diff --git a/tests/testutil.sh b/tests/testutil.sh
index e22d90b..c4f27cb 100644
--- a/tests/testutil.sh
+++ b/tests/testutil.sh
@@ -45,6 +45,37 @@ function expect_change {
     fi
 }
 
+function expect_increase {
+    read -r out
+    comp=$1
+    desc=$2
+    expected=1
+    res=$(echo "$out>$comp" | bc)
+    if [[ $res = $expected ]]; then
+        log_ok
+        echo $desc correctly increased
+    else
+        log_fail
+        echo $desc did not increase ($out should be greater than $comp)
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
+
+function expect_decrease {
+    read -r out
+    comp=$1
+    desc=$2
+    expected=1
+    res=$(echo "$out<$comp" | bc)
+    if [[ $res = $expected ]]; then
+        log_ok
+        echo $desc correctly decreased
+    else
+        log_fail
+        echo $desc did not decrease ($out should be less than than $comp)
+        exit 1
+    fi
+}
 
 # Get balance of an account.
 function get_balance {