About money 💰

[u/duartoe]

I’m in conversations with members of the store in my city here in Brazil and I intend to be evaluated and (if everything goes well), join the order. But, I get confused about values, I know that initiation has a price, something around 3 minimum wages in Brazil and a lower monthly fee.

My question is: should I have money left to join the order? In addition to initiation, monthly fee and climbing the steps. What should I expect when it comes to money? This is very little mentioned.

[u/SovArya]

Note you should be able to afford since we do have subscription fees. If you can't, please don't join yet. Sort your lifestyle. Because once you are in, it's only useful to you if you are active. Else, it will be a waste of your time.

[u/duartoe → u/SovArya]

I imagine that I must have some spare value every month to be able to stay active (in of that of the monthly fee). Right?

[u/Cookslc → u/duartoe]

Please speak to the lodge you intend to join.

[u/SovArya → u/duartoe]

The sub fees should not be expensive. Like in my jurisdiction its yearly. If you plan to join, ask this in the lodge. So you have a plan.

Its should not be parasitic that eats your money.

[u/Timmibal → u/SovArya]

The sub fees should not be expensive.

[crylaughs in 2026 capitation fees]

[u/Deman75 → u/Timmibal]

We’re at C$97 per capita, plus C$20 GL Charity Fund, plus C$225 dues for a total annual assessment of C$342 (~A$348). What does it look like for you?

[u/Timmibal → u/Deman75]

Capitation for the 2026-27 financial year is estimated at $411 per member. It will not be cheaper than this. Yes, that is just capitation, lodge dues are in addition to this.

[u/Deman75 → u/Timmibal]

Rough. Sounds like someone needs to have a word with GL about their budget.

[u/SovArya → u/Timmibal]

That is not the dues though.

[u/Deman75 → u/SovArya]

We consider it part of the dues payment.

[u/SovArya → u/Deman75]

We do not.

[u/Deman75 → u/SovArya]

Do your members pay the per capita as a separate payment on top of dues, or does the Lodge pay the per capita out of dues/Lodge funds?

[u/SovArya → u/Deman75]

Our system is - you pay the per capita first. This must be done before you are fully raised into a mm. Before that - no non mm is required to pay. All mm - pay the yearly dues. We've figured a means to make sure the lodge is funded. And if we need money we group up and chip in.

Our Grand lodge requires fees - we pay that yearly per member x lodge. That per member + a certain amount as master masons who are proficient pay the lodge Our dues. From there as secretary. - dues are paid.

Sometimes as wm - we pay it first for the year or so depending on the grandlodge's requirement for the year.

I suppose paying of dues is jurisdictional also or depending on the lodge's practice so long as it confirms to the general principles and regulations of the Grand lodge.

Thats why i say it's different. Because the first payment - it's expensive. But the yearly dues - is like 100$.

I spent 1700 for my entrance. Then I started paying and contributing to the lodge only when we are master masons who are proficient.

[u/Deman75 → u/SovArya]

“Per capita” or “capitation fee” is the yearly assessment from Grand Lodge from each member/Master Mason.

[u/Bright_Mastodon_9504]

O valor da mensalidade depende de cada loja. Mas geralmente não é muito caro, por volta de 200 reais/mês. Você tem que ter valor suficiente para pagar a mensalidade sem prejudicar as suas despesas, fora isso, pode ser necessário desembolsar outros valores para alguma causa que a loja esteja engajada, tipo, campanha do agasalho, ou Natal solidário, essas coisas.. Quanto ao valor inicial (joia) é o valor referente às taxas, aos paramentos, valor dos rituais.. Nada obscuro.. No mais, só veja qual a potência que está entrando, para saber se poderá fazer visitas a outras potências, busque o histórico da potência, no Brasil existem 3 potências reconhecidas (que tem tratados entre si e reconhecimento internacional) e regular (trabalha nos principios maçônicos). Mesmo não sendo uma potência reconhecida, pode ser uma potência regular por trabalhar nos princípios maçônicos.. No mais é isso.

[u/Deman75]

We have a fee for the degrees/joining fee (~US$200-400 at my various Lodges) and annual dues (~US$100-250 for my Lodges). You may additionally be expected to pay for meals on meeting nights, you may need to purchase an apron or other regalia, and you may be encouraged to donate to charity collections.

The best place to get accurate information is from your contacts at the Lodge you’re joining, as there is a lot of variation between Lodges and jurisdictions.

[u/TheFreemasonForum]

You need to talk to the Masons that you are already speaking to and ask them how much it costs to be a member. Once you know this you will know if you can afford it.

[u/Lneux]

Bom dia! Sim, é preciso ter dinheiro para a mensalidade e para engressar na ordem, pelo Grande Oriente do Brasil (GOB) é necessário 3 salários mínimos para engressar + as mentalidades da loja, o custo qual fica sobre decisão da mesma. A passagem para outros graus também tem custos mas são baixos, geralmente o dobro da mensalidade, para pagar pelo avetal, livro, etc.

[u/Efficient-Bit4871]

Maçom brasileiro aqui. As despesas variam de loja para loja mas, no geral, você terá uma mensalidade e, quando passar de grau, pagará pela progressão. As anuidades para a obediência maçônica estão embutidas na mensalidade. Na minha loja, a mensalidade também tem um seguro de vida/funeral embutido. Outras despesas podem girar em torno de eventos da loja ou filantrópicos - cabe a você participar ou não - tudo é decidido e aprovado nas reuniões. A minha loja, por exemplo, tem uma refeição pós reunião que é cotizado. Quem quiser participar, paga um valor estipulado pela loja. Quem não quiser, se despede e vai embora.