cost of living for a young couple in lakewood

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  • #1325599
    hello456
    Participant

    I was wondering if anyone is familiar with the cost of living in lakewood for a young kollel couple. What are the best paying job opportunities for women without degrees? is it possible for a young couple to live without financial support? the rent seems really cheap and I’m just wondering if anyone knows if knows what the basic expenses are in lakewood for a young couple and could they manage on their own. any input would be appreciated.

    #1325615
    Joseph
    Participant

    How much is the rent?

    #1325632
    zahavasdad
    Participant

    Its not so cheap to live in lakewood anymore, people are looking for alternatives like Toms River and Jackson because Lakewoood is already overcrowded

    #1325656
    Moshe1994
    Participant

    I can’t answer your question about the cost of living in Lakewood, but I do know that is virtually impossible for a woman without a degree to support a family on her own. People who live like this are setting themselves up for a financial disaster in the future R”L.

    #1325683
    hello456
    Participant

    The houses arent so cheap anymore but it seems that many people have basements that are nice and new to rent out for pretty cheap like 675-8 or 9 hundred. and it seems many women do medical billing that doesnt need a degree and pays decently I think. But even with a degree, are there really many jobs that women can use degrees for?

    #1325687
    Joseph
    Participant

    Lakewood is very very far from being overcrowded. Toms River and Jackson have cheaper housing purchases, so there’s obviously carry over into there from Lakewood, but Lakewood still has very cheap rental pricing. And even Lakewood proper pricing is less expensive to buy than in Monsey or Brooklyn.

    #1325723
    teebee48
    Participant

    Rent is cheap and talking from experience it is possible to make it with just about 30k being that the couple is carful

    The basic rule is simply to watch what you spend. You need to make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck on necessities. When your in the grocery know how much each item is supposed to cost for example cherries are a fruit and can be cheap but can range from 1.99 to 5.99 per pound

    Put on the side 15% of your check and make a fund 5% each 1. Savings 2. Vacations/extras 3. Unexpected expenses

    Keep track what your spending knowing where your money’s going

    #1325730
    hello456
    Participant

    what other expenses would a young couple have? does anyone know how cheap car leasing is? how much would an average couple spend on food approximately?

    #1325748
    VerZogt
    Participant

    Hi,
    The largest employers for frum women seem to be medical billing businesses and LTC Senior Planning. If you have friends in Lakewood you can inquire what the pay scale is. You seem to know what the rents are already.

    Your next big budget item is medical insurance. Are there children? Costs for a family are higher than for a couple, If you are below a certain age you may still be on your parent’s plan. What would med insurance cost if the employer offers a plan? Do you qualify for Medicaid/ NJ Family Care?
    If you have children you must figure on child care costs which can be significant.
    If you have a car, remember auto insurance and maintenance.

    I agree you can live normally on 30k. or even less if you are careful and not extravagant. Do you HAVE to buy prepared and convenience foods? Carry a smart phone with data plan? etc etc. Everyone has their own standard of living.

    If you earn more than your basic cost of living do not forget taxes and maaser, and saving/investing regularly for your future goals, like buying a house, kids’ chasunos.

    Hatzlocho!

    #1325883
    jakob
    Participant

    FOLLOWING IS RANGE OF MONTHLY expenses for a lakewood couple
    RENT=750
    home utilites=150
    car lease=200
    2 cell phones=85
    auto insurance depends on driving records=150-400 a month for 2 drivers
    food=250
    gas & oil changes=140
    health insurance=depends on income with obamacare & medicaid/ jersey care
    car maintainance=100
    (cleaning lady=70)
    other side expenses (from clothing shopping to gift stores etc….) can be anywhere between 300-800 a month

    Hatzlacha

    #1325905
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Jakob
    Your budget does not make sense.

    If the couple is paying $200 to lease a car, they WON’T be paying $100 in car maintenance. New car leases are cars under warranty for at least the first 24 months of the lease.
    $4.15 per adult per day for food is ridiculously low for a kosher household.

    #1325911
    hello456
    Participant

    Thanks that was a pretty good breakdown of expenses. so it seems its pretty cheap to live there at least for a young couple. even just for the rent its worth it!

    #1325920
    Lightbrite
    Participant

    250 for food for two people sounds very conservative. As one person that’s very modest. Maybe I just eat a lot.

    #1326001
    jakob
    Participant

    food is not referring to going to fancy restaurants. if a new couple does their weekly food shopping for PACKAGES of food for weekday & shabbos it shouldnt come to be more then approximately $60 a week. also remember were talking about a simple modest couple & not talking about buying every kind of dip for shabbos or fancy foods etc….

    car maintainence AVERAGES out to $100 a month over the entire year which means some months for a great new lease there will be zero expenses but in the middle of nowhere a $600 maintainence fee can pop up. i.e. new cars don’t need the mechanic every month like used old cars but things still pop up that need fixing

    #1326029
    WinnieThePooh
    Participant

    Don’t forget that young couples don’t stay that way for long. The whole equation can change after a year, once you throw in diapers and babysitting costs.

