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#1
06-28-2011, 07:23 PM
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Are you better off than you were four years ago?
There it is -- The Question.
Let's see -- I finally cut up my credit cards and am seriously trying to get a handle on my debt, so I have less disposable income but less debt, too. Of course that was my doing, not the government's. The last two tax refunds I got were the biggest I have ever had in my life -- and this year's was bigger than the year before -- and I can assure you that the money went right out into the economy, one way or another, within weeks. You're welcome.  Other than that... much the same, as far as I can see. Well, I feel better and safer having Obama in charge. And hey! Osama bin Laden is dead, so there's that. Not that I was keeping awake nights worrying about terrorism striking semi-rural northern Illinois. 
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#2
06-28-2011, 08:35 PM
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We're better off. We were renters then, but we waited until the housing market here dipped and now we're homeowners. Some of the new laws that have been passed recently regarding mortgages were hugely buyer-friendly, which at least made us feel more comfortable during the deal. I'm not sure which part of the healthcare law affected us, but shortly after that was passed, our health insurance went down almost $150/month. And, a friend of mine and his boyfriend are planning their wedding in NY! So, you know, added happiness!
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#3
06-28-2011, 08:56 PM
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No.
Four years ago I had a 50k a year job, fantastic healthcare, no debt, everything I needed, most of what I wanted, and could afford to fly airplanes as a hobby. Now I'm living below the poverty line, go months with no income, am surviving on food stamps and family help, am currently working two jobs which, combined, pay about 1/5 of what I used to make, when six months with no health insurance, am now on a form of glorified Medicaid, and I'm constantly broke, exhausted, and frustrated. That said, I have a lot less job stress and, despite everything, in some ways I'm a much happier person. Just really, really poor, and poverty sucks.
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#5
06-28-2011, 09:22 PM
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I have a house now, and the mortgage payment is actually less than my old rent. I've got the same job, making a little more money, and my company is hiring, so the Grim Downsizer doesn't seem to be lurking about as much.
Yeah, aside from being four years older--which I rather doubt any politician could help me with--I'd say I'm better off. I'm certainly not complaining.
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#6
06-28-2011, 09:22 PM
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I'm better off....I think. Hard to compare apples and oranges. Went from a decent expat package in China to being one of the masses based out of corporate HQ in the US. The air is clean, live in a house with a nice yard, kids love public school, and most importantly my youngest benefits greatly from the autism benefits of a cadillac health care plan. She also benefits from a good special needs program in school, and specialists that are actually quite good as opposed to just being expensive.
My daughters are all better off. I save less money but a higher quality of life.
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#7
06-28-2011, 09:46 PM
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4 years ago I was homeless, living in sewage with a meth addiction compounded by rampant violent alcoholic binges. I had no friends and no family.
Today, I'm CEO of a huge international corporation, own a house in Aspen and another in the Catskills, and spend the majority of my time doing volunteer work to help autistic crack babies become happy, productive members of society. I got married and now have 6 wonderful children, the oldest of which will be entering West Point next fall with plans to make a career in the military, defending this great country of ours. My youngest (twins) are going to Rensselaer on a full scholarship and already have patents on a cold fusion process we developed with my time travel machine in the garage. Last year alone I won a Nobel Prize, learned to divide by zero and taught myself to speak Sanskrit. I'm definitely (slightly) better off now than I was 4 years ago. 
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#9
06-28-2011, 10:42 PM
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#13
06-29-2011, 12:30 AM
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I'm not better. No health insurance, no job, school districts are cutting funding (again) and there were several hundred applicants for just a handful of positions. I'm about to apply for food stamps and medicaid as I'm tired of getting cash from my dad and I have a six year old. If I don't get this job I'm interviewing for then I'm going to have to move home and suffer the pain. :/ I'm much, much worse.
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#14
06-29-2011, 12:43 AM
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As screwed as I am compared with 2007, the writing was already on the wall and I rode that pony as long as I could. Then I found another that paid 2/3 as much, and I rode it. Then there was another horse that paid 4/5 of the previous one, with no insurance.
