It seems to me like this post ran a tad bit off topic.
I believe the average income of a frum family in Flatbush with 3-5 kids needs to be 150 before tax in order to live. With nothing fancy.
I am sure many are not making that and are able to compensate in other ways ie Gov’t programs, carefully planning the budget and possible help from relatives.
I do not know how the current lifestyle is sustainable and I wish everyone much Hatzlacha and we should all continue to daven for a yeshua.
The following is based on a freinds budget I recently reviewed to give him some ideas (mostly a shoulder and a ear to hear him out)
This is a basic with out all categories monthly budget:
Mortgage 3200
Tutiton 2000 during summer it goes towards day camp in the city
Food 1500
Phones 100
Electric 150 level payment plan
gas 300
clng lady 320 wife works and needs the extra help
car ins. 350 2 cars both needed for work purposes
car paymnt389 Car lease, 1998 van broke down and needed to be replaced and did not have money to spend on buying used highway worthy van
Medical 250 co-pays and dental work average
Clothing 400 including shoes
Car gas 150
tolls 50
gifts 50 birthday/bar mitzvah/wedding on average
9209 x 12 = 110,508 which is very close to the net income off a 150k gross income
I did no include shul membership, or things like $35/month for the Gardner or water bill. It is a rough idea and is incomplete.
Hatzlacha!!