WHAT DOES “MIDDLE CLASS” REALLY MEAN ANYMORE?
Is it $250K? $350K? $450K??

In this episode of The Middle Class Podcast, Moshe Alpert, CFP® sits down with Shalom Becker, Vice President of Purchasing at Millennial Healthcare, for a rare, honest look at what it actually takes to build a middle-class life today — from the ground up.

This is the real story:

• Starting at $50,000 a year
• Living in small apartments
• Delaying comfort
• Asking for uncomfortable raises
• Buying a home before everything felt ready
• Slowly building toward a $300K+ household income

No hype.

No shortcuts.

Just real decisions regular families face — and how to navigate them.

🎙️ THE YOUNG MIDDLE CLASS
What it actually takes to build stability in today’s economy

📌 YOU’LL LEARN:
• What income truly qualifies as “middle class” today
• How career growth actually happens (and why it’s rarely linear)
• When switching jobs makes sense — and when it doesn’t
• How to ask for raises without risking your job
• Why early frugality creates long-term flexibility
• Buying a home with less than 20% down (and why PMI isn’t the enemy)
• How side hustles help break middle-class plateaus
• Why financial planning matters before you feel successful
• How to stay grounded amid lifestyle and peer pressure

🧠 QUOTES FROM THE EPISODE:
“Middle class isn’t about lifestyle. It’s about stability.”
“Every raise was uncomfortable — but not asking would’ve cost more.”
“You don’t need your dream home. You need a home.”

👤 ABOUT THE GUEST
Shalom Becker is Vice President of Purchasing at Millennial Healthcare, overseeing vendor negotiations, budgeting, and procurement across healthcare facilities. His career reflects the real-world path of many middle-class professionals — steady progression, expanding responsibility, and learning how to create long-term stability through disciplined decision making.

💼 ABOUT THE HOST
Moshe Alpert, CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, AEP®
Founder & CEO of Ceremian Financial
Moshe helps families and professionals make clear, values-based financial decisions around income, savings, homeownership, and long-term planning — without unrealistic assumptions.

🔗 CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE
📧 Questions? Email: [email protected]
⭐ Leave a 5-star review to help more people find the show
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📺 Full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fc2pjAoAHzU

🎛️ PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced & Edited by: BIG Productions – Gidon Orman
🎙️ Contact: [email protected]

📌 HASHTAGS
#TheMiddleClass #MiddleClassMoney #IncomeReality
#CareerGrowth #RealLifeFinance #JewishEconomics
#FinancialPlanning #HomeOwnership #SideHustle #MosheAlpert

🎙️ Maaser, Debt & Donor Funds

When halacha meets household budgets — what you must know

Million-dollar halachos for middle-class income. In this clear, direct, and surprisingly empowering episode, host Moshe Alpert, CFP® is joined by Rabbi Tzvi Yaakov Stein (aka The Texting Rabbi) to break down the financial halachos of Maaser, tzedaka, and Jewish generosity in the real world of credit cards, tuition discounts, donor-advised funds, and kollel stipends.

Whether you’re making $60K or $600K, this episode is packed with practical examples, real-life leniencies, and strong Torah perspectives to help you give smarter — and maybe breathe easier.

📌 You'll learn:

• When not to give Maaser — even if it feels wrong
• Why tuition discounts and credit card debt change everything
• What counts as "income" — and what comes off the top
• How donor-advised funds fit into halacha
• The surprising truth about using Maaser for weddings, seminary & babysitting
• Who really comes first when giving tzedaka

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

• [00:00] — Is student loan repayment Maaser-exempt?
• [01:00] — Meet “The WhatsApp Rabbi”
• [03:55] — Should you give Maaser if you’re in credit card debt?
• [06:31] — Tuition discounts and where your tzedaka must go
• [08:15] — Can you count shul dues or community fees as Maaser?
• [13:37] — What qualifies as “not making ends meet”?
• [15:06] — What counts as standard American debt vs halachic hardship
• [17:34] — Can you take Maaser off after expenses like food and rent?
• [20:54] — Should Maaser come before retirement savings or insurance?
• [25:16] — Income vs revenue: Should you Maaser from gross or net?
• [27:03] — Common deductions: office rent, gas, salaries, babysitting
• [30:28] — Can your suit or car be deducted if it’s for work?
• [32:03] — Student loans revisited: do doctors and PAs get a pass?
• [34:02] — Cleaning help & Shalom Bayis: Halachic grey zones
• [38:27] — Investments: Stocks, mutual funds, and when to Maaser
• [42:15] — Selling couches, flipping homes, and 1031 exchanges
• [43:23] — Donor-advised funds: mutar or pushing off a mitzvah?
• [46:36] — Can you use Maaser to pay for your child’s wedding or seminary?
• [50:57] — Conservative investing with Maaser money
• [55:21] — “Meat in the cholent” stories: inspiring levels of giving
• [59:49] — Giving Maaser without knowing where it’s going
• [1:01:35] — Final halachah: Priority order in tzedaka (family comes first)

🧠 Quote of the Episode:

“If you’re in credit card debt, you should not be giving Maaser.”
“You can’t give someone else’s tzedaka before paying your tuition deduction.”

