Finances family of 5 kids 2 adults

amother

↑ Heather

Yesterday at 9:10 pm

amother Ballota wrote:

Whoever thinks 500 is alot of money per week
Either
1. Doesn't have any clue what they spend
2. Doesn't spend on important things (wash their Shaitel every 6 months), Doesn't give chanuka money, Doesn't buy their kids treats or birthday presents, Doesn't ever treat themselves to something, lunch, manicure, family pizza once in a while
3. Goes to the mikva Friday nights and never pays
4. Counts their tuition as maaser
5. Literally spends very little, their kids don't have decent clothes, they have holes in their socks and tights and pants because Doesn't want to spend
6. Says no to pretty much everything their kids ask etc

7. Doesn't have cleaning help.

Or finds a different way to cut back that doesnt involve wearing stuff with holes and everything else penny pinching.

amother

↑ Ballota

Yesterday at 9:41 pm

She is allowed to pay for her teenagers pictures and camera to be fixed if that's what she decides. It's ludicrous many of these responses. Yes I'm not good at budgeting. But what do you do when your toddler outgrows clothing mid-season? Or you need a new shabbos robe for whatever reason and you haven't bought one in 4 years and it needs a hem? And the crotch of youtlr sons pants rips or the hem falls down? Or you are making a bar mitzvah or bris or kiddush? Or you need new linen or a mattress pad or garbage bags? Or diapers or paper towels or cleaning supplies? Or pony holders, or tooth picks or shampoo or wipes or a new couch. Forget dish soap or counter spray or detergent and bleach, and new pants for your son who out grew his old ones? Or slippers or bathing suits, or your son weekday shoe or sneakers are broken. Yes paper goods are a big one. But if no one wants to wash the dishes and you have too many other things to do then...? Disposable table clothes for shabbos and wicks or candles or olive oil to light shabbos candles? And then your daughter says she needs more tights. And apply for camp which has a fee or seminary? Or give your shul money or any organization? I'm sure you give tzedaka? The list can go on...

amother

↑ OP

Yesterday at 9:42 pm

amother Ballota wrote:

Exactly this what I mean dono how I'm not supposed to feel stressed

amother

↑ Hosta

Yesterday at 9:48 pm

amother OP wrote:

Exactly this what I mean dono how I'm not supposed to feel stressed

Does this 500$ include paper goods and household items?
It should not include big ticket items like a new couch or simchas...
That should be another cheshbon.

OP,
It may be hard but if you can keep track of what your spending it on, maybe you can have a better idea of where u can cut back, or save up for more expensive seasons.
It's alot to sustain many humans! One day I was adding up all the money we spend on one child... It could be close to 20,000 easy. Between tuition, food, camp & clothes, and that's without the shared expenses of mortgage and bills...

amother

↑ Daylily

Yesterday at 9:50 pm

amother Ballota wrote:

She is absolutely allowed to pay for whatever she want. But if she pays excessive amounts for these things, then wondersnwhy there's never enough money, then... that's the answer.

amother

Rainbow

Yesterday at 10:09 pm

amother Ballota wrote:

What do I do? Either we have the money or we skip it. Yes it's hard. Yes it's stressful
A new couch?? Seriously? When we needed a new couch we waited yrs. Save up / gemach or 2nd hand.
We don't use credit cards. Only debit. After I pay our mortgage, Ma'aser and all bills we see what's left. If my kid suddenly out grows clothes I see how we are doing, sometimes need to buy less food that month, or buy just a few outfits and do extra laundry, more the next month etc. I'm really bad at budgeting to be honest, but I know how much we make, and constantly check out account to see where we are holding and if we have lee way for extras. Sometimes I tell my kids they need to wait a few weeks before we buy new shoes / undershirts / coat. Or they need to save up for it. That's life.

amother

Salmon

Yesterday at 10:27 pm

OP still isn't being very clear about what falls into that $500 pool of cash. It makes a HUGE difference. If everything besides tuition, mortgage, utilities, and food is included in that $500 allotment, then yeah, I'd say that might be tight for some families. But if you're only including things like entertainment, extras for kids, clothing, takeout, etc, then I agree it should be more than plenty.
And I really don't get how you spend $100 on gas WEEKLY if you're not commuting to work. I drive many many carpools each week and do all the errands, etc and don't spend anywhere near that number in gas.
Also, as a (mostly) sahm, I try to save money by not outsourcing certain things. I wash my own shaitel, clean my own house, cut my boys' hair, etc. Of course that doesn't work for everyone, but maybe see where it COULD work for you in certain areas.

amother

↑ Red

Yesterday at 11:18 pm

amother Ballota wrote:

All of your examples are not weekly expenses. They're monthly or even less.
She didn't say tuition was included in the $500 a week. That definitely changes things if it is.
If someone is budgeting properly then, for example, this time of year when one isn't preparing for yt or camp, they should be able to save most of the $500 weekly and when it's busier season they have more.
How much is it to wash wigs already? $60 every 4-6 weeks or so. Mikva is $25 every 4 weeks, if she even goes that often.
My kids have very decent clothes, do not have pants and tights with holes and I still can't understand why shes having a hard time.
Something isn't adding up
Op has not once answered how she spends the $500. I would love to see a breakdown. Without one Noone can help her.

amother

Steelblue

Today at 9:43 am

Things like take out, manicures, waxing, eating out lunch with friends, buying coffee....
ARE ALL EXTRAS. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it. If it isn't in the budget you don't do it.
It sounds like you don't work. Maybe you have too much free time...

Shop around for prices.
My gas is a lot higher than NJ. I don't spend $100 a week and I do school carpool, work etc.

I live in a much higher COL area. I don't spend 500 on misc items a week if tuition, food, insurance, gas, utilities are not included.

What do I do if my toddler outgrows? Well I buy based on need and not seasons. And I shop around. I don't do fancy stores. And it shouldn't be every week.

amother

Snow

Today at 10:14 am

amother Steelblue wrote:

Agreed! I honestly consider most of the things that people are considering 'needs' to be 'wants'. Yes, I do get many many of my wants! but I'm aware that they are not 'needs'