Still screwed. Applying for jobs that pay what I got in 1986, but I'm pricing myself out of the market. We are closing in on the point where wages for skilled employees and the minimum wage are the same.
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#15
06-29-2011, 05:47 AM
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#16
06-29-2011, 06:05 AM
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I think we are starting to see a pattern here...
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#17
06-29-2011, 06:06 AM
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We are worse off and better off so I'm not sure. My husband's take home pay has been cut 25% in the past four years. This is going to have a HUGE knock-on effect on his retirement pay in five years. So much so that I am very worried. My pay has risen but I only started to work full time seven years ago after a five or six year kid-gap. And now I'm self-employed with no guarantee of income should my customers all decide to go somewhere else. So we maintain the same standard of living but the future is scary.
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#18
06-29-2011, 06:11 AM
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No. I have a more reliable car than in 2007, but I'm making even less money than four years ago, so paying for that more reliable car is scary at times. I feel more uncertain under Obama than I did Bush, though it's not entirely Obama's fault.
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#19
06-29-2011, 06:18 AM
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In 2007, I was making $45,000 a year, in a job where I had my own office. Not as good as 2006, where I made about $50,000.
Today I make about $40,000 a year, including a side business where I write resumes for people. Had to change jobs in 2008, where I took a hit, but the new job has never caught up to where the old job was. (As opposed to the last job, during the Bush years, which increased pretty good year after year.) So, yeah, most of the damage happened before "The One" got into office. I don't fault him for that. But he hasn't done much to make things better. I'm better off than my brother, who just went back to work after two years of being unemployed. Here's the rub. Other than FDR during the Great Depression, no President with an unemployment rate over 7.6% has gotten re-elected. Right now, it's 9.1%. Even if it goes down .1% a month for the next 15 months, it's barely going to hit the magic number. Hellllllooooo President Bachmann.
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#22
06-29-2011, 06:45 AM
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Better off than four years ago? Definitely yes.
Not exactly setting the world on fire, but getting steady pay raises. Managed to jump from a dying product line to a new growth project at work. We're shorthanded there and my managers still travel to colleges for job fairs and recruitment, so my job looks very stable. In the last four years Mizpullin has climbed way up the food chain at her company, and my meager successes at work tend to pale next to her new digs and fancy titles. We both still manage a few unsolicited job offers (from competitors) each year, so we're feeling pretty good about the future and our jobs. On the negative side, we're a little cash-strapped due to handling two college tuitions and one trade school, but the only real casualty was my airplane (Mz P declared it a luxury that we could do without.  ). Our current healthcare plan has dumped more of the expenses on us, but it's still a pretty good deal and we're all still covered.All in all, things have improved, tho'
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#24
06-29-2011, 07:18 AM
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Yes. I make almost 20K more than I did 4 years ago. In those 4 years, I left one job to move to a better paying one, but turns out money isn't everything. That job sucked hugely. Not worth the stress or the misery. I then jumped ship again and took a substantial pay cut in order to move to a position that better suited my needs personally (as in, the need not to cycle between abject misery, homicidal rage, and sheer panic every day). I hung in here for a while and got a promotion about 8 months ago, which eventually resulted in a pay raise.
Personally, I've had 4 more years of being a Mom to the best kids I can imagine, and my marriage is definitely better than it was in 2007.
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#25
06-29-2011, 07:27 AM
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Oh... I see... this was supposed to be a referendum on Obama or something?
Well, when I lost my job and got plunged into poverty that was not Obama's fault and Bush+Cheney were at the helm. Unlike some, I had no delusions Obama was the messiah or going to fix the mess Teh Stoopid in DC and the bankers had gotten us into. On the other hand, since Obama's been in office the monthly food stamp allotment was increased, which means me and mine definitely ate better than otherwise. Hard to argue against that, isn't it? It's a little thing, but far more than the Republicans and/or the Tea Party ever gave me.
