Anonymous #2
4 children, Lakewood
Basic monthly expenses:
Childcare - $1,500
Housing and utilities - $2,400
Cars (insurance and gas) - $350
Groceries - $1,000
Target/Amazon - $300
Phones and internet - $150
Cleaning help - $200
Total - $5,900 monthly expenses
This does not include non-steady but inevitable expenses like clothing, travel, technology, takeout, gifts, and many other things.
Anonymous #2 here. I asked CV to post an update to answer some of the questions DDFers had on my first post.
I do budget for the non-steady expenses somewhat. I put money each month into an account for them, and I take out when they come up. But they can be $50 one month and $3,000 another, so it is hard to put a finger on it exactly. When that account is low, I try to minimize or push off buying said things.
I am on Jersey Care. I would've gotten kicked off last year, but I was kept on due to COVID. When I get kicked off, my children should still be eligible, so it will add about $250-450 a month, plus copays.
This is my childcare breakdown: 1 kid in school, ~$400/month, which I think is average for Lakewood yeshivos. 3 kids in daycare, ~350/month each.
Cars are currently owned free and clear, though I did pay off debts on them.
Amazon/Target includes everything from diapers to shampoo to toilet paper etc.
I don't want to bother CV anymore, but if he's willing, I'll try to answer any additional questions later.