Black, Married & Debt Free Podcast · Black, Married & Debt Free

(EP - 316 NO MUSIC) ARE YOU IN THE MIDDLE CLASS + $250M PODCASTS? 👀+ IN-N-OUT BURGER LEAVING TOWN

February 4, 2024·45 min·4 clips

Marcus admits he's waiting for the market to dip so he can buy more and profit later.

This episode of the Black, Married & Debt Free Podcast is hosted by Marcus and Shira, a couple who share their financial journey and perspectives. They discuss markers of economic class and a major business closure in their home state. The hosts begin by reacting to Joe Rogan's reported $250 million podcast deal, with Marcus humorously suggesting Spotify should contact them. They transition to analyzing an article from Finance Buzz titled "If any of these 11 things describes you, you've climbed beyond middle class." Marcus and Shira go through the list point by point, relating each to their personal finances. Key indicators include having a fast-rising income, not worrying about healthcare costs, and earning more than $130,000 annually. They debate whether a high income alone signifies moving beyond the middle class, noting the impact of local cost of living and personal debt. Other markers are dining out freely, not stressing over vacation prices, and carrying no consumer debt. The couple discusses their own habits, like Marcus's daily Starbucks refresher and their preference for generic groceries over brand names. They also cover not worrying about small purchases or financial downturns, using auto-pay for bills, and saving for children's college. Marcus references football player Shannon Sharpe's philosophy of only funding his kids' college education. For the final segment, Marcus highlights the planned closure of an In-N-Out Burger location in Oakland, California. He cites the company's statement blaming rising crime, including car break-ins and robberies, for making the location unsafe. Marcus shares a personal story of having his car window smashed in broad daylight in Oakland. They note the recent departures of the Warriors, Raiders, and A's sports teams from the city. Shira expresses sadness over the job losses and safety issues for workers. Marcus suggests the situation might need to worsen before a revitalization can occur, linking the problems partly to the Silicon Valley boom pricing residents out. The tone is conversational and relatable, blending personal anecdote with casual financial and social commentary. Listeners interested in practical, narrative-driven discussions about class, personal finance, and urban economics would enjoy this episode. Those seeking highly structured, data-heavy financial advice or who are unfamiliar with California might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Debt free can feel more middle class than the paycheck does.

Marcus and Shira treat a middle class checklist as something messier and more useful: debt, status, and the plain question of what financial comfort actually feels like. They keep coming back to the same point from different angles.

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Why you'd press play

You want a straight talker on middle-class money, debt, and what feeling "beyond middle class" can look like.

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