Bidenomics - Are you personally better off financially today than you were four years ago?

[hislegacy]

Please note: This is an EV free zone.

Are you better off financially today than you were four years ago.

 

[hislegacy]

As with Jimmy Carter regime - the horrific rate of inflation is taking it's toll on my family. We currently spend around $750.00 a month more on the basics (food, gas etc). than four years ago.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

As with Jimmy Carter regime - the horrific rate of inflation is taking it's toll on my family. We currently spend around $750.00 a month more on the basics (food, gas etc). than four years ago.

Out of curiosity, what percentage increase is that, and has anything else in your life changed that might have otherwise affected those numbers? Are you still driving similar distances in a car with similar fuel economy, feeding the same number of people with the same types of food?

Personally, I'm not doing as well as I was 4 years ago, but that's primarily because I had to take a pay cut in 2021 and I've had difficulty finding a better-paying job. I am, however, still significantly better off than I was 5 years ago.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Yes, I'm doing quite a bit better. I just looked at my 2019 taxes (since I just finished my 2023 taxes). My wife and I have nearly doubled our salaries since then (not adjusted for inflation; she's a little over double; I'm a little under). We still live in the same house and pay the same 3%-ish rates on the same 2015-sized mortgage. I still drive the same paid-off car. We're paying for daycare now, which is eye-wateringly expensive, but we've only got another year or two of that. Payments on my wife's new car aren't much more than I was paying on my car in 2018, and it's a much nicer car.

ETA: And I'm not staring down the barrel of a pandemic.

 

[PloverWing]

Much as when Reagan asked the question, the financial changes in my life have very little to do with who is president.

 

[hislegacy]

Out of curiosity, what percentage increase is that, and has anything else in your life changed that might have otherwise affected those numbers? Are you still driving similar distances in a car with similar fuel economy, feeding the same number of people with the same types of food?

Still in the same home, eating the same food, driving the same car.

 

[GoldenBoy89]

Yes I am doing better but that doesn’t factor into why I’m voting in this coming election. I could be doing much worse than I was 4 years ago and would still be opposed to reelecting Trump. Who sits in the Oval Office doesn’t seem to have much effect on my personal finances.

 

[Paulos23]

I am about the same. Most of my increase in living expenses is due to corporate greed and not who is President.

 

[SimplyMe]

I'm curious why it is from four years ago, when Trump was President and the effects of the Pandemic were just beginning to be felt? It is worth pointing out that much of why Trump lost in 2020 was his actions in the last 8 months of his Presidency, which is part of the "4 years ago."

 

[BCP1928]

Still in the same home, eating the same food, driving the same car.

Is your income still the same?

 

[essentialsaltes]

I did *very* well on some pandemic stock buys, which have not entirely stood the test of time, but still if we go back 4 years, yes, I'm in a better spot. Somewhat beside the point, but, having taken on some additional duties, I expect a significant raise at work soon.

 

[Vambram]

Financially, I am not doing better as compared to 4 years ago. My wages have not kept up with Bidenflation.

 

[probinson]

I am far better off than I was four years ago, but that is primarily due to advancements in my career.

 

[Bradskii]

Are you better off financially today than you were four years ago.

Yes. Thanks for asking.

Most of that is due to retirement funds invested in the share market. The last 4 years have been pretty good. In Australia at least. Only bettered by (checks notes)...the US of A. Your Dow Jones went from 26,890.67 to 38,525.63. Well done, you guys! Keep it up.

Dow Jones - 10 Year Daily Chart

Interactive chart illustrating the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) market index over the last ten years. Each point of the stock market graph is represented by the daily closing price for the DJIA. Historical data can be downloaded via the red button on the upper left...

www.macrotrends.net

 

[hislegacy]

Yes. Thanks for asking.

Most of that is due to retirement funds invested in the share market. The last 4 years have been pretty good. In Australia at least. Only bettered by (checks notes)...the US of A. Your Dow Jones went from 26,890.67 to 38,525.63. Well done, you guys! Keep it up.

Dow Jones - 10 Year Daily Chart

Interactive chart illustrating the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) market index over the last ten years. Each point of the stock market graph is represented by the daily closing price for the DJIA. Historical data can be downloaded via the red button on the upper left...

www.macrotrends.net

Pssst.... when you live 18,000 miles away from the US - Bidenomics and the cost of living in the US wouldn't effect you.

 

[Bradskii]

Pssst.... when you live 18,000 miles away from the US - Bidenomics and the cost of living in the US wouldn't effect you.

Exactly why I made note of the Dow Jones. If I were living in the US I'd be even better off than I am right now. Now you've got me checking properties in Manhattan...

 

[BCP1928]

Financially, I am not doing better as compared to 4 years ago. My wages have not kept up with Bidenflation.

Well. it's your own fault. You just need to work harder, or take a second job.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

La

As with Jimmy Carter regime - the horrific rate of inflation is taking it's toll on my family. We currently spend around $750.00 a month more on the basics (food, gas etc). than four years ago.

Just lay off the latte's from Starbucks and the avocado toast and you should be fine.

 

[Bradskii]

La

Just lay off the latte's from Starbucks and the avocado toast and you should be fine.

I'm definitely cutting back. I shave my truffles a lot thinner these days.

Truffle Prices Are Skyrocketing, Thanks to Climate Change-Driven Shortages

Some varieties are selling for nearly $500 per pound.

finance.yahoo.com

 

[iluvatar5150]

I'm definitely cutting back. I shave my truffles a lot thinner these days.

Truffle Prices Are Skyrocketing, Thanks to Climate Change-Driven Shortages

Some varieties are selling for nearly $500 per pound.

finance.yahoo.com

lol.

I'm not a truffle aficionado, but afaik they routinely go for way more than $3-500/lb.