👤 About the Guest

Rabbi Tzvi Yaakov SteinA noted Posek and Rav, Rabbi Tzvi Yaakov Stein is widely respected for his clarity in halacha and his ability to apply it to real-life scenarios with nuance and precision. Though now famously known as “The Texting Rabbi” for his rapid-fire WhatsApp halachic responses, his reputation was built long before — as a trusted authority in halacha, education, and community leadership.

📄 Download his widely-shared Halacha PDFs:
www.tystein.com/halacha-pdf

💼 About the Host

Moshe Alpert, CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, AEP®
Founder & CEO of Ceremian Financial. Moshe helps families turn complex financial decisions into clear, actionable plans built on values, goals, and real numbers.

🔗 Connect & Subscribe

• 📧 Questions? Email: [email protected]
• ⭐️ Leave a 5-star review to help more people find the show
• 🎧 Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
• 📺 Full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fuiOe_ObMLg

🎛️ Production Credits

Produced & Edited by: BIG Productions – Gidon Orman
🎙️ Contact: [email protected]

📌 Hashtags

#TheMiddleClass #Maaser #Tzedaka #JewishMoney #Halacha #FrumFinance #DonorFund #Charity #JewishEconomics # #RabbiStein

🎙️ Mortgages

Million-dollar homes used to sound like luxury real estate—but in many neighborhoods today, that’s just the price of a modest home. So how are middle-class families pulling it off?

In this sharp, practical, and surprisingly hopeful episode, host Moshe Alpert, CFP® is joined by Gabe “Mortgage Gabe” Tenenberg of FM Home Loans. Together, they break down the real strategies behind home buying for families with average incomes, non-traditional finances, and big dreams.

From understanding the CIA of mortgage approval (Credit, Income, Assets) to why PMI might be your best friend, this episode sheds light on how people are navigating rising home prices, limited reported income, and steep closing costs — all while building toward long-term stability.

⏱️ Episode Breakdown:

• [00:00] — The self-employed paradox: Why high earners can’t get mortgages

• [02:36] — “How does everyone do it?” The question everyone whispers

• [03:54] — The new normal: Why $1M homes are now entry-level in many cities

• [05:15] — What’s the Mansion Tax, and why even small homes can be hit

• [07:22] — Mortgage prep = Lexus test drive: Why pre-approval must come first

• [10:28] — Introducing the CIA: Credit, Income, Assets (and why Credit is king)

• [14:23] — What is PMI, and how it could unlock your dream home

• [16:11] — The credit score trap: Why two identical earners get different rates

• [19:34] — Pre-approval vs. “Pre-affording”: Don’t just qualify—plan to survive

• [21:25] — Business Bank Statement Loans: The game-changer for self-employed buyers

• [26:04] — Monthly payment shock: Why $6K might only mean $3K more than rent

• [30:36] — Why putting less down might be smarter than 20%

• [33:38] — Need a raise to qualify? Use your mortgage as motivation

• [35:50] — Understanding the closing process (and what a “mortgage contingency” really means)

• [40:51] — Final takeaway: Push the envelope with a cushion and a plan

🧠 Quote of the Episode:

“Most people who pushed the envelope—within reason—did not regret the home they bought.”

👤 About the Guest

Gabe TenenbergMortgage Advisor, FM Home Loans
Known as “Mortgage Gabe,” Gabe specializes in helping middle-class, self-employed, and first-time buyers navigate today’s home-buying landscape with clarity, creativity, and empathy.

https://wa.link/c7dc3p

💼 About the Host

Moshe Alpert, CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, AEP®
Founder & CEO of Ceremian Financial. Moshe helps families turn complex financial decisions into clear, actionable plans built on values, goals, and real numbers.

🔗 Connect & Subscribe

📧 Send your questions to: [email protected]
⭐️ Leave a 5-star review — it helps others discover the show
🎧 Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/z3VbqLyN4-U

🎛️ Production Credits

Produced & Edited by: BIG Productions – Gidon Orman
🎙️ Contact: [email protected]

📌 Hashtags

#TheMiddleClass #HomeBuying #MortgageTips#FirstTimeHomeBuyer #RealEstateAdvice #PersonalFinance

What does it actually cost to run one of the largest Yeshivas in the world, and why do only 31% of parents pay full tuition?

