So How Ya Doin'?Follow

I was working at a call center in 2008, so I'm leagues beyond better off in every measurable criteria.

Less chance of getting shot now, too!

I chose much worse off, but it's largely because I'm in way more debt after 4 years of college and the job market is even more bleak than before. Really, my actual position hasn't changed all that much (beyond over quadrupling my debt). But being a student and accruing debt was way more comforting than being unemployed and in debt.

Of course, this is me projecting. I have 5 more months to ignore it.

About the same; due to the poor economy, I'm making roughly the same amount of money I was three years ago, as opposed to the millions a year that I was expecting.

Student, thankfully with a part-time job that can cover my non-tuition expenses, some savings and that has marginal benefits, like some paid vacation and tuition reimbursement.

Not looking forward to trying to find a job after graduation :(

Much better off.

My job is more in line with my career path. Hubby's job, while he had to take a pay cut, is on the pipeline for job security for the rest of his life since his job has been picked up to be part of the federal service with the Department of Navy and it looks like if all goes well within a year, he'll have a promotion and a raise.

Our debt level is dropping. Hope to be able to buy a couple cars within the next 18 months or so.

We're healthy, the kids are healthy. I get to see my family on an almost daily basis (that's a blessing and a curse). Can't complain at all.

Huh. I made a Facebook note on this in July. I might as well copy/pasta it.

""Are you better off than you were 2 1/2 years ago?" I was asked this today, and had to stop and think for a minute. There's a lot wrong in the world today, and a lot the Obama administration has done (or failed to do) that I disapprove of. But the basic voter question "Am I better off now?"... I hadn't thought of it so simply before.

Actually, yes. I am. I think back to, say, about October of 2008. I was stumping for early voter registration, then for Obama, but had otherwise been unemployed besides that since I had graduated in June. I was living with my parents, and although they're AMAZING, I didn't enjoy it. I was depressed, I think I can admit now. I had almost no energy, no friends besides those from college whom I still talked with, and was considering signing up for the military because ALL of my job applications had gone nowhere. The "Get Out the Vote" campaign was a diversion at best, and even after working for a couple of months for them, I was only paid enough to barely cover my gas.

Flash forward to today. I'm employed now (2 jobs, in fact), I have health insurance, 6 months living expenses in my bank account in case I ever lose my job(s), and I've saved 10% of everything I've made for retirement. I have a girlfriend*, friends, I bought my own car (as opposed to my old 2005 Hyundai Elantra, which was a graduation gift). I have enough disposable income to travel during my vacations, up to MA last year, and again this summer, and I've gone out to CA twice (and once turned it into a week-long vacation while visiting my cousin).

Could things be better? Sure. I could be in shape. I could have gotten a promotion (although I've gotten two raises). I could have made more friends** (especially with my roommates leaving and two good friends moving out of state this week). I could have learned to make more thoughts without parentheses (you know you love them). But know what? I also could still be that unemployed guy living at his parents' house, battling depression and contemplating a military life not out of patriotism, but desperation. Things might not be great, but they certainly could be worse."

*I no longer have a girlfriend, since about August.
**I have made several new friends though!

Edited, Dec 12th 2011 2:08pm by LockeColeMA

She thought the world was 6000 years old.

It wouldn't have worked out.

Doing much better. In 2008 I didn't expect to be alive in 2012 and was tied to a LVAD. Now I'm over a year out with my new heart with no rejection and getting ready to try my hand at part time work.

Let me guess. He stole your sweetroll?

The Skyrim jokes are getting fo krah diin ridiculous.


On a serious note, honestly? My situation is about the same where it has been on a level I can blame on the economy. Due to a company wage freeze, I've gotten one raise in two years(an across the board single year cost of living raise), and it was pathetic enough to not offer much change in my paychecks. Add in the stupid student loan issues I've had and an increase in my health insurance costs, and I'd say worse off overall, but I can't really blame the economy for the student loans.

I'll have finished the student loans around late April/mid May, so things will be looking up then as long as nothing goes seriously south between now and then.

I'd say about the same. Some things a bit better, some a bit worse; it's evening out.

Much better off. New job with small IT management firm that has some pretty large and well-known clients. My office is my dining room and I'm making more money. No longer living above a pizza shop. My car got totaled on I-95 but I was uninjured and got a car that I like better.
I also finally stopped smoking weed..which I would have thought impossible.. and last but not least happily married.
..although still not saving up as much money as would like.