How are you financially compared to four years ago?

Different.

Worse in some ways, better in others. It has been a rough 4 years.

Hubby earns far less than he used to. He has fewer job options than he did 4 years ago. Financially we're hunkered down and holding tight. We're not optimistic; nor are we feeling financially flexible.

During the last 4 years we fell off a cliff. Hubby was laid off and on unemployment for 14 months. That NEVER had happened to us before - even in the very difficult 1980's. We made it through. It wasn't easy but we made it. The wounds are still very fresh, though. I feel we're in a rebuilding period.

In many ways we're in a better place - newer house that doesn't need as much remodeling that our previous house did, better property for our "prepping" plans, and hubby has a job where he doesn't have to travel all the time (one of our goals). We have no debt, except for the mortgage and we hope the mortgage will be paid off very soon.

In many ways we are in a worse place - we moved away from our support network (a huge issue when you're a prepper), we're starting all over again in terms of savings and resources, I have almost no option of supplementing our income with a local part-time job. In many ways, living here is expensive - more expensive than we imagined. Because of the lack of preparation - no food stores, no equipment/tools, no back-up energy or heat system - I feel very unsettled. I hate that.

Better.

Better

Way better. No debt. House paid off. Cars paid off for years. New, remodelled kitchen. Healthier. Solid retirement plan.

Better
 

Better :)

About the same.