Class Boundaries

[battlespud]

Where would you draw the line between the middle, upper middle and upper classes?
The reason I'm asking is because I've been getting alot of criticism from some prolies (local name for lower class students (proletarians)) that it's pretentious to wear regular brands like Gucci (just a watch or two), Armani (Emporio, not even collezioni, which plenty of people wear to school!) and Lacoste (come on...) to classes, getting all my clothes tailored (Getting Guess? jeans in my size just doesn't happen. imported is even more difficult, im too short and thin to fit in a 30x30 sadly haha ), going through two cars before getting a license (One broke and one I just wasn't fond of (CRV and Explorer respectively) and buying a cadillac in high school etc (Is it really any worse than buying a charger or acura like everyone else?). I really don't get what their problem is, my family doesnt have that much cash, I mean, we get by but it really isn't that much, in the vicinity of $200k annually or so. I dont even go to some pricy private school. I'm not some rich druggie either, over a 2100 on my SATs, straight 5's on all my AP exams and still got all of senior year and half of junior left . With someone making $100k barely able to even live around here and basically at the poverty level, $200k really just doesn't seem like its much at all. For reference, I live on the north shore of Long Island, NY.

What I'm asking, is what would you consider the middle, upper middle and upper class boundaries to be at income wise?




Oh and this is my first post, so hi I've been creepin' here for a looooooooong time, drawn by the escapist and stayed for the forums!

 

[Chemical Alia]

Depends entirely on regional cost of living and individual expenses, this question can't be answered with straight figures. Also, who cares. You seem like an irritating individual, focus on school and less on your parents' income.

 

[thylasos]

Class, in the UK at least, is not entirely determined by wealth and conspicuous consumption. A vast class divide still exists here, however, on a cultural and economic basis. Most people have been fooled into thinking they're middle class, though.

 

[Jelly ^.^]

Cool story bro.

I make 12K a year and i'm boarding with my dad who makes about 30.

If money's such a problem, give me some.

 

[Cain_Zeros]

You traded in a car before you got your licence because you didn't like it. Yes, that's pretentious. The first car you drive is supposed to be kind of a piece of crap. Less of a pain in the ass to replace if it gets totalled either because of your lack of experience or because other drivers are jackasses. And the Caddy makes it worse. They're considered luxury cars for a reason.

 

[battlespud]

@Chemical I can be, but it certainly is not indicative of my academics. I have a 3.97 transcript, high sats, perfect APs and high sat IIs. School is basically a social event till college apps next year imo.

@Cain the CRV lost both the radiator and transmission (was an old car, repairs were not worth the same as the car) and the explorer got plenty of use (over 100k miles all told, my dad used it for work so he wouldn't have to put miles on his car. Also we never planned to keep it after we started mooring the boat instead of keeping it at the house, only bought it because of the trailor hitch originally lol) I get what your talking about with the caddy though, its probably a bit too showy but its really no more than alot of others.

 

[LongAndShort]

Calling people of a lower income "prolies" is pretty pretentious. People don't like that kind of upper-class attitude (and after what you just wrote you are upper-middle class at least) does not endear you to people. Just saying.

 

[Still Life]

Also, who cares. You seem like an irritating individual, focus on school and less on your parents' income.

Where did that come from?

Are you going to put down another person for asking a forum of supposedly 'mature' individuals a question that is very much relevant to our day to day lives?

 

[DefunctTheory]

Who wants to take bets that OP lives with his parents, working at his Dad's on weekends for quarters, in a middle class neighborhood?

Anyway, I'll answer seriously, for kicks.

On average, I'd guess...

Lower Class - $25K-below
Lower Middle Class - $25k - $40k
Middle Class - $40k - $85k
Upper Middle Class - $90k - $250k
'Well Off' - $300k - $900k
'Rich' - $1M - $5M
'Holy Fuck' - $5M - Up

EDIT: Adjust for area of living.

 

[Angerwing]

My parents combined have over 2 million in assets. We live in one of the best suburbs in the city, and they're planning on buying a $75,000 Audi A4, as well as the other vehicles they own.

I'm a poor uni student earning $16 an hour.

My parents are decidedly upper-middle class, but hey, guess what? Their achievements are not mine. I didn't earn any of it. I'm lower class, and proud of it.

