Do you feel like you are in the "Middle Class" rut too ? What can we do ??

Question

I found a article on MSN about the middle class that expressed the way I have been feeling lately....Here is a snippit :

One family feeling the pinch is the Andrew Miller family in Charleston, S.C. With a combined income of just less than $100,000 a year, Miller and his wife say they work harder than ever but are no better off than five years ago. They keep a tight rein on spending, but tiny raises that don't match inflation and escalating health costs are leaving them feeling like they are treading water.

This is like my situation...Every time I get a raise ...Taxes go up to " Pay for Schools"...Gas his $2 a gallon...The Insurance Co. will adjust rates because they can and please don't let it be a cold winter or the gas company will smell blood... Make it stop. America was not formed to only help the extreme rich or Dirt poor...Thats where we are at though

Answer 1

well I make less than $50,000 a year I support a family of six and live well below my means- I can save $1,000.00 a month. How come? I have no debt, no credit cards and everything I own is second hand.

Answer 2

Anyone who makes $100,000 a year and cannot make ends meet is living well beyond their means. Meaning, the big house, new cars, clothing, trips, eating out. If they have outrageous health issues/costs that is one thing and I would truly feel for them.

I was, at one point, a single mother with three children making $20,000 a year. It was very hard and I did qualify for free lunches for them at school. Other than that, I did NOT ever go on welfare. I budgeted accordingly and lived the best I could. I drove an older car and lived in an older home that was within my means.

Lots of people buy things that they really WANT but that does not mean that they NEED them.

I am very happy being middle class and although America is not perfect and yes I do agree about the government and taxes as the most ridiculous they have ever been, I still enjoy my life here.

Answer 3

100k in Charleston is pretty good dough. What's the entire story? Do they have all kinds of toys, new cars, big house, etc. We have become a nation that is all about want and luxuries. Just look at the recent article about a family that made like 150k a year but couldn't make ends meet. I'm sorry of people are too ignorant to manage their finances. There are always options. Early in my career I made very little money-- 20k (in the mid 80's) and my salary grew. But all along the way, my family focused on keeping debt down, buying what we NEEDED with some luxuries. We also made use of sales, coupons, etc. and, I always made it a priority to contribute as much as possible to my 401k and save where we could.

Could you post link to article-- would be an interesting read.

Answer 4

To reach the milestone of being in the upper class, you have to take risks. No matter how good you're job is, you won't truly make enough money to surpass inflation unless you take risks, start a business, invest in the stock market, etc. Even doctors, who make 200k per year, are not upper class. You will never be rich unless you take risks. If you're money is not in the stock market, you are constantly losing money thanks to inflation. No matter what you invest in, you will make money, because the stock market in general is one of the most profitable sources of income in the U.S.

Answer 5

must suck to make 100,000 a year hell i make like 40,000 a year i have 3 cars buying a house this year and i save 1,000-2,000 a mouth and i have zero debt i think I'm doing just fine

Answer 6

Invest your money overseas! No kidding!