    #1326047
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    @Jakob
    No, the young couple with a car lease won’t have a $600 maintenance bill sneak up on them. Especially, since you have separately budgeted for oil changes which is the only regular maintenance item when you have a new car lease. The couple will not need a set of tires during the lease….
    The things that pop up that need fixing with the exception of light bulbs and wiper blades will be under the manufacturer’s warranty. Some cars, even have bumper to bumper warranties.
    My son leased a 2017 Hyundai Elantra for our eldest grandson: 36 months @$80 month plus taxes (sales and property in CT) total $115/month. 12,000 miles per year. Dealer through in all scheduled oil changes. All parts including bulbs and wipers are covered for the first year. The new vehicle warranty will outlast the lease.

    #1326050
    slominer
    Participant

    You can use cloth diapers, which are reusable. It’s very practical and saves a ton of money.

    #1326093
    Meno
    Participant

    You can use cloth diapers, which are reusable. It’s very practical and saves a ton of money.

    Saves a ton of money? Yes

    Very practical? No

    #1326105
    slominer
    Participant

    Sure it’s practical. Google it and you’ll find tons of help in getting started by parents who use coth diapers. I’ll bet your parents wore them as it was common when they were kids. I’m sure many readers here have parents who wore them (and some of the readers here themselves probably wore them.)

    #1326109
    Meno
    Participant

    I’ll bet your parents wore them as it was common when they were kids.

    Julius Caesar didn’t have indoor plumbing.

    Doesn’t mean it was practical.

    #1326117
    Ex-CTLawyer
    Participant

    Yes, I wore cloth diapers, as did my eldest children, BUT diaper service was common then and cost only $2.50 per week, much less than disposables.
    Today, outside large cities there are no diaper services. So one must add in the cost of laundry, buying machines, detergent or trips to the laundromat and feeding quarters into the machine. May not save much money

    #1326115
    lesschumras
    Participant

    My oldest nephews wore cloth diapers. The apartment constantly smells as there are always soiled diapers that have yet to be washed. They leak. The urine soaks the skin until the diaper is changed leading to diaper rashes.

    #1326114
    Meno
    Participant

    Also, good luck getting a babysitter that would be willing to deal with cloth diapers.

    You’d be much better off with cheap off-brand diapers

    #1326157
    PosterGirl
    Participant

    While you are at it, you may as well skip the a/c. Our grandparents managed without that too. It’ll save you a bundle.

    On a more serious note, there are many ways to save money. However, the standard of living in Lakewood isn’t that way.

    Correct me if I am wrong all you Lakewooders out there….
    Just putting on my bullet proof vest….gimme a sec…………….

    #1326258
    slominer
    Participant

    PosterGirl, are you saying that young Lakewood couples expect a high standard of living?

    For those of you queasy about using cloth diapers, offbrand diapers are a great option. Especially Walmart’s in-house brand and Kirkland/Costco diapers. (Btw, to dispel an incorrect notion above, if you do use coth, you could still have disposables for the minority of times it’s needed, like for the babysitter or when traveling.)

    Another money saving tip from the pros is to use Costco, BJs or Sam’s Club. Just make sure it makes sense for your family size. And Walmart. They’re usually less expensive than other stores.

    And use a prepaid cellphone service. Not directly from the major carriers.

    #1326346
    teebee48
    Participant

    Agree that prepaid is the way to go but buying bulk is not. If you keep an eye out for sales and buy a few of those you do a lot better than buying wholesale bulk

    It’s not convenient but you’re on a budget plus it’s a great way to get out and instead of spend money save

    #1326404
    CTRebbe
    Participant

    I do not live in Lakewood but I do know that anyone who talks about leasing a car does not belong in this discussion. Car leasing is only for wealthier people or those looking for a tax break for their business. Buy a car and take out a loan if you need to. No need to get a new model car for the extra $1,000-$2,000 a year it will cost. You also have nothing to show for it when the lease is over. I have no idea why so many low income intelligent frum families lease

    #1326358
    teebee48
    Participant

    Why is there a need to lease a decent used car bought with around 8k can be a maintenance free and economical option

    Leasing is more money, more insurance and a bad investment

    Here are the numbers

    $200×36 months =$7200+money down

    For about that money you can get a car that will last more than 3 years and when it starts giving problems sell it for 2k which is pure profit

    This is all besides the insurance which in some cases can be $100 dollars cheaper a month

    #1326584
    Meno
    Participant

    Why is there a need to lease a decent used car bought with around 8k can be a maintenance free and economical option
    Leasing is more money, more insurance and a bad investment.

