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[Adelaide9216]

Hello, I will be living on my own for the first time. I do know how to cook, but I feel like meal prepping is going to be a challenge...any tips or apps on how to make that process smooth for someone who used to live in a big family?

[Teaching Faculty Wannabe]

15 hours ago, Adelaide9216 said:

Hello, I will be living on my own for the first time. I do know how to cook, but I feel like meal prepping is going to be a challenge...any tips or apps on how to make that process smooth for someone who used to live in a big family?

Check out this website: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/

There are other websites that have tips and recipes on meal prepping. I hope this helps!

[Adelaide9216]

Any tips in order to respect a budget? 

[Bird Vision]

55 minutes ago, Adelaide9216 said:

Any tips in order to respect a budget? 

The biggest thing is to be realistic.

Excel is your new best friend. I keep running one-year projections, and update them as I go. You should know very closely what you'll be making, so allocate funding according to importance. You may find that you plan to spend more than you'll make - can you make cuts, or do you HAVE to take loans?

Don't forget about taxes. They're a big part of your budget. In the US, some grad students have to pay estimated tax every quarter.

One last thing: just because you budgeted x dollars for y category in z period does not mean you have to spend it. Use excess funds to pay down loans or save for next period.

PM me if you need more help.