As a positive extension to this thread, I thought I would share some ways I've found to make extra $$ as a grad student. (another thread)
Some of these require a lot of planning; others are easier to do on the fly. The biggest thing: you cannot produce good research if you cannot pay your rent. Secure your income first. This is your first priority. (This is not how we are socialized, but it's true.)
FIRST: Do not burn bridges. Build relationships with as many faculty as you can, including outside of your subfield. If a job comes up in your first year doing anything research-related for which you remotely qualified, say yes. You will never have this much time again.
Do a good job, and these faculty will go to bat for you in the future. They will answer your panicky emails when you can't find funding. They will help you if they can. True story.
SECOND: Figure out what you can leverage. You did some copyediting at your last job? Congratulations; you can now proofread manuscripts. You know some basic R? Congratulations; everyone needs help with R all of the time.
THIRD: Find one lucrative thing that isn't an intensive time commitment. For me, this has been tutoring. At a public university, the athletics department has a lot of $$, and they need tutors. They pay about $20/hour. This helps. Seriously.
FOURTH: Ask. This is difficult, especially for women and POC. Ask anyway! "Hi, I'm looking for summer funding and was wondering if you needed anything done" (in slightly more words). The worst someone can say is no, & then all you've lost is 5 minutes of time.
FIFTH: If you need $$ quickly, faculty always need babysitters/dogsitters/etc. Craigslist/eBay are good for selling stuff. I've made hundreds selling clothes on thredUP. (This is something I can leverage. I have too many clothes from my past professional life.)
SIXTH: If you are white or a man (or both), speak out about the funding situation in your department or on your campus. This is harder for women and POC. Use your power.
LAST: Whenever you accept a new job, however minimal or temporary, ask upfront about when and how you will be paid. This will likely feel weird. You are not being obnoxious. This is your livelihood. You have a right to know. (No one will tell you if you do not ask.)
