Are you financially better off than you were this time last year?

Considering my mutual fund stocks are down more than 50% purchase value, with no expectation of them recovering anytime soon, I would have to say, no, I am not financially better off this year compared to last.

About the same, but this mid-70's yen rate sure isn't helping.

401K's are down but that just means I can buy more with less...it's only a loss on paper until you sell. Eventually thing will go back up and I'll have much more than before...

Nope...a company in the toilet gives bonuses that are laughable...

The only way I am better off is due to my rich family. And, I have my health!

Thankfully my annual salary has continued to rise during my 8 years of work at my company, so yes, I'm better off this year than last.

Savings - up

Investments - about even

Employment income - stagnant

Freelance income - definitely up

All in all, not a bad year.

HAHAHAHAHA no! and we're heading for another great depression next yr, don't trust governments they're lying to us.

After 3/11 work more or less dried up for a few months, only reviving around the end of summer - total income for the year down around 25%. Extra outgoings to replace/repair stuff that was damaged/broken ate into savings. All told a terrible year financially. But like namabiru4me, we all have our health. And we're not living in a shelter/temporary housing, so I'm not complaining. Not too loudly, anyway.

Worse off, by about 20%.

Yes most definitely! Along with my annual pay raise and my promotion to a much higher paying job within my organization, it's great year. Oh plus I just got the winter bonus which just topped things off... Most of it will go towards buying a house next year and moving to a better location.

tiger - Omedetou. Give generously, willya?

Serrano, yes I give generously whenever I can but have noticed people are less appreciative and stingy. Also the greedy govt and TEMPCO should give more to the people. Help the people affected by Fukushima at once!!!.

only because working more

Things are a bit better, but only because my personal circumstances have improved, earnings are about the same.

Financially better off but not because of investments or a higher salary, simply from being more frugal.

Despite Obama trying to ruin the world economy and bringing us to the brink of socialism, I am better off than last year. I will not let Obama's repeated tax hikes and anti-capitalist agenda stop me.

Despite Obama trying to ruin the world economy and bringing us to the brink of socialism, I am better off than last year. I will not let Obama's repeated tax hikes and anti-capitalist agenda stop me.

oops, let one slip eh?