If I got accepted to the graduate program I applied to - and a large ‘if’ there too - I would either get a teaching assistantship position or research assistantship position with a similar pay of ~$2,000/ month for living expenses plus free tuition and health care. I would be in it for the long haul for the PhD if I get accepted too. So roughly, 4 to 5 years (of additional school) at that pay rate.

I am about to finish my undergraduate degree at the same university as the graduate program I applied to. I could also get a job as a resident assistant (RA) like what I do now as an undergrad but in the graduate housing areas on campus. So, free room and board (free food) added on to that already pretty good deal. I would be living for free with free food pocketing that ~$2,000/ month.

~$24,000/ year isn’t a lot of money, but when you have no expenses except for phone bill and car insurance, that’s ~$24,000/ year that is going straight into my savings. So, what could/ should I do with that money to benefit me later?

Notes: 1.) I will have about $24,000 worth of student debt by the time I graduate my undergrad in may. 2.) My car is nearing the end of its days, so I might look into getting a new(ish) car sometime after it calls it quits.