Joel Kaplan, Executive Director of Yeshiva Darchei Torah, pulls back the curtain on a staggering $50 million annual budget to reveal the complex financial engine behind Jewish education. From a "Gold Standard" policy where widows never receive a bill to the secret deliberations of a tuition committee that prioritizes "customer service" over rigid formulas, this conversation explores the delicate balance between fiscal survival and communal compassion.[00:00] – Breaking down the $50 million annual budget.

[04:21] – The philosophy of "Customer Service" in the tuition office.
[07:00] – Why Darchei avoids rigid formulas for tuition.
[09:33] – The Numbers: Only 31% of families pay full tuition.
[11:00] – Compassion in Action: The widow policy and helping the unemployed.
[19:03] – How the tuition committee handles sensitive financial data.
[22:03] – The "Big Beautiful Bill": Explaining the ECCA tax credit.
[26:35] – Bridging the $8 million annual fundraising gap.
[36:00] – Why the annual dinner is still the most effective tool.
[42:25] – A message to parents on the quality of chinuch.

💼 About the HostMoshe Alpert (CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, AEP®), CEO of Ceremian Financial, a firm dedicated to helping families simplify complex financial decisions. “Comprehensive financial planning can feel like a daunting task. At Ceremian Financial, my team aims to create a plan that is simplified and actionable.”

💼 About the Guest: Joel KaplanTitle: Executive Director, Yeshiva Darchei TorahBio: Joel has overseen tuition and been involved with fundraising for thousands of families over decades of service. His perspective bridges financial realism with deep respect for the role of chinuch in frum life.Fun fact: He personally reviews tuition applications — and even davens for families in crisis.

🔗 Connect & SubscribeHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover?

📩 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

⭐️ Leave a review – it helps more people find the show

📺 Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q1JwgFnhDo4

🎧 Subscribe on Apple or Spotify

Production Credits

🎙️ Produced by: Gidon Orman - BIG Productions

✂️ Post-Production & Editing: BIG Productions - gi@bigprod,net

#TheMiddleClass #JewishFinance #YeshivaTuition #DarcheiTorah #JewishEducation

🎙️ The Truth About "Social Pressure"The Middle Class Podcast Episode 1

Welcome to the premiere episode of The Middle Class Podcast!

Hosted by Moshe Alpert (CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, AEP®), CEO of Ceremian Financial, this show explores the real financial reality of the middle class—balancing large households, community expectations, and long-term stability.

In this episode, Moshe sits down with Ari Boiangiu, a real middle class business owner and the founder of Blue Melody, a premier event band. Ari shares the honest truth about raising seven kids in Brooklyn while navigating the financial pressures of weddings, seminary, family life, and staying grounded. He brings a refreshing take on financial independence—while still appreciating the safety net of family support when it's needed.

🔗 Follow Ari: @bluemelodygroup

🔊 What We Discuss:

[00:01:24] Who is Ari Boiangiu? Balancing life as a father of seven, business owner, and community figure

[00:04:46] The Business of Trust – How Ari built Blue Melody by prioritizing relationships over products

[00:08:40] Defining “Enough” – Why success means covering your bills without debt (Parnassah B’revach)

[00:11:34] The Taboo of Family Help – Accepting support with gratitude, not guilt

[00:21:12] Weddings & Social Pressure – The danger of going into debt for simchas and the value of takana weddings

[00:26:12] The Seminary Debate – Is the $35k+ price tag worth it? Pressure vs. personal values[00:34:00] Financial Regrets – Why Ari wishes he started planning in his 20s

[00:40:40] The $1,200 Pizza Hack – How homemade dough saved thousands

💼 About the Host

Moshe Alpert is the CEO of Ceremian Financial, a firm dedicated to helping families simplify complex financial decisions.“Comprehensive financial planning can feel like a daunting task. At Ceremian Financial, my team aims to create a plan that is simplified and actionable.”

💡 Sponsored by Chai LifelineLooking to save on taxes while supporting a great cause? The Real Estate Bargain Sale Program lets you sell property below market value and claim a tax deduction on the difference.📧 [email protected]📞 646-981-6945

🔗 Connect & SubscribeHave a question or topic you'd like us to cover?

📩 Email: [email protected]

#TheMiddleClass #JewishFinance #Budgeting #SimchaCosts #BlueMelody #MosheAlpert #MiddleClass #FinancePodcast

In this introductory episode, Moshe Alpert—Certified Financial Planner and CEO of Cermenian Financial—shares why he launched The Middle Class podcast. After over a decade of working closely with middle-class families, he’s seen a powerful truth: many people feel financially stuck not because they’re poor, but because they’re disorganized, overwhelmed, or just never taught how to handle money confidently. This podcast is here to change that.

You’ll hear real stories, expert advice, and down-to-earth strategies to help you go beyond surviving—and start thriving. Whether it’s understanding insurance, managing tuition and charity, or learning how to invest with clarity, this show is your guide to total financial security.