There are certain benchmarks Americans consider when viewing themselves as middle class – owning a home opens a new window, a car or being employed at a specific income level opens a new window.
However, there is one factor that perhaps most clearly defines whether someone can be considered middle class: access to credit.
Sugar Land Wealth Management and Financial Adviser Derrick Kinney tells KTRH, "Try as best as you can to put a little savings aside every month. The more you prepare for emergencies the better off you will be when one hits."
He also tells us, "If you don't have good credit then you will miss out on lower interest rates, that can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you can avoid charging things then you stand a better chance of not ruining your credit if you do run into an emergency."