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originally posted by: Nyiah
Seems like a rather odd way to quantify MC vehicle qualifications. Why a type & not price range?
originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus
originally posted by: Nyiah
Seems like a rather odd way to quantify MC vehicle qualifications. Why a type & not price range?
An AMG or Maserati SUV. My doggies need to stick their heads out of the window at 120mph for them to feel like their in the middle class.
originally posted by: Nyiah
LMFAO. No. Not necessary to have to consider yourself MC.
Depends on the quality of the brands. If something is poor quality & not going to last, they're really not investing their income wisely.
Seems like a rather odd way to quantify MC vehicle qualifications. Why a type & not price range?
If you can, sure. But it's not going to work out well if you're dumping your money on date nights, child care, overpriced clothing, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses vehicles, and excessive living space.
originally posted by: Aazadan
So you don't think middle class should have safe vehicles, the ability to go out, pay for child care, and shop at mid tier retailers?
originally posted by: Aazadan
originally posted by: stormcell
You can always escape from the rat race. Save up some money and then set yourself up as a contractor/consultant.
Is that really escaping though? You're claiming no car, and no budget for any other travel. You're eating bottom tier food. You're very lightly insured despite probably having quite a lot of assets due to what I assume is high savings. You have no vacation time and your clothing budget is essentially what you can buy from good will, alongside the fact that you've given yourself no money for entertainment.
Is that really middle class if you have none of that stuff?
originally posted by: angeldoll
Class designation depends on which study you look at. There are more characteristics that describe the middle class, than just singularly income. If this were the case, the middle class would be significantly diminished, such as in the OP's description, which omits other factors.
Other factors, and the most significant one, is having a college education. If you have a college degree, you are middle class, like it or not, or so they teach in universities. The middle class share a work ethic and values. For the most part they are not criminals. Their children are taught to be clean and dressed in clothing of good repair. They have a social network, though work or church, and above average communication skills. There are also personal attributes associated with the middle class.
They don't speak in a very loud voice. They don't call attention to themselves in large groups, they don't scream and carry-on at funerals, but grieve in private. They don't give a lot of personal information except to close friends.
These are facts. There is a behavior, values, and many other characteristics that go along with being middle-class other than just annual income.
Of course, if that is all you are interested in, then, too bad for you.
originally posted by: Aazadan
a reply to: angeldoll
What good is a college education if it doesn't get you anywhere? If it doesn't increase your earnings potential it's a liability (and I say that as someone who has 5 and nearly 6 degrees).
I totally disagree about work ethic and values. My work ethic is that I'm going to put in 8 hours a day, and some days less. I've been working 4 hours a day for the past 9 months. I see others who put in 12+ per day who get less done.
originally posted by: angeldoll
Let me say this to you. Apparently your "work ethic" is to be a perpetual student. Nobody needs six degrees. You've obviously had a difficult time adjusting to the work ethic; because universities are a type of play ground, and unless you've gotten your degrees online, then you know this.
Most people, even those with the highest credentials spent less time and money on degrees. If four hours a day is what you can muster, asadan, then it is what it is. You see people continuing to work past retirement age, not only because they need the money sometimes, but because they like feeling productive and as though they are contributing. In other words, they like working. I do. I can't imagine not working, and as soon as I graduated I couldn't wait to test my wings in a work environment.
I don't sense that you like it. Academic environments are wonderful. I was very successful at Universities, but when it's time to join the adult world, it's time, otherwise all your education serves no one.
ETA: my colleagues and I all do well, and we all have advanced degrees. Sometimes people make poor choices into what to go into, and find it's not highly desirable, and the pay is not good. That is the fault of the student. If six degrees "don't get you anywhere", than neither would have two, or ten. It's the person too. Not just the number of degrees they have.
originally posted by: Aazadan
I personally think we're seeing way too many people slide out of middle class and into something else, but still defend that lifestyle as middle class as there's ample people worse off than them.
originally posted by: Xtrozero
It is hard to figure Middle Class since we are talking about huge living costs differences. 300k anywhere is not middle class though. I feel I would be above middle class even at 150k since I can do everything on that list with even 150k quite easily, but I do believe middle class is a combine household income of around 100k now with 50k as poor.