Personal Inflation Calculator
The news says inflation is 4%. But if you pay rent and drive a car, your reality is likely much worse. Calculate your TRUE inflation rate.
Why 'Official' Inflation Lies to You
The official CPI (Consumer Price Index) is an average of thousands of baskets. But you don't buy thousands of things. You buy YOUR things. If the price of TVs drops by 10% (Deflation) but your Rent goes up by 15%, the official CPI might look low, but your wallet is bleeding. This calculator fixes that weighting error.
2026 Sector Inflation Forecast
Different parts of the economy are moving at different speeds. Understanding this helps you budget better.
| Sector | Est. Inflation | Who Gets Hit Hardest? |
|---|---|---|
| Housing & Energy | +12% | Renters & Owners of older, inefficient homes |
| Services (Hair, Care) | +7% | Parents (Childcare), High-maintenance lifestyles |
| Transport | +5% | Commuters driving combustion vehicles |
| Food | +3% | Large families |
| Tech & Gadgets | -2% | Tech enthusiasts (Your money goes further here) |
How to LOWER Your Personal Inflation
- Energy Efficiency: Since energy inflation is highest (+12%), cutting consumption here has the biggest impact on your personal rate.
- Tech Deflation: Buying refurbished tech or waiting a few months for prices to drop takes advantage of the -2% deflation in this sector.
- Service Substitution: 'Service-flation' is high (+7%). Doing things yourself (cooking, minor repairs) saves more money now than it did 5 years ago.
Najczęściej zadawane pytania (FAQ)
Q:How is Personal Inflation calculated?
We take your spending percentages (e.g., 40% on Rent) and multiply them by the sector-specific inflation rate for 2026. Summing these up gives your weighted Personal CPI.
Q:Why is Housing inflation so high?
In 2026, housing costs are driven by energy efficiency mandates and high borrowing costs, making both rent and ownership significantly more expensive than the general basket.
Q:What does 'Real Purchasing Power' mean?
It adjusts your nominal salary for your personal inflation. If you earn $5000 but your personal inflation is 10%, your 'Real' purchasing power drops to roughly $4545.
Q:How can I beat inflation in 2026?
To beat inflation, focus on categories with 'deflation' like Tech (-2%) and reduce exposure to high-inflation sectors like Energy (+12%). Investing in energy efficiency (insulation, solar) provides the highest guaranteed ROI by permanently lowering your highest inflation risk factor.
Q:Is the official inflation rate fake?
No, but it's an average that includes millions of people who don't spend like you. If you are a renter in a city, your inflation is often 2-3x higher than a homeowner who paid off their mortgage. VerCalc's tool reveals YOUR specific number.