“The Seven-Piece Set of Middle-Class Bankruptcy” Goes Viral Across the Internet: How Hard Is It for Today’s Middle Class to Preserve Wealth? - 36Kr

A 36Kr article on the so-called “seven triggers of middle-class bankruptcy” says high mortgages, full-time childcare, education overspending, entrepreneurship, investing, neglecting health, and status-driven consumption can strain household cash flow.

When these costs and risks stack up, middle-class finances become fragile and wealth can slide backward quickly after a setback.

Examples cited include losses from Zou Shiming and his wife’s business venture and heavy losses suffered by Korean retail investors using high leverage.

The piece argues that in a slower economy, preserving wealth matters more than chasing it, pushing middle-class households toward defensive money management.