What economic class do you fall into?

[delericho]

Middle class, verging on upper middle.

I have a cousin who is upper middle verging on wealthy, and my grandparents were once poor (now solidly middle).

Having said that, 'class' is a rather different thing in the UK, which plays havoc with discussions. And your class depends largely on birth - a dirt-poor member of the aristocracy is still a member of the aristocracy, while some of our millionaire politicians still claim to be working class. It's a bit bizarre.

(Also, there was an effort made to redefine the classes in the UK a couple of years ago based on a couple of factors. As I recall, my placement varied between the top two tiers based solely on whether I said I liked opera or not. Oddly enough, that system never caught on.)

 

[Zombie_Babies]

I voted middle but I'm possibly upper middle - I'd need to reeducate myself on the numbers. I don't have any college debt but my wife does but not that much. We have a home, two vehicles (one a 2012 that we're buying, not leasing) and a toy vehicle (cheap, though, but it is a project). There's also the kid and the dog. We live in an area that's cheaper than our income but that's cuz we made a lot less when we bought the house. The current plan is to move in three years once the kid is out of high school.

 

[Dungeoneer]

It's worth noting that people in the US and UK pretty much mean two different things with the term 'middle class'. In the US, pretty much everyone considers themselves to be 'middle class' if they are not a) rich or b) poor. 'Middle class' seems to mean something a little more upper crust in the UK.

 

[Morrus]

Yeah, they mean different things. I consider my posher friends to be "so middle class". The types of people who do wine tasting and have a horse and a Range Rover or two. On contrast, nearly all Americans call themselves middle class; it's unusual to meet one who doesn't. Definitely different meanings.

 

[Desdichado]

Without some parameters around what these categories are meant to mean, I think the poll is a little bit self-defeating. You'll know where people think that they are, but not where they actually are.

I picked middle class, by the way. But it's possible that I'm kinda pessimistic on that assessment.

 

[delericho]

'Middle class' seems to mean something a little more upper crust in the UK.

Indeed. In the UK, it seems middle class mostly means, "rich, but not actually aristocracy". You need a title (of some sort), or perhaps to own some land, to be upper class, making middle class the top that can be achieved by wealth alone.

 

[Bullgrit]

You need a title (of some sort), or perhaps to own some land, to be upper class, making middle class the top that can be achieved by wealth alone.

By owning land, do you mean some major parcel, like an estate or something? Or any land? I own the land my home is on, (about a quarter acre), as do most U.S. homeowners. My grandparents owned a full farm, which passed to my father and his siblings -- they sold it and I inherited my father's share of the proceeds. My mother owns a couple of [so far] undeveloped acres in my hometown.

I'm wondering if "owning land" is more significant in the U.K. and Europe than it is in the U.S.

Bullgrit

 

[Dungeoneer]

By owning land, do you mean some major parcel, like an estate or something? Or any land? I own the land my home is on, (about a quarter acre), as do most U.S. homeowners. My grandparents owned a full farm, which passed to my father and his siblings -- they sold it and I inherited my father's share of the proceeds. My mother owns a couple of [so far] undeveloped acres in my hometown.

I'm wondering if "owning land" is more significant in the U.K. and Europe than it is in the U.S.

Bullgrit

Unless your land comes with a hereditary title, I don't think it counts.

 

[bone_naga]

Honestly, I don't even know what the standard is for each class, especially when you start accounting for cost of living, which varies by location.

 

[Scott DeWar]

lower class tops out at 18K per year US. I make about 900 us per onth on disability. I can't wait until I can work again. that paid minimum of 14 per hour, Thats $ 5000per month or 60k per year, if I can a full 40 hours per week, every week. Actuality is more like 30 k per year with the annoying dead time.