| Posted By |
Message |
Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
|
Middle Class?
We hear alot about the middle class, my question to you is
How do you define "the middle class"?
|
Posted 10/27/08 12:38 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Linda1003
love my 2 boys
Member since 8/08 10923 total posts
Name:
Linda
|
Re: Middle Class?
This is a great question!!! I'd love to hear peoples responses.. Maybe a poll with Income range would help?
|
| Posted 10/27/08 12:42 PM |
| |
|
IrishLasss334
I'll be there soon!
Member since 1/08 6549 total posts
Name:
Patty
|
Re: Middle Class?
I think middle class depends on geography. You can't compare what might be considered middle class in rural upstate NY to Long Island/Metro area.
I guess on Long Island I would be considered middle class. 5 years ago DH and I bought our house making $75000 combined...we lived pretty tight, no vacations, used tax money for home renovations ,etc. Now, due to a career change on DH's part, we're making alot more money, but I am by no means wealthy.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 12:44 PM |
| |
|
dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
|
Re: Middle Class?
depends on income vs. expenses 
depends on a lot of variables.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 12:51 PM |
| |
|
ILJ619
LIF Adult
Member since 6/06 1985 total posts
Name:
Irene
|
Re: Middle Class?
i think it depends on geography middle class here is rich in the mid west.
Message edited 10/27/2008 1:13:24 PM.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 1:11 PM |
| |
|
GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
|
Re: Middle Class?
I think in general, Middle Class means you have a nice house (with a mortgage that you can afford). A decent car for each driver (not necessarily new, but less than 10 years old). Vacation once a year. Eating out at a nice restaurant won't cause you to spend the rest of the month juggling bills to figure out how to pay for it. 401(k)/IRA/Stock portfolio.
Basically, enough money to have the essentials, plus enough to invest/save, and still have some to "play" with.
What you decide to spend your "play" money on can vary greatly. You don't have to go on vacations, or buy newer cars, but you still need to have "extra" money to spend on something that you don't "need".
|
| Posted 10/27/08 1:27 PM |
| |
|
CaseyGirl
Mommy to 3 Boys :)
Member since 5/05 19978 total posts
Name:
Jen - counting my blessings...
|
Re: Middle Class?
In my mind, middle class is not broke poor but by no means extremely comfortable. Have enough to pay the bills and maybe put aside for retirement but not really extra money laying around to take a vacation to Tahiti.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 2:18 PM |
| |
|
Luv2bAmom
LIF Adult
Member since 2/08 1255 total posts
Name:
J
|
Re: Middle Class?
Posted by GoldenRod
I think in general, Middle Class means you have a nice house (with a mortgage that you can afford). A decent car for each driver (not necessarily new, but less than 10 years old). Vacation once a year. Eating out at a nice restaurant won't cause you to spend the rest of the month juggling bills to figure out how to pay for it. 401(k)/IRA/Stock portfolio.
Basically, enough money to have the essentials, plus enough to invest/save, and still have some to "play" with.
What you decide to spend your "play" money on can vary greatly. You don't have to go on vacations, or buy newer cars, but you still need to have "extra" money to spend on something that you don't "need".
this is what I thik too.
I guess I was just wondering if when the Poloticians constatnly talk about the middle class, if they were specifically targetign a certain $ range.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 2:21 PM |
| |
|
CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Middle Class?
Posted by GoldenRod
I think in general, Middle Class means you have a nice house (with a mortgage that you can afford). A decent car for each driver (not necessarily new, but less than 10 years old). Vacation once a year. Eating out at a nice restaurant won't cause you to spend the rest of the month juggling bills to figure out how to pay for it. 401(k)/IRA/Stock portfolio.
Basically, enough money to have the essentials, plus enough to invest/save, and still have some to "play" with.
What you decide to spend your "play" money on can vary greatly. You don't have to go on vacations, or buy newer cars, but you still need to have "extra" money to spend on something that you don't "need".
this is what I thik too.
I agree with Shawn's definition too.
Posted by Luv2bAmom
I guess I was just wondering if when the Poloticians constatnly talk about the middle class, if they were specifically targetign a certain $ range.
Back before the primaries I read an article (can't remember where, sorry) that said polling shows most Americans identify themselves as "middle class", even those making close to the poverty level as well as those making low six figures annually. So politicians tend to throw the term around a lot so that most people feel like they are talking to them. I remember the article saying that you'll never see a monetary definition out of either political party b/c they don't want to alienate voters by excluding people who want to be in that group.
I don't know why that stuck with me, but it did.
|
| Posted 10/27/08 2:38 PM |
| |
|
