• Neato@ttrpg.network
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • slaacaa@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      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.

      • lectricleopard@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        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.

        • make -j8@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          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?

    • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      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.

        • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          You mean above the assistance line? I’m willing to entertain it, but please explain.

          • MightyGalhupo@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            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.

            • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              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.

                • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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                  1 year ago

                  It is a contentious subject. The basket of goods is constantly argued over in policy circles. So it’s not a settled thing by any means.