Are you classed as ambitious? And middle class or working class if you start up your own business?

[Anonymous]

Like you’re not rich straight off the bat as it takes a while if hard work to build up. What economic status are people like that usually pegged into?

Just interested in peoples personal views on this.

[horatiohornblower]

I think it really comes down to what you can afford. If you can't afford

- A decent house or apartment

- Health insurance, Optometrist and Dental

- Raising two children and sending them through college

- Repairs to house

- Common furniture, electronics, interior decorating for middle class people. You know Sony, Apple, Ethan Allen, cheap paintings, silverware set, china set

- Take your family to weekly restaurant visits and fast food through the week

- Meat for dinner each night (or vegan equivalent), name brand packaged food,

- Put 10% into retirement

- Other sporadic middle class 4 day weekend activities throughout the year like skiing, boat rental on lakes, theme parks

- Two week family vacations to other states or nearby countries

- Regular designer clothing and apparel like Levis, Calvin Klein, Oakley. Basically the kind of crap you get from Macys.

- Maintain this lifestyle for a year without work before dipping into retirement funds

- Hire a weekly gardener, house cleaner and baby sitter.

You aren't middle class. If you frequently have to cut corners and still live paycheck to paycheck. Maybe a couple months savings and a token retirement fund. You aren't middle class.

[Asker]

I think the majority of people may struggle with that at the moment

[Asker]

That’s more upper middle class, or rich tbh

[horatiohornblower]

That's because many jobs which used to be middle class have slipped to upper poor class. Rather than admit that pay sucks compared to inflation. People are choosing to believe they are still middle class.

This list would have solidly applied as being middle class in the 80s and 90s. If someone thinks they are middle class and can't afford the lifestyle above. They are not middle class.

I even tossed a bone in and didn't list at least one full time live in servant as a requirement. Mainly because having a servant has fallen out of favor.

[Asker]

What country are you from? That description is way off base for the UK.

[jamesgoldman]

Ambitious
Yes, you make life a lot harder for yourself at the beginning with no definite success guaranteed

I'd say middle class but I'm in a somewhat affluent business anyway

[Anonymous]

Depends on the person.

[Asker]

How do…