11mo ago

Dont get it twisted.

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Lots of people in here fighting about what "working class" means. If you have to work to survive (other than minor household chores), you're working class. If you have enough money, or assets that you get dividends from or can borrow against, or passive income so you don't need a regular employment then you probably aren't working class.
Working Poor isn't as common and definition varies a lot.
- This is it, it’s super simple.
  If I dialed back everything, I could probably live a few years off my savings/investments, and selling some stuff. But I would be just burning trough my money, and I would need to go back to work eventually. So I’m still working class, even if I’m in a luckier situation than most people.
- I feel like there is a world in between of these two
  
  There really isn't. Each group has a wider pay rate than maybe is implied, but functionally, there isn't a role in capitalism between them. Wealthy people want us to think there is a wide range of classes so we argue with each other instead of cooperating against them.
  
  There is a class in between though. Those who can't stop working and live on capital alone, but still have enough leeway to try and an asset that'll improve their financial status. For example:
  Investing in higher education that can bring you higher salary. For the middle class it's a gamble - maybe you won't make it, or maybe you won't be able to get a job that justifies your degree - but that's categorically different from the rich who are pretty much guaranteed to graduate and get a good job using their connections (with the degree used as laundered merit) and from the poor who can't afford to invest the time (let alone the money) because their families will be in big trouble for several years if they don't work and bring income.
  Buying a house. Not a problem for the rich, not a possibility for the poor, but for the middle class it's a huge thing - both in the effort it requires and the benefit of not having to rent (or being able to rent it to others)
  
  I can stop working for about 2 or 3 years depending on sacrifices I am willing to make. Do I qualify as a working poor class?
  
  That's what they want you to think. If we're infighting, we're not outfighting.
- Oh I think working poor is pretty easy to define. If you work full time (or equivalent at multiple jobs) and you're not able to pay your bills without government assistance then you're the working poor.
  
  But you can be working poor and not in those conditions
  
  You mean above the assistance line? I'm willing to entertain it, but please explain.
  
  I’m not sure on the exact definition of working poor, but I’d say someone who works to make just barely enough to live (aka don’t need/get assistance) but don’t earn enough for more than that and saving for when necessary utilities like fridges break down is still working poor.
  
  I don't know. I get that it seems like being poor and it's certainly a dangerous financial area that could make you poor. But if you're covering all your bases then I don't think we can say your poor.
  I know it seems like splitting a hair but if we define it like that, in general terms, then people who are just financially irresponsible would also qualify, while someone making less then them would not. I'd probably put together a basket of required goods in an area, average rent, average grocery, healthcare, average utilities for X number bedrooms (i.e. kids), etc and set that as the standard you need to be able to cover and not be poor. That way if you're making more than those items added together we know you're actually doing alright and we can focus elsewhere.
  In a less capitalist focused system I'd probably include funding vacations, pets, and retirement.
  
  I see, I hadn’t thought of that but you make a good point.

208 comments