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#27
06-29-2011, 07:38 AM
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Yes. My husband's business (which started in 2005 with 6 partners) had about 20 employees then, and now it has about 75. My job is stable. We've taken a slight cut in benefits (paying more, getting less) but given the general opinion of public employees in my state, it could be worse. I still have better benefits than 95% of the general population. We sold our old house and bought a nicer one in a better neighborhood.
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#28
06-29-2011, 07:39 AM
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It's about a wash. My wife lost her job in January but has been doing "independent" agency work as an interpreter since then. The money is a bit less regular and we're forced to rely on my job now for health insurance which was a big jump. We get tighter throughout the month and have taken to cutting back a lot on things like family dinners out and summer vacations. She doesn't have the luxury of vacation time now or benefits.
On the other hand, we haven't had to cut out things like cable TV or running the AC during the summer. Her job is a lot less stress than her old position and she can often take the train which makes her commute more bearable. We put her severance package into savings and haven't had to dip into it much yet so we're actually ahead with money in the bank. So we're living with less but she's happier when she gets home from work and we're a lot better off than a lot of people who've been hit by the economy. We'll both breathe easier when she finds a regular, full time job for the stability but it's hard to complain too much when the mortgage is paid and the lights are on and the fridge still has milk in it.
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#29
06-29-2011, 07:39 AM
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I am better off. My SO has gotten a couple of promotions, but mainly it's because we are more sensible about spending than ever before. There is significant money in the savings accounts - two of them! and I am debt-free, and he is almost there. Ir's a nice feeling.
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#30
06-29-2011, 07:40 AM
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Better as together, both spouse and myself have moved into higher paying positions. Considering that both of us were unable to find much better than minimum wages even with college degrees before that is not much a huge improvement.
Last edited by Acid Lamp; 06-29-2011 at 07:41 AM.
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#31
06-29-2011, 07:45 AM
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Better in most ways.
At this time in 2007, I was working in a job I didn't like for people I didn't like, and making considerably less than I ought to have been. I wasn't married yet, and lived with a buddy in his house about 35 miles from work. Rent was cheap, but car costs were HIGH - as in, $75 per week or more in gas (2007 prices), as well as $40/month parking. Because I hate ironing, I got my shirts laundered and pants too, so that was more money out of pocket. Now I work about 8.5 miles from the house I own, am married, and don't hate my job. I got about 16k more in pay when I moved to this job, and I can wear jeans and a polo shirt every day. Oh yeah... and our baby's due next month! Last edited by bump; 06-29-2011 at 07:45 AM.
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#32
06-29-2011, 07:53 AM
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Absolutely. And the beautiful thing is, four years ago I was better off than I was four years before that.
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#33
06-29-2011, 08:06 AM
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Certainly better off.
4 Years ago I had just finished my Masters Degree, moved to Philly, gotten a new job, knew no-one, and had last dated two years prior. Now, I live with my fiance, make almost $20k a year more, have one wonderful cat, just recently lost the other wonderful cat, have remodeled her house to the point where there are only two rooms left that look the same as when she moved in, and will be getting married next year. Besides the lost pet and some debt from the Kitchen remodel, much much better.
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#34
06-29-2011, 08:07 AM
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Yes.
Money is good, I got my old job back about 18 months ago, I managed to stay debt-free and pay the bills despite 364 days of unemployment. I just bought a car and 4 years ago I'd just bought my house and had no furniture.
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#35
06-29-2011, 08:08 AM
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Four years ago I lost my job, and spent the year unemployed, and much of the next four years scrambling for any work. This year, I'm working. It's a contract job, and it won't last the year, but it's in my chosen field, and it's giving me some breathing space. There are definitely good jobs popping up now, as the industry seems to be spending again, so I can apply for jobs that suit my talents and my needs.
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#37
06-29-2011, 08:12 AM
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Moderating
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#38
06-29-2011, 08:19 AM
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#40
06-29-2011, 08:26 AM
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#41
06-29-2011, 08:40 AM
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Yes...and no.
