad school and the savings ended up pretty meaningless. Savings is great, but be careful not to squeeze all the fun out of your life. 

    26. flutasma on

      Wtf. With rent and utilities we are at 25k a year.

      Someone please take those bills away from me