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According to one inflation calculator online, $5.00 in 1965 would be $47.56 today--that's using official inflation figures.

I request Masses for several deceased persons as well as Masses for the successes of specific marriages and religious vocations every year.  I had decided earlier this year to increase the stipend I give to $30.00.  I am wondering if I should consider increasing to $50.00.

I tend to offer $40-$50 myself, but offer is the key word here, and there's a fine between putting out a "suggested offering" and publishing a price list ... and SSPX IMO has crossed said line.

It should be explained that unless you TRULY can't afford it, the customary offering is [whatever].  Most old school priests (pre-V2 ordained) that I knew were very carefuly about saying that such and such an amount was "customary" to avoid even the appearance that they were charging for Masses.  Some even separated the financial stuff from the Mass stipends.  You would request the Mass separately, and then would simply place an anonymous envelope marked "Mass Stipend" into the collection basket.  For every person who comes in below the stipdend, you'll find individuals who give more ... so that it would always balance out.  Individual faithful are always giving priests personal gifts as well, outside of the stipends.  SSPX really need to avoid giving the impression that they're selling Masses by publishing what come across as price lists.  If nothing else, publishing price lists gives the Prots more ammunition for their allegation that the Church is selling holy things.

I tend to offer $40-$50 myself, but offer is the key word here, and there's a fine between putting out a "suggested offering" and publishing a price list ... and SSPX IMO has crossed said line.

It should be explained that unless you TRULY can't afford it, the customary offering is [whatever].  Most old school priests (pre-V2 ordained) that I knew were very carefuly about saying that such and such an amount was "customary" to avoid even the appearance that they were charging for Masses.  Some even separated the financial stuff from the Mass stipends.  You would request the Mass separately, and then would simply place an anonymous envelope marked "Mass Stipend" into the collection basket.  For every person who comes in below the stipend, you'll find individuals who give more ... so that it would always balance out.  Individual faithful are always giving priests personal gifts as well, outside of the stipends.  SSPX really need to avoid giving the impression that they're selling Masses by publishing what come across as price lists.  If nothing else, publishing price lists gives the Prots more ammunition for their allegation that the Church is selling holy things.

Well, if we give them the benefit of the doubt, it may be that a number of people were wondering what would be appropriate, so they chose to publish suggestions.  Also, the accompanying letter makes it clear that this isn't a "price" or that they are "charging" for the sacraments.

Those amounts don't seem over the top to me except perhaps the Gregorian stipend since 30 times $25 would give us $750.  I see that the priest stipend is $300 for a funeral and $100 for a wedding.  Is it higher because there is more involved?

Between the OP and the anti-SSPV post, it seems the anonymous sub-forum is once again being used to bash Trad groups.

The increased request for the Gregorian stipend is due, I think, to the fact that the priest must be very vigilant to say Mass every day without exception to the exclusion of all other intentions.  He must commit to 30 straight days and, even if sick or infirm, cannot skip a day.