this was going to be a comment to polimicks post on being a classist . . . it got long
To read what promted this go here.
I describe myself as first generation upper middle class (according to some standards it is lower upper class, but we do not live that way so . . . ). My mom was lower class (she actually did live on the wrong side of the tracks), in school the 'rich' black kids were better than her (she was born in 42 so that sas alot), my dad was working class.
I grew up clipping coupons in a rather large living room in a spacious 4 bed 3 bath house, my mom made sure i knew what money was actually worth (every year I got 100 to spend on everything I needed for that school year, and could spend it however I liked, but learned that thrift stores had everything other than paper and pencils, and could have 'new' clothes every season if I did it that way, or could get two pants and a couple of shirs at the Bon).
My parents could afford almost anything I could ever want with his disabled military reitrement check (they give that based on how disabled, and what rank you were when you left), but I knew how much we spent on water, electricity, gas, food, everything.
As long as I am good with money if something major comes up my parents help, but they taught me well enough that after leaving a minimum wage job I was out of work for 4 months before I actually needed any help paying all the bills.
I actually feel alittle sorry for the Elliot's of the world, when they actually do have to deal with the real world, they are really not prepared.
As an Officers daughter I can fit in at a party full of the upper crust, but I can also fit in with at a party with every other class level I have had the pleasure of going to, the only problem I have with fitting in my AS.
And now back to your regulary schedualed me almost never posting, and even it never being more than 2 sentences.