This was based on a question that my economics professor in college had asked us. His question was more to the effect of “What’s a good/service people buy when they have a bit of money, then they stop buying or buy less of it when they get some more money, and then they start buying it again once they have even more money?” — feel free to answer that too.

My first thought was alcohol: lower class people might buy more of it to cope with their difficult situation, whereas upper class people have more money to spend on vices and luxuries such as alcohol. Not sure if this theory holds true.

The best answer I’ve been able to come up with is golf carts, at least in the US. It’s common to see lower class people drive golf carts around their trailer parks or neighborhoods, whereas middle class people rarely do that. An upper class person might live in a wealthy neighborhood with its own built-in golf course, or the person might even own their own golf course(s).

Some dubious investments, such as crypto or donations to certain social organizations or politicians might also qualify?

  • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Gambling

    Transportation services

    RVs

    Recreational drugs

    Horses and related services

    This is fun, but I’ll end this with the obligatory: There are two main classes, the ownership class and the working class. The lower and middle classes are subsets of the working class.

      • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        I like that one. I used to jokingly tell people I drove a classic car. It was technically correct, but no one was impressed by my rusted out, 1980s, economy sedan or its 115 horses.

        • Taleya@aussie.zone
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          23 hours ago

          We finally got a family car when i was 16 - a 1978 corolla station wagon.

          In the 90’s.

        • AA5B@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          Here I am wondering how old i can get away with and still be safe and reliable for my teens to drive

          • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
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            3 hours ago

            I don’t think a 2025 Armored Personnel Carrier is capable of keeping a teen driver safe. Having said that, I think the best we can do is front and side airbags, crumple zones, a low center of gravity (sorry Jeep), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). If I had to put a year on that, I’d say 2012, when the NHTSA required all new vehicles to have ESC. A roll cage wouldn’t hurt, if that’s an option. Bonus points if you can convince them to wear a racing helmet and Leatt neck brace while driving.

    • throwawayacc0430@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Lmfao

      Gambling

      [Poor People] Delusion of winning big VS [Rich People] Just enjoying spending their time throwing money away because they have endless supply of money

      Transportation services

      [Poor People] Having to ride a Bus because you can’t afford a car VS [Rich People] Personal Driver driving you everywhete

        • throwawayacc0430@sh.itjust.works
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          2 days ago

          Oh I guess because a text-only forum loses the real life expressions.

          Its more like: “Bruh 💀” - Like it’s funny, but in a fucked up dystopian context, ya know what I mean?

          • Remember_the_tooth@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            I don’t have any data to support it, but I’d speculate that the middle class uses a lot less illicit drugs, lacking the desperation of the poor or the protections of the wealthy.

              • AA5B@lemmy.world
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                1 day ago

                Maybe but I wonder that too. Now that Marijuana is legit most places, that’s a vice for the middle class. They can’t risk illegal when there’s a legal option and can’t afford some of the workarounds that wealthy can