What Is Personal Inflation, and Why It Differs from the Headline Rate
When the news reports that inflation is "6%", that figure is the headline Consumer Price Index — a national average across a fixed basket of goods and services, weighted to represent a typical household. But no household is the typical household. If a large share of your money goes on rent, school fees, fuel, or eating out, your personal inflation rate can be meaningfully higher or lower than the official number. This tracker lets you measure your own rate from the prices you actually pay, week after week.
How the tracker works
Each week, log the prices of everyday items you buy — petrol, milk, eggs, bread, rent, and a typical meal. The tracker adds them into a personal "basket" and stores each week's entry. Over time it charts how the total cost of your basket moves and calculates the percentage change between your first and most recent entries. That percentage is your personal inflation rate: a direct, bottom-up measure built from your spending rather than a national average.
Your data stays on your device
Privacy is built in. Every price you enter is saved only in your browser's local storage on your own device — nothing is uploaded to a server, and we never see your figures. You can clear all your data at any time with the "Clear Data" button. This also means your history is tied to the browser you use, so logging from the same device keeps your trend intact.
Getting the most from it
Consistency matters more than precision. Try to log prices for the same items, in similar quantities, at a regular interval — say, every week or every payday. After a few entries a trend emerges, and you may notice that the categories driving your personal inflation differ from the headline story. That insight is useful for budgeting: it shows where price pressure is hitting you, not the statistical average household.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my personal inflation different from the official rate?
Because your spending mix is unique. The official CPI uses fixed national weights; if you spend more than average on fast-rising categories such as rent or education, your personal rate will run higher.
Is my data shared or stored online?
No. Entries are kept only in your browser via local storage and are never transmitted to us or any third party. Clearing your browser data or pressing "Clear Data" removes them permanently.
Can I rely on this for budgeting decisions?
It is an educational tool that reflects your own logged prices, which are not statistically representative. For budgeting or investment decisions, consult a SEBI-registered advisor. See our full disclaimer.