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I’m new here. Can I please get some likes 😩
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Us median household income is 80k. 185 K would put you in 83rd percentile. Household.
You think rest of them are lower income class? Your mother was incredibly privileged and made great money then. She wasn’t “solid middle class”. She was making more than 85-86% of us households as an individual
Use little facts to build your perspective
Speaking of income as compared to the entire US is extremely misleading since it doesn't take in to consideration location. Without relative COL at a local level, might as well go piss in to the wind.
C1
You appear to be missing the point, maybe purposely??
The point isn't about percentile rankings—it's about how far that income stretches. Yes, my mother made more than most in 2004, I fully acknowledge that and can STILL speak to the cost of living being significantly lower back then, even in her HCL. Today, an equivalent salary ($185K) just doesn’t provide the same level of comfort due to inflated housing, healthcare, childcare, and everyday expenses.
People assume six figures is 'wealthy,' but in many areas, it's barely middle class and considering majority of the U.S. Doesn't make six figures a lot of people are struggling.
The post isn’t about who was privileged then—it’s about how economic conditions have changed and how purchasing power has eroded. Salaries have NOT kept up with inflation.
If you want to engage in bad faith that's fine, this is online afterall, but I won't play that game.
The person missing the point is you. Use less words, maybe?
$110k salary was high end of middle class in 2004.
Now it’s upper middle class, presuming 2 earners.
If $100k is HHI, that’s middle class.
Anything below is working class.
🫠 The point:
- Most Americans don’t even make $100K today.
- Even those who do aren’t able to like a six-figure earner from 2004.
- And if $185K today is just keeping pace with $110K back then, what does that say about the financial struggles of those making far less?
Here is what I DIDN'T say nor intend.
"OP is saying $185K is struggling?! That’s crazy. They must be out of touch."
Hope this helps. 🤷♀️
So grew up privileged … now expects it as a minimum …
A1, You don't know my age and therefore you made an assumption, erroneous at that, on how I was raised. 🤷♀️ As stated in another comment, I am obviously unable to articulate the point in a way that gets others thinking. That's my fault since I am the OP, I'll own that. Thank you for the engagement.
Let me ask in another way OP - while I understand where you’re coming from, if a job made 110k in 2004, and the same job makes 185k today, and has the same quality of life/buying power…
What seems to be the issue again?
Op, I think what you’re saying is that the salary ranges for social classes have now increased significantly at the top so buying power has decreased despite adjusting salaries for inflation. I.e. whereas what was once considered upper middle class before, considering the adjusted salary today, that salary band is now delegated to a lower social class/less buying power, so really it takes more money to have the equivalent buying power.
Oooh. How about in 1920’s? I think you’re onto something!!!