How much does it cost to be a freemason?

Question

I'm looking to become a freemason but am worried at whether or not I can afford it.

I understand that members pay their lodge dues but I don't know how much these are or how often they're paid.

Am I going to be paying tens, hundreds or thousands? Will I be paying, weekly, monthly, yearly?

As a free mason, how much do you pay and how often do you pay?

Answer 1

You will have to give your soul. They adore Baphomet.

My 2 cents.

Answer 2

Once a year 80 US Dollars

Answer 3

It is absolutely free. But as soon as you are a member, just like any society, you start paying contribution and membership  fees and various donations

Answer 4

It varies by lodge and jurisdiction.

In my Lodge (North Carolina, USA) the initiation was about $100 and annual dues are about $100.

Other lodges in the area vary slightly, each lodge dictates how much they require. The money goes towards the facilities themselves, purchase of items needed for your degrees, money to Grand Lodge, etc.

Our lodge has fellowship dinner once per month and the typical donation contributed to cover the expense is around $6 per meal. We also conduct fundraisers for our sponsored charities and to assist in operational costs of the lodge itself.

There are other expenses that are borne by the individual, but are voluntary. For instance, I am an officer in our lodge, and our installation ceremony is in formal attire so I got a tuxedo. I also have a Master Mason's ring, which I purchased myself (some may get heriloom pieces handed down from family members). Many buy shirts or special clothing (shirts, hats, etc.) or items (rings, lapel pins, etc.) denoting their membership.

Charitable contributions are entirely up to you.

I try to give generously to our 2 sponsored causes (Whitestone Retirement Home (Masonic/Eastern Star community [http://www.meshhome.org/]), and Masonic Home for Children in Oxford [http://www.mhc-oxford.org/]).

During the course of time, it becomes necessary to consider our brethren and their families that may need our help - we contribute to their relief (on an individual basis) as much as we can.

There are also other appendant and concordant bodies in Freemasonry (e.g. Shrine, York Rite, Scottish Rite, etc.), each with their own dues, fees, and charitable initiatives you may become interested in joining, but they are entirely voluntary.

I imagine the amounts will vary for you, but the basic structure is likely similar (1x initiation, annual dues). The best course of action is to inquire at the local lodge you plan to petition. They will be very up front with you about it - they definately do not want the financial requirements to be burdensome to you.

Answer 5

you dont want to be freemason mate

you may think its good, but its not

my cousins a freemason

trust me

Answer 6

You should ask a mason of the lodge you are looking to join. They will give you the information you seek. I myself and looking to join the freemason where I live. Like they have said it cost is all different. You do have an starting fee, and then a membership fee. It really not to bad of a cost and it worth joining.

Answer 7

petition (application) fees and degree fees are typically less than $250 and annual dues less than $100 per year.

Answer 8

The costs are variable, part of it will go for the rent and upkeep of your lodge building so it will be different according to the size of your lodge.

When I was made a Mason the initiation fee was $125.00. $25.00 of that was due when I submitted my petition, the rest was paid when I took my first degree. Part of that was my first year's dues, part went to the Grand Lodge as a processing fee for my records.  My yearly dues to my Blue lodge are $75.00 payable yearly. That's a middle of the road sum, some are more, some are less.  I am in the York Rite, the Scottish Rite and the Shrine, and my combined yearly dues from everything are slightly over $200.00 a year, seperate payments to each organization.  You shouldn't find your regular lodge dues to be a financial burden, and the higher degrees are all optional.