I am definitely making more money. Not a LOT, but I have good insurance a 401K and a little bit of cash left over at the end of paying bills to support my hobbies. Four years ago, no insurance, no 401K, no disposable cash. But... the incredible stress of this job sucks any joy for life out of me. I am mentally miserable. In many ways, I would make the trade back in a heartbeat.
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#42
06-29-2011, 08:50 AM
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By most measures, I'm much better off. Four years ago, I'd just finished my first year of law school. I was living off student loans and sharing a badly run-down house with other students. I'd never had a girlfriend, and was genuinely contemplating the possibility that no woman would ever want me.
Today, I've got much more debt (thanks to finishing law school), but I'm earning a comfortably middle-class income in a stable and low-stress government job. I had a relatively short-lived but interesting relationship that, if nothing else, convinced me that I'm not incurably unattractive to the fairer sex. And I live in a frankly fantastic apartment, a stone's throw from the Metro station and one floor above some of my oldest friends. More than a few of my law school friend envy me right now. But - as comfortable as my life is now, in some ways I was happier four years ago. I loved law school, and I thought I was on the road to a very different (and more exciting) job than what I have now. Being a sharp, active law student was a lot more fun than being a government drone. I'm certainly more adult now than I was then - I no longer place regular calls to my parents to mooch money. That's better. But I'm not always sure I'm actually better off now .
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#43
06-29-2011, 08:58 AM
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nm
Last edited by Snowboarder Bo; 06-29-2011 at 09:01 AM.
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#44
06-29-2011, 09:04 AM
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As compared to four years ago, I: make substabtially more money, live in a better house in a better city and work at a better firm, have a family (v. just being married), and weigh about 50 pounds less.
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#45
06-29-2011, 09:08 AM
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Yes. Better lifestyle, better income, better everything.
OTOH, I'm 4 years older which is going the wrong direction. I'm not feeling older, but I can sorta hear that waterfall ahead in the distance.
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#46
06-29-2011, 09:15 AM
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#48
06-29-2011, 09:23 AM
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I am better off, but I can't attribute any of the improvements to the current administration.
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#49
06-29-2011, 09:27 AM
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Sorry, the post got messed up.
I was teaching in Cameroon. Since then I have taught in China and finished one year od a grad program with good professional prospects.. Now I am doing research in South Africa. My last job payed good money for almost no work. I'm hoping to get a real job next year, which is doable. And I have enought teahcing experience that it is a back-uo for me (if worse comes to worse, I could teach abroad and save enough to get on my feet.) So financially, it is hard to teel. I'm in debt from school, but that will hopefully have a positive career effect. I feel like I am in a better place career-wise, but I haven't put that to the test. I have gained a lot of experience, learned some languages, made good connections and had a lot of fun. I gues time will tell if my masterful avoidance of the mainstream economy leaves me ahead or behind.
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#50
06-29-2011, 09:35 AM
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Money: 4 years ago I was making 33% less. However, I had sick/vac/holiday pay and a pretty cool job. Now I make more money, but am currently on a short-term assignment and may soon be making much less. I've got more debt, but am finally starting a very small nest egg.
Things: 4 years ago I had moved back in with my mom and was trying to pay off my debts as fast as I could so I could afford my own place again. Now I rent a nice condo and my mom lives 2 1/2 hours away. I drive a car that makes me happy, but gets worse gas mileage. I own a few more techie tools that make me squee. Personal: 4 years ago I had just ended a very stupid "second chance" LDR where I gave someone a chance to disappoint me all over again. Now I'm very happily involved with someone who lives 1.1 miles from me. We celebrated 3 years in March. I was able to make some great new friends when I relocated here, and along with 2 other couples we call our best friends, I have a large circle of fellow Geeks who I can hang with for any social occasion. Political: As a result of Obama running for president, I got to be part of a discussion group one night as part of an NPR news story. And soon after that aired, I went from 2 part-time jobs to one full time one (even if it wasn't the one I'm working now).
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