Financial stress is common worldwide today, especially given the financial climate we are in. We get it if you feel worried about your finances, but maybe, just maybe, if you are reading this, you may find that you are doing better than you once thought.
Here, we have listed some of the signs that you may be doing better financially than most middle-class folks.
You Have Investments
Investments are the only way to make your money work for you while you are sleeping. Saving money is great, but you may lose money to inflation adjustments without investing it. If you invest your savings regularly, then you are already much better off than most middle-class people today.
You Don’t Live Paycheck to Paycheck
Living paycheck to paycheck can be such a stressful way to navigate life. If you can manage to have some money left over after paying all your bills, then you are already coming out on top.
A large number of people around the world live paycheck to paycheck, but if you can afford to miss one or two months’ pay without too much stress, then you are already pretty well off compared to most middle-class folks.
You Have a Budget
A lot of people don’t take the time to set up budgets or revisit and review the ones they have. If you have a budget that you stick to, then you are definitely on the right path to reaching a higher level of wealth.
You Have an Emergency Savings Account
We never really know when an emergency is going to happen, and when we plan for this with an emergency savings fund, we are protecting ourselves financially. If you have an emergency fund in place, then you are doing the right thing financially.
Your Life Is Not Ruled by Credit Card Debt
It’s so easy for credit card debt to get out of hand, but if you can manage to stay on top of it, or better yet, avoid it, then you are doing something right in the financial game.
You Take Advantage of the 401(K) Employer Match
A lot of employers will match a certain percentage of the 401(k) contributions. If you are using this to your advantage, then you are doing more than most middle-class folks.
Your Net Worth Increases Every Year
If you are managing to get through everyday life while increasing your net worth every year, then you are doing something right. A lot of people just live and have no plans to get to higher levels of wealth, but if an increasing network is a reality for you due to sacrifices or necessary changes you have made, then you can be proud of yourself.
You Have Retirement Security in Place
Everyone wants to be in a place where they can retire comfortably, but not everyone makes the right moves in life to achieve this. If you are certain that you will be able to retire comfortably one day, then you are already a winner in the middle class.