Does the middle class not invest?

Soon as I get that 84 month f-250 note and that 120 month boat note taken care of I’m gonna start, I swear.

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Soon as I get that 84 month f-250 note and that 120 month boat note taken care of I’m gonna start, I swear.

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Sounds like my cousin. She complains about how hard she has it but that she likes to get her nails redone at $60 a pop multiple times a month.

I think it depends. Might not have the extra income, kids, bills. Not everyone is fortunate to have disposable income so to speak for that outside of a 401k match at work

We invested in a nice travel trailer a few years ago. I know the resale value won’t go up much like a stock but the money I saved on going on vacation has been enough to go out to eat a few extra times a month.

Don't forget that newest, fanciest cell phone purchase right when they come out.

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Does the middle class not invest anymore? Why did this become something associated only with the ultra wealthy? Getting money diversified in the stock market as early as possible is one of the smartest things anyone can do financially and it really doesn’t even take that much to really gain steam over time as long as you keep at it.

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For one, the middle class doesn't really have a definition. It's used as a term to suit someone's rhetorical purpose. Middle class can mean anything from the median income range to simply the working class. It can mean average net worth or household income. All of these can be wildly different depending on who is doing the discussing and their purpose.

Secondly, there is significant wealth disparity in America between the ultra rich and those in the "middle class." Often when people talk about the investor class, I assume they mean those at the very upper echelon of wealthy Americans. When they invest, they are not building a portfolio like you are. They are exponentially increasing their money. Bezos for example has added billions and billions to his portfolio while most of America has experienced either a recession or worse, extreme hardship due to the pandemic.

Your nice portfolio is about securing a nice retirement. The investor class's portfolio is about establishing power and influence at both the cultural and government level.

Politicians and activists use these kind of statements to persuade voters. They see capitalism as an offense and despite the middle class being able to invest and have a nice, fulfilling life, they want to appeal to the emotions of the public and lead them to believe they are unable to invest in the market because of those who have more than them.

Anyways, you're exactly right. Anyone making any kind of money can save and invest. People choose to live outside of their means or expect to have more than they've worked for and then feel like they can't invest. They also don't understand what invest means and think the stock market is like betting on horse racing - a means to place money somewhere and see it turn into something big.

Don't listen to anyone saying the middle class doesn't invest and that there's a difference between an investor class and any other class.

I doubt it. If so, very little.

I have co-workers that are in their 40's and still paying minimum payments on their school loans. This is being out of school for 10-15yrs.

Cheap money (low interest rates). No need to invest if you can finance the things now type mentality, and it’s encouraged.

High interest rates quell inflation and cause people to save.

Middle class and I invest every month and I’m not just talking about retirement accounts.

There’s a book called The Millionaire Next Door

Most millionaires don’t flaunt their wealth. They work their arse off for it, budget and save.