Part of the problem is that people keep defining up what “maintaining a middle class lifestyle” means.
Cable TV? There goes at least $600 a year. Everyone in the family with cell phones? Another $1200 or so. Eating out often? Or buying prepared food? Driving a less than 5 year old car? Gym memberships? Netflix? Video game systems? Broadband internet access? Add five to ten grand a year more for those, easily. How about a larger than 1,500 square foot home for a family of four? That has never been considered “middle class” until the past decade or so.
Rupert Pupkin writes that he’s not convinced the cost of living eats savings: NPR: Planet Money
