I recently saw the above graphic on Facebook and it gave me pause (see above). I know I’ve talked about it before, but I struggle to feed myself and my family, and we are considered “lower middle class.” After COVID, when the gas prices went up, the workforce percentage went way down (because people were enjoying the stimuluses and the isolation), and the food prices went way, way up — but we’ve never rebounded as a society. The food prices are still high, with the workforce still down. That is a concoction for a massive recession.
For 2024, I thought I’d include this explanation of the classes, before going further :
In the United States, socio-economic classifications and income levels can vary depending on the source and methodology used. However, a common way to classify socio-economic status includes:
- Upper Class: This class typically includes individuals and families with significant wealth, often derived from investments, inheritance, or high-paying professional careers. They may have high levels of education and occupy positions of power and influence in society. Income levels can vary widely, but often exceed hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars annually.
- Upper Middle Class: This group consists of professionals and managers with high levels of education and income. They may hold advanced degrees and work in fields such as law, medicine, finance, or technology. Income levels generally range from around $100,000 to several hundred thousand dollars per year.
- Middle Class: The middle class encompasses a broad range of occupations and income levels. This group includes white-collar workers, teachers, nurses, and skilled tradespeople. Income levels vary widely, but typically fall between $40,000 to $100,000 per year for a household.
- Lower Middle Class: This category includes individuals and families who may have stable employment but struggle to make ends meet. They often work in service or blue-collar industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, or construction. Income levels can range from around $30,000 to $60,000 per year for a household.
- Working Class: The working class includes individuals employed in manual or unskilled labor jobs, such as factory workers, laborers, and service industry workers. They may have limited educational attainment and often face financial insecurity. Income levels typically fall below $40,000 per year for a household.
- Lower Class/Poverty: This group consists of individuals and families living below the poverty line, which is determined by the federal government based on income thresholds. They may struggle with unemployment, underemployment, lack of access to education and healthcare, and other systemic challenges. Income levels can vary widely but generally fall below $25,000 per year for a household.
These classifications are fluid and subject to interpretation, and factors such as geographic location, cost of living, family size, and access to resources can influence an individual or family’s socio-economic status. Additionally, societal and economic changes can impact these classifications over time.
The prices of food have gone beyond ridiculous. I am pre-diabetic, so I have to have a lot of “sugar free” things and “low carb” things, in order to keep my blood sugar in check. It’s definitely not cheap when you have to eat a special diet. I try to shop discount and sales as much as humanly possible. I figure it’s better to pay out on the front end, for my health, than to pay out for insulin later. I’d rather not EVER have to have insulin. I wish my health insurance would help with paying for my diet, but I digress.
Ironically, the price of gas went back down somewhat, but groceries did not. The Dollar Tree store (that I love) now charges, at least $1.25 for things. Our Dollar Tree is a Dollar Tree+, so things can be $2, $5, or $10. They don’t take coupons, but Dollar General and Family Dollar do; however, the “dollar” stores are not always the cheapest. I have to stick with shopping Walmart, Kroger, and Aldi. And coupons and sales are my best friends. I also frequent the “clearance” section quite often, in EVERY store.
Another irony: even though my gross pay indicates that I am in the lower-middle class, after paying on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, my family is at the poverty level; however, I do NOT qualify for food stamps. Not even a little bit. Most social services agencies look at your gross income ONLY. They do not care what your personal circumstances are. I realize that policies have to have limits somewhere, but FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES. PERIOD. Once I pay my regular bills, with what money is left over after the bankruptcy comes out, there is literally pennies left to feed my people and animals on.
Thankfully, when my children were little, I was fortunate enough to receive WIC and I breastfed. That was a Godsend in itself. I hope that program ALWAYS endures!
Since I’ve been an adult worker, my family always struggled a bit. Feeding myself, a husband, and three children has always been a challenge. It didn’t help that my Abuser didn’t actively help with HIS money. I’ve always shopped this way, but then again food was cheaper, so I could put my savings (that is, monies left over) out of my budget for food into a savings account or stock up on things that we’ve depleted. I can no longer do that. When it got close to pay day, we’d just eat mac & cheese and hotdogs or scavenge left overs — many people do this, so no disrespect; however, now? Sometimes I literally go without eating so my guys can eat. I’m the one with the special diet issues, so twice a week, I just say I’m “not hungry” and drink more water. Probably not the best strategy in the world, but it is a strategy. *Shrugs*
I also silently would apply my kids for “free/reduced breakfast/lunch and books” when they were in schools. I only applied on my income and usually got it. Was that deceptive? Not really. My former Abuser would not contribute much, IF ANY, monetarily. I was effectively a married single person. Crazy, I know, but after the schools dealt with him ONCE, they never questioned me. I felt as though I was cheating the system, but then again my children had to go to school AND eat.
So, I STILL have to supplement our groceries by sometimes going to food banks. I’m not proud of it, but I have people I HAVE to feed. HAVE. TO. I have the dates of all the local food pantries on my calendar. ALL. OF. THEM. I will say, while standing in line to be served at these food pantries, I’ve learned I am not the only one. You heard that correctly…there is a distinct food deficit in this country. People who work full-time jobs, like myself, have to stand in line at food pantries to feed their families. We don’t advertise it personally, but I know I will admit to it if asked. I now understand why people no longer get married — they get more food stamps and benefits if they do NOT. They get viewed as individuals, not as a “family unit.” That’s INSANITY!
Please, for the love of all that is holy, PLEASE be kind. People are silently starving. We don’t need your judgement or pity, we need nourishment.
Love and light and Manna! <3
