Well, have you attained the coveted
Middle Class status? (I’m not talking about higher or lower middle class). It’s neither. Defining "middle class" remains a challenge, as everyone wants to be in the middle regardless of their income. Instead of focusing on just the money in your bank, let's take a look at the lifestyle benchmarks that define
middle class status:
Home Ownership
Do you own a house whose value is between Rs 30 and 60 lakhs?
Automobile Ownership
Have a car that costs between Rs 4 and 10 lakhs?
Health Coverage
A health insurance cover of at least Rs 10 lakhs?
Children’s Education
Are your children studying in Public schools that charge between Rs75,000 and Rs 1 lakh per year as fees? Or studying in colleges that cost more than Rs 3 Lakhs per year?
Plasma/LED/LCD TV 32” and above.
TVs in all bedrooms and maybe the living room too with at least one DVD/Blue Ray player.
Washing machine/dishwasher/clothes dryer/computer/iPad or equivalent.
These needless to say are a must.
Eating Out
Do you spend approx Rs 2000-5000 on eating out every month?
Vacations
At least one vacation abroad in two/three years.
Tax
Do you pay income tax of at least Rs 20,000 per year? (Does not apply to tax evaders!)
Club Membership
Are you a member of a reputed club in a metro.
If you’ve achieved these benchmarks, then congrats! You’ve made it to the Middle Class Club! Next stop? The Upper Middle Class! All the best!
Cheers!