What NOT to scrimp on!

A big part of grad school advice deals with saving money. This makes sense since grad school in itself is quite pricey. But there are a few things that you need to spend money on to ensure yourself that you are getting a quality product. Some examples, if you will:

· Computer. The most obvious one is of course a computer. Your computer is basically your water and air during your graduate years. It’s how you will do your research, write your papers, and communicate with your professors. Don’t go for the cheap models that will break down in a couple months or will slow down as soon as you upload a couple programs. Spending a little more money on a reliable computer is definitely worth it in the long run. I personally don’t know how I lived without my Mac.

· Cell phone. In the same vein, a good cell is almost as important. Most grad students I know don’t use land lines in their apartments, so cell phones are their primary line of communication. If you’re relying on a cell phone to be your only phone, it needs to be one you trust.

I also prefer to receive my email as each one is sent to me, rather than having to check my computer throughout the day. So I like to have email on my phone. It also helps because as a grad student, you’ll probably have multiple email accounts (personal, school, work, etc). Having them all sent to your phone is a good way of staying on top of everything.

· School bag. This thing is going to be loaded with books, papers, and possibly your ever-important computer. You don’t want it to break (it’s horrible, I’ve seen it happen) or not fit everything (at which time you have to resort to carrying two bags­ ­– not fun or convenient). So get one that is big enough and sturdy enough to manage your life. They may not be the prettiest bags out there, but L.L. Bean knows how to make a backpack that will last. They also come with tons of different storage spaces to help you keep track of everything you bring along with you.

Those are the three biggies. Anything else you want to splurge on is up to you, just don’t go crazy. Remember those rent check you need to pay. And the water bill. And the electric bill. And cell phone bill. And you get the picture.

Automatic Bill Pay: One of a Graduate’s Favorite Things

How much does Get Grad Schooled love automatic bill pay? Let us count the ways:

1. It’s quick. As a graduate student, you have enough to juggle with school, work and internships. Keep your rent and utilities paid on time and in one go. No headache, no hassle, no stress.
2. It’s easy. Log in to your service providers’ site with your account ID (which you can often find on the first bill mailed to you). After setting up your login and password, set up your payment method and schedule.
3. It’s automatic. Automatic bill pay lets you make one time payments or set up a recurring schedule that will either automatically withdraw money from a specified account, or charge your credit card the full amount of your monthly bill. If your rent is due on the first, you can set up a recurring schedule to debit your checking account on the 30th of every month until your lease ends.
4. It’s paperless, which makes automatic bill pay great for the environment. On a less noble note, it keeps your mailbox, desk and kitchen free from paper mail clutter.

If you forget to water your plants or feed your pets, automatic bill pay is a godsend. All you have to do is ensure there’s enough money in your account and credit on your card to cover your bills. Automatic bill pay will handle the rest.

It's just wonderful. Right up there with raindrops on roses and crisp apple strudel.