Thank you. I am proud of him. He is the rare kid who was always 'lazy' UNLESS there was money involved and is very tight with it so he can do whatever he wants when the time comes.

It’s nice to know you don’t need to worry about the financial welfare of your child. I worry constantly about the financial welfare of my nieces and nephews, and they’re not even mine to worry about.

We have been blessed. If they have learned from you, Im sure your nieces and nephews will do well.

the original claim was about being 'middle class' Which my son falls into. And in the MIDDLE CLASS Income range, responsible enough people can plan their funds to do all the things the OP mentioned.

I stand corrected. Lets leave it at middle class then.

that's not what the banks want...they want that interest, and will do anything to get it...don't forget, presidents Lincoln and Kennedy were killed for trying to change the banksters ways...

Every time you think you get to middle class that bar gets moved up... again.

a lot of these things are out of reach of a lot of middle class people because of low wages,and high prices,but for the most part,they cant afford some of the things on your list because of bad choices that they make...

cuz,they dont HAVE TO go out and buy[or,should i say take out a loan and FINANCE!] [or,even worse...LEASE!!!! '~' ]a brand new $40,000-$50,000 vehicle,when they could have gotten something used,but very dependable for just a few thousand dollars....

and,they didnt HAVE TO go out and buy [FINANCE] a mc mansion...
[or,a $50,000-$120,000 trailer house that wont do anything but depreciate in value,until 20 years later,when they have to pay to have it hauled off of their property,cuz it is now a huge pile of crap that nobody wants,and then buy [FINANCE!!] ANOTHER one just like it!!

and,they didnt HAVE TO go out and spend $600 on the latest,brand new smartphone every year,or two for everybody in their family...

and they didnt HAVE TO spend money that they didnt have for these shiny objects,and put the expense on a high interest credit card that some company was VERY HAPPY to give them,that they have to make monthly payments on...

but,society has brainwashed them,and told them that they HAVE TO have the very latest,brand new shiny objects,or they have failed at life,and they fell for it,so NOW they CANT afford those simple little things, that you are talking about,because they have over-extended themselves,and are living beyond their means.

while a person who DIDNT go out and spend all of their money on shiny objects CAN afford to do some of these things!!!

and,yet,MOST/A LOT of these people who cant afford those things are so gullible that they ACTUALLY get taken in by the politicians who feed them lies,and frighten them with fake crisises,and them use their fear to manipulate them into voting republican,which is against their best interests,because the republicans dont give a damn about them[except for when they need their VOTES!!],because they dont have any money,and are looked at as just a bunch of uneducated yokels for them to manipulate for their own purposes!

THAT is why the "middle class BAR" keeps getting moved up higher,and higher,like the last poster wrote.

shovelhead dave,

that is two times in a row that I agree with your post and you have made some real good points

My son makes about $5,000 a month. After tax probably closer to $3000. He pays about $1050 in housing. After his car payment and ins, it only leaves about $300 a week for phone card, gas and car maintaince, dating, and food. It's a humble lifestyle. He will be 25 tomorrow. He will miss the fireworks because he has to work. On the bright side his last car payment is next month. He is going to put his normal payment into a savings account for when he needs a new car.

I 0ay $1050 in housing also. My lifestyle is more humble than his. Middle class people make tough decisions. Having insurance doesn't mean you can afford the deductible if you get sick.

$3,000 per month? ( $36,000 per year)? well I guess it depends where you live because in the Northeast.... that is not enough... not by a long long shot.

"I've Been Doing So Much With So Little For So Long,
I'm Now Qualified To Do Anything With Nothing"

Right? If only ... I guess struggle is relative.

I agree

I agree. The numbers don't make sense. A person could get ahead on that amount but not if they are paying $900 rent and buying a new car every other year. Vacations vary in price. But it would definitely not leave any money for savings. Cars depreciate and the new car loans would be compounding. The rent is out the window.

You're way too cute to be so smart..

IMO,anybody that pays over $1000 a month for 'rent' is an idiot!!!

for that sort of money,you could be paying to actually OWN a house,and gaining equity,instead of just throwing your money away by renting.

so,'renting' is just another one of those 'bad decisions' that i was talking about!

$900.00 per month wouldn't get you a crack house here.

rent, car payment, car insurance, medical insurance, gas, utilities, food, clothing,, and that is with no incidents happening all month.. and that rarely happens.

The numbers don't add up

.


exactly my point earlier green eyes

A lot of terrible "news" agencies post things like this in order to start people on pretend discussions that are really only virtue signalling and testaments to inherent bias.

It's funny to read the responses.


Why? What's going on?
Has the idea of "vacation" changed?
Has the new generation reinterpreted what it means?
Did the new generation decide that a "getaway" or a "staycation" doesn't count as a vacation? That only a 7 day stay in Hawaii, a foreign country, or cruise "counts" as a "vacation?" Only something they can post to Facebook and make everyone believe in a false life count as a "vacation?"
Has the highway system and all its tourist traps been put out of business due to the interstate system, limiting or polarizing choices in terms of affordability?
Have families stopped breeding 20 kids at a time, focusing on 1 or 2, with the focus being on stability in a lack of community, so they don't have to really go far to meet strangers and experience new things?
Is it due to solipsism and narcissism where people value luxuries in life like daily starbucks routines, a 90 inch t.v. with sports package, or a shoe addiction, meaning there's no discipline towards forward thinking so much as focus on immediate gratification, so quality of life is different reducing the value of "vacations" as a means of declaring status?


Why? What's going on?
Has the perspective on debt and what it means changed?
What kind of debt?
Mortgage? Student loans? Just credit cards?
By saying "the middle class can no longer afford to pay off debt" does that just mean they don't have enough in their savings or pockets right this minute to pay off the entirety of any debt?
Was there any expectation or belief they would or had to?
Does it mean they will never be able to pay off their debt ever ever? Like even after 30 years of standard payments?


Why? What's going on?
When SS started and the general age of 65 was chosen, most workers didn't live to 65, and/or they weren't expected to live beyond the age of 65.
So what exactly is being calculated and changing?
The middle class can't afford "retirement savings."
How much is that? What is it based on? Life expectancy of 61? 67? 85? 90? 100? And the assumption people retire at 60? 65? 72?
And are they factoring in any lifestyle changes whatsoever?
Are they looking at 40 year old parents with a family of 2.5 kids, paying for a mcmansion, cars for everyone, college for everyone, having the same expenses at 70 as 40?
Are they just looking at gross numbers? How much they can save now, compounded with some unknown investment number, and how long that will last as they just sit and stare at the ceiling? Or the ability to put anything, even $1 a month away?
Has the idea of "retirement" and what it means changed?

Does the current "middle class" even care much about "retirement savings" with SS and social welfare programs and increase in the popularity of the socialism movement?


Why? What's going on?
Can they not afford it? Or could they afford it if they cared or worried about it or saw it as a relevant issue?
Are they all just believing "I have credit cards, and I can get debt, if I need more money I can always go back to school, get a loan, and earn my way out?"


Just saying "7 things the middle class can't afford anymore" and giving a list doesn't mean anything without the why and actual in depth analysis about what's going on.

Is that the point? To just trigger people into responding about how good they are with their money? Or proud they are of their or their loved on abilities? So people can feel better than others?

Other than that, might as well say "Attila's horde can no longer afford to maintain their horse mounts!"
Then you'll get all sorts of people saying "see! That's what comes from raping and pillaging! Karma!" and "Well, I take care of my horses! It's not hard! You just have to feed and water and care about them, focus on their needs!" and "They should teach basic animal husbandry and ecology in school! It's 'they' that should do something!"