A number of my grad school buddies took great pride in the financial ignorance. Like thinking for a second about their massive student loans was a dirty, money grabbing sort of thing. Some graduate walked away with as much as $100,000 of debt. They had no idea how to pay off their loans and credit card debt with only a lousy academic job.

Jane Galt gives the definitive guide to managing your money, especially when you have a ton of school loan debt.

I would like to add a few of my own tips. 1. Don’t be friends with people who make more money then you. Choose poor friends. They’ll never talk about their new lamps from Restoration Hardware or broadway shows. 2. If you have a hearty colon (I do), then street food in New York City is an excellent source of cheap, tasty treats. 3. Dumpster dive for furniture. 4. Two eggs/bacon/cheese on a roll from the diner on 43rd street costs $2.50. That plus two cigarettes keeps you going until dinner.

Jane really offers excellent advice. Academic bloggers should pass this one around.