$150k annual salary and we are thank G-d making it

amother

↑ Blonde

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 1:48 pm

amother Pistachio wrote:

I've never heard this before. This is not mainstream halacha.

Don't forget that life nowadays is very different from times of Gemara, etc.
They didn't have cars (loans, gas, maintenance), insurance, retirement funds, phone/internet, water, G&E. Tuition (if any) would have been very different. My assumption is housing too (prob a one time expense). Basically needed to pay/barter for food, and saved up to occasionally get something new, like a new article of clothing. So maaser was likely a simpler calculation.

amother

↑ Chartreuse ↓

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 1:52 pm

amother Charcoal wrote:

Her circumstances are exceptional because it is virtually impossible for anyone buying a house these days in any sort of even tiny Jewish community with 20% down to have a mortgage of $1,600. So her anecdote is basically inapplicable to anyone who recently bought or will soon buy and is trying to figure out if they can survive on $150k these days.

I agree that's low, but we bought two years ago in a relatively expensive state and our mortgage was 1900.

amother

↑ Chambray

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 2:05 pm

My mortgage is 1575 (bought 7 years ago). We get health insurance through my DHs work. My salary pays for tuition pretax because I am a teacher.
I wouldn't post how we are BH making it because I don't see how it helps anyone.

↑ mizle10 ↓

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 4:49 pm

A mortgage is really the make it or break it. Where I live I can buy a 100 year old duplex for $1mil. If I were to put down 20% which would be 200k plus factor in taxes and closing fees I’m at about 250k down with a mortgage of $6500/month.

People who are making it either
A) bought years ago
B) are making a lot more that $150k a year

amother

↑ Chartreuse

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 5:06 pm

mizle10 wrote:

C) Live somewhere that's not as expensive

↑ mizle10

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 5:12 pm

amother Chartreuse wrote:

C) Live somewhere that's not as expensive

Well yes, but I live in Canada and the only 2 Jewish communities with established BYs and Yeshivos are Montreal and Toronto. Housing is unaffordable in both places. We can prob find someone to sponsor us as US citizens and lose 33% of our savings on the exchange and start over with a new profession, but realistically we are here.

I’m not complaining at all, bh we have a good life, and we’re happy here. Just pointing out that it’s not always simple to move. And yes people who bought houses 10+ years ago have an affordable mortgage, and those who have a new mortgage are not living on $150k a year.

amother

Geranium

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 5:45 pm

We were able to make it on 150,000 in NYC with 4 kids. That's not a big deal . Now we have 6 making slightly more and it's really hard.

amother

NeonPink

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:02 pm

Our numbers are very similar to OP. Also making $150k combined. Our food and medical costs are higher. Our mortgage is $750 a month + taxes and insurance is just under $1500 a month when annualized. We just about make it but no cleaning help or vacations ever and it's tight.

synthy

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 7:47 pm

amother Pistachio wrote:

I've never heard this before. This is not mainstream halacha.

I was given the same psak. We’re a kollel couple, if we calculate masser based on net income we can’t pay essentials.

amother

Dahlia

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 8:14 pm

We live ott we refinanced during covid when the rates were so low and we went from a 30 year mortgage to a 20 year mortgage we pay around $1000 a month to mortgage. If you Also pay a extra to the principal each month will save you lots in the long run.

joker

Sun, Oct 06 2024, 8:19 pm

I live in Baltimore and never heard this psak I have heard that if your in kollel or can't pay your bills you don'ttake maaser. We were told to take massive after taxes are paid. Tuition cannot be paid from it