Budget Hints

It may be helpful to be aware of expenses and optional workshops and trips, etc., when projecting your budget for your sabbatical time. The following budget hints have been based on recent SAT participants' experiences. A sample budget worksheet is provided on page 2 to assist you in your financial planning.

1. It is highly advisable to have a credit card. If you are coming to the Bay Area from abroad, be sure to make allowances for the considerable time delay involved in transferring foreign funds to the USA. In order to facilitate your banking, you might want to contact Donna Bell (Donna.L.Bell@bankofamerica.com) at the Bank of America, 620l College Avenue, Oakland, CA 946l8. The Bank of America is very accessible in the Bay Area and their Financial Services Department has assisted SAT participants in setting up accounts. You might want to phone or fax the bank for the necessary forms before you arrive — Phone: (510) 273-5252 Fax: (510) 273-8039. Again, be aware of any time restrictions on your particular country's currency. U.S. Banks often do not issue credit cards to non-Americans.

2. Although many SAT participants like to walk, local transportation is very good. A typical daily bus ride from the SAT residence to other points in Berkeley is $2.00 each way. A typical trip into San Francisco by BART will cost about $8.00 round trip, depending on the stations used. Monthly discount tickets and excellent senior citizen rates are available.

3. Cost of materials. Presenters try as much as possible to use readers which are optional and available to participants at cost ($4-$8). The cost of readers is the participant's responsibility. This year the cost of all readers was approximately $60 per semester.

4. Spiritual direction is an essential part of your sabbatical. Some spiritual directors do not charge. Most charge $35-$50 per session on a sliding scale to help with their personal expenses. Sessions are usually twice a month.

5. There are many wonderful optional spiritual and personal growth programs and resources available in the Bay area. These activities are optional. Costs vary.

6. One of the important aspects of a sabbatical at SAT is the opportunity to mingle with persons from varied backgrounds. Socializing with them may involve concerts, plays, and sporting events. Be sure to allow space in your budget for some of these events if you wish.

7. We are fortunate to receive partial scholarships to our state-of-the-art YMCA. Fees are approximately $34 mothhly, with no registration fee. This includes many classes such as water aerobics and many opportunities to stay fit.

8. People often car-pool for optional trips and reimburse their driver. If you do not bring a car, it would be wise to budget for this.

9. SAT rooms and apartments are equipped with phones. However, there is an initial hook-up fee of $35. In addition, monthly service charges range from $8.00 to $15.00. We suggest that people use inexpensive phone cards for long distance and international phone calls.

10. For those coming from outside the United States, please plan to bring enough of your personal prescription medications with you. Otherwise, California law requires that you visit a physician in California to get a prescription. Without US health insurance, doctors visits and prescriptions are very expensive. You might want to consider Kaiser health insurance offered by the Graduate Theological Union. The cost for this in 2010-2011 was $916.00.

Budget Hints Worksheet »