Kollel Budgeting

[sky121]

Some working guys will make 30k their whole lives. It depends..

[avrumy22]

Key word is starting salary in the begingig the kollel guy has it better off but the working guy doesn't plan on making 30k a year for life.

true... very true

[CS1]

Some working guys will make 30k their whole lives. It depends..

true, and if they build a true bayis ne'eman, have a k'viyus in learning, and raise great kinderlach who are real mentchen,
make a Kiddush Hashem in public and their line of work, live an ethical life of elevating gashmius to kedusha, inspiring others to Yiddishkeit,
 (and still get free health insurance, subsidized rent and food) and have some DDF inspired supplemental income and vacations,
then they may accomplish far more than an average, random person earning $80K in an office.

[ahecht37]

Per week for food stamps? Thought per month was under $200.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Allowances
Household Size   Maximum Allotment*
1   $ 194
2   $ 357
3   $ 511
4   $ 649
5   $ 771
6   $ 925
7   $ 1,022
8   $ 1,169
For each additional member   $ 146 +

[sky121]

true, and if they build a true bayis ne'eman, have a k'viyus in learning, and raise great kinderlach who are real mentchen,
make a Kiddush Hashem in public and their line of work, live an ethical life of elevating gashmius to kedusha, inspiring others to Yiddishkeit,
 (and still get free health insurance, subsidized rent and food) and have some DDF inspired supplemental income and vacations,
then they may accomplish far more than an average, random person earning $80K in an office.

Why does how much money they're making have to do with what they are accomplishing in those other areas?

I thought we were talking budgets.

[etech0]

Why does how much money they're making have to do with what they are accomplishing in those other areas?

I thought we were talking budgets.

we NEVER go off topic on DDF...

[CS1]

Why does how much money they're making have to do with what they are accomplishing in those other areas?
I thought we were talking budgets.

Because it answers:

Food for thought.
A newly married guy making starting salary of 2500/m (30k/y). Plus his wife makes about 1500/m. Total is 4k.
Someone in kollel with a combined income of 2600...
Who is better off?

AND

Some working guys will make 30k their whole lives. It depends..

so, while those are certain goals, there are other goals in life, too... Not to compare, but just to mention and give all earners validity...
Also, sometimes what they are earning does affect what accomplishing in other areas -- in either direction -- as they all take time....
Many of us have seen examples in all areas and directions; we can learn a lot - from both the positive and negative.

[AnonymousUser]

Food for thought.

A newly married guy making starting salary of 2500/m (30k/y). Plus his wife makes about 1500/m. Total is 4k.

Has to pay for health insurance and cannot receive any programs etc.

Someone in kollel with a combined income of 2600 (I am assuming at least half is off the books.) will receive a whole slew of benefits and stuff.

Who is better off?

(I am NOT implying that the OP takes gov benefits. I am merely asking hypothetically.

Why do you think there are so many burnt out guys dreying in kollel doing nothing?

[churnbabychurn]

Why do you think there are so many burnt out guys dreying in kollel doing nothing?

+.5
Getting out of yeshiva and landing in the "donut hole" (-Work like a dog, lose all benefits, and struggle to feed the family and pay the bills) for a couple of years is very very hard. But I can believe that many make a conscious decision not to take a job, only because of the donut hole.

[skyguy918]

ha...  <verrrrry funny>   

The OJ and cereal shopping trip would be a normal one-day grocery store visit that is intended to last a week, but those 4 items would eat up the budget for the entire day.
The only way that I can see a $20 food budget per day for 2 adults working ($120 per week for groceries is what he wrote)
is if they eat breakfast and most lunches out and Shabbosim out, and that budget goes mainly towards daily dinner and drinks/snacks in the house...

I don't see how the items you listed come would cost $20, but I assure you that it's not that hard to feed 2 adults for $120/week, even if you throw in a decent amount of Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses. Like I said, even without the influence of a budget for spending on food, that's what my wife spends, and that includes 2 kids. The fact that you even mentioned steak is a bit of a hint as to where you're coming from. And that's not to say we never have steak, just that it's not a staple.

[Name Changed]

I don't see how the items you listed come would cost $20, but I assure you that it's not that hard to feed 2 adults for $120/week, even if you throw in a decent amount of Shabbos and Yom Tov expenses. Like I said, even without the influence of a budget for spending on food, that's what my wife spends, and that includes 2 kids. The fact that you even mentioned steak is a bit of a hint as to where you're coming from. And that's not to say we never have steak, just that it's not a staple.

$120 a week is very reasonable for food expense for basic living.

I am pretty sure I was not spending more than when I just got married (before kids).

[TimT]

$120 a week is very reasonable for food expense for basic living.

I am pretty sure I was not spending more than when I just got married (before kids).

How long ago ? Cause prices are always going up.

[Baruch]

$120 a week is very reasonable for food expense for basic living.

I am pretty sure I was not spending more than when I just got married (before kids).

Shabbos at home? Or rotating to parents?

[mercaz1]

with 2 kids and staying home for Shabbos I don't think its really possible to live on $120 a week for food
at least I cant do it

[churnbabychurn]

with 2 kids and staying home for Shabbos I don't think its really possible to live on $120 a week for food
at least I cant do it

+1

[Sport]

with 2 kids and staying home for Shabbos I don't think its really possible to live on $120 a week for food
at least I cant do it

+1

+1. Without going overboard but also not skimping, a shabbos for a couple costs at least $70. I'm curios what people buy on a typical shabbas though.

[skyguy918]

with 2 kids and staying home for Shabbos I don't think its really possible to live on $120 a week for food
at least I cant do it

That's exactly my situation, and I'm telling you that's what we spend. And b"H this is not out of necessity in any way shape or form. We don't budget or anything, so my numbers are based on my Mint account. My total for 'Food & Dining' over the last 12 months is less than $6200 / 52 = ~$120 per week. I'm pretty careful about making sure things stay categorized correctly, and this even includes fast food and restaurants (not a common occurrence for us, but there is some of it in there).

+1. Without going overboard but also not skimping, a shabbos for a couple costs at least $70. I'm curios what people buy on a typical shabbas though.

How about this, post what you have that went into calculating your $70 number.

[MC]

That's exactly my situation, and I'm telling you that's what we spend. And b"H this is not out of necessity in any way shape or form. We don't budget or anything, so my numbers are based on my Mint account. My total for 'Food & Dining' over the last 12 months is less than $6200 / 52 = ~$120 per week.

Including Yomim Tovim? Were most shabbosim at home?

[skyguy918]

Including Yomim Tovim? Were most shabbosim at home?

I think I wrote before including Yomim Tovim, but that's misleading. We were home and had company for Shavuos and Sukkos (lots of company), but they paid for a lot of the groceries then. Most Shabbosim home is accurate (I'll hazard a guess of 70%).

[Sport]

How about this, post what you have that went into calculating your $70 number.

ok I'll try:
London broil - $13.00
Fish- $10.00
Chulent Meat & ingredients- $15
Vegis - $15 (this is a total guess)
Dips- $5
Chicken for soup -$4/5
Misc - $5-10 (challah, soda, grape juice etc.)