张栋伟：你是真的中产阶级吗？

Group 1 - The rising costs of essential living items such as housing, transportation, and healthcare are making it increasingly difficult for many to achieve "economic comfort" [1] - The concept of "middle class" is often evaluated based on net worth rather than income, as assets and liabilities have a more significant impact on long-term financial security [1] - The median net worth data from the Federal Reserve indicates varying net worth levels by age, with significant differences observed across different age groups [2] Group 2 - The benchmarks for determining middle-class status are not definitive and serve merely as a measure of one's current position, emphasizing the diversity of lifestyles and financial independence paths [3] - Perceptions of net worth can vary significantly within wealth tiers, influenced by factors such as debt levels and the liquidity of assets [4] - Accumulating wealth takes time, and the implications of low net worth at a young age are less critical compared to the potential consequences of low net worth in later years [5]