Cardo was telling me the other day that if I got a (paying) job, we'd become part of the middle class. That statement made me wonder: What exactly defines "middle class"? Because, here's the thing: I was thinking we *were* part of the middle class.
We don't own a house and the one car we have left, Cardo bought used from his friend. But, hello, I have many (oh-too-many) years of college education behind me. We have access to this here interweb and an array of fancy appliances and technology-type gadgets. Sure, my cell phone is a few years old and doesn't have a camera, but I *do* have a cell phone. After my last computer died (and the computer "fixers" at the Big Chain Store *said* they fixed it, but they really only "fixed" it, but not even that...um, nevermind), we bought a new computer. And, I bought a new laptop a couple of years ago. (A laptop that I use a lot less now that I'm no longer enrolled in an institution of higher education...Oh how I miss you, Ivory Tower*.) We (only just) get by with only one of us bringing home a paycheck.
So, yeah, I was thinking we were pretty average. But I really have no idea. Not that any of this matters. No matter what we might be called -- upper lower-class, lower middle-class, people who will live like grad students FOREVER -- it won't do anything to change our lives. I just find the whole topic interesting.
Anyhow, I saw this article a few days ago and it confirms to me that we are *not* a part of the middle class. Whatev.
-------------
*I always want to call it the Brick Tower, but then no one else would get my too-inside reference. Ah, well.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
moving on up...or not
Posted by v at 14:03
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
it's pretty interesting isn't it, the idea of class?
it struck me awhile ago that we are now living around (probably below, i don't know) the poverty line and how we've never been more joyful and excited for life! yet while we were part of the upper-middle class we were unhappy, tired and stressed. i have a sneaky suspicion it's all mixed around. we're the richest we've ever been with hardly any money to our name. :)
We're also (mainly) happy with our situation. I always feel weird admitting that. I also feel a disconnect with the "American dream" or ideal or whatever of huge houses, fancy cars, boats, country club memberships and so on.
Post a Comment