Are you better off than you were four years ago?

Most people will be able to answer the question without thinking about it. But are the answers accurate? What makes things better or worse for you? Here’s a scientifically valid checklist to help you analyze your life. It’s foolproof and has been tested two or three times with very small children.

FOUR YEARS AGO
CATEGORY
TODAY
 

Own your house?

(5 points)

 
  Employed?

(If "yes," 5 points. If you are/were retired, 2 points)

 
  Foreclosed on in previous 12 months? (-5 points)  
  Car you own less than five years old? (3 points)  
  Children in the house? (1 point. 2 points if they’re yours)  
  Children at college? (-1 point)  
  Grandchildren? (2 points. 3 points if they’re your daughter’s)  
  Sports team you follow having a winning season? (If "yes," 1 point for each team)  
  Cable or satellite TV? (1 point. If no TV in the house, 5 points)  
  In love? (5 points. If the other person loves you back: 10 points)  
  Have a newspaper delivered? (1 point)  
  Obtained a college degree? (2 points)  
  Own a smartphone? (1 point. If not a smartphone owner: 2 points)  
  Own a dog ( 2 points)  
  Own a cat (1 point)  
  Pet died in last year (-1 point)  
  More money in savings than the year before? (4 points)  
  Health is generally good? (6 points)  
  Paroled from prison (1 point)  
  Don’t — or didn’t — know the name of the lieutenant governor (1 point)  
  Is a parent living and is over 85? (-1 point)  
  Did you take a vacation during the year? (2 points. 3 points if you didn’t Tweet or use Facebook during the vacation)  
  The candidate you support is the one in office? (15 points)  
 

TOTAL