Prioritizing tzedaka vs retirement savings

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Forum -> Household Management -> Finances

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amother

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 4:47 am

I am 40 and have ver little saved for retirement. At the same time I belive n giving maaser. Every time I want to give maaser I think of my future self sadly and would rather give her.

How do yu give maaser if yu don't have adequate savings for yorself.

justforfun87

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 6:30 am

Do you have a job that offers a 401k? If so that is pre taxed dollars taken out and matched by employer. It is literally free money. I would enroll in that and then give maaser with the extras.

amother

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 7:38 am

justforfun87 wrote:

Do you have a job that offers a 401k? If so that is pre taxed dollars taken out and matched by employer. It is literally free money. I would enroll in that and then give maaser with the extras.

I don’t have that option

amother

Brown

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 7:43 am

Ask a shaila. If you are going to need tzeddakah then often you dont need to give it.

imasinger

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 7:57 am

Definitely a shaila.

doodlesmom

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 8:20 am

Maaser brings a lot of bracha! Remember that when making your decision.
I don’t know if halachically you have to have all your future life expenses covered before giving maaser. But you can ask.

Remember if everyone gives maaser then if chv chv! you will ever need there will be maaser for you too!

amother

PlumPink

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 9:43 am

I feel the same way. On the flip side at this age I also think about putting aside money for me to have in the next world...

Also I don't know the amount being discussed but one or two extra thousand dollars in retirement savings a year won't make it break it for me when I retire anyway so I may as well keep giving what I can.

But as above I feel the same way. Speak to a Rav

amother

Offwhite

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 10:34 am

Discuss with a Rav you trust.

all rabonim are great, but its good to develop a connection with one who you feel also combine understanding you, being kind, empathatic.

and keep that kesher for all haclaha and hashkafa questions. you need to be comoftable

its not men only dept to choose a rav. I brought several rabbonim to the marriage.

You make a few phone calls for some shailos, and see how it seems to work for you. you need to feel positive about the kesher.

amother

DarkKhaki

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 10:37 am

Listen to this weeks episode of Kosher Money. Talks a lot about this.

amother

Catmint

Tue, Oct 04 2022, 10:41 am

I never knew Maasai was optional.. I thought it was a given, a must. (Obviously as long as you aren’t really truly struggling to buy food) we don’t even count that money as part of any of our cheshbonos. Like it’s automatic that it’s deducted. Maybe we are wrong thiugh

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