Ever catch yourself sizing up your finances against others? While it's not always the best idea, understanding how your finances compare to the average American can help you prepare yourself financially .
Are you on track to pay for a comfortable retirement? Are you putting away enough money to prepare for a rainy day?
You may feel like you have saved a significant sum, but when it has to last 20 to 30 years, it may not cut it. That’s why you need to know if you’re doing worse financially than the average middle-class American. Here are 12 signs that’s the case.
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1. Your income is lower than $70,784
The average middle-class household income is $70,784, though that should be adjusted depending on whether you live in a low-cost-of-living or high-cost-of-living area. If you make less than that amount, you could be doing worse than many of your middle-class American neighbors.
Own a car? Here's 7 warning signs you're paying too much for car insurance. 2. Your credit card debt is more than $2,400
While credit card debt varies depending on income level and region, the average middle-income household has $2,400 in credit card debt. If you’re carrying more than that amount month-to-month, you may be in a precarious financial position.
3. You do not save money monthly
In a survey by the Washington Post, 91% of Americans believe that to be middle class, saving money for the future is important. If you do not have enough left over at the end of every month to put a little bit away for retirement or a rainy day fund, then you’re doing worse than the middle class.
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4. You worry about your bills month-to-month
If every month is a struggle to pay for electricity, water, rent, and cable, then you’re probably not keeping up with other average middle-class Americans. In a Washington Post survey, 90% of Americans believe that reaching the middle class means not worrying about paying bills on time.
5. You can’t afford a surprise $1,000 expense
Whether it’s new car tires or an unexpected vet bill, big expenses can pop up without warning. According to 90% of Americans, being in the middle class means you can handle that $1,000 expense without hardship.
6. Your income has stagnated
To keep growing financially, you need to keep money coming in. If you haven’t gotten a raise or significantly increased your income in years, then you’re probably lagging behind many of the other average middle-class Americans around you.
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Over the past few years, inflation has been noticeable for many people, especially at the grocery store. But it hit those who aren’t quite middle class the hardest. If you found yourself stressing over prices in the produce aisle, then you may be doing worse than other middle-class Americans.
8. You’re living paycheck-to-paycheck
When it’s a countdown to payday every month, you may be slipping below middle class. This is especially true if it impacts how you pay for necessities such as food, gas, and toiletries.
9. You can’t get approved for credit
While taking on credit you can’t afford is not a good idea, it’s also not a good sign when you can’t get approved.
Those who are not on the same financial level as the average middle-class American will have difficulty being approved for a line of credit increase on their credit cards, and they may pay higher interest rates on car loans, mortgages, and other types of loans.
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10. You can’t afford to travel
In the Washington Post survey, 67% of Americans believe it’s a sign of being middle class when you have both the time and the money to travel. If the idea of a vacation seems beyond your means, you may be doing worse financially than those around you.
11. Health insurance is out of reach
If you don’t have health insurance because it costs too much, then you likely aren’t keeping up with your average middle-class peers. In the Washington Post survey, 89% of Americans believe that having health insurance is a requisite for being in the middle class.
12. You don’t think you’ll be able to retire
Most Americans believe that a comfortable retirement — not extravagant, but comfortable — is part of being middle class. According to the Washington Post survey, 87% of respondents say that it is expected if you’re in the middle class.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to retire or feel behind on savings, you probably haven’t kept up financially with other average middle-class Americans around you.
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Bottom line
Even if you’re doing worse financially than the average American today, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your situation. It’s never too late to start saving, and an emergency fund can help cushion any surprise bills.
If you’re behind in your retirement contributions, make that a priority going forward. It’s also possible to get a side hustle to earn extra money or to adjust your spending so you can boost your savings. A better tomorrow is always within reach.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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