Share a financial tip with other Biologists.

Ask A Biologist Monday 2/2/26

Answers from Biologists:

• Keep track of all your retirement accounts from each season at each place.

• Always ask if there’s room for negotiation in pay.

• Buy your clothing in off seasons, especially winter clothing.

• Write down everything you spend at the end of each month. You’ll start spending less.

• Meal prep, invest in quality food storage, and always keep a cooler in the vehicle.

• Start an IRA early, even if you only put a little in at a time.

• Don’t go into debt for a degree. Staying in state for undergrad can often be cheaper.

• Open a Roth IRA.

• Start a Roth IRA in the womb.

• Max out any company match policies they offer from the start.

• Coupon apps and store coupons can really help when traveling.

• Don’t pay for grad school. No assistantship? No acceptance.

• Use your personal grocery/gas rewards account when you pick up supplies/per diem.

• Always ask your company to cover field/safety gear before buying out of pocket.

• Check for pro deals/employee discounts for field gear.

• Sign up for pro deal sites-ExpertVoice, Outdoor ProLink, GOVX, etc.

• Use pro link or thrift gear. Vortex gives pro discounts too.

• Thrift field clothes.

• Even if it’s $10/wk, put money into a Roth IRA account. The earlier the better.

• Ask your job if they will cover any job expenses (field gear, boot stipends, etc.)

• Often your job can cover things like society memberships, trainings, and conference registration.

• Open am IRA early in your career and make it a habit of putting money in it.

• Ask your employer if they’ll buy things like boots for you. It’s often in the budget.

• Secondhand stores are amazing for field gear.

• You do not need brand new, expensive field gear every season.

• Start saving for retirement now. Even a little each paycheck.

• Negotiate for healthcare to start right away with a new job.