As part of the series, "The New Middle," All Things Considered is asking listeners to tell us what material things are part of a middle class lifestyle in America today using the hashtag #TheNewMiddle.
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: So what does middle-class mean to you? We posed that question on Twitter for our series The New Middle. Here's some of your responses.</s>TONY CRANE: This is Tony Crane (ph) from Seattle, Wash. The new middle is when your tax, rent, food and transportation costs slowly increase while your savings decrease.</s>BRITTANY HALL: It's having all generic everything, even most medication and always being on the financial edge but somehow still being happy. This is Brittany Hall (ph) in Michigan.</s>EMILY WAH: This is Emily Wah (ph) from Three Forks, Mont. The new middle should mean a roof over your head, reliable car, healthy food, college, retirement - bonus points if you can take the occasional vacation without completely breaking the bank. Here's a secret. It doesn't.</s>ARI SHAPIRO, HOST: So what are the material things that you think you should have to be in the new middle? Is it a reliable car like Emily Wah says or owning your own home, being able to afford the latest iPhone? We want to know. Tweet us @npratc with the hashtag #TheNewMiddle.