    If you buy a used car, there’s always a chance that it will develop serious problems. If you’re tight on money, you can’t afford to take that risk.

    #1326620
    Joseph
    Participant

    The huge difference in additional cost to lease rather than buy the car (even with a loan) strongly outweighs the risk of buying, as a result of the great savings from purchasing.

    #1326646
    teebee48
    Participant

    A $8,000 car for example a 2010 Corolla with 70k miles small chance for serious problems and you can put away $1k just in case there’s a serious issue you can fix it and you still come out ahead

    We are trying to minimize monthly expenses

    #1326726
    Meno
    Participant

    Even if you don’t have serious problems, regular maintenance really adds up.

    Brake pads, rotors, tires, struts, etc.

    You generally don’t have these issues with a leased car.

    #1326786
    Joseph
    Participant

    The comparatively extra cost of the lease is, in the vast majority of the times, much more than the additional cost of owning a car.

    #1326987
    teebee48
    Participant

    Add up to about $800 max every 3 years

    Again you are trying to get a vehicle for the most cost effective way

    #1327059
    Joseph
    Participant

    What’s $800 max every 3 years?

    #1327192
    iacisrmma
    Participant

    Jakob: Under which category are things like Laundry detergents, toiletries, etc.? I also think that $62.50/Week for food is low even on a simple menu. Let’s take a simple Shabbos Package from a Brooklyn store (includes fish, cholent, kugel, soup) which is $24.99 and even if they have leftovers you are already at $12.50 for two days….that would mean almost 1/2 your food budget is just for shabbos (not including Wine/Challah and a dessert).

    #1327278
    Joseph
    Participant

    It’s much less expensive to prepare your own food than to purchase ready made food for Shabbos (or for the week, for that matter.)

    #1327302
    apushatayid
    Participant

    It is, but when a woman is working full time she doesnt always time to bake challah for shabbos. sometimes she doesnt have the time, or the energy too cook every single meal, from scratch. those are the realities of life today. Yes, our bubbes in europe made their own lokshen and kashered their own chickens, the only problem is they are not available to cook and prepare meals for todays young couples.

    #1327324
    teebee48
    Participant

    Things mentioned like brakes, rotors, struts, tires

    #1327321
    iacisrmma
    Participant

    Joseph: I agree with you. However, jakob wrote “if a new couple does their weekly food shopping for PACKAGES of food for weekday & shabbos it shouldnt come to be more then approximately $60 a week.”

    Even if one cooks and bakes and prepares everything at home, ~$60/week is low. Here is a small shopping list (using Brooklyn prices and having things on sale):

    1 packages chicken legs
    (4 – 6 per package ~ 5 lbs)” 2.19/LB 10.95
    1 lb chicken cutlets
    (3 lb package divided)” 3.99/LB 3.99
    Gallon milk 5.00
    2 bottles soda 1.25/bottle 2.50
    8 oz cream cheese 2.99
    8 oz butter 2.50
    2 dozen eggs .99/dozen 1.98
    small rye bread 1.50
    5 lb flour 3.00
    sugar 4 lb bag 2.00
    1 loaf gefilte fish 3.99
    2 heads iceberg lettuce
    1.29/head 2.58
    3 slicing tomatoes
    .89/ LB 1.11
    3 cucumbers 3/$2 2.00
    2 green peppers .99/LB 1.99
    Bottle Rashi Wine 4.59
    4 cans tuna fish 1.25/can 5.00
    30 0z Jar Mayonnaise 3.99
    Total 60.66

    Notice – no dips, snacks, fruits, cake, spices……..

    Yes $60/week is a low figure.

    #1327392
    jakob
    Participant

    1)the off brand diapers always leak & is not worth the difference in price, i used it for first month after my children were born & almost every diaper leaked

    2)as a new couple its not worth the storage space & membership to use costco or bj’s. wait until your a larger family & also use more at a time then just 2 people

    3)you can get a Verizon (best) unlimited text & talk today for as low as $30 a month for each phone thats only $60 for both of you

    4)im married with children for many years & do food shopping once a week & the average-with years of doing already-is between $50 to $70 a week, we also dont spend such high prices as mentioned by iacasrima we get our sodas at walmart for 99 cents when its on sale & store up versus a jewish store charging 1.99. we get 64oz grape juice not once a month for 4.99 in a jewish store but actually twice a year before the holidays when its on sale at the supermarket for 2.99 & get at least 20 of them to last for 6 months until the holidays come again.

