My Sister in Law, her DH and 2 DC are a middle class family. They live in a nice house on a nice road, have nice cars, go on holidays at least once a year (during school holidays when it costs thousands of pounds) and generally spend money on things we - myself, DH and 2 DC - could never afford.
We have a terraced house in a deprived area, my car, which I am going to give up once DS goes to Uni, has bumps and bruises, and we can't afford holidays, at least not during school holidays and that's the only time we would be able to go due to DC's education. Eating out etc. only on special occasions.
I don't envy my SIL's lifestyle, they work hard and deserve it. My DH and me couldn't establish ourselves in better paying careers due to several personal issues, but we have what we need and I am happy with my family. DC are getting a good education so hopefully will be better off in the future.
Only thing that grates me is that SIL sometimes says how disadvantaged her kids are because they didn't get free school meals and the perks that come with it (funding for school trips, easier access to local universities etc.) Btw my kids never had free school meals either although we are on a low income, as my husband has always worked. When SIL says her kids are "struggling" and "suffering" I feel like I might as well jump off the next bridge with my kids. If her kids suffer, what must mine be going through, never mind children who live in actual poverty? SIL has friends that are even posher than her, maybe that influences her outlook on life.
I haven't said anything yet because I literally can't say boo to a goose, so I am just venting here. Thanks for reading.