Random Thoughts, Personal Finance Round Up and Carnivals #31

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J Money over at Budgets are Sexy asked his readers are they better off than they were four years ago now that the election is over and it wouldn’t be quite so political. It was a neat idea so I decided to answer his questions in this week’s random thoughts! Here we go…

These are hard to answer because I was in college four years ago but here is my rational…

1. Overall, are you financially better or worse off today than you were four years ago? Better, I have a job with income and I save a ton of it.
2. Is your employment situation better or worse compared to four years ago? Better, I am employed. In fact, my employment situation is the best it has ever been.
3. How does your annual household income compare to four years ago? I didn’t have an annual income back then so most definitely better.
4. Are you spending more or less on housing compared to four years ago? More, but not much more actually. That and I own a house for it so I can’t complain.
5. Are you spending more or less on groceries and gas compared to four years ago? Definitely more because I didn’t spend much on either in college. Even without that though I’d be paying more because of inflation in fuel and groceries, even if they say nothing else is inflating.
6. How are your investments performing compared to four years ago? My savings account was my only investment, which is doing worse in terms of return now. However, I have other investments now so overall I’d say better.
7. Do you have more or less debt compared to four years ago? More, but that is what a mortgage does to you. I had 0 debt back then.
8. Are you saving more or less money compared to four years ago? More in terms of absolute and percentage!

Now I want to know… how are you doing compared to four years ago? Copy the questions or answer by number!

Personal Finance Round Up

Here is J Money’s post from Budgets Are Sexy about Are You Better Off Than You Were 4 Years Ago? My answers are above.

Money After Graduation explained her history of Bad Jobs She Worked Before She Started Her Career. I think everyone can relate on some level.

My Money Design wants to know… Should He Go with Affordable External Hard Drives or An Online Back Up Service? I just need to back my stuff up more often regardless of which medium I choose.

A guest post on Len Penzo by Erin Baker explains my thoughts in 100 Words On: Donating to The Company Charity Drive. I’m not a fan of the pressure to give to their organization of choice.

Finally, Corey from 20′s Finances Got A New Job! Congrats Corey! He also explains a lot of the background and process so you can learn a bit too!