Here are results for the same question from Gallup... older, poorer and less educated Americans are hurting...

better

Better now. 5 years ago I was just out of college...

better here too...

my standard of living as been about the same my whole life....

Better by about 50%. The last 5 years have been very good to me.

I'm curious, since you're saying by 50% -- how did you quantitatively measure the improvement?

I think most people are better off because the economy has been growing but we all need to be careful becuase the last thing we want is it to get worse for us. We need to think long and hard before we choose a new leader of our country and congressmen and senators. Change for changes sake isn't always the smartest choice.

My wages have gone up by 50% since 2003. In 2003 I worked on average 60 hours a week to keep a roof over my head and food on the table. Even at that I couldn't save for retirement.
Today I work an average of 45 hours a week and can save 15% of my gross (with my employer kicking in an additional 5%) and have more than I did then.

ok

better

Somewhat better. Could always be better.

I do se it getting better in the next few years though with hubby's new career choice..

Depends on what you are measuring it on.

For me, financially -- better. Spiritually -- better. The rest of what I consider when thinking about my standard of living -- worse.

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

better

Better financially - career really took off 3 years ago.

Though I had 27 vacation days 5 years ago.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Overall far worse.

Because you miss your Alla?

Far worse(financial) Much better(emotion) I am in the real estate business and everyone knows how that has been the last couple of years. In 2003 I had all the money in the world but was very unhappy. Now, we are just getting by but emotionally I am much happier since Isa and Isabella are in my life. Honestly I would not trade any of my life experiences and it is true that "things happen for a reason".

better

In my husband's case, he got at least 50% increase in pay since 2003. Gas price increase as much but gas is a smaller component in his expense (his commute now & then is within 12 miles one way with very light traffic)

i read the question incorrectly and thought it was referring to the standard of living (aka in the usa), as opposed to my own personal standard of living

change one vote from worse to better

Cool.

So VJ is at 60% yes with almost 50 responses. Not bad!

It might be interesting to have the VJ results broken down by age group - I bet most people in their 22-30 are going to be better off than they were 5 years ago because they racked up more job/career experience.

Probably true.

Better financially.

My husband couldn't pull up his savings when he was still single.

Emotionally, I'm not doing good. I am bothered by the abuse I am getting at work.

I am sorry to hear that. Toxic work environments are the worst. What are your options?

Better in that it doesn't cost twice as much for a couple to live than it does for a single person.

Until Darren comes over, I think it's worse. I make marginally more, but not enough to cover my increased housing costs (not buying a home until we figure out where we want to settle), the increased money I have to pay for insurance deductibles, and the increased fuel and grocery costs. They're substantially increasing our work load at my job with no increase in pay, and it's looking bleak for Darren to get even an entry level job here since few people are hiring (but professional layoffs are increasing).

But on the bright side, the love of my life will be here, and that definitely trumps the rest!

My standard is better then 5 years ago. But if I still was in the US, it would be worse.

Better all around - in 2003 I was a full time college student, now I am gainfully employed. I'm also in a great place mentally and emotionally - which has a lot to do with meeting the love of my life. Life is good...and as soon as Onur's visa is approved life will be FABULOUS.

The VP apologized, and changed tune. I refused to play mind games with him so I'd quit. I got another job offer in the same field and same job title. I should check it out very soon.

Better, been working for the same company since 1999..was working in the office, but company sent me home to work in 2002 and I have been telecommuting since. I like that, but then the opportunity for advancement is rare when you work at home....so I have been in the same position for more years then I wish.

My salary doubled in the last five years (and I made good money even back then). But I have the feeling that I am doing worse and have less money.

Everything got so expensive. But I guess it's also me spending more money, because I have more. Gas prices don't affect me, since I don't drive. Still, food got more expensive because of the gas prices. I spend about €200 on food each week and I don't eat like a pig. Just groceries, lunch at work and maybe dinner in a restaurant about twice a week.

Also electricity prices went up a lot. I pay double of what I paid five years ago.

Five years ago I was separated and my ex was getting 70% of my income. I've cut that to 10% of income(divorced her, son grew up, and I got a better job) and goes to zero this fall.

So I'd say I have special circumstances.

I look forward to quitting state-enforced economic polygamy and to be financially faithful to my wife.

Much better. My salary has doubled.