i'm currently in a PhD program receiving a stipend of less than $28,000 a year. I'm currently in New York City, so you can see that isn't going to get me far. I'm hoping r/frugal can provide me some suggestions on how to spend less money, as well as manage my frustrations. My budget is below.
- Rent: $550/month in a shared apartment with 4 other roommates. It's close enough to campus that I don't have to worry about transportation.
- Utilities: My share is $50 - $75/month.
- Phone: $34/month. It's a smart phone with a texting/calling plan, no data.
- Student health insurance: $50/month.
- Food: $150/month. I do have a $75/month eating out budget, but that's only because I'm often at the library until after 7pm and they don't allow any food inside.
- Other expenses: $100/month
Is there any place I can cut back? What can I specifically do to be more frugal? I've been considering using what little free time I have coding up small programs for people off of r/forhire as a way to increase my income.
February 05, 2017 at 05:55AM
