The novelty of going off to graduate school at a place like Harvard University was compounded by the realization that for the first time in my life, I would have to keep close watch on my personal finances. When I got "The Call" in March of 1975, the Chairman of the Astronomy Department, Prof. George Field, explained that I would be getting information in the mail about the financial aid that Harvard would be extending to me to cover my first year's expenses including tuition. Following years would be supported by a combination of Teaching Assistantships and Research Associatships.
Once I learned they my first year would be paid for through a combination of Departmental scholarships and a Smithsonian Fellowship, it was only a matter of budgeting the monthly check of $257.26 so that it would cover all the necessary costs of living in Cambridge. Intrigued by the notion of having to budget what would amount to just under $6,000.00 per Academic year for the next 6 years, I kept a careful ledger of ALL my expenses on a daily basis!
Nineteen years later, for example, I can tell you, that on September 19, 1975, I went into the Brighams ice cream parlor that used to be in Harvard Square, and had an ice cream cone for which I paid exactly 72 cents. Out of my monthly paycheck, I typically paid $121.00 in rent for a single room with limited kitchen privelidges. Among my largest single purchases were airline tickets twice a year to visit family for Christmas and summer breaks which averaged about $570.00 per year. I also acquired a 9-inch color TV from Sears ($257.00) a 10-speed bike ($185.23), skis ($128.45) and a stereo system ( $315.41) during this 6 year period. By far, the most pleasureable large purchase of the lot was for a diamond engagement ring on December 6, 1980!
Although I had no more than $25.00 per week for food, there was still enough left over each week for an occasional dinner at the local chinese restaurant, Lung Foon's on Massachusetts Ave and Linean Street, for 4 bucks including tip. There were also odd-ball purchases like the replica face mask of Darth Vader ($41.00) in October of 1978, and frequent trips to the theater, that is when time permitted which it rarely did!