I think both polls further demonstrate that feelings about one's financial situation or life situation is a matter of personal perception, particularly if you believe it may takes years for some impacts of economic policy to be felt.
Although, I do find this particular Harris poll about "life situation" difficult to interpret. What is meant by "life has improved" - does it mean better off financially, more satisfaction with social life, better personal health, living by newly found moral or religious values, etc?
Here is another Harris poll that is more focused on the economy:
Almost Half of Americans Say the Economy is Declining and over Half Are Worried about Their Financial Situation
As the volatility continues on Wall Street, a plurality of Americans says the economy is declining while one-third of Americans say, compared to a year ago, their own personal finances have gotten worse. Just under half (45%) of U.S. adults say the economy is declining, while three in ten say it is growing and 17 percent say it is neither growing nor declining. Looking at their own personal finances, 32 percent say, compared to one year ago, their personal economic situation is worse while the same number say it is better and 31 percent say it is neither better nor worse. On top of this, over half (56%) of Americans say they are worried about their financial situation while 44 percent say they are not worried.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/har...ex.asp?PID=798