MSN Money

9 ways to know if you're middle class

There's no hard-and-fast definition, but surveys show what kind of income and lifestyle you're likely to have if you -- and others -- think you're middle class.

by Kim Peterson, MSN Money

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Matt Hohmann (Twinpilot)
Dec 7, 2012 1:55PM
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Yes -always been in middle class-Happy there also-sad thing is -the democrats  just dont know how to relate to us - no biggie - were just all the  adverage folks that sent taxes into them -more of us than all other classes!! Wish theyed just figure out were better off  all working than gettin free $$ - do away with all the free "entitlement" programs - dont work then = dont eat!! WOW!! What a concept.!! Maybe then we wouldnt need all those govt employees either??  WOW!! =WOW!!! A real Concept!! 
SoSoN1
Dec 7, 2012 1:54PM
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"middle class is simply a state of mind. It's the average Americans, not the ones at the ideological or economic fringes. The ones who drive their kids to band practice, who slog through long workdays, who cook at home and who don't have time for much else"

Funny I do all mentioned above and I am poor period.  I also know some people that are rich and also those this. 
Karen S
Dec 7, 2012 1:52PM
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I've always considered myself middle class, but I feel like the media has just redefined what middle class is.
As a man thinketh
Dec 7, 2012 1:51PM
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Was interested until I saw that we have to wade through multiple pages to get through the list.  I know it increases your page views, but thanks anyway!
You know it261
Dec 7, 2012 1:50PM
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If you think you are in the Middle class you are a marxist. There is no class system here in the US and if you accept that there is you are only letting them win.
Power of none
Dec 7, 2012 1:49PM
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This is mainstream B.S.I will not work eat resturant chains or shopping corporate owned companies.Does that make me a domestic terrorist?
imisstgifonabc
Dec 7, 2012 1:42PM
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I'm middle class but vote as a republican.  Another MSN biased report. 
bee87124
Dec 7, 2012 1:36PM
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Ha...if you are middle class and shop at these places, what are if you can't afford those places listed?  Poorer than dirt. 
Honest Johnson
Dec 3, 2012 2:34PM
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Oops, I meant and the have nots.
Honest Johnson
Dec 3, 2012 2:33PM
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It's been said that the great middle class this country once had was just an anomoly in history. Now things are getting back to the way it has been through ages; the haves nad the have nots.

Rosebude
Dec 3, 2012 2:29PM
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Well our income is quite a bit higher than what this article claims is middle class. We did not get anywhere close to $48,000 for college for three children, we don't go on vacation every year (only four times in 25 years) and we most definitely didn't spend $4,000 on vacation for five people.

I feel like middle, only worse than the average middle class person.

Steve180
Dec 3, 2012 2:29PM
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I dont see based on this article how which way you lean poltically has anything to social class

JustMeHere999
Dec 3, 2012 2:22PM
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Wow, I wouldn't have thought that the average middle class family would have $48,000 saved for each of their kid's college education by the time they graduated high school.  Anyone else think that figure seems high?  Most middle class people I know, even at the higher ends, don't have that much saved for sure.

topcat15
Dec 3, 2012 2:02PM
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if you live in the Washington DC area trust me you need more than 80k to not live paycheck to paycheck and let me say this I have little childern 1 and 5 years of age... and I can tell you we do not have free pre-school like other places and child care for a child beween the age of 2-5 is atleast 250 a week yes 250 and that is the lower rates.  Child care cost more than some peoples rent and or morgage.  No child left behind act my ****... only weathly people can pay that.   
S (Esstg)
Dec 3, 2012 1:58PM
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You're' middle class if...you use a hair dryer and a scissors to cut your lawn...if you are constantly sticking your nose into what your neighbors are doing...if you are enormously paranoid about maintaining the look of being wealthier  than you really are...if you cut the grass on the public parkway strip that separates your street...if you call the city on your neighbors because they seem to threaten your fantasies of being a step or two higher on the class status latter than you actually are... if you never say hi to your neighbors and take on heirs of pseudo intelligence and snobbishness...if you secretly harbor less than inclusive views of other people...if you identify with an exclusive clique of people who often quietly look down their noses at non-members...and finally, you are middle class if your boyfriend has to be taller than you are and must be financially secure...hahaha.  
roxytel89
Dec 3, 2012 1:52PM
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In Ecuador i was MiddleHigh Class in here i am under Class because my husband makes $45,000 and because i am collecting Unemployment. anyhow between my husband  and me we own $20.000 aproximately.
but i wont complain much becuase i still shop in Nordstrom ,Bloomingdales and macys what we need is a stonger Economie.

cjg444
Dec 3, 2012 1:41PM
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It's a label and nothing more - who cares if you're called "middle class", or "Purple class"? I pay for what I can, save for what I want, and get by as I can. I DESPISE how the media is always trying to work us up by putting us in boxes and saying. "There, you are a yadda-yadda, and you are thisathat"
Lucky667
Dec 3, 2012 1:41PM
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I fall into the Middle class by definition but feel like government has a choke hold on me and I can't breath at all...they and everyone else has their hand out wanting me to give more. Gee give me a break!
colinyo77
Dec 3, 2012 1:37PM
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This article anchored by it's quoted statistics is garbage and is meant to comfort everyone who is making between 35 and 100K a year to continue to think they are middle class.  All over the web you find articles written about how little Americans have saved and how little the 40-60 year olds have saved for retirement.   How Americans' net worth is ridiculously low.  And of course, the comment that most middle class Americans believe that POTUS is better for the middle class is a joke.  Soon, the threshol for the AMT tax will be 46K  not the 76K it is now.  And the gov't will be collecting even more from its minions.  You might be able to afford a 176K house on 85K salary but that doesn;t include the school/property taxes you will have to pay.  And good luck finding  a 176K house on Long Island in New York. Please.  There is so much boloney here it could be a Boars Head processing plant.

 

 

REGAL MAN500
Dec 3, 2012 1:36PM
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I think I know who that secret santa is who was passing out $200 the other day in NY.It

looked like it was either Donald Trump or Mitt Romney.LOL.

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