Emotional Power of Balancing the Checkbook

There are three kinds of families in the frum world: 1) Those where the husband balances the checkbook. 2) Those where the wife balances the checkbook. 3) Those where no one balances the checkbook.

My guess is that most families belong to the third group.

When you balance the checkbook, every penny that gets spent must be accounted for. Raising a frum family is not cheap by any stretch. Tuition, mortgage, simchos, clothing, kosher food, summer vacations, day camp, sleep away camp, etc. That is why most families belong to the third group. Ignorance feels good while it lasts. It hurts to see the balance fall negative month after month with no relief in sight.

But when you take the time to go through your finances, a wave of emotion comes over you. Sometimes it is fear, sometimes it is panic, and sometimes it is an awakening. You get to realize how important it is to boost your income to cover all the necessary expenses of life. Everyone needs that wake up call, and most choose not to participate in it.

If you are considering leaving kollel due to financial pressures, do balance your checkbook. Look ahead two or three years, and you will see how your expenses will only be going higher. If you had any doubts about kollel as a long term occupation, you will be forced to align them with the fact that ultimately, the checkbook has to be balanced.

Tweet

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Tags: checkbook • expenses • finances • money • stress • wife