On one level the financial issues in the frum world aren’t so different from those in the secular world. Everyone needs a place to sleep and clothes to wear. But on another level the pressures in the Orthodox community can be greater: food is more expensive tuition is high and only getting higher. Then there are simchahs and the basics of living a frum life like expenses for Shabbos and Yom Tov. On top of all that there’s the high cost of conformity. “Fitting in” with the right kind of suit tie jacket hat shoes sheitel dress is costly and can be difficult to manage even on two salaries. So how do we avoid financial pitfalls to save ourselves from financial ruin? And if we find ourselves mired in debt is there any hope?