SEGASAL

I need to know what everyone considers to be Upper Class and Middle class to be?

This is for a presentation I am doing next week...any help is appreicated

Susan

ptquilts

I would say Middle Class - you have enough money to cover your basic needs, a decent car and home, and some financial security (money in bank)
Upper Class - you have more than what you need, extra discretionary income that you can spend on luxuries or a very nice home or car, etc.

ontheriver

I really don't know, never thought about it, although whatever I am, with the rising prices of everything, I can feel myself sliding down lower, LOL. Maybe add something about how all the increases are affecting the financial class of people. RE: no jobs, rising prices, no raises, etc.

yonnikka

Upper Middle Class-- start with defining the Lifestyle Choices, How about 1) have a Lawyer on Retainer; 2) Hire other people to do their accounting and taxes, lawn care and cooking; 3) own more than one home.

They think about Tax Deductions when they plan to improve their home. Middle Class is thankful to be out of Poverty; but worried about sinking back in...

Upper class misses the Concorde wistfully.

PamB8s

I agree with ptquilts.

Upper Class is the x large home. Several Cars. Able to do whatever you want, when ever you want. Children receiving new cars when they come of age. Dinner out regularly. Money for college.

Middle Class is having what you need, comfortable living. Able to pay your bills on time. Small savings, maybe a 401K waiting on you at retirement. Hoping their children get schlorships.

Lower Class is barely making it week to week. If an illness falls upon the family or loss of job they would struggle. Usually can not affod insurance. Usually rents instead of purchasing a home. Would have to depend on government assistance for college.

Poverty Level is government assistance, low income, rents in lower rent districts. Struggles to make ends meet. As sad as it is college is usually out of the question. Children have been raised with struggles so it is hard for them to know anything else.

Hope you get all the information you need.

Blessings for a wonderful day.

Julie in NM

Upper class...probably no idea what a budget is. Do not pay their own bills..has an accountant to do that. Buy what they want when they see it. Travel at a whim. More than one car in the family. Post college educated.

Middle class...knows exactly how much money comes in and goes out every month. Budgets for everything. Possiblly college educated. Rarely masters degree

Just a couple more ideas for you presentation....godd luck keep us posted..interesting topic.

Sheila_H

Middle Class to me is people that have regular jobs, mortgage for a house, car and maybe a little bit of savings to do things like vacation, travel, etc.

Upper Class are people that own homes larger than what they need, cars, boats, extravagant gifts and spending on luxury vacations. Large social circles of others that are in the same class as themselves, probably big corporate tax breaks, someone that needs a team of lawyers and accountants.

niizh

I think the term "class" is relative. Dependent on the area in which you live. If you live in a small town/city, you may be considered "upper" class just because you may have more than others in same town. Middle class would be those who work for the upper class in that area. If the upper class from the small area moved to a larger town/city they may be considered middle class due to differences in what they can afford in new area. People tend to put themselves in a particular category for social reasons. When growing up, I always thought my family was "poor". As time went by, I discovered my family was one of the wealthier families in the area. My parents just didn't talk about what they had. Just worked and taught their children how to work. In my opinion, class terms are not "PC". You may not be considered in the upper class, but you are the one everyone turns to if they want something done. To me, that makes you upper or rich class. You support your fellow man(woman)

Jamiestitcher62

Middle class to me is anyone not receiving food stamps or welfare and actually has a decent job (and worries about getting laid off),a house, rented or otherwise, a couple of cars and an occasional vacation and not necessarily any money in the bank for emergencies, especially in the last 3 years or so.

Upper class is what it always has been, anyone who has a really nice house or mcmansion(regardless of whether certain political groups think it's too big for them or not, it's their money). Probably owns a business of some sort and is quite comfortable financially. Vacations don't mean anything necessarily, because there are upper class people out there that don't take vacations and they are probably able to send their kids to college without having to fill out student loan applications.

Just my opinion.

Willa

An upper class person might spend on one outfit what a middle class family would spend for the year.

Upper class has help come in daily if not live on site where as middle class might have help occasionally and many times the help is a teenager trying to make a few dollars.

Upper class earns enough interest which could support at least one middle class family to live comfortably on while a middle class does earn interest but the interest(and accounts) would not support the family for long if laid off.

Upper class usually owns a successful large business where as middle class works for someone else or is building a business.