The question of the month seems to be “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” My answer is an overwhelmingly yes.

Four years ago, I lost $25,000 in my 401(k) when the market crashed because of the greatest recession since the Great Depression. Now the stock market is more than 13,000, and not 8,000, and I have recouped all my loses.

Four years ago, my house lost $30,000 in value because of the housing bubble. It has now regained all that was lost and is appraised again over the value of four years ago. Since I’m retired and on a fixed income, my income has been the same for the last four years. Inflation has been basically the same the last four years. My health care has gone down since four years ago because of the extra $250 a year of the “doughnut hole” and that is more than the increase in premiums. I am more than $55,000 ahead.

The wasted war in Iraq is over and the person who has caused the U.S. the most damage, Osama bin Laden, is dead.

I am much better off now than four years ago.

Vern Miller

Coralville