Are you doing better than four years ago?

[Patrick IL.]

Yes we are, I received a job promotion, our son finished collage and is working, so we only have one daugher left in collage for 2 more years.

 

[christineann]

Yes, I am. It's because of hard work and not because of who is in the White House (I DID appreciate the rebate check very much, thank you). Ten years ago I was a newly single parent trying to find a decent job to support my two children. At that time I did not think that the president owed me or anyone else a job, and I don't feel that way now.

P.S. Voted for George Bush and will vote for him again.

 

[JDY]

I'm better off now because I completed grad school and am now teaching. W had nothing to do with it.

 

[kilee]

We aren't any better off because of the government. The companies I work for aren't doing the greatest, but they'll survive. We're doing well because of our hard work. Actually DH who was hit (as a pedestrian) by a car a few years ago, found it downright impossible to re-enter the job market. Once he was recovered, he couldn't go back to his physical labor job. He took classes and tried breaking into new fields. Alas, after almost 2 yrs, he still hasn't found anything. (He's looking for clerical work--- I can't tell you how many places won't hire him because the office is filled w/ women and something about sexual harrassment cases, we don't want to take the chance)

Anyhow, in the long run I got a promotion, required me to go to fulltime. But the salary was enough that is enabled to DH to be a stay at home dad. Anyhow, people don't respect him for it. And I do feel like I'm constantly defending him for a decision WE made. Anyhow, alittle off the topic---SORRY!! But us doing better isn't due to the lagging economy or high unemployment rates in our area (sarcastic). It's due to our own planning and hard work.

 

[Mskanga]

Four years ago I wasn't paying $350 a month for propane for the heating bills , and I wasn't paying $40 to fill up my gas tank in the car.
Four years ago I wasn't paying so much for medications or medical care either.
So I guess it all depends on how you look at it.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

In the last 4 years I have gotten divorced, lost my job that I was working for over 10 years because the boss didn't like who I was dating, (yeah, welcome to Florida, the right to work state), moved in with a woman, moved out from that woman, moved to Tampa while still unemployed and lived with a relative. Didn't date for over 9 months, finally got a job after 7 months, moved into my own place and met a great girl and joined DVC. Oh, and I have more money in the bank than I ever have and am doing very well.

Yeah, I'm much better off than I was 4 years ago.

And I was when Ronald Reagan asked that question back in 1980.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Much better now than 4 yrs ago. Stay at home w/ 6 yr old daughter and joined DVC 3 yrs ago which allows us 2 /3 trips a year to the World sometimes bringing family . Much better, but then again I live in Kerry's home state so go figure...but wait...he's never here to vote anyways. Heres to 4 more years George!!

 

[Towncrier]

Thankfully, the answer is yes. Not a strong yes, but a yes nonetheless. Our investments have taken a beating, but they seem to be on the road to recovery.

Without stirring the flames too much, I find it interesting how the party not in power always points out the failings of the current administration, oft times forgetting that each party is responsible for making a mess for the next administration. I am not certain how I will vote in the next election. I don't know if I can afford to vote for either party. Our most recent school tax levy failed this past Tuesday. The argument (mostly from those on fixed incomes) was that they could not afford another tax to support the schools. And yet the same people are angry that the schools don't do more for the students with the money that they (don't) have. The idea of strong education for students and health care for everyone are noble causes, but we had all better be ready to pony up the taxes in order to pay for all these programs if we are going to demand them from the politicians. I wish that I had the magic pill to solve all these problems.

If I look back over the years, my career and real income were most improved while President Reagan was in office. Inflation was rampant, but those were the days of 20% raises and free healthcare. But I wouldn't wish for the 1980's again any more than I would wish to have President Clinton "running" the country. I still thing that America would have been a lot better off if we had elected Ross Perot. But that's another story (thread).

 

[Mamu]

Financially the same.

Four years older and seem to be sliding down that hill a lot faster then 4 years ago. Can I blame the government? I'll vote for anyone who can slow me down.

 

[Megan's Mom]

Yes we are. Now my job hasn't changed much in the last four years and I don't look for it to much before I retire in 8 years. Teachers just don't get raises in my state. But that has more to do with our state than the federal government. But dH has steadily had cost of living increases and raises and it up for a big promotion hopfully in the next month or so. Of course he works in the defense industry which is quite busy right now.

 

[SOBDOSNV]

We are better off today than 4yrs ago by a long shot. I've gotten 2 major promotions, and look at that 401k go. 4 more years GW!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Definitely.

Waiting around to see how John Kerry feels about pay parity for federal employees before I even think about who to vote for.

 

[perdidobay]

Yes, much better, thank you
It's due to hard work and smart choices, not because of any political party running things.

 

[wuv tigger]

Yes we are. Paid for 2 adoptions, 2 timeshares, a new minivan, and moved into an single family house and still more than doubled our net worth.

Real Estate market was really good and the stock I bought dollar cost averaging in 2000-2003 has done well.

Rode the bubble to the top and still hanging on with my company. My staff has reduced from 8 to 3 and probably 1 this year. Everyone who wanted work has now found another comparable position. Many are working in homeland security.

We are truly blessed and have no complaints.

David

 

[minniecarousel]

Nope - only because our stock portfolio is still dismal compared to then!

Kindof discouraging to have a son graduate from college and not be able to find a job & to have a brother who, with a Master's degree get down-sized and for me, to go from a job-share situation at work to workibng solo (doing twice the work in half the time)....

 

[catsrule]

yes

 

[Mad4Mickey]

In a word YES ! THanks for asking

We are happy , healthy and both doing jobs we love.
Kids are happy , healthy , both have cars and are doing well in school .
Stock market choices have made us money , not a ton of it but enough to keep us investing .
Thats how we are doing

 

[tar heel]

We're at about the same place, which is not what you expect for people our age in well-established careers, and we're working harder than ever.

DH's company has not done as well b/c it needs a strong economy to thrive. Raises have been small and almost exactly the amount needed for the huge increases in insurance premiums (50% one year) and co-pays.

I switched regular jobs, and am making slightly more $ there, BUT my home-based business is almost gone, making my total income lower. My primary client (for 15 years) could no longer afford me as Pillowtex collapsed (employees were their major customers and could not longer afford them).

Our stock portfolio is almost back to where it was four years ago. Since we've used dividends to help pay for our son's college expenses, it may actually be all the way back.

 

[danacara]

Four years ago, I paid for the privilege of working my fanny off (loved college, though). Now, I get paid for that privilege. It's nice to be on the other side of that fence. I am very blessed.

 

[Indyman]

We are doing much better than we were four years ago. I got a new job 3 years ago that paid enough to allow my wife to voluntarily cut back on her work hours. She is now able to be home when our boys get home from school.