I've done fine over the last five years, but my husband has done terribly. It is strange to have both success and struggle in one marriage.
Whereas my career as a claims adjuster and my investments continued to soar during the recovery, my husband's career in construction is still trying to gain traction.
Prior to the recession (which I call more of a depression), he was always working six days a week, putting in patios and other concrete for all these new homes popping up in our area. Then, suddenly he wasn't working.
For three years, there was no home-building, no renovations.
My salary continued to either stay the same or go up every year, and I've been able to keep on trucking up the hill.
Sure, my retirement accounts got cut in half, but I didn't panic. I stayed in the market, and now they're entirely back.
I have a college degree, and my husband doesn't. I think I was more able to handle the recession due to my education and my ability to change jobs. Now he has gone back to work, but he has three years to catch up.
In light of what president Obama faced going into office, I think he's done a fine job. Things are improved, but we have so much further to go.
