Would you say your standard of living is better or worse now (2008) than it was five years ago (2003)?

[PlatyPius 5]

better and worse.

I was making more money 5 years ago. Web Design jobs went to India, and there aren't many IT contracts available in Indy these days.

Overall Standard of Living, however, is better. I have Mags here (well, not at the moment...), which makes me happy. She makes about as much as I do, so we're "ok" financially. The house is improving slowly but surely as time and money allow. I have a couple of new bikes, AC that works, and hot water. Life is good. lol

[Ban Hammer 13,343]

better

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Better financially - career really took off 3 years ago.

Though I had 27 vacation days 5 years ago.

[bora bora 1]

I'm doing better since I was in college 5 years ago and worked part time at a liquor store.

[jundp 191]

Better financially and emotionally.

I no longer have the (ex)husband which was a drain financially and emotionally.

I've stayed in the same career, but I've earned yearly salary increases and I was promoted so that helped.

But my standard of living will be exponentially greater on July 16th

[tom&tata 2]

Better for us because it is 1 household with 2 income instead of 2 households in 2003. He makes way more than in 2003. I make slightly more than 2003.

[Dan J 277]

Better but only because I was still in college 5 years ago. But my salary isnt growing as much as I would like it too, while everything else is getting more expensive.

[chri'stina 190]

Another one who was still in college in 2003. I graduated that year though in August. I lived with my parents still.

My life is better now financially, but it's because of the things that happened to me, not really from what I personally accomplished. If I wasn't married my life would probably be the same as it was in 2003 and I'd be working a job with a not so great salary and if I lived on my own would be scraping to get by.

[rebeccajo 14]

I can't make a five year comparison because I was married to someone else five years ago who made a hell of lot more money. But he kept us in deep debt and really, although Wes and I earn far less than my ex did, we really have about the same number of dollars left over after bills are paid.

So I measure my standard of living by the buying power of my income after bills are paid. IE - how far my dollar goes buying gasoline, groceries, etc. From that standpoint I would say our situation is much worse.

The other day I actually looked up the price of gasoline in 2002 (when I started working at my present job). It was $1.31 per gallon. Now it's 3.99.

I'm happier as a person because I have a good marriage now. The other relationship was very unhealthy.

But my dollar doesn't go nearly as far as it used to.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

How can anyone say it's better when gas costs more than twice what it did 5 years ago?

[Nagishkaw 510]

The same. Sigh...everything is always the same.

[jundp 191]

How can anyone say it's better when gas costs more than twice what it did 5 years ago?

Well if looking at other factors of standard of living, I am making more money and my debts are fewer so therefore I'm in a better place, financially. Then add to standard of living the emotional and spirtual growth and I am in a far better place, no contest.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

How can anyone say it's better when gas costs more than twice what it did 5 years ago?

My standard of living is better than it was in 2003. For starters, I make more. Payments on my home (mortgage + property taxes + insurance) used to be a bit more than half my take home salary in 2003, now it's just over a quarter (and that's not including my wifes paycheck, and accounting for the fact that I withhold more on my 401K than I used to). That is the single largest component in my expense structure, gas is pretty small compared to it.

And, of course, I'm married. So add the intangibles of that into the mix and it's a no-brainer.

Edited June 9, 2008 by VJ Troll

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Overall far worse.

[jundp 191]

Overall far worse.

Because you miss your Alla?