Computer Predicts the Balance of Your Bank Account

I have spent far too much of the past hour taking this quiz from the University of Vermont that I found on Reddit (sssh, don’t judge me):

We are computer science researchers at the University of Vermont and have created a website that can predict the amount of money you have in your bank account. The website consists of a simple survey with questions posted by other users. The computer has been programmed to predict your personal savings based on your survey answers and statistical data of each question.

Well, I do love quizzes! Okay and now I am 91 questions in, with 61 to go. A half hour of my life is now missing and and I have answered such questions as:

– How many hamburgers do you eat in the average week?
– Do you keep a journal?
– Do you have an IRA?
– Do you own a car?
– How many inches is your TV?
– Do you prefer to write with a pencil or pen?
– Are you gay?
– How much student loan debt do you have?

One of the cooler parts of this quiz is that after you answer it displays the average response. So far it’s told me that the average person taking this quiz does not have an IRA, has just over $17k in student loan debt, and spends just over $27 a week on gas. It’s also obviously fascinating to see what people think will be a predictor of wealth (or lack thereof).

Their estimate right now is about 150% higher than my actual account, but only time will tell if they get it correct! I don’t know why I feel so compelled to finish it but if you want to give like 45 minutes of your time to the University of Vermont today, here you go.

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