This Grad Student Experiences Financial Ease Thanks to Her Side Hustles

This Grad Student Experiences Financial Ease Thanks to Her Side Hustles

January 26, 2026 · 34 min · Season 23 · Episode 2

About this episode

Nashae Prout shares her journey of achieving financial ease through side hustles while pursuing her PhD.

In this episode, Emily interviews Nashae Prout, a 5th-year PhD candidate in toxicology at the University of Rochester. Nashae's first year of graduate school on a $28,000 stipend was financially challenging, so she now maintains two side hustles. She serves as a graduate community assistant for graduate housing, an up to 10 hour per week position that gives her a 55% reduction in rent. She also adjuncts for a nearby university with the support of her PI. Between these two side hustles and her disposition toward frugality, Nashae can comfortably max out her Roth IRA and spend in areas that matter to her, experiencing financial ease. She concludes the interview with excellent advice on time management and prioritization.

People in this episode

Host: Emily Roberts

Guest: Nashae Prout

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Rochester, Roth IRA

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