striving,
Jothar made a good point. Short-term kollel (a few years) may be possible even if long-term kollel is not. I supported my family financially while my husband learned in kollel for 2 years, b”h with no other financial help. I did have a well-paying job, but my sisters-in-law (who are really amazing women & true n’shei chayil) also supported my brothers while they were learning in kollel, for about the same amount of time, with less well-paying jobs.