I never really ascribed to the whole lifestyle as class thing. Too many people living far above/below their incomes ‘class’ to ever make much sense. One big variable that is just too hard to measure with ‘lifestyle classes’ is retirment. US savings rates are terrible, and will lead to more and more people unable to retire until very late in life if ever. Working till you drop is something that I would not equate with being upper middle class to wealthy. Problem is you dont see it like you do people buying $500 purses or Golf clubs.
