Bob CollinsMost 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.
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FOUR YEARS AGO
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CATEGORY
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TODAY
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Own your house? (5 points) |
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| Employed?
(If "yes," 5 points. If you are/were retired, 2 points) |
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| 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) | ||
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