Are you poor middle class or rich?

[Anonymous]

Poor

Middle Class

Rich

[jmstarling]

Poor, which is a real insult because I have a master's degree. I'm one of the thousands of working New Yorkers who live in the shelter system.

www.wsj.com/.../thousands-of-working-new-yorkers-are-living-in-homeless-shelters-1491862238

Why don't I leave?

a) My master's is in a field that would not be applicable in smaller cities. I couldn't find work with my BA when I lived in Indianapolis.

b) I'm medically limited to a desk job. The rare times I find a steady job, the pay is atrociously low, or the employer doesn't have enough work to take me on full-time.

c) I don't have a car, and few cities have convenient public transportation with minimal walking required (see b). Even if I did, I can't be in a car for extended periods of time without aggravating my sciatica, and I have overactive bladder.

d) New York law makes shelter a right, unlike the rest of the country. If I left without an offer, I'd be asking to be street homeless. Unfortunately, the only jobs I've been offered out of state are B. S. three month contracts. I gave up my Bronx apartment for one of these, a mistake I will never make again.

[jmstarling]

I compacted the sentence too much. The job I left for was not a three month contract, but required three month's on probation during which I could be fired at any point no questions asked. Boss waited until the very end to fire me.

[Asker]

That's sad reality.

[jmstarling]

Most people think they're middle class but really aren't.

[Asker]

True lolol.

[jmstarling]

In the U. S., people are taught that they are middle class so long as they aren't in the top 20 or bottom 20%, which is really a meaningless measure.

U. S. federal poverty guidelines place the poverty line around $18k for a family of four. That sets the bar ridiculously low, since it's hard enough for an individual to survive on that with today's housing prices.

[Anonymous]

I have and make plenty of money, but I am hopelessly middle class.

Social class and money have only a weak correlation. Ever seen the behavior of total prole after s/he gets a ton of money? It’s like a nightmare combination of poor taste, ostentation, and condescension. That is not upper class in the least. And you see it the other way around, too. Someone who grew up wealthy and well-educated needing—and trying too hard—to earn the respect of people who work for a living… it’s pathetic. Changing your social class takes a lot more than a difference in money. Academics and artists are the most transcendent, though.

[DooMgirl]

in-between poor and middle class I suppose

[MrKinktastic]

Poor growing up as my parents were both students but now Im solidly middle class

[Asker]

My father earn $120 000 a year is it considered poor?

[MrKinktastic]

Lol no, here the cutoff is more like 30,000 a year for the whole family. His wages are upper middle class and likely double to 3x that of the average.

you're not poor he's just making you work for your money, you may not like it now but you will thank him later for teaching you work ethic.

[WeirdoWerdo]

My parents are in the working class but by American standards it's middle class lol

[bamesjond0069]

Grew up middle class. Considered top 1% for my age and earnings/net worth.

[JulieXO]

Upper middle class I think.

[naijagurl]

Middle class. Maybe upper middle.

[SirRexington]

Poor. Less then 20,000 a year.

[ROCKS128]

Middle class, somewhat below maybe.

[CT_CD]

Filthy rich

[Asker]

Money is root of evil lol

[CT_CD]

I know

[NovissimumVirorum]

Aristocratic