How do YOU define middle class? - Page 2

deemom · 08-20-2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brensmom

i would say this is what i used to define middle class as. now with the way the economy is and things changing in this country i see middle class in three catagories lower middle class on the verge of poor but does not qualify for any assistance good ole middle class struggling but are just making it and upper middle class as the definition above.

I agree with this definition. In my opinion it's also someone that has a roof over their head, and doesn't have to go to bed hungry. The middle class also needs to take out a loan most of the time for larger items like new appliances, new car, home improvements, etc.

melissa845 · **Wow... ember's low class definition**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ember15

I liked the article. I have to agree that there is a wide range of middle class. Middle class to me is more of a life style you can live a middle class life style and still have a lower class income. I really would like to define middle class as those who are trying to better there lives. Think about it they are the people who are trying to save money so they can pay there bills, trying to make responsible choices, trying to get a head so one day they can retire.
To that end I see lower class as those who have stopped trying. Barried in debt, loosing there home, needing goverment support.
I see upper class as those who don't need to try. They have money that makes them money and they don't have to be concerned over little things like how much they spend of food expences.

Ember, I'm not sure where your definition leaves people like my brother. Family of 5, he works 2 jobs (one of which is a part time postal worker which they PRAY will be full time someday), and they are below the gov't definition of poverty level. They do get assistance, food and medical. But he works HARD. A full time and a part time job. They rent a house and have zero money for anything extra at all. They don't have traditional debt (no car payments, no loan payments, no credit cards), but they do owe family money and they do owe quite a bit (thousands) on all their utilities.

Definitely lower class, but stopped try??? What does that mean?

Melissa845

jandjmommy · 08-20-2007, 07:17 PM

I see middle class as the danger zone! Enough to breathe, but not quite enough to breathe freely. I really like Larry Winget's title of the "$30,000 Millionaire." When you label yourself as middle class, this could effectively allow you to give yourself permission to overspend.

ember15 · 08-20-2007, 07:40 PM

But the point is Melissa he does work he is trying to pay back debt. I look at my sister student loans, made under 10K in 06, single mom, on medicare for health coverage but trying to save to get things like a place for her and her little girl. But still she splurges from time to time so middle class in my eyes. I look at myself 40K income lots of debt that we aren't making a dent on next to no extra money and still I would consider us middle class because we are trying to get a head. We are surviving. I think its all on attitude. I hated growing up because my parents had the big house that they worked hard for and I was labled as a rich girl becasue of it. No I just see middle class being more of an attitude then having anything to deal with money. Maybe I don't like the term lower class. Low income maybe but I don't like the term class. I see it more as exteamly poor like living out of your car or a box, where your childs only meal is the subsitized school lunch, where you feel depressed and are not even going to attempt to make things better. I see it as not having a network of friends or family to bail you out.
It would be nice if we didn't lable our selves at all that we all are just trying to make it and some people have an easier time at making it them others.

Free Gas Giveaway

Soccer Ball Giveaway

Kim's E-book Archive

Savvy Savings

Cart Smart