This year in march i did an interview with @pfforphds.bsky.social and gave my insight on how to navigate graduate school financially.
You can listen to the podcast episode here- pfforphds.com/increasing-i...
This year in march i did an interview with @pfforphds.bsky.social and gave my insight on how to navigate graduate school financially.
You can listen to the podcast episode here- pfforphds.com/increasing-i...
I was interviewed by @pfforphds.bsky.social. I had a great time chatting to Emily and mentioned my regrets for some of the negotiations I have made. That is why I enjoy providing my workshops on how to successfully negotiate so that you don't make the mistakes I did!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN8T...
Kinda weird question but is there such a thing as a publicist for academia?
Not a publicist for academics but for people like me who serve people within academia.
I'm interested in raising my profile in different ways than I've done in the past, e.g., contributing articles, media.
I'm signing into my National Postdoctoral Association SmartSkills webinar now!
Join if you're a member and want to set an optimal financial goal!
I just received my first workshop booking for the 2025-2026 academic year—during Postdoc Appreciation Week!
(I'm VERY relieved that some of my clients are able to continue working with me.)
Today, NSF added another 500 GRFP awardees, bringing this year’s total to 1500
www.research.gov/grfp/Awardee...
What's your favorite 'grad school guide' from a university/scholarly press?
e.g., Grad School Life: Surviving and Thriving Beyond Coursework and Research by Jacqueline M. Kory-Westlund
Enter for a chance to win the money book I WISH I had read in grad school (it's about way more than money).
pfforphds.com/BookGiveaway/
Last day to enter this giveaway!
The 2nd edition of this book was just released, and JL Collins has been all over the podcast circuit. :)
This is my top recommendation for new or underconfident investors.
PFforPhDs.com/BookGiveaway/
Oooh, I just noticed I have one free 30-min financial coaching spot open TOMORROW and a couple next week! (Only for PhDs and PhDs-to-be who are living in the US.)
Register for my mailing list to get the sign-up link: pfforphds.com/Giveaway/
My Giveaway Spring initiative ends in a few weeks!
I'm normally not one to encourage completely eliminating discretionary spending because it is unsustainable—but it is possible in the short term to reach a very urgent goal, which an emergency fund is.
09.05.2025 19:37 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Glad to hear another financial educator (Tori Dunlap) is giving the same guidance that I am right now:
If you don't currently have a 3-month emergency fund, eliminate discretionary spending until you have saved enough.
herfirst100k.com/financial-fe...
Excellent explainer on quarterly estimated tax from Student Loan Planner: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/q...
Not just for high earners or the self-employed! Great general info. This is relevant for grad students and postdocs who are not having income tax withheld from their #fellowship paychecks.
New webinars just added to my running list!
These ones are for PhDs preparing for or engaging in a job search. Subscribe to my mailing list to immediately receive an email with all the giveaways and free events.
pfforphds.com/Giveaway/
SAVE borrowers -
You are not in default of your loans just because you are on the SAVE income driven payment plan.
So…
The news that the Department of education will begin collecting payments from borrowers who are in default on May 5th does not directly affect you.
1/2
Major additions to Giveaway Spring!
I'm delivering a free pilot workshop on weathering financial emergencies for PhDs and PhDs-to-be this coming Friday.
Sign up below to get a list of allll the free resources, including a link to register for Friday's workshop.
pfforphds.com/Giveaway/
I added new free resources from the Graduate Career Consortium to my running list for Giveaway Spring—check it out!
pfforphds.com/Giveaway/
Despite raises, only 2 of the 219 entries pay a living wage.
In this economy, I did not expect any PhD stipend raises. Big shout-out to Texas Tech University which has gone from paying $15,984 to $21,500!
and big thanks to @mossmatters.bsky.social for keeping our database up-to-date!
rhettrautsaw.app/shiny/Biolog...
I spoke with a rising PhD student yesterday who committed to a program with a 5+-year funding guarantee—all other offers were rescinded.
They are happy with where they ended up, even though there ultimately weren't other options.
Now that Decision Day has passed, how did everyone else end up?
New book giveaway! This is my top recommendation for grad students and PhDs who want to start investing. Great for turbulent market times as well.
pfforphds.com/bookgiveaway/
Submitted my own tax return at 10pm last night! Tax season is over and my mind is free to work on other financial education topics!
16.04.2025 13:29 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Free 1:1 coaching spots have opened up and the people on my mailing list haven't snapped them up yet... 👀
Join the list for access to the scheduling link!
(Coaching sessions are only for funded grad students and PhDs in the US.)
pfforphds.com/Giveaway/
What to do if you can't finish and submit your tax return today (start at ~14:00):
www.sunlighttax.com/blog/2025/4/...
Your tax PAYMENT (an estimate) is still due today, but you can take up to 6 more months to finalize the paperwork through an extension.
Each of the half dozen people who attended my live tax return Q&A call yesterday receives #fellowship income, and half of them found out for the first time during the call that they are responsible for paying their Q1 estimated tax TODAY. Not a good surprised. TALK WITH YOUR PEERS about taxes!
15.04.2025 13:14 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
If your fall 2024 #stipend / salary as a #gradstudent, #postdoc, or #postbac (US citizen/resident in the US) was reported on anything OTHER than a Form W-2...
Make sure you Google "estimated tax" + fellowship this weekend.
You may need to make a payment by 4/15 toward your 2025 tax bill!
If you haven't yet submitted your tax return as a funded grad student in the US (citizen/resident)...
You need my "cheat sheet!"
pfforphds.com/GStaxcheatsh...
Good luck!
You didn't, but I really appreciate it!
10.04.2025 16:36 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0May I include this webinar in a list of free financial + career resources I'm curating this spring for PhDs? I'll send it to my mailing list in a couple of weeks if so!
09.04.2025 19:20 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
If you'd like to schedule a Q&A call for your group, email me: emily@PFforPhDs.com
I'm offering these calls between now and early June because we're in such an uncertain funding environment and that's causing a lot of anxiety, so please take advantage!
US bias (especially regarding taxes and investing).
During today's call, we discussed saving vs. investing vs. debt repayment, how to handle frequent moves/job changes, tax complications with fellowships, common day-to-day money "mistakes," and how to start investing with limited funds.