There is a unique sense of belonging that comes from the lower middle class. It’s like a secret club with shared experiences and rituals that are very familiar.
These experiences shape us, mold us, and often stay with us no matter where life takes us.They are subtle yet powerful reminders of our roots.
In this article, we’ll explore these common experiences. If you can relate to these 10 experiences, you’re likely a card-carrying member of the lower middle class. It’s not about labels, it’s about understanding where we come from and how does it shape who we are today?
Let’s dive in!
1) bargain hunting
It’s a skill, a pastime, and often a necessity. Commercial hunting is a common theme among the lower middle class.
The thrill of finding a great deal, the satisfaction of stretching a dollar. these are not just financial needs, they are lifestyles.
From thrift store diving to coupon clipping, these habits aren’t just about saving money—they’re about resourcefulness and flexibility.
If you find yourself holding up the checkout line while counting exact change or arguing about the validity of a coupon, there’s a good chance you’re lower-middle-class.
And it’s not just about the money saved, it’s about the satisfaction of knowing you got the most value for your hard-earned cash. It’s a small victory in the daily struggle to make ends meet.
Bargain hunting may seem like a small thing, but it’s one of those experiences that leaves an indelible mark. It’s an experience that connects us, that makes us who we are.
2) the value of hard work
I remember my first job like it was yesterday. I was 15 years old, working at a local grocery store, helping customers with their cars. The hours were long, the pay was low, but it taught me the value of hard work.
It’s a lesson I’ve carried with me into adulthood. The idea that nothing comes easy, that you have to earn your way in this world, is a common theme among those who are lower middle class.
We know what it means to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty.We understand the satisfaction that comes from seeing the fruits of our labor, whether it’s a well-earned paycheck or a well-maintained home.
We may not have grown up much, but we learned the importance of hard work. It’s an ethic that has served us well in life, and it’s something we’ll always carry with us.
3) DIY everything
From fixing leaky faucets to assembling furniture, lower-middle-class households have a DIY spirit.
It’s not just about saving money, although that’s definitely part of it. It’s also about the self-reliance and satisfaction that comes with solving problems on your own.
A 2012 study found that lower-income households are more likely to engage in DIY activities than their wealthier counterparts, which is not surprising when you consider the ingenuity and flexibility often found in lower-middle-class families.
The DIY mentality goes beyond home renovations and extends to other areas of life, such as cooking meals from scratch instead of making dinner, or sewing and mending clothes instead of buying new ones.
If you grew up knowing the ins and outs of a toolbox or can lug around a sewing machine, you can thank your handy skills.
4) Financial priority
Growing up in a lower middle class family means learning financial priorities from an early age.
You realize that sometimes you have to go without certain things to make ends meet. You learn the difference between “wants” and “needs” and that sometimes those “wants” have to be put on hold.
It’s about making a choice, choosing to pay the electric bill instead of going out to dinner, or saving up for a much-needed pair of shoes instead of buying that new video game.
This financial priority often carries over into adulthood, even as circumstances may change.The lessons learned from growing up in a lower-middle-class home stay with you, influencing your decisions and shaping your approach to money management.
If you find yourself weighing every purchase or forgoing luxuries for practical needs, that’s a sure sign of your roots. And while it might be difficult, it also gives you a valuable money management skill that many people lack :
5) second-hand items and second-hand items
If the phrase “it still has a lot of use left” sounds familiar, you probably grew up in a lower-middle-class household.
Handicrafts and second-hand items were often common, not because they were fashionable, but because they were practical and cost-effective.
The older brother’s clothes would find new life with the younger ones, and the furniture would be passed down from relative to relative, carrying with them the stories of past generations.
Garage sales were treasure troves, not dumping grounds, and the idea of throwing something away just because it was old was almost unheard of.
This experience teaches us the value of things beyond their price. It’s not about how new something is, but how useful it can be. And that’s a mindset that stays with us, ours long after leaving childhood homes.
6) The importance of family and community
In lower-middle-class households, family and community aren’t just important, they’re everything.
You learn early that it’s not about what you have, it’s about who you have.You learn to lean on each other in the hard times, celebrate together in the good times, and always, always have your back.
The bonds formed in a lower-middle-class family are often strong and unbreakable. They are forged in shared struggles and shared victories, in laughter and tears, in love and understanding.
And it’s not just about the family you’re born into. It’s also about the community around you, the friends and neighbors who become like a second family. It means knowing that if you ever need help, there are people there for you will be
If your family and community played a crucial role in your upbringing, shaping your values and your outlook on life, then you probably share this common experience with members of the lower middle class.
7) the luxury of leftovers
I remember a time when dinner wasn’t just a meal, it was a strategy. We didn’t just cook for one night, but for a week. Leftovers just weren’t convenient. they were a lifeline.
Every Sunday my mom would get out her biggest pot and make a big batch of soup, stew, pasta sauce, and that would be our dinner for the next few days.
It wasn’t fancy, but it was filling and nutritious, and more importantly, it was affordable.
This practice instilled in me an appreciation for ingenuity in the kitchen and an understanding of how to go a little further, a skill that has served me well into adulthood in both saving money and reducing waste.
If you grew up with the luxury of leftovers, savoring flavors that seemed to get better by the day, you’re not alone.It’s a common theme among those of us who come from the lower middle class.
8) The positive side of the struggle
Growing up in a lower middle class family often means facing struggles and hardships, but interestingly, these challenges can also be a source of strength.
Facing financial constraints teaches you flexibility, adaptability, and resourcefulness. It forces you to learn how to make do with less, find solutions to problems, and persevere even when the odds are stacked against you.
These experiences can be difficult, but they can also shape your character in profound ways. They can instill in you a drive to succeed, a determination to overcome obstacles, and a deep appreciation for what you have.
So while growing up lower-middle class can be difficult, it can also equip you with invaluable life skills and traits that will serve you well throughout your life.
9) Public transportation adventures
If your childhood memories include waiting for the local bus or navigating the subway system, you’re in good company.
Public transport is often a mainstay in the lives of the lower middle class.It is more than just a way to get around. it is part of everyday life.
From learning to plan your schedule around bus schedules to understanding the intricacies of different routes and transportation, these experiences teach us some early lessons in logistics and time management.
And while it hasn’t always been the most convenient or comfortable way to travel, it has offered its own unique opportunities to explore different areas of life, appreciate the hustle and bustle of the city, and even find a moment of quiet reflection in the chaos.
Whether it was a daily commute or a casual commute, if public transportation played a significant role in your upbringing, you’re probably lower-middle class.
10) The richness of simplicity
Growing up lower middle class teaches you that wealth doesn’t always come from material wealth. It comes from the simple things: a home-cooked meal, a game of catch in the backyard, or a family movie night huddled around the TV.
These experiences teach us to find joy in simplicity. We learn to appreciate the little moments, the everyday pleasures that cost nothing but are priceless nonetheless.
It’s about realizing that happiness is not about what you have, but how much you appreciate what you have.
This is perhaps the most important lesson we learn from a lower-middle-class upbringing, and it’s one that enriches your life in far more meaningful ways than material wealth ever could.