Kollel Budgeting

[@Yehuda]

I just ran a budget from a template Excel file, and I have about $100 a month to use for spending. :-( Life's expensive. No idea what life will be like once kids come along.

[Mordyk]

I just ran a budget from a template Excel file, and I have about $100 a month to use for spending. :-( Life's expensive. No idea what life will be like once kids come along.

+10000    get more expensive then you think!!  add a line to the budget for diapers. this takes it to a another level!

[Name Changed]

I just ran a budget from a template Excel file, and I have about $100 a month to use for spending. :-( Life's expensive. No idea what life will be like once kids come along.

The one above takes care of everyone.

[incendia]

Taxes,

if you are gong to be selfemployed you have to pay your own taxes

[Super Speed]

The one above takes care of everyone.

+infinity

[@Yehuda]

The one above takes care of everyone.

Amen

[TimT]

I just ran a budget from a template Excel file, and I have about $100 a month to use for spending. :-( Life's expensive. No idea what life will be like once kids come along.

Make sure to get a raise here & there.

[churnbabychurn]

You know, tell the folks if they want to see the grandkids they must deposit X dollars in bank account number xxxxxxxxxx by midnight tonight or else. You don't do this?

+1

[@Yehuda]

Make sure to get a raise here & there.

[CS1]

You drink 2 bottles of OJ in one day?   
Also, he forgot to include chocolate chips in his budget

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...

[good sam]

I'm going to get slammed for saying this-

I wouldn't worry too much about maa'ser right now. I've been told by many people that it's only imperative that you give ma'aser on whatever is left over after all your expenses. Doesn't seem like you'll have that much considering you need to budget.

I received this psak from a reputable posek. Not only for kollel.

[good sam]

I just ran a budget from a template Excel file, and I have about $100 a month to use for spending. :-( Life's expensive. No idea what life will be like once kids come along.

Take it from me... G-d does not give you children without also giving you a way to support them.

[avrumy22]

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.

[lunatic]

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.

Kollel

[CS1]

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.

the difference between earning $4K and earning $2600 is $1400. Health insurance alone is ($120/mo) $1440/year
Plus at least $150-200 per week for food... 

[sky121]

Take it from me... G-d does not give you children without also giving you a way to support them.

And fortunately for him he is smart enough to see that life is expensive and can take necessary actions to help improve his financial situation.
Baruch Hashem!

[@Yehuda]

Take it from me... G-d does not give you children without also giving you a way to support them.

Thanks

[Yaalili]

the difference between earning $4K and earning $2600 is $1400. Health insurance alone is ($120/mo) $1440/year
Plus at least $150-200 per week for food... 

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

[CS1]

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

was writing actual cost of health insurance is approx $1400 and cost of food is approx $150 - 200... depending...

[Twin]

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.

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.