>>but rather core human experiences, closely tied to the concept of "middle class" themselves, and not financial back-breakers for middle class families in the

>>but rather core human experiences, closely tied to the concept of "middle class" themselves, and not financial back-breakers for middle class families in the past. What constitutes 'core human experiences'? There are people in this very forum who think a vacation per year is a very valid human need because 'life happens only once'. So by many a measure 'the trip to vegas' is a 'core human experience'. Plus there is a very think line of difference between a vacation to vegas or grand canyon. The right way to measure a 'core human experience' is to ask what is the person's highest priority? If you ask me nothing is more important to me than putting food on the table, having clothes to wear, a roof above my head and enough cash for my health expenses when I grow old. That said, now I have to plan my finances accordingly. I can't spend a good chunk on everything else and then complain I don't have enough. People at all levels of income are faced with 'priorities', this includes millionaires as well.