neatfreak
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2007
- Messages
- 14,169
Date: 10/15/2008 3:30:03 PM
Author: Haven
Date: 10/15/2008 3:26:36 PM
Author: decodelighted
Date: 10/15/2008 3:10:22 PM
Author: Haven
What I don't understand is how consumers who make choices to live beyond their means could be considered upper middle class when in the long run they are not doing a thing to secure their lifestyle.
I see what you're saying but I still think they'd still generally be considered 'upper middle class' if their income was $200k, no matter the outflow -- they just, sadly, have a much higher likelihood of one day being at 'poverty level' due to the short-sighted/frivolous choices they are making with their CURRENT income.
It would be interesting to see how our current 'class' system would be shaken up if they were determined by NET WORTH.
Deco--You hit it spot on, I think I take issue with considering a family UMC when their 'status' as UMC is so fragile due to their choices. I also suppose that I would be more comfortable including net worth in the definition, as well.
However, that considered, I do see how they could be considered UMC for the time being.
Thanks for putting up with all of my long-winded responses. I'll process my thoughts before I post them next time.
I think at least my reasoning for calling them UMC is because they are ABLE to make choices to spend their money in the manner they are. If they aren't UMC, what are they? Working "poor"? And by that definition should they be helped because they can't sustain their current lifestyle on their own? When you think about it that way I think it's quite clear that they are still UMC, they are just making different (and often poor long run choices) choices about how to spend their $...
I don't think it's fair to call them less than UMC because then we aren't differentiating between people who are making $200k from people making $50k, and their choice sets are VERY different at those levels. And IMO one of those groups is deserving of more help if they need it than the other.
And don't apologize silly!