If you grew up middle class

[Anonymous]

I grew up middle class, but live in a not fancy area and am a gov't bureaucrat, so I don't really see fancy clothes (or don't recognize them). We have a cleaning service because we both work out of home and would live a life of filth if we did not.

I do lament how gd expensive stuff is here though- like meals in normal, neighborhood restaurants are $12+ for an entree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you grew up middle class do you have a hard time with how much people in this area spend on things? I grew up middle class and never had a maid and didn't have designer stuff. I find it hard for me to be comfortable with spending what seems to be the norm in this area. We don't use maid service, I don't buy $300 pairs of shoes, etc....

Is there a question?

Don't worry about what other people spend. It's their money, their life, their decisions.

[Anonymous]

Not only do people make a crapload of money around here, they also spend it like crazy.

If I had the money, I would spend it as well. It doesn't bother me much. I am envious sometimes....

[Anonymous]

Yes. Not so much with shoes though, most of my friends don't wear designer stuff. It's with houses, camps, outsourced everything, Delaware beach houses, grandparent-funded private schooling and college savings...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you grew up middle class do you have a hard time with how much people in this area spend on things? I grew up middle class and never had a maid and didn't have designer stuff. I find it hard for me to be comfortable with spending what seems to be the norm in this area. We don't use maid service, I don't buy $300 pairs of shoes, etc....

Who buys $300 pairs of shoes? MAYBE leather boots that last for YEARS, but cmon.

I know tons of people who spend more than that.

[Anonymous]

Yes, grew up middles class, and while i don't live in DC, i do live in an affluent suburb on West Coast and every day I am surprised at how expensive people's lives are! Cars, clothes, handbags, spas, travel, restaurants, wine, concerts and entertainment, etc etc. I know there are just people who make a lot of money, so, good for them, but it is way different that what i can afford.

[Anonymous]

Yes! But more to the point, I have a hard time figuring out what is reasonable and normal for UMC parents to spend on their children. I didn't grow up that way at all. We spend probably $1k a month on their activities (3 kids doing private lessons plus team sports) and while we can easily afford it, it sometimes feels excessive to me. But that's with my MC upbringing. Then when you add in the camps and their clothing and random outings to the water park and bounce house places so they're not bored on the holidays from school... It adds up.

[Anonymous]

We are middle class. We do not spend on designer shoes and clothes etc, because we do not see a value in it. We buy good quality clothes that we need and that looks good on us. We live in a not very wealthy suburb, and our mortgage for our pretty big SFH is quite low. We are set for retirement, for college and for school. We keep our house well maintained. We own vehicles that are well maintained, reliable, practical, green, paid off. We have no student debts, I am a SAHM now with school going kids. We go for one vacation abroad at least once a year. I have a lawn service, cleaners twice a week, tutors and summer camps for my children.

This does not mean that I am rich. It just means that what I pay for what I value. I would never get my hair colored at a salon because I consider that a waste of money. A good cleaning lady? I would scrimp and save to have one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are middle class. We do not spend on designer shoes and clothes etc, because we do not see a value in it. We buy good quality clothes that we need and that looks good on us. We live in a not very wealthy suburb, and our mortgage for our pretty big SFH is quite low. We are set for retirement, for college and for school. We keep our house well maintained. We own vehicles that are well maintained, reliable, practical, green, paid off. We have no student debts, I am a SAHM now with school going kids. We go for one vacation abroad at least once a year. I have a lawn service, cleaners twice a week, tutors and summer camps for my children.

This does not mean that I am rich. It just means that what I pay for what I value. I would never get my hair colored at a salon because I consider that a waste of money. A good cleaning lady? I would scrimp and save to have one.

You spend more than any middle class person I ever knew growing up.
Actually we were really LMC. Now I buy $300 shoes easily, it's the $1,000 pairs that give me pause. And I'm
definitely UMC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are middle class. We do not spend on designer shoes and clothes etc, because we do not see a value in it. We buy good quality clothes that we need and that looks good on us. We live in a not very wealthy suburb, and our mortgage for our pretty big SFH is quite low. We are set for retirement, for college and for school. We keep our house well maintained. We own vehicles that are well maintained, reliable, practical, green, paid off. We have no student debts, I am a SAHM now with school going kids. We go for one vacation abroad at least once a year. I have a lawn service, cleaners twice a week, tutors and summer camps for my children.

This does not mean that I am rich. It just means that what I pay for what I value. I would never get my hair colored at a salon because I consider that a waste of money. A good cleaning lady? I would scrimp and save to have one.

You spend more than any middle class person I ever knew growing up.
Actually we were really LMC. Now I buy $300 shoes easily, it's the $1,000 pairs that give me pause. And I'm
definitely UMC.

Um, if you're doing all that (big SFH, overseas vacations, 2x weekly cleaning service and lawn service, fully funded college and retirement) on one income you don't sound middle class.

[Anonymous]

The question is: did you GROW UP middle class.

I did, and because of it wanted more. So I worked hard and am now UMC. And I have $300 shoes, though I usually buy them a Nordstrom Rack at 40% off.

In terms of outsourcing, it was a bit of a learning experience, and now I chose to do it where it is important to me but I don't go all out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are middle class. We do not spend on designer shoes and clothes etc, because we do not see a value in it. We buy good quality clothes that we need and that looks good on us. We live in a not very wealthy suburb, and our mortgage for our pretty big SFH is quite low. We are set for retirement, for college and for school. We keep our house well maintained. We own vehicles that are well maintained, reliable, practical, green, paid off. We have no student debts, I am a SAHM now with school going kids. We go for one vacation abroad at least once a year. I have a lawn service, cleaners twice a week, tutors and summer camps for my children.

This does not mean that I am rich. It just means that what I pay for what I value. I would never get my hair colored at a salon because I consider that a waste of money. A good cleaning lady? I would scrimp and save to have one.

You sound boring. I think you should buy a rhinestone encrusted vibe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are middle class. We do not spend on designer shoes and clothes etc, because we do not see a value in it. We buy good quality clothes that we need and that looks good on us. We live in a not very wealthy suburb, and our mortgage for our pretty big SFH is quite low. We are set for retirement, for college and for school. We keep our house well maintained. We own vehicles that are well maintained, reliable, practical, green, paid off. We have no student debts, I am a SAHM now with school going kids. We go for one vacation abroad at least once a year. I have a lawn service, cleaners twice a week, tutors and summer camps for my children.

This does not mean that I am rich. It just means that what I pay for what I value. I would never get my hair colored at a salon because I consider that a waste of money. A good cleaning lady? I would scrimp and save to have one.

You sound boring. I think you should buy a rhinestone encrusted vibe.

Lol totally agree. It sounds mean, but what's the point of living such a blah existence?

[Anonymous]

I grew up lower middle class ALWAYS worried about not having money. Now I am in the 1% -- my lower middle class upbringing drove me to it and some genetic luck got me there.

[Anonymous]

When I was young I cleaned the house and cut the lawn. Later, for money I cleaned supermarket bathrooms, busted my butt as a weeder/gardener, lugged heavy slate off dirty roofs, worked as a file clerk in a library and handed out resume flyers outside the Farragut West metro.

Fast forward 25 years -- I have a lovely office downtown, live in a lovely neighborhood in a lovely house, drive a lovely car, and belong to a lovely club.

So no, I don't have a hard time with how much people in this area spend on things. Why would I?