 

[Thamous]

You clearly have no idea what 200k a year is. Seriously, you "get by" on 200k a year? Wow, you really need some perspective.

 

[battlespud]

umm Accursed, im in high school so of course I live with my parents haha. I don't work, parents dont want to deal with the extra taxes. And according to your system, the neighborhood would probably be Upper Middle Class (starting at maybe 125) all the way up to well over "Holy F" (Quite a few major Sports stars, musicians (that guy from twisted sister, john petrucci etc)) So you might want to adjust your bets by about 2/3s

 

[Angry Camel]

$100K is considered poor there? Talk about overspending. My dad's a highly qualified teacher and he only makes about 80K.

As far as boundaries, well it's too dependant on the situation of each area to really say. As a GENERAL guide, I'd probably say under 45K is low, 45K to 60K is average, 60K to 85K is decent, and going above 85K is pretty damn rich.

Besides, it's not what you make, it's what you do with it.

 

[Johnnyallstar]

I dislike how we separate people into groups by how much money they make. It's class warfare, and I've never heard anyone honestly make a good argument for why it's a benefit to society.

The reason why we as a people can stop caring about religion or race, but not economic position is because people get jealous of those at a higher income, and there are always people willing to use that envy as a lever to get into power.

You can't have unity in people while breaking them into groups.

 

[DefunctTheory]

umm Accursed, im in high school so of course I live with my parents haha. I don't work, parents dont want to deal with the extra taxes. And according to your system, the neighborhood would probably be Upper Middle Class (starting at maybe 125) all the way up to well over "Holy F" (Quite a few major Sports stars, musicians (that guy from twisted sister, john petrucci etc)) So you might want to adjust your bets by about 2/3s

Your name seems surprisingly similar to another account that trolled and tried to sneak responses in without quoting.

Doesn't really matter, either way. No one believes you.

EDIT: Well, they do. I know better.

 

[battlespud]

What's sneaking in a post, I dont think i can hide one -_-
And I really dont get whats not to believe, look up the various towns of north shore li (im not giving my town online for obvious reasons) and look up median salaries. The average cost to live is extremely high compared to other parts of the country, salaries follow

 

[Cain_Zeros]

@Cain the CRV lost both the radiator and transmission (was an old car, repairs were not worth the same as the car) and the explorer got plenty of use (over 100k miles all told, my dad used it for work so he wouldn't have to put miles on his car. Also we never planned to keep it after we started mooring the boat instead of keeping it at the house, only bought it because of the trailor hitch originally lol) I get what your talking about with the caddy though, its probably a bit too showy but its really no more than alot of others.

Your family has a boat? That's not "getting by". I really hope Accursed's right and you're trolling, because otherwise you have a very odd view of life and finances.

 

[battlespud]

Im not trolling, its a 21 footer, nothing special lol. Do you want a picture of my watch or something as proof? (House, anything identifiable is out of the question.)

 

[viranimus]

Class:Mammalia

This nonsense is getting out of hand. I think these topics that Ray Charles could have seen would end up being politically charged, need to be put where they are supposed to be. Religion and politics, Not off topic just so it generates a higher level of views to the thread. Cause really I am tired of hearing buzz words being thrown out like Class warfare, Socialism, entitlements, Blood Libel, Radicalization, DubyaEmDees and all the rest of the regurgitated glossary that Fox news uses to entrance people like a cultist Mantra.

If you want to create a hotbed for people to rant about their political views, please use the forum that was designed specifically for that purpose.

EDIT: Sorry, I know that the original post wasnt intended to get this way, its just tiresome seeing people steer conversations that are remotely political into a political arena when the only purpose is to convince others that their agenda is correct.

 

[Thamous]

What's sneaking in a post, I dont think i can hide one -_-
And I really dont get whats not to believe, look up the various towns of north shore li (im not giving my town online for obvious reasons) and look up median salaries. The average cost to live is extremely high compared to other parts of the country, salaries follow

"A couple with two children on Long Island need an income of at least $52,114 a year to maintain a decent standard of living"- New York Times. Your family makes four times that. Don't tell me you just "get by". Thats bullshit and you know it.