    HERE IS YOUR LIST with the mistakes you made in prices & in what ONLY TWO PEOPLE NEED:
    1 packages chicken legs
    (4 – 6 per package ~ 5 lbs)” 2.19/LB 10.95 (THIS is also 2 peices for a weekday dinner)
    1 lb chicken cutlets (weekday dinner)
    (3 lb package divided)” 3.99/LB 3.99
    Gallon milk 5.00 (can last for weeks if only for 2 people)
    2 bottles soda 1.25/bottle 2.50
    8 oz cream cheese 2.99
    8 oz butter 2.50
    2 dozen eggs .99/dozen 1.98
    small rye bread 1.50
    5 lb flour 3.00
    sugar 4 lb bag 2.00
    1 loaf gefilte fish 3.99 (each shabbos only needs a half loaf, a loaf makes 10 slices)
    2 heads iceberg lettuce
    1.29/head 2.58
    3 slicing tomatoes
    .89/ LB 1.11
    3 cucumbers 3/$2 2.00
    2 green peppers .99/LB 1.99
    Bottle Rashi Wine 4.59 (Simple couple get grape juice for cheaper & don’t need fancy wines)
    4 cans tuna fish 1.25/can 5.00
    30 0z Jar Mayonnaise 3.99
    Total 60.66 SO WHATS YOUR TOTAL NOW IF YOU MAKE THE CHANGES TO WHAT I WROTE IN PARENTESES? PROPBABLY ABOUT $50

    finally you wanted to know where detergent is on my list? its the last thing listed of all odds & ends of supplies etc… between $300-800 a month every month different depending on the season (is it time for yom tov shopping for clothing or summer time?)

    #1327417
    iacisrmma
    Participant

    Let’s see. Most people are makpid to make kiddush on wine not grape juice (therefore I chose one of the cheapest wines Brooklyn prices). In addition they would have to buy other fruits and vegetables not listed. BTW, when my wife and I first married we both are cereal for breakfast and yes we used a gallon of milk a week. Your estimate is low. You say a half loaf of fish. There are those who eat fish at the third seuda too so you would need 6 slices per Shabbos. BTW include horseradish, ketchup and mustard. Oh and many in Lakewood are makpid on melave malkah.

    #1327455
    WinnieThePooh
    Participant

    The young couple in question doesn’t eat any side dishes or veggies with their chicken or schnitzle?
    add Potatoes, rice, pasta, carrots, string beans, Pre-checked frozen veggies, corn, etc
    no chulent on shabbos? You need to add chulent meat, beans, barley to the list- all those items will last more than 1 week
    You can cut costs by minimizing the use of disposable dishes/cups/pans. But you would still need aluminum foil, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, plastic snack bags,

    #1327517
    jakob
    Participant

    wtp

    ALL the things you mentioned are already included in the last thing listed on my list of “ALL other expenses besides whats listed from between $300-800 a month” depending on the season & which month it is.

    not every tiny bug product is going to be listed for e weekly shopping of a young couple & is why this last listing is written & also has a major difference from lowest 300 to 800 highest

    #1327550
    apushatayid
    Participant

    this is very shortsighted budgeting and planning. every young couple hopes that in a years time they are parents, they also hope the husband is still learning in a kollel. the newborn wont take care of itself, nor will it come with a year supply of diapers and formula. childcare, as well as the feeding and clothing of this child will have to be paid for. if the mother goes back to work daycare must be budgeted for, and if she doesnt, the money tree better be in full bloom.

    #1327554
    Joseph
    Participant

    APY: What is your thoughts on how these young couples should be able to afford married life?

    #1327551
    iacisrmma
    Participant

    WTP: When i put my list together I was trying to think back 30 years when it was just me and my wife. there are a whole list of “basics” I left out. I asked my wife the question how much she thought a newly married couple would spend on “food” for a week and her answer was $75 – $100.

    #1327559
    apushatayid
    Participant

    That is something each and every couple should discuss with each other, their parents and rabbeim when they are first starting out.

    #1327561
    ftresi
    Participant

    My experience is that a gallon of milk will not last for weeks if it’s Chalav Yisrael.
    If it comes home from the store not spoiled, I’m happy. Once it comes home not spoiled, it virtually never lasts longer than a week even if the date says it should last two more weeks or longer. So budget for buying milk every week or even more than once a week if it spoils. A gallon is unlikely to last longer than the week.

    Off-brand diapers really depend on the brand. From my experience, Kirkland diapers are just fine, but not cheaper than Luvs when you get them on sale and combine with coupons.

    Also, another GREAT way for anyone to save money is to buy in the chain supermarkets on sale, and then use coupons. Especially in NJ where its common for them to double coupons. Just an example, I recently got salad dressing in Shoprite for free, combining a sale with a doubled coupon.

    #1327579
    jakob
    Participant

    ftresi

    sorry for the misunderstanding but when i wrote a gallon for 2 weeks i meant buying a half gallon each week to go through the week & get a fresh HALF gallon each week as is the popular size & should be enough for just 2 people for a week

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