Leading up to the Nov. 6 election, City Pulse is taking to the streets to ask residents from all walks of life this inherently loaded — or plainly simple — question: “Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

— Compiled by City Pulse interns Andrea Raby and Helene Dryden. Edited by Andy Balaskovitz

Jason Wiesinger

Age: 36

Residence: East Lansing

Occupation: Instructor at Michigan State University

“Yes, I am. Four years ago, my friends and I were definitely feeling a pinch. The weddings got a little bit less extravagant, for example. We didn’t take trips. We wouldn’t go out. We would stay in and do more things. So that was definitely different. But I think four years ago it was an adjustment — now it’s just a way of life.” 

Tegan Jetton

Age: 20

Occupation: Student

Residence: Perry

“I think I’m better off right now just because Obama has done a lot of things for the LGBT community and he’s trying to get things pushed for students. I’m hoping that he will do the same in the next four years.”