I think, before everything went to hell, first year associates in large firms were starting at about $120,000.

Actually, that seems on the low side, at least around here.

New Kitteh is home! Her name so far is Sophie. There has been no vomiting.

Yay, Perkins and Sophie. I hope the evening goes smoothly. Does she remember you??

Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins:

I am so psyched for Suzi! She's at the A's game tonight (and crashing at my place after) and the A's are up 6 to nothing in the 3rd!!!

I'm not sure where I'd put the numbers, but in terms of stuff, I'd say small vacation house on the Jersey Shore is upper-middle, big vacation house in the Hamptons is rich; apartment just big enough to comfortably house your family, but no bigger, is upper-middle, apartment with extra rooms is rich; once a week maid is upper-middle, live-in nanny is rich. (All this for people living in Manhattan. Outer boroughs or suburbs have totally different gauges.)

I think if you can maintain more than one home you're more like rich than middle class. Particularly if you live in a pricey area. A little shore house is a fair bit of change spent recreationally.

Of course, I'm leaving room for "wealthy" above rich -- that's where I'd think we're talking multi-generational money.

I would hope that a high-level successful professional would make the kind of money to make them (at least) upper middle class, even in public service. And I would hope that a Supreme Court Justice would be a high-level successful professional. Much like I hope they would be smarter than me.

Yes, exactly what I was wanted to say but I'm wayyyyy less smart than a Supreme Court Justice should be tonight.

Actually, that seems on the low side, at least around here.

Having recently found out how far I am below it (and, yet, still at work!), median income here is about $20K more than NY.

I think if you can maintain more than one home you're more like rich than middle class. Particularly if you live in a pricey area.

Appearances can be deceiving. I lived in a gorgeous 10+ room colonial and had a summer house growing up. But that's because we were housed by the prep school my parents worked at.

Of course, I'm leaving room for "wealthy" above rich -- that's where I'd think we're talking multi-generational money.

Ah. I was thinking of "rich" as the highest category, with gradations within that.

Where would you put private schools on that list? Someplace like Spence, say. I'd say rich, with upper-middle being able to afford it if they budgeted somewhere else. Especially for more than one kid.

Depends, plenty of people with no money go to The Dalton, Spence, and the like. Old prep schools with big endowments give lots of scholarships.

Appearances can be deceiving. I lived in a gorgeous 10+ room colonial and had a summer house growing up. But that's because we were housed by the prep school my parents worked at.

I'm assuming owning both residences when I say "maintaining".

I assume wealth when I consider "rich